by Mark Silva and updated
"Our life has become kind of a reality show,'' says Sarah Palin, author of Going Rogue, who suggests that in the last couple of months she has fielded all sorts of offers "coming our way, some bizarre things.''
In the context of a moose-eating family from Alaska - moose hotdogs, with cheese inside, is one of the favorites at home - where the estranged father of her grandson, Tripp, is warning her to watch her tongue because "she knows what I got on her,'' this, as the baby's daddy's own spread in Playgirl is making tabloid headlines, that could be saying quite a lot.
On this day that Palin's 1.5-million copy memoir makes its official debut after a weekend of pre-debuts in the press and on the eve of a three-week book-promoting tour, Palin tells of the travails of family life and the toll that political life has taken on all that on ABC's Good Morning America. (It doesn't help that Newsweek's new cover, drawing an exercise photo from a Runner's World shoot, portrays Palin as an object of something other than poltical interest.)
Palin, who has provided plenty of fodder for talk and comic shows and has steered fans to Glenn Beck's show at FOX, downplays talk of taking on her own talk show.
"I would not ever want to put my kids through such a thing," says Palin, who put her five children, including one pregnant at the time, through a walk across the stage at the Republican National Convention and two months of arduous campaigning on Sen. John McCain's presidential ticket, tells ABC's Barbara Walters in a series of talks starting today, continuing tomorrow and geting a full reprise on 20/20 Friday. Palin tells Walters: "Our life has become kind of a reality show."
Palin steers clear of questions about any presidential ambitions, but is ready with pointed questions about President Barack Obama's agenda, particularly his health-care reforms - and its purported "death panels''
Only three in 10 of all voters surveyed view Palin as qualified to serve as president -- both CNN and now NBC News have found this in their surveys.
So Walters asks Palin to rate Obama's presidency, "on a scale of one to 10.''
"Four,'' Palin replies
"There are a lot of decisions being made that I -- and probably the majority of Americans -- are not impressed with right now," Paln says. ""I think our economy is not being put on the right track, because we're strayed too far from, fundamentally, from free enterprise principles that built our country''
For now, she neither embraces nor rules out the notion of a campaign of her own. "That certainly isn't on my radar screen right now," Palin says. "[But] when you consider some of the ordinary turning into extraordinary events that have happened in my life, I am not one to predict what will happen in a few years.
"My ambition if you will, my desire, is to help our country in whatever role that may be, and I cannot predict what that will be, what doors would be open in the year 2012," says Palin, pressed about possibly playing a major role. "If people will have me, I will."
There was at least $1.25 million in this book for Palin, he advance she reported receiving in her final months as governor. She resigned in late July, during her first term.
The self-styled "hockey mom'' from Wasilla and former governor of Alaska has five children:Track, 20; Bristol, 19; Willow, 15; Piper, 8; and Trig, 1. Bristol gave birth to Tripp in December, with a pregnancy known to the vetting team that picked Palin for McCain's running mate and then made known to the nation soon afterward.
Palin says she hadn't known Bristol was sexually active before learning of the pregnancy. "It was shocking. And that's the understatement of the century, too, that we were shocked," Palin tells Walters. "Truthfully, we were devastated."
It got worse. Bristol and the baby's father, Levi Johnston, called off their engagement soon after Tripp Easton Mitchell's birth. After a highly public exposing of dirty family laundry by Johnston, Palin makes no mention of Johnston in her new book - a wise move, the way Johnston tells it - "she knows what I got on her.''
"He doesn't have anything on me," Palin tells Walters.
Daughter Piper has kinder things to say about mom, a good cook. She tells Walters her favorite meal is moose hot dogs with cheese in the middle.
""You'd love it. You really would," Palin explains. "And it's so clean, and it is healthy protein."
As a child, Palin recalls her father hunting a moose, carving it and putting the eyeballs in her hand.
"My dad's a science teacher, and he tried to kill two birds with one stone, what he would do is, fill the family's freezer, at the same time bring in specimens to his young students," she tells Walters. "He asked me to participate in that by holding the warm eyeballs and, and, in that event I said, 'No, Dad, I just can't do that one.' ... He did raise a tough hunting buddy, but I did have my limits."





Comments
Her rating of Obama is still better then the American people's rating of her as a 3.
