We were surprised as anyone to see this listed today at Google News…
We were somewhat less surprised when we clicked on it to find the page it linked to was now an error page at the Fox “News” website, reading…
To confirm the page actually existed at one time, we also searched over at Yahoo News and found the similar…
That link also led to an error page at Fox “News”, even though, according to the URL (http://elections.foxnews.com/category/top-story/), the article, for a moment at least, had been one of their top stories. As it was an AP story, perhaps it was part of an automatic feed that made it’s way onto FNC’s site, until the “fair and balanced” network website editors noted it, and decided it needed to be scrubbed immediately.
After searching and searching at their website for the original article, perhaps under a changed headline, we came up with little, other than a story headlined: “Analysis: Pressure Builds on Palin Ahead of VP Debate” found not in a search, but in a sidebar list of “Most Read” articles over there.
While that article had a reference to the crushing call for Palin to drop out of the race, as seen in a National Review column by conservaitve Kathleen Parker, which The BRAD BLOG noted on Friday, it began with a few shots at Democratic Veep nominee Joe Biden who, Fox says, “spent the past week tripping up his own campaign — bungling facts on the Great Depression and even criticizing a Barack Obama ad” before going on to detail “Biden’s gaffe-prone ways.”
It was only, in the comments section for that “Analysis” piece, that we were able to find references to the spiked article, and finally, a commenter who posted a link to a copy of the original article — which featured a number of devasting criticisms of Palin, from a number of conservatives — as reposted elsewhere…
The same commenter, “ntak6090”, then posted yet another link to the article as re-posted elswhere, at a site which re-posts a feed of all FNC articles. The comment included the chiding “Too late FOX… once you put something on the Internet, it stays on the Internet”…
In addition to the comments from Parker, calling on Palin to leave the ticket, The BRAD BLOG also recently noted comments about Palin from Laura Bush, who, in a rather stunning, yet under-reported admission, agreed that she lacks foreign policy experience. We also ran clips from Palin’s disastrous CBS interviews, which were somewhat lost in the flurry of news concerning the Wall Steet bailout, but which seem to have been a tipping point for a number of previously-supportiver conservatives.
As a courtesy to Fox “News” — who must have removed the article sharing some of those concerns because they are running short on Internet ink today — and for their faithful readers and viewers, we’ll go ahead and run their original complete story, as spiked from their website, in full below…
by Associated Press
Sunday, September 28, 2008
http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/09/28/conservatives-begin-questioning-palins-heft/
A growing number of Republicans are expressing concern about Sarah Palin’s uneven – and sometimes downright awkward – performances in her limited media appearances.
Conservative columnist Kathleen Parker, a former Palin supporter, says the vice presidential nominee should step aside. Kathryn Jean Lopez, writing for the conservative National Review, says “that’s not a crazy suggestion†and that “something’s gotta change.â€
Tony Fabrizio, a GOP strategist, says Palin’s recent CBS appearance isn’t disqualifying but is certainly alarming. “You can’t continue to have interviews like that and not take on water.â€
“I have not been blown away by the interviews from her, but at the same time, I haven’t come away from them thinking she doesn’t know s-t,†said Chris Lacivita, a GOP strategist. “But she ain’t *** Cheney, nor Joe Biden and definitely not Hillary Clinton.â€
There is no doubt that Palin retains a tremendous amount of support among rank-and-file Republicans. She draws huge crowds, continues to raise a lot of money for the McCain campaign, and state parties report she has sparked an uptick in the number of volunteers.
Asked about Palin’s performance in the CBS interview, a McCain official briefing reporters on condition of anonymity said: “She did fine. She’s a tremendous asset and a fantastic candidate.â€
But there is also no doubt many Republican insiders are worried she could blow next week’s debate, based on her unexpectedly weak and unsteady media appearances, and hurt the Republican ticket if she does.
What follows is a viewer’s guide to some of Palin’s toughest moments on camera so far.
Speaking this week with CBS’s Katie Couric, Palin seemed caught off-guard by a very predictable question about the status of McCain adviser Rick Davis’ relationship with mortgage lender Freddie Mac. Davis was accused by several news outlets of retaining ties – and profiting from – the companies despite his denials.
Where a more experienced politician might have been able to brush off Couric’s follow-up question, Palin seemed genuinely stumped, repeating the same answer twice and resorting to boilerplate language about the “undue influence of lobbyists.â€
These missteps could be attributed to inadequate preparation and don’t necessarily reflect more deeply on Palin’s ability to perform as vice president. But when reporters have tried to probe Palin’s thinking on subjects such as foreign policy, she’s been similarly opaque.
