Well, she did what a mom usually does. When Sarah Palin had her photo op with Afghan President Hamid Karzai she asked . . . music . . . drum roll . . . what his son’s name is and she replied “oh, nice.” And, that my readers sums up Sarah Palin’s intense and dramatic meeting with a world leader.
Yes, seems the good ol’ boys don’t trust the little girl. First they allow her to use girl debate rules and now girl meet the men of the world press rules.
What to say . . . ?
By all accounts (primarly WSJ’s Elizabeth Holmes) the dog and pony show reached “comical levels” as McCain’s boys tried to keep the girl VP from media questions. (In contrast, Joe Biden has done more than 80 interviews with local and national media since the Democrats held their national convention late last month.)
NOTE: After CNN threatened not to film (and show the free pr – a “photo spray”) Sarah Palin meeting world leaders, McCain finally allowed 1 media rep in the room. So, CNN producer Peter Hambywas the only editorial member in the room. Here is his blow by blow of this historic meeting.
Logistics: Your pooler was blocked by the campaign from attending the Karzai pool spray, along with other wires and print outlets. The only media representatives were a TV crew, producer and still four photographers. Several hours of pleas from different outlets were unsuccessful. Palin spokeswoman Tracey Schmitt gave this statement to the AP, Reuters and your pooler: “The decision was made for this to be a photo spray with still cameras and video cameras only.”
The decision was then reversed and your pool will be allowed in for the remaining two meetings. More on all of this below.
Now for the news:
Gov. Sarah Palin emerged from the Millennium Broadway hotel at 11:35am EST in a beige SUV headed for the InterContinental at 111 E. 48th St. Senior policy advisers Randy Scheunemann and Steve Biegun were outside the hotel waiting for her. Palin was wearing all black. No sign of Todd or the kids (your pooler did not see them, but has not confirmed they were not there).
Your pooler then ran into the hotel lobby and was restrained from boarding the crowded gold elevator, despite her shouting on behalf of the pool. The group of cameras returned via another elevator just a few moments later. When asked for an on-the-record statement, Schmitt offered up the above explanation.
***From CNN’s Peter Hamby, who was the only editorial representative allowed in:
The press pool (still and TV cameras only, plus this producer) entered into Karzai’s sizeable suite at the Intercontinental shortly after noon. One handler, who did not appear to be with the campaign but rather with Karzais’ entourage, repeatedly said “No writers,” and he tried to keep this pooler from entering the room when he saw my notebook. However, Chris Edwards, Palin’s deputy chief of staff, allowed me to pass.
Palin was seated in a large chair a few feet from Karzai, with a table in between them. From the view of the pool cameras, Palin sat on the left, and Karzai to the right.
Seated slightly behind Palin were foreign policy advisers Steve Biegun and Randy Scheunemann, who are accompanying the governor in her motorcade today.
As the pool entered, the Afghan president appeared to be telling Palin about his young son, who was born in January 2007.
Palin, her legs crossed and at one point patting her heart, was leaning in eagerly and smiling. Karzai, wearing his traditional clothes but without his trademark karakul hat, was also grinning while discussing the child. His remarks were unintelligible as the noise from the clicking cameras drowned them out.
This was the only exchange that was heard:
“What is his name?,” Palin asked.
“Mirwais,” Karzai responded. “Mirwais, which means, ‘The Light of the House.’”
“Oh nice,” Palin responded.
“He is the only one we have,” remarked Karzai.
At this point, the pool was hustled out the room and down to the hotel lobby. Pool was in the room for a grand total of 29 seconds.
RELATED: Newsweek Blog, Sarah Palin Afraid to Be In Room with Reporters
CNN’s story direct from Peter: McCain Camp Tries to Keep Reporters Out of Palin Meetings
The AP Story On Girl VP Sarah Meeting the Men of the World
The Men Who Lead The World Meet the Girl VP
2 Lesbos Goin At It 