Results tagged “sarahpalin”

It's been a year since Tina Fey's spot-on version of Sarah Palin hit the small screen on Saturday Night Live, and now word is she's bringing it back this season... maybe.

NJ gubernatorial Chris Christie reassured NJ voters that he's not interested in having soon-to-be former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin stump for him this fall. The Republican challenger did offer one familiar name—the Star-Ledger reports that Christie told 101.5 FM, "This is about New Jersey issues and New Jersey, and I don't think having Governor Palin here would do me, or frankly the state, a whole lot of good in the sense that we need to talk and focus on what the New Jersey issues are. I hope Mayor Giuliani will continue to be supportive and be here and work with me, but other than that, I think the people of New Jersey have to hear from me and that's the person they'll be electing. I'll be sitting in the chair, and I want them to spend most of their time getting to know me." Giuliani endorsed Christie back in February. Governor Jon Corzine, who trails Christie in the polls, is optimistic about his chances, "We have a national recession, we have a global recession. The public understands that President Obama and the Democratic policies are not how we got into this mess."

Being criticized and questioned (by even her fellow Republican party members!) over her sudden resignation, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin fought back on Facebook and Twitter, saying, "How sad that Washington and the media will never understand; it's about country. And though it's honorable for countless others to leave their positions for a higher calling and without finishing a term, of course we know by now, for some reason a different standard applies for the decisions I make." Her lawyer is also threatening legal action over "defamatory" rumors that a criminal investigation might be afoot. Apparently the spotlight on her personal life was too much; Washington Post spoke to John Coale, the D.C. lawyer who "helped [Palin] establish a political action committee and has become her political consigliere of sorts." Coale said, "She asked me, 'Well, what do you think all this is? Why are all these people attacking me?' I said to her: 'Look, that's what happens. They did it to Hillary [Rodham Clinton], and Hillary just pushed through it. It's not going to really stop... You just have to ignore it and move on,' but he added, "she couldn't ignore the hits on the kids. She said, 'It brought out the mama grizzly in me.' She acted like a mother grizzly bear when her cubs were being attacked."

Get ready to see more of Sarah Palin around the continental U.S.: The Alaska Governor and former vice presidential hopeful says she will step down as governor at the end of the month, "We know we can effect positive change outside of government... It is my duty to always protect our great state. With that in mind, my family and I determined that it is best to make a difference this summer, and I am willing to change things, so that this administration, with its positive agenda, its accomplishments, and its successful road to an incredible future, can continue without interruption and with great administrative and legislative success." Politico reports, "Leaving office at the end of the month, [Palin] will be able to travel the country more freely without facing the sort of repeated ethics inquiries she’s been fending off since returning to Alaska earlier this year."

    

Yesterday, the much-ballyhooed gathering to demand that CBS fire talk show host David Letterman after his questionable jokes about Alaska Governor Sarah Palin's daughter (namely how A-Rod impregnated her by the 7th inning of a Yankees game and how Eliot Spitzer should be kept at bay) drew a few dozen protesters outside the Ed Sullivan Theater. Estimates are as high as 50 and as low as 15. But there was a lot of passion: Josephine Sarnok, carrying a "Over the Line, Dave" sign told Entertainment Weekly, “I’m outraged. It was a low blow. I’m insulted for women. I’m insulted for children. I’m insulted for families. I’m insulted."

Last night, David Letterman apologized to Alaska Governor Sarah Palin for his questionable jokes about one of her daughters. He had initially apologized last week, but Palin still considered the remarks—which suggested that A-Rod might impregnate her daughter and that they should keep Eliot Spitzer away during the Palins' trip to NY—offensive and demanded that he "apologize to young women across the country [for contributing to a culture] that says it’s OK to talk about statutory rape...It's not cool; it's not funny."

The war of the words between Alaska Governor Sarah Palin and talk show host David Letterman continues, with Palin's appearance on the Today Show this morning. Referring to Letterman's questionable "jokes" about her trip to New York, suggesting that A-Rod might impregnate her daughter and that they should keep Eliot Spitzer away, Palin told Matt Lauer, “I would like to see him apologize to young women across the country [for contributing to a culture] that says it’s OK to talk about statutory rape...It's not cool; it's not funny.”