Posted by: Jim A | November 17, 2009 8:39 AM
Run, Sarah, Run !! Thanks, " Crash " McCain, for foisting this stooge upon our political stage !! Only the Republican-Liberatarians can throw up, dummy after dummy, and think, everything is alright !! What, " America First " ?? You betcha !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, IL | November 17, 2009 8:45 AM
Palin has botched her reentry into the public arena. She is simply the same whiny, overmatched figure she was during last year's campaign. Americans do not care for someone so wrapped up in their own perceived slights and ongoing grudges. The book and her appearance on Oprah were absolute disasters.
She would have been better served spending the last year studying up and then dishing out actual policy advice or proposals. Americans want results, not a soap opera.
http://www.political-buzz.com/
Posted by: matt | November 17, 2009 8:47 AM
Does Piper mean there is cheese inside the actual moose hotdog itself or is it just inside the bun, next to the hotdog...
Posted by: irene | November 17, 2009 8:51 AM
4 out of 10? That's like a monkey telling me I'm not as smart as him.
Posted by: John | November 17, 2009 8:56 AM
Why was Palin so generous with a 4?
Posted by: Denny Crane | November 17, 2009 8:56 AM
OMG! will this useless woman just PLEASE go away already! She is totally useless- a waste of space and oxygen!
Posted by: American Jane | November 17, 2009 8:58 AM
The weight of what this IDIOT says carries about as much impact as a leaf blowing in the wind.
Posted by: Mary | November 17, 2009 9:03 AM
The media's Palin show is only a diversion from the real story, which is Obama the Buffoon. His constant lying. His childish whining. His disgraceful bowing. His staggering arrogance. His poisonous radicalism. His dangerous narcissism. His astounding incompetence. Let's continue to stand strong against Obama in every way and get Congress out of the hands of the insane Pelosi and Reid in 2010.
Posted by: Derrick | November 17, 2009 9:09 AM
Palin was being kind with her 4 rating of the Obumble's administration. He's much closer to a zero. In fact, Obumbles is making Jimmy Carter look competent.
Posted by: Chris | November 17, 2009 9:17 AM
Palin is too generous. On a good day, Obama rates a 2 out of 10. Yes, he's played plenty of golf and hosted several lavish parties at the White House for he and his friends, but done little else. Obama is a grifter, folks, and he found perfect target in those Americans who voted for him. Wake up.
Posted by: Ty G | November 17, 2009 9:17 AM
WHO CARES????? Why does the news media keep insisting that every idiotic comment out of this woman's mouth is newsworthy?
Posted by: Clay | November 17, 2009 9:24 AM
Does anyone really care what Sarah Palin has to say about anybody or anything?
She isnt even a good politiician let alone a human being.
Posted by: bronellione | November 17, 2009 9:26 AM
I think she was very generous in her rating.
Posted by: Adolph | November 17, 2009 9:33 AM
Love Sarah Palin - she annoys the hedoubletoothpicks out of all the liberal elitists in this country!
Posted by: nancy | November 17, 2009 9:42 AM
The media should get out of their dingy little holes in New York and get a little Bull Crap on there shoes in the country and find out what really goes on . Palin tells it like it is, not any sugar coated fairytale that the media or other political boobs like to hear.
Posted by: Larry Christensen | November 17, 2009 9:50 AM
Sounds like she was being polite.
Posted by: T.K. | November 17, 2009 9:52 AM
Hmm, being generous, I would have to rate Sarah Palin a minus 4. But, you do have to give her a lot of credit for telling fibs and distortions in her new book.
Posted by: Michael J | November 17, 2009 9:57 AM
Go ahead try to make fun of Sarah Palin but she is the one laughing all the way to the bank. If Obama is the nominee in 2012 we can expect to hear on January 2013...'I Sarah Palin, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States...'
Posted by: Guy Williams | November 17, 2009 10:00 AM
This moron has no idea about the economy. Send her back to the " tea parties" with the rest of the idiots.
Posted by: bob newman | November 17, 2009 10:03 AM
that just mean s she s still less than a zero
Posted by: show me | November 17, 2009 10:14 AM
"Our life has become kind of a reality show,'' says Sarah Palin. And the tribune has become a tabloid. Thanks to the editors for helping to dumb down the electorate keep and them fighting amongst themselves while both republicans and democrats continue to steal from us.
Funny how Barack Obama has the exact same public policy as George Bush. Nice change!
Palin is not a relevant figure in the conservative movement.
Ron Paul 2012
Posted by: Terry | November 17, 2009 10:16 AM
Who cares what Palin thinks of Obama? He was elected, and she wasn't. Why is she even meriting news stories? What a has-been.
