Courics Career Out Of Toilet, But Not Her Journalistic Integrity

Katie Couric ought to send Sarah Palin a fruit basket for putting her back on the map. Thanks to Palin, Couric has now landed the coveted first interview with Chesley Sullenberger, the hero pilot who landed a commercial plane in the Hudson River.

Previously, Couric had been painstakingly listening to the flushing of her career as it slowly, but surely, descended down the toilet. Couric left the Today Show in 2006 in pursuit of a more professional, buttoned-up gig on the CBS Evening News. She nabbed the honor of the nation's first solo female anchor, but quickly realized that her cutesy wit and charm was of better use on the kitschy morning show she'd anchored for 15 years.

With record low ratings at her new position, Couric was in desperate need of a boost and she got one in the form of an unrefined hockey mom who was spending most of her vice presidential campaign on the chopping block. Couric, a liberally biased journalist, realized that Palin was an easy target and could help her put her floundering career back on track.

Couric's ridiculous and useless line of questioning proved to be perfect fodder for the media, late night talk show hosts and even voters. Ironically, it is this interview that lifted Couric's bleak career out of desolation and she found a voice that viewers would actually listen to.

While the Palin interview was filled largely with cheap shots, Couric has Palin, and not her own skills, to thank for obtaining an interview that networks, including NBC, were chomping at the bit to get.

Palin Targeted with More Media Manipulation

"Palin attacks media over 'very scary' reporting". What a headline. This from MSNBC following the release of an excerpt of a documentary featuring Sarah Palin.

As they attempt to use journalistic word manipulation to make Palin sound foolish once again, they all but confirm her accusations. What Palin calls "very scary" is the fact that the reports from anonymous bloggers were taken as fact. As MSNBC did throughout 2008, they continue to spin Palin's words in a direction that suits their standpoint. MSNBC makes Fox News actually look "fair and balanced".

Perhaps she wasn't ready for the job. But, she was never given the proper platform or line of questioning that would allow voters to understand her views as well as her leadership abilities. When an individual is immediately put on the defense, it is near impossible for them to appear steady and confident.

Barack Obama fielded issue-based questions. Palin would've been required to study the encyclopedia, A to Z, to properly answer the questions directed at her during the campaign. Even more notable, Palin was a vice presidential candidate. She was asked the most difficult questions of Obama, John McCain and certainly, Joe Biden.

Palin was absolutely not prepared to take on the role as vice presidential candidate. Arguably, no one could've been prepared to cope with the shoddy reporting and backlash she experienced throughout 2008. Her abilities continued to be in question as the media persecuted her to the detriment of her candidacy.

The hope that Palin would return to Alaska and keep a low profile for a few years is obviously not a reality. She will unlikely be able to turn her image around with continued coverage from the very unfair and unbalanced mainstream media.

Hugs for Obama, Hate for Coulter

While Barack Obama discussed college football with CNBC's John Harwood, Ann Coulter took a verbal beating from the journalists at NBC.

To his credit, Harwood did ask Obama about his tax plan for America, but let Obama wiggle out of answering a question about whether or not and when he would rescind Bush's tax cuts for the rich.

"I'm not prepared to make a hard and fast commitment," said Obama of a possible repeal. He seemed pretty committed to this issue on the campaign trail.

Admittedly, Coulter stirs up controversy whenever possible. She's out to sell books. Her actual conviction often falls into question due to her transparent, money-grubbing objectives. However, there is something strikingly peculiar about these interviews...Ann Coulter is an author. She's a shock jock. A hack, even. Barack Obama is two weeks from taking office as the President of the United States.

Still, journalists continue to throw him softball questions like "Do you think Utah would finish undefeated by defeating Alabama?".

The point is not that Coulter is forced to explain her controversial statements, but that Obama enjoys laid back, ineffectual interviews by even the most respected journalists.

Journalists are the job interviewers for the public. We can't all personally ask Obama the questions that would have helped us make an informed decision on a the proper candidate for the job. Unfortunately, the folks that we rely on to handle this task let us all down.

He was more fun to watch and charismatic...without question. But, journalists needed to apply the same interviewing tactics to Obama that they did to Sarah Palin and Ann Coulter.

Coulter made an excellent point in her interview with Lauer. It boiled down to the fact that the next four years may be a surprise to us because Obama was rarely forced to answer direct questions.

Moreover, with his infamous habit of voting "present", we certainly can't look at his history to determine our future.

Who's the Real Fool?

While Sarah Palin was busy fending off reporters with infamous, often disprovable accusations, Joe Biden was able to skate through the entire election season with his provable gaffes attracting little attention.

Sarah Palin thought Africa was a country, not a continent. She didn't know the countries involved in the NAFTA agreement. Certainly you've heard these claims. Perhaps you've even heard the reports on Fox News. These claims are hearsay. You're never a complete idiot until you've been caught on tape.

Vice President-elect Joe Biden has provided an insurmountable amount of embarrassing blunders and it's doubtful that the average voter could rattle off a single one. Please, allow me to enlighten you.

While on the campaign trail in Missouri, Biden gave a respectful shout-out to State Senator Chuck Graham. "Chuck, stand up, let the people see you," Biden said. Senator Chuck Graham was unable to oblige of course, being that he is handicapped and restricted to a wheelchair. Imagine what the press would've done with that had it been Palin.

While talking to an Indian-American supporter, Biden quipped, "You can not go to a 7-11 or a Dunkin Donuts unless you have a slight Indian accent." Way to be politically correct, Mr. Biden.

According to Biden, the number one job facing the middle class...a "3 letter word, J-O-B-S." And, you thought Sarah Palin was a moron.

"Hillary Clinton is as qualified or more qualified than I am to be vice president of the United States of America," Biden stated at a campaign rally, "Quite frankly, it might've been a better pick then me." Perhaps so.

No politician is above error. But, let's face it...we eat what the media feeds us and, in 2008, they served up a plateful of Obama/Biden.

More Obama/Biden

Time to Head Home and Brush Up, Sarah

Okay Sarah, it's time to head back to the "great state of Alaska" and tend to your duties as governor.

We've seen you on the Today Show, CNN, On the Record with Greta and Larry King Live. You are becoming dangerously close to overexposure. If you are interested in 2012, it's not going to happen by repeating the same material over and over...and over again for the next four years.

Using the same rhetoric from your stump speech at the Republican Governors Association and bringing out the ever famous "Joe the Plumber" and "Tito the Builder" must ceased and desist.

You are a fantastic woman; honest, strong, loyal and most importantly, untouched by Washington. That being said, it's time to brush up on national issues, educate yourself on foreign policy and the workings of the national economy, get back out there in 2012, and show 'em how it's done.

Until then, though, please don't pay a visit to Oprah.