In an interview with ABC’s Charlie Gibson, Palin gave a muddled answer to a question about her opinion of the Bush Doctrine.
And given the chance to describe her foreign policy credentials more fully, Palin recited familiar talking points, telling Gibson that her experience with energy policy was sufficient preparation for dealing with national security issues.
In the same interview, Palin let Gibson lead her into saying it might be necessary to wage war on Russia – a suggestion that most candidates would have avoided making explicitly and that signaled her discomfort in discussing global affairs.
Then, asked this week by Couric to discuss her knowledge of foreign relations – in particular, her assertion that Alaska’s proximity to Russia gave her international experience – Palin tripped herself up explaining her interactions with Alaska’s neighbor to the west. Watch CBS Videos Online
On the economy, too, Palin has avoided taking clear stances. In a largely friendly interview with Fox News Channel’s Sean Hannity, Palin spoke in tangled generalities in response to a question about a possible Wall Street bailout – and even preempted her campaign by coming out against it.
On Thursday, Palin finally took questions from her traveling press – but shut things down quickly after Politico’s Kenneth P. Vogel asked her whether she would support Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens, who has been indicted for corruption, and Rep. Don Young, who is under federal investigation, for reelection.
Unlike her other interviews, at least this time Palin had the option to walk away.
Why does it keep nagging me that the McCain Campaign is pimping Palin as McCain’s whore? The only benefit that she brings is that she is a novel candidate for the office. Oh, and she is hot looking.
It bothered me why they picked her because although it looks like christian fundy kookiness… there has to be more.
Then it hit me. The Vice President is in charge of the NATIONAL ARCHIVES.
Who better than a puppet who obeys orders to destroy any traces Dick Cheney may have left behind? You know. erase the evidence so he can’t be tried in a court of law? In case he missed anything with that shredder truck parked at his house.
They also know McCain is going to die.
I wonder who their pick is for the next fill in when he does? It will obviously be another puppet presidency.
So tell me why we are feeding this crime syndicate another $700 Billion to shore up this next move?
Why?
Regarding the article here? I think it is simply WONDERFUL that you were able to reconstruct it.
Many have parked plenty of stories off line for use after they sweep Google. In nations around the world.
Assignment; Google McCain + organized crime
Then Google McCain + alzheimer’s
Those will give you reading material for a week.
It is becoming blatantly clear that any thought that Palin may face actual journalistic scrutiny will not happen.
The Fox and McCain spin machines will propagate some crisis (probably a continuation of the economic crisis. They felt free to put themselves first instead of country this last week; watch for some GOP conspired collaboration to extend the crisis and therefore the Thursday debate must be suspended to devote all the similar desperately needed assistance of John McCain, blah, blah…..).
McCain is such a drama queen (aka: maverick in their spin) and the game will continue; they will not allow Palin to debate just as they haven’t allowed her to face the media to date. It’s the “God save the queen” strategy.
I’m a Pat Buchanan “paleocon” who was swept up in the initial hype about Sarah Palin. But it’s obvious that she’s not the least bit intellectually curious. It’s painfully clear that she has no idea what she’s talking about. She’s simply not smart enough to hold her own against the torrent of manipulators and ideologues infesting Washington. Ann Coulter suggests that we “true” Republicans need to “get drunk and vote for McCain”. I’m afraid I’m going to have to “get high and vote for Obama”.
I think I’m going to be sick…
~ If nothing else Obama isn’t old enough to get as crooked as mccain . . .
Hmm.. It seems to me that we should have Kucinich be the Speaker of the House.. cause we all know that McInsane isn’t going to last more than a few months.. and if something bad happened to Palin at that point, well.. then Kucinich would be president.
I like that thinking..
The reason they won’t release Sarah Palin’s medical history is it includes an involuntary hospitalization with a diagnosis of suicidal/danger-to-self.
that would be related to the five different colleges she attended, i would guess.
I ahve no doubt that Palin is not evil incarnate. Heck, I’m not sure I wouldn’t mind having her as my own mom. But as she has shown in her last couple of speaking engagements (think interview with Couric), she’s not the most educated politician we’ve seen in awhile.
Fake News has Palin listed as a journalist.