Posted by: Megan | November 17, 2009 10:23 AM
Keep talkin' Mrs. Moose. I'll hand ya a shovel when the stuff yer heapin' gets too deep. Also.
Posted by: mg | November 17, 2009 10:31 AM
I hope she does run for president. She'll drag down the rest of the GOP with her.
I have plenty of moderate conservatives in my family who voted Democratic for the first time in a national election because Palin was on the GOP ticket.
If she runs, the hardline conservatives will flock to her but anyone with a brain in their heads already knows she doesn't stand a chance in the general election.
Posted by: eddie | November 17, 2009 10:33 AM
Wow. Look at the hard left whining here. LOL Unbelievable. Why does this woman terrify you so much? One thing is absolutely certain. Palin could do no worse than Obama is doing in office. What a disgraceful hack Obama has turned out to be.
Posted by: Kyle Roget | November 17, 2009 10:43 AM
When will this goof''s 15 minutes of fame end?
Posted by: Frank | November 17, 2009 10:57 AM
Sarah has two of the best values going for her-
Born in America-
Never hated America ..
Posted by: Inky | November 17, 2009 10:59 AM
Kyle Roget: "Palin could do no worse than Obama is doing in office." I think not! She could be much worse and would be doing much worse. We would have lost respect all around the globe if she were elected. The US would be a laughingstock, and she would be in way over her head. I shudder to think what would happen if this woman was elected to the highest office in the world. No economic stimulus package, so millions more would be unemployed -- there would be hundreds of thousands of teachers out of jobs, fewer construction jobs. Nothing being done to further health care, which despite what some in the GOP may think, is a major issue that needs to be addressed. This woman knows as much or less than me on Middle East policy, and she would have no idea to handle any of the issues related to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. She quit her job as governor of Alaska, how the heck do we think she would ever do as a president. No way Palin even sniffs a nominaton for president or is ever selected as a running mate ever again ... she just isn't bright enough, even if she is folksy.
Posted by: Shane | November 17, 2009 11:17 AM
OK. People we (I) don't hate Palin because of her views or because she is a Republican. We don't even really hate her, we just think she is ridiculous. She is incompetent and clueless. The GDP of this country is greater than the combined GDP of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th GDP ranked countries in the World, our military spending is greater then the rest of the World (combined), we have military bases in over 120 countries. This great Empire needs a strong, extremely intelligent leader. GOP, please please get someone else in 2012. This Palin, Beck, Limbaugh, Joe the Plumber circus is a huge huge embarrassment to the GOP. We want the old GOP - the intellectuals the likes of Reagan, Romney, James Baker, G HW Bush, of the world back. If not, I'm telling you Obama will walk over you like a freight train. Mark my words. We don't need a hockey mom running for President. We NEED an elitist, best of the best, running this country. And remember it's the Independents that decide the elections.
Posted by: HCA | November 17, 2009 11:31 AM
The right continually complains about the alleged left-wing main stream media. Yet it is the supposed MSM that keeps Palin in our faces (eg: Oprah, Good Morning America). She made her $$$, she had her 15 minutes (and far more) of fame. She has nothing serious to add to the national discussion, just sound bites and irrelevancies. As Michael Douglas, aka Andrew Shepard, said in "The American President" "it is time for serious people and your 15 minutes are up." But in the continuing dumbing down of America and its political discourse, Sarah Palin makes perfect sense.
Posted by: lefty hitter | November 17, 2009 11:41 AM
Never underestimate the lack of intelligence of the American electorate.
Obama's doing fine. Anyone who thinks that he could fix 8 years of the Bush disaster in 11 months is clearly uninformed with no understanding of politics, policy, the economy and world affairs.
Sarah is a good-looking empty suit with little understanding of what it takes to govern the country and be a player on the world. Hope she's enjoying her 15 minutes.
Posted by: Monkey | November 17, 2009 11:44 AM
The liberal loonies' viciousness comes out loud and clear in these postings. Apparently, libs just can't stand the thought of an attractive, articulate, successful woman. Palin is making millions, drawing thousands anywhere she speaks, and her critics are wallowing in their own self-assigned misery. What fun it is! And by the way, she rates Obama way to high. He's failed at everything he's attempted this year to add to his record of zero accomplishments. Except bringing terrorists to New York for a show trial.
Posted by: Derrick | November 17, 2009 11:52 AM
Apparently we all should’ve expected a so-called “hockey mom” to quit her job so she could spend more time ranting incoherently on the sidelines.
What rating do you give a politician who resigns so they can spend less time helping their country and more time on talk shows?