If someone woke up from a nine-month slumber last night around midnight, having them tune into probably would have been a good way to ease them back into their new present. There was good old Dave, in the midst of a public feud with one-half of the McCain-Palin ticket, spending a good eight minutes of his nightly broadcast dedicated to butting heads in classic Letterman style: dry, detached and feigning ignorance.

It was a veritable GOP party at Yankee Stadium yesterday! Apparently former mayor—and former presidential aspirant—Rudy Giuliani invited Alaska Governor Sarah Palin to catch the Yankees-Rays game. It was also a double date—the Daily News reports, "The GOP political duo and their spouses exchanged laughs, smiles and small talk as they watched the Yanks take on Tampa Bay. At one point, Giuliani snapped a photo of his wife, Judith, with Alaska's First Couple." Later in the evening, Palin was honored as an advocate for developmentally disabled children; Newsday reports that group's founder "can't say what type of advocacy work Palin has done on behalf developmentally disabled children, he said her popularity and high-profile status makes her an effective spokeswoman for the group and that's why Palin was chosen as this year's honoree." Palin spent the earlier part of the weekend upstate.

      

The bustling tourism season is just getting under way up in Alaska, but this weekend The Last Frontier State has sent New York its biggest export over the last year: The Palin Family. Governor Sarah Palin has been zipping around the area over the last couple days with events planned in various suburbs and towns around the city, almost flirtatiously toying with the five boroughs.

Alaska Governor Sarah Palin will be journeying to the continental U.S.—and New York State this weekend. Newsday reports that on Sunday, she's being honored at a fundraiser for Independent Group Home Living, an organization that helps developmentally disabled people to live fuller lives. Palin's young son Trig, 1 year old, has Down Syndrome and IGHL says, "Governor Palin has become a symbol to families who are coping with their own children’s special needs. These families look to leaders such as Governor Palin for compassionate attention to the educational and therapeutic programs that are improving their own youngsters chances for learning." Palin will also be attending an event in Auburn, NY on Saturday—it's a celebration of the 50th anniversary of Alaska's statehood at the home of William Seward, the secretary of state who negotiated buying the land from Russia.. For $250, you can get a "Personal Introduction and Photograph with Governor Palin" in addition to cocktails, dinner and entertainment.

Set your DVRs—this Monday, the Tyra Banks Show will air the model-turned-entrepreneur's "exclusive" interview with Levi Johnston, ex-fiance of Bristol Palin. Johnston, along with mother Sherry and sister Mercede, came to New York City to tell his side of his romance with the daughter of Alaska Governor—and possible 2012 hopeful—Sarah Palin. From the press release:

Levi, who was sharing a room with Bristol at the Palin residence prior to their breakup, tells Tyra he believes Sarah Palin knew they were having sex and that they practiced safe sex, “most of the time.” 



Continue reading "Tyra Banks Gets Exclusive Interview With Levi Johnston"

While Special Olympics chairman Tim Shriver believes President Obama is apologetic about his unfortunate remarks comparing his poor bowling skills (he got a 129) to the Special Olympics, more voices are chiming in. Notably Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, who has a son with Down syndrome and is a champion to special needs families, said she was "shocked", “This was a degrading remark about our world’s most precious and unique people, coming from the most powerful position in the world. These athletes overcome more challenges, discrimination and adversity than most of us ever will. By the way, these athletes can outperform many of us and we should be proud of them. I hope President Obama’s comments do not reflect how he truly feels about the special needs community.” Long Island Special Olympian Daniel Fletcher, who has competed in basketball, golf, baseball, and equestrian events, tells Newsday that he'd happily challenge the President in bowling—Fletcher recently scored a 130.

After confirming that he and fiancee (and the mother of his son) Bristol Palin, daughter of Alaska governor Sarah Palin, had broken up, Levi Johnston is appearing on Good Morning America today. The new father (son Tripp was born in December) claims they broke up a week ago and suggested it's not over, "We'll just remain friends for now. We're both cool with that decision, and we'll see... We were just, we were in a fight. And trying to see if we can make things work. But this is what it kind of ended up turning into... It's just us not, me not being mature enough, or something, and having a kid and thinking ... it could be better -- better for us to separate for a while." Spoken like a 19-year-old! As for Bristol, she took her mom's place at a state mini golf event while the Governor was helping a Girl Scout troop sell cookies (the troop was robbed!) at a supermarket. Palin, with kids Willow, Piper and Trig plus grandson Tripp in tow, told People that her 18-year-old daughter was doing great.