Hmm, I’m not sure about that. How about a fabulist?
http://elections.foxnews.com/candidate/sarah-heath-palin/
Still in google’s cache at this point:
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:6SdjHVEMY90J:elections.foxnews.com/2008/09/28/conservatives-begin-questioning-palins-heft
In case that url is to long to digest:
http://tinyurl.com/3nrvto
Sarah Palin is simply as dumb as a plank . She’s a useless fraud and a rotten person by any and all accounting . She’s a joke . No Right to be in the position she’s in what so ever . And there is no excuse for her in any language .
She is a bad person for honestly thinking she Could do the job she’s applying for .Plank .
She isn’t attractive , hot or pretty, she’s a lot of cosmetics over a plain face. Nothing special . Stop saying she’s hot . She isn’t . She’s a brittle , unintellegant hoax. And we’re allowing it to be considered as Plausible . Our standards have fallen to the basement and smashed a hole in the floor 1/2 way to hell .
And it is utterly contemptable for the equaly rotten McCain to actualy present her as the peoples #2 and then lock her away from Scrutiny. So we’re supposed to what , take your word for it John? You don’t want an informed electorate , John? You think she isn’t…ready? John? Hmmmm.
He thinks we’re stupid , like he is , and she definately is .
Send her back to her job at Burger King in Alaska and leave her out of the adult world of politics
This is the new 911 ,brought to you by the very same people behind the original 911.
Anybody wondering why Cheney is so quite ?
MAKE THIS VIRAL – STOP THE BAILOUT! SAVE AMERICA!
Out of Control Fraud
Palins heft?
I’m sure most of it is water weight.
Congress declared Marshall Law?
so is the real purpose, of mccain being elected,is that he can pardon bush and cheney, so they wont serve jail time for what they and there friends have done to this country. high treason instant pardonable is it?
Now that the republicans have stolen your money . . .
Next they will come for your children (draft).
Brad and the rest of you,
We need someone to start looking into a new development. The Social Security Administration has announced that it is shutting down it’s computer system for FOUR DAYS from Oct 10th through the 13th at the very time poll workers all over the United States will be racing against deadlines to verify new voter registrations by checking their social security numbers as required by law. The Bush Administration has a proven track record of using the federal bureaucracy to sabotage the voting process (see Justice Department, Lurita Doan, etc., etc.) and their doing it again.
You can read Sen. Diane Feinstein’s letter to the head of the SS administration requesting reconsideration of that shut down at this link:
http://brennan.3cdn.net/e9180c070d73f1d0d8_xfm6bl0sc.pdf
The burning question, of course, is who is behind this shutdown and why it has to happen at THE MOST IMPORTANT MOMENT JUST BEFORE THE DEADLINES FOR REGISTRATION!!! This could cost lots of new votes – most of which are Democratic. Pass this on to anyone you think should know.
Good find Johnbo!!!
Holy crap! I’m linking this to buzzflash right now- how convenient for Repubs! FOUR DAYS!!!!??? What a blatant vote-supression tactic- Brad, where are you?!
O.T. House fails to pass bill to bailout gop (Greedy Old Perverts) failure . . .
It amazes me that the author of this article has never heard of Google cache. It took me about 15 seconds to find the original article as posted on Fox News….
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22Conservatives+begin+questioning+Palin%27s+heft%22
There were TWO stories that ‘disappeared’ from major news sources yesterday, both critical of the GOP candidates. The second story, critical of John McCain’s ‘bad manners,’ disappeared just as suddenly from the Chicago Sun-Times online web site. Both eradicted stories were reported on Sunday, on the journalism link at http://tvnewslies.org
So sad. The first ticket with a woman on it and they nomninate the most unenlightened “hockey mom” they could find.
Why is everyone dissin’ Palin……….have we all forgot we survived LBJ….the dunbest Texan ever, then there was Al Gore…….and last but not leat of the all time dumbass politicians..that lead the world to believe the USA is weak……Jimmy..Peanut..Carter…..made me ashamed to be a Democrat
I love Fox News. They are so cool over there.
When I watch CNN or check other stations they are so into Obama that it makes you want to puke !
Look people. Do you think that for one minute that any of these politcians make decisions for themselves. They have all kinds qualified people in all aspects of government that they rely on. After getting opinions from them then they base their decision. Have you all been in a closet for years or what ?
Sarah Palin is a decent and moral and very smart lady. All this national scene stuff is new to her but she is learning. Right ?
