Palin: First Amendment Rights Threatened By Criticism ABC News reports:In a conservative radio interview that aired in Washington, D.C. Friday morning, Republican vice presidential nominee Gov. Sarah Palin said she fears her First Amendment rights may be threatened by "attacks" from reporters who suggest she is engaging in a negative campaign against Barack Obama. Palin told WMAL-AM that her criticism of Obama's associations, like those with 1960s radical Bill Ayers and the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, should not be considered negative attacks. Rather, for reporters or columnists to suggest that it is going negative may constitute an attack that threatens a candidate's free speech rights under the Constitution, Palin said. "If [the media] convince enough voters that that is negative campaigning, for me to call Barack Obama out on his associations," Palin told host Chris Plante, "then I don't know what the future of our country would be in terms of First Amendment rights and our ability to ask questions without fear of attacks by the mainstream media." Salon's Glenn Greenwald explains why this argument is frighteningly wrong:If anything, Palin has this exactly backwards, since one thing that the First Amendment does actually guarantee is a free press. Thus, when the press criticizes a political candidate and a Governor such as Palin, that is a classic example of First Amendment rights being exercised, not abridged. This isn't only about profound ignorance regarding our basic liberties, though it is obviously that. Palin here is also giving voice here to the standard right-wing grievance instinct: that it's inherently unfair when they're criticized. And now, apparently, it's even unconstitutional. According to Palin, what the Founders intended with the First Amendment was that political candidates for the most powerful offices in the country and Governors of states would be free to say whatever they want without being criticized in the newspapers. The First Amendment was meant to ensure that powerful political officials would not be "attacked" in the papers. ============ I think the ticket is falling apart because of her ignorance.....and McCain's lack of judgement. DD
She has shown time and again that she is remarkably unqualified for the job. She has the grasp of an elementary student.
Oh my god. I've heard people say she has potential to be a leader in the future Republican Party, and I just don't see it. I think she should be looking to make sure her constituency in Alaska doesn't crumble, not trying to build a national career that is already hopelessly hobbled. I do think someone in her own situation would be well-served to finish the campaign in a way to put herself in the best situation possible and leave McCain in the dust. However, I don't think she's adept enough to accomplish that. For her, she may just want to do what the advisors tell her and, maybe, at least she can keep a reputation as a team player.
It is frightening to even think that we're at a point where a large portion of this country seriously considers a candidate like this for the highest office in the land. Wow. I mean, shouldn't a simple, elementary understanding of the American Constitution be a requirement to run for *any* kind of public office?
wow someone please tell me that those remarks are out of context or on SNL and not really a VP Candidate's actual views. holy cow. Im rarely at a loss for words, but I am so dumbfounded I cant be sarcastic about it.
Just as I considered her deserving of sympathy, someone her party thought was so "green" and maybe naive she would be appreciatively and willfully puppeted by the campaign strategists, she says something to deter endearment coming her way....
Palin is an idiot. Her ignorance should be the first thing that people see when they look at her as being unqualified. Secondly, should be her constant abuse of power. I have a distinct feeling that if Hillary looked like Palin, should would probably have been able to get more voters than Obama, and this election would be FAR out of reach for Repubs....