Yesterday afternoon,Caroline Kennedy met with Governor David Paterson to discuss the Senate seat being vacated by Hillary Clinton. The Daily News reports, "Until Saturday, Kennedy had only spoken by phone to Paterson," but no details about their conversation were released. A Paterson spokeswoman said, "The details of those discussions will remain private."

A new interview with Sarah Palin just released has us wishing that we were whisked back to the fall where we knew we could count on Tina Fey and SNL to send it up the following Saturday. The interview features Palin given the opportunity to watch the clip of Tina playing her in the VP debate and firing off what some said was the best line of the election year: "Marriage is a sacred institution between two unwilling teenagers." It turns out that Palin had not seen the clip before the interview a few days ago—despite the clip being rerun ad nauseam on cable news and quoted in newspapers everywhere. Her response: "The Mama Grizzly rises up in me hearing things like that."

It's confirmed: Alaska Governor Sarah Palin is having some bad luck with the media. Her time on the Republican Party's top ticket was marred by a few missteps--namely with her handlers limiting her time with the media, being over- or underprepared with the media or McCain-Palin insiders complaining to the media about her. But now that she's back in her native state, one would think that her aides could make sure she doesn't stand in front of the turkey killing machine during an interview after pardoning a turkey for Thanksgiving.

Well, it only took two weeks for Alaska's election officials to figure out that Anchorage mayor Mark Begich (D) managed beat the incumbent, convicted Sen. Ted Stevens (R), who has been serving since 1968. Begich said, “I can’t wait to get to work fighting for Alaskan families," and his win also means an end to guessing whether Governor Sarah Palin might appoint herself to Stevens' seat. There is some talk of a recount (Begich's margin is 3,724 with just 2,500 votes left to recount), but the Anchorage Daily News reports with machine counting "recent Alaska recounts have resulted in little change in the final tally." As for other undecided Senate races: In Minnesota, Sen. Norm Coleman (R) leads Al Franken (D) by 215 votes, but a recount will start tomorrow, while the Dec. 2 runoff between Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R) and Jim Martin (D) in Georgia is drawing big names.

The Today show aired another part of Matt Lauer's interview with Alaska Governor and Sarah Palin. This one includes Lauer asking about Palin's infamous interview with Katie Couric and whether she think President-elect Obama can handle the crisis in Iraq. Yesterday's interview (video after the jump) had Palin discussing the rumors about the $150,000 wardrobe and why the McCain-Palin ticket lost, "I think the economic collapse had a heckuva lot more to do with the campaign's collapse than me personally."

Sarah Palin came out swinging yesterday at insider attacks against her that surfaced after Tuesday's election calling them "cowardly." She also said that those from the McCain camp who leaked out implications that she didn't know which countries were involved in NAFTA and whether or not Africa was a continent were "jerks" and that the comments were taken out of context. Other campaign aides came to Palin's back yesterday, no more than McCain adviser Nicole Wallace. Wallace made headlines in the waning days of the campaign as internal tensions boiled over into the press by saying she would lie under a bus if those in her camp were throwing her under one. Yesterday she said that Palin was “perhaps the most un-diva politician I've seen" and that "the only thing I’ve seen her ask for is a diet soda.” Palin later confirmed the diet soda comment, specifying it was a Diet Dr. Pepper.

Alaska governor and vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin didn't rule out running in 2012 when asked about her future in politics earlier today. She said, "2012 sounds like years away. 2012 ... what will we be doing there, guys. Enrolling Trig in kindergarten and watching Willow get ready to go off to college. There are a lot of good things that will happen in 2012." And she told the town of Wasilla after her concession, "We're going to be just fine. It is a shining moment tonight in history. We do congratulate Barack Obama. It's a great night in history. But I'll tell ya, Wasilla - and everybody there in Alaska - I am just proud to be able to represent Wasilla. I am neither bitter nor vanquished, but very confident in the knowledge that there will be another day. "