Obama is still learning. LOL
All politicians have TOP ADVISERS that they rely on.
She will be just fine if John McCain wins the White House this year.
John is a national hero and he loves his country and has all his life not just this year. LoL
He does not hang out with crooks, liars and thieves and people who G damn America.
Some of you folks really need to put the drugs aways. Shape up. Get a life. Get a good nights sleep.
Tomorrow is another day.
MAY GOD bless you all.
Found scrubbed McCain Criticism. The Roger Ebert article critical of McCain that was removed from the Chicago Sun Times website is available in its entirety at link.
… Susan said on 9/29/2008 @ 8:01 pm PT…
repeat after me “keating 5″…so put down the kool aid take your meds and go back to bed like a good little girl.
the google will help enlighten you when you feel up to it.
I noticed this too and snagged a few images for my own journal. They didn’t even put up the error page at first, just did a straight take-down of the page. Panic much?
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3032/2895872514_4233b8895b_o.png
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3227/2895872600_9194c73f8d_o.png
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3296/2895033943_8f793cf136_o.png
I watched Governor Palin in a debate with two other contenders in the Alaska Governor’s race. She held her own against both, one of whom was a former governor of the state. She is no slouch, and those who continue to debunk her qualifications for the presidency really aren’t giving her a chance. Sure, she’s going to make mistakes, but she’s been in the race for only a month. Obama refused to give formal press conferences for many months, and I recall one he gave this year that was particularly disastrous. On that occasion, he fled the stage after just a handful of questions. Yet she’s supposed to be a pro from day one and give unlimited contact to the press. Why is the standard set so high for her and not for him? He’s notoriously poor when speaking without a tele-prompter and needs to prep for days in advance of interviews or debates. There’s nothing to indicate that she won’t be able to do the job. She just needs a little seasoning.
L. Smith: Are you kidding me? You think that the V.P. position – the 2nd highest office in the U.S. – the replacment President should McCain die – is a “learn as you go” position? Palin doesn’t know squat about international issues, economic issues, national security issues, etc. She’s “managed” a group of 5,000 people in Alaska – that’s it! Have you not HEARD her in her interviews? I’m sorry, but this country is thoroughly screwed up and by those who supposedly are experts in their fields and you think that it’s ok that Palin just isn’t “seasoned” yet? Do you hate America that much?
I see Palin as a “Trophy Politician” Like a trophy wife.
Like was stated before: She draws huge crowds, continues to raise a lot of money for the McCain campaign, and state parties report she has sparked an uptick in the number of volunteers.
McCain isn’t thinking past the election. Could you imagine if he’s elected President then croaks soon after in office. Lord help us. I bet that the world would be laughing at us,if it isn’t laughing right now.
Get Wise …….She was tagged as the VP candidate for two reasons as I see it…..
1. She is a woman… and the Republicans thought they would get Hillary’s cliff hangers on Gender alone…. Well She Is No Hillary…. Never Could Be on the best day of her life….And
2. She is so intrenched with a Religous Right Baptist Church…who will judge and condem you for what their ministers go to jail for year after year…. So they are neither religous nor Right….. But if they could get the vote of all of those sheep…They actually thought they could”Pull the Wool” over our eyes (Pun Intended….No abortions even if the mothers life is at risk…no embroyotic stem cell research…so what about altzheimers aids cancer cures? lest we forget that she can pray and heal homosexuals from their life styles….. perhaps she should start with her 17 y/o unmarried pregnant daughter….
Anyone here an Obama supporter? wipe the brown off your nose.
Greta,
Not the first ticket with a woman on it.
Not only is there another woman on a ticket in this election, there are two on one slate (Cynthia McKinney & Rosa Clemente – Green Party). There have been others for minor parties in the past (notably Angela Davis as VP candidate in ’80 & ’84).
As for women on a major party ticket, Google: Geraldine Ferraro 1984.
i would like to know if you can mention to MCCAIN AND PALIN TO INCLUDE HELPING THE AMERICAN PEOLPLE BY TAKEN OFF EVERY THING NEGATIVE OFF EVERBODY CREDIT REPORT. GIVE US A CHANCE LIKE WALL STREET AND THE OTHE BIG COMPANIES. YOU CAN NOT GET A DECENT JOB IF YOU HAVE CREDIT PROBLEMS. I THINK THIS IS UNFAIR FOR COMPANIES TO ASK FOR A CREDIT HISTORY WHEN SEEKING EMPLOYMENT.