Palin Speaks to Long Island NY Business Leaders - Image New York Times
Sarah Palin spoke before a “packed room” at the Long Island Business Association Luncheon and it was noted by Long Island Business News that “there was plenty of media at the LIA annual meeting”… “some news outlets came all the way from Los Angeles to hear Palin speak.” For the woman who may or may not run for the Presidency in 2012, and has been dismissed time and time again by the majority of “mainstream” news outlets, it is telling that they made a virtual migration to the burbs of New York’s Long Island to hear Palin answer questions posed by the Business Associations President. It emphasizes the import that is placed on Palin by this group that often attempts to diminish her as a candidate.
The New York Times article with its conflicted headline, “Palin Opens Up and Plays Coy” was, interestingly, one of the more “balanced” of the 954 articles on her visit to Long Island (latest Google News Count 6:49 AM EST). The piece began by focusing on the fact that she did not head to one of the more traditional GOP primary states one visits if planning to announce, however, followed with a quote by Palin noting that “no one is more qualified than a woman to be President”, which was well received by the audience, especially the women. The article follows with quotes from Palin on her decision to run, and the subsequent announcement should “come sooner than later”.
They went on to cover Palin on the fact that she was speaking in front of media other than Fox News, her take on Social Networking, her stance on the questions over Obama’s birth certificate (which she finds of little consequence, an annoying distraction to important issues (NYT)*, her stand on health care, and an actual quote from Palin on her “death panel” remark. The Times calls her, amazingly “not a fully formed political figure” then candidate”, then went directly to the quoting Robert Zimmerman, who represents New York on the Democratic National Committee, who called her an “Atlantic City Lounge Act for the right wing” but, and here is the big but, and why one might find the Times and other outlets standing up to take notice: Zimmerman’s’ “Democrats should not to dismiss her potential, saying, “Suburbs have the largest swing voters in the country, which concerns me.”
The Times also reported that she received more applause from a bi-partisan group than anticipated by the Association President – and to look for her to do more of these “types of formats” in the futures” (NYT)
What one learns from this piece is the fact that the media and Palin are working on their love-hate relationship, an important step in the direction of a woman who may run for the Presidency. For that many “news outlets” to attend a business luncheon on Long Island for someone whom they eviscerate on a daily basis goes to the import of the subject. What they came to hear: she will make an announcement sooner than later. (In 2008, most announcements came in February/March of 2007). Most importantly, a Representative of the National Democratic Committee felt it was important to be in the same room, and voiced concerns about her potential as a candidate (after a typical right-wing remark) – which is hardly dismissive. Moreover, The New York Times also ran a second article "Palin, on Long Island, Answers Budget and Worldview Questions" (Read here)in Politicis same day, which contained less editorializing than the norm.
*Birthers and Palin were combined in a recent Public Policy Polling article/poll read article here at Public Policy Polling blog. One should not, the polls taken by this particular firm are more reliable than most, however, the firm decidedly lean Democrat.
The latest poll taken by PPP on the State of Tennessee and a hypothetical matchup between Obama and the GOP Candidates: Palin Ties with Obama, Trails the balance of the GOP candidates. To tie in Tennessee this early out is indicative of a competitive challenger, (based on polling done on 2008 races and the eventual outcomes as candidates dropped out, and dove into the race), however, PPO suggests that Palin should consider her options as she merely ties with the President. The negatives (editorials) from this firm, despite the numbers, should also be noted. It is, one should note, far too early to make assumptions based on polling a field of hypothetical candidates. However, for those political junkies, it allows for tracking progress, or decline, (should one announce), and gives those considering a run, the opportunity to see where they may need to concentrate campaign efforts.
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