John McCain may have been more involved during his appearance on SNL, but his running mate Sarah Palin is still stealing his thunder. While she got the show its highest ratings in 14 years (15 million viewers), McCain's appearance only drew 12 million. Overall, however, the Daily News reports that Saturday's show had its "second highest audience in Nielsen's sample of major markets in 11 years" (whatever that means), and "Saturday's telecast was up 73% when compared to a year ago." Perhaps an Obama appearance would have delivered SNL its highest ratings ever, but he chose to spread the wealth with his network-spanning informercial. Meanwhile, NBC points out though McCain can take a joke, the Palin ones can bother him, which might "explain... 'frosty' chemistry between Tina Fey and McCain." Good thing they didn't refer to that prank call.

With less than 48 hours left before the election, John McCain stopping into Saturday Night Live to perform in a couple of sketches seems like it should be huge news. But with so much attention being showered on the show this year throughout the campaign season, somehow it just felt par for course at this point in a period that Tina Fey for one calls "the weirdest time in my life."

Tina Fey has been making her 30 Rock promo rounds (the season premiere airs tomorrow) and appeared on Conan last night, where the first segment was all about that other show: SNL. (She says her recent stints at her old gig have been akin to "moving back in with your parents.")

The wits at Manhattan Mini-Storage, who have poked fun at President Bush in their past ads, have now taken on Sarah Palin! With an image of a red-suited woman wearing an anti-choice pin, the text reads: "What's more limited? Your closet or her experience?" Last summer the company hung a controversial billboard that read "Your closet space is shrinking as fast as her right to choose" (which included a hanger in the illustration). The new Palin poster has been up in subway cars and bus shelter kiosks for a few weeks, and Animal notes that "one thing's a certainty: Palin's new six-figure stumping wardrobe wouldn't come fucking close to fitting in the average Manhattan closet."

The Siena Research Institute says Barack Obama's lead in NY has grown to 62% over John McCain's 31%. As it happens, Siena also reported last month that Obama's lead over McCain was just 5 points. The poll also found the nearly eight in 10 New York residents agree with Governor Paterson that the economy is as bad at the Great Depression. In other political news, the ATF reports that it stopped a skinhead plot to kill Obama and other blacks, some doofus has a Sarah Palin effigy outside a house in Los Angeles, every day is voting day with early voting and radio ads has made a comeback thanks to campaign ads, which have also lined the pockets of local and network TV shows.

Dissension within the McCain campaign has begun spilling over into the public with campaign aides speaking out about Sarah Palin taking her cues less and less from within their camp and instead deciding to "go rogue." The rift appears to be pretty sizable with one aide telling CNN, "She is a diva. She takes no advice from anyone...Remember: Divas trust only unto themselves, as they see themselves as the beginning and end of all wisdom."

During the second part of his interview with the Republican ticket, NBC News anchor Brian Williams asked Sarah Palin to explain, "Who is a member of the elite?" Palin characterized them as, "Anyone who thinks that they're better than someone else." (Full transcript here) But then McCain chimed in, laughing, that he knew "where a lot of 'em live... in our nation's capital and New York City." The exchange starts at about four minutes in, after talk about Williams Ayers, the washed up terrorist McCain supposedly doesn't care about.

Will Ferrell—who will be appearing in a one man show on Broadway in January called You’re Welcome America. A Final Night with George W. Bush—turned up for the cold opening of Saturday Night Live's election special last night. Portraying a 'see-no-evil' Dubya who has declared the Oval Office "a bummer-free zone," Ferrell joined Tina Fey as Palin and Darrell Hammond as McCain. But with McCain on the run from Bush's endorsement (last seen "travelin' on foot through the Adirondacks"), Dubya focused on Palin first:

FERRELL AS BUSH – "My God you are folksy."

Continue reading "Will Ferrell, as Bush, Endorses Palin-McCain on SNL"

Based on financial disclosure records, Politico reports that the Republican National Committee apparently spent over $150,000 to "clothe and accessorize vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin and her family since her surprise pick by John McCain in late August." Some of the expenses: $49,425.74 in Saks Fifth Avenue bills in St. Louis and New York; $75,062.63 at Neiman Marcus in Minneapolis; $789.72 at Barney’s New York; $5,102.71 at Bloomingdale’s in New York; and $4,716.49 in hair and makeup.