Posted by: Steve N. | November 17, 2009 11:58 AM
Notice how the axelturfers are launching attacks but don't seem to be able to make a substantive point in favor of their employer, Obama? No idea about the economy? Have you been observing Obama in action? What could Palin do that is worse?
Posted by: Ed | November 17, 2009 11:59 AM
She gave the Community Organizer a 4? Nice!!! He DESERVES 0!
Posted by: Trace | November 17, 2009 12:00 PM
She can count to four? That IS news.
Posted by: emjay | November 17, 2009 12:08 PM
Palin equals -10.
Posted by: Dan | November 17, 2009 12:11 PM
Palin's one of those conservative elitists.
Posted by: Chris | November 17, 2009 12:12 PM
Thank heavens for the Obama economic miracle-why, without it, we will have unemployment above 8%. Be thankful, as well, for the wonderful relations we now enjoy throughout the world (where, exactly?). Face it, he's a failure and a weak leader.
Posted by: Ed | November 17, 2009 12:27 PM
Palin's so stupid she thinks that the U.S. has 57 states!
Oh, wait, that's Obama who said that.
She even publishes on her web site statistics for nonexistent Congressional Districts!
Oh, wait, that's Obama who's doing that. As ABC News is reporting (in a story reported everywhere except the DNC Swamp):
"Here's a stimulus success story: In Arizona's 15th congressional district, 30 jobs have been saved or created with just $761,420 in federal stimulus spending. At least that's what the Web site set up by the Obama administration [cost, $18 million] to track the $787 billion stimulus says.
There's one problem, though: There is no 15th congressional district in Arizona; the state has only eight districts. ...
The reporting problems are not limited to Arizona, ABC News found.
In Oklahoma, recovery.gov lists more than $19 million in spending -- and 15 jobs created -- in yet more congressional districts that don't exist.
In Iowa, it shows $10.6 million spent – and 39 jobs created -- in nonexistent districts.
In Connecticut's 42nd district (which also does not exist), the Web site claims 25 jobs created with zero stimulus dollars."
25 jobs created with zero dollars, in a district that doesn't exist..... And these people are to be trusted with managing the health care of 305 million Americans??
Posted by: Laughing at Obumble | November 17, 2009 12:29 PM
No bias over at Newsweek. I guess they can loss more readers.
Posted by: Crooks_In_DC | November 17, 2009 12:32 PM
Other than her attractive appearance for a mid-40's woman, this person is a side-show act trying to cash in on her 15 minutes of fame, much like other women caught in sexual scandals, only this one was an "intellectual scandal", the scandal being that she was even choosen to be on the presidential ticket.
Posted by: Johnny B. | November 17, 2009 12:47 PM
You mean this moron can count??
Posted by: Lynn | November 17, 2009 12:48 PM
make it stop make it stop make it stop...joe "the not a licensed plumber" is finally gone...why can't palin go away too...It is fun that she and McCain criticized Obama for being a celebrity, and now that's all she is.
Posted by: Andrew | November 17, 2009 12:52 PM
It's great how Sarah Palin drives the weenie left absolutely CRAZY!! She is a strong conservative woman that sticks up for traditional values and doesn't waver in her convictions. She will not bow down to her opposition unlike our current "ditherer in Chief".
Posted by: Scott W | November 17, 2009 1:11 PM
Run, Sarah, Run !! Thanks, " Crash " McCain, for foisting this stooge upon our political stage !! Only the Republican-Liberatarians can throw up, dummy after dummy, and think, everything is alright !! What, " America First " ?? You betcha !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, IL | November 17, 2009 2:05 PM
"She will not bow down to her opposition unlike our current "ditherer in Chief"
Ditherer? No one in modern times even talks like that. Instead of parroting a five-deferment draft dodger who thinks he's in a 16th century play, learn to think for yourself. That way, you'll sound less ridiculous.
Posted by: Diane | November 17, 2009 2:29 PM
ok i think its time to stroll down memory lane and have a short history lesson for you palin,bush,regan,folks who funded al-quida?who trained them? who armed them? well it was the regan administration ,and lets not forget about robert gates he trained them now the united states is'nt soley responsible for this there are a few other countries that were involved in this also but the u.s. was one of the major funders and osama bin laden was one of the major recipients of thes funds and arms.for those who think i'm blowing smoke you can read it for yourself at en .wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet war in Afghanistan now with these two wars that bush started we are more than likly going to have the same outcome twenty years down the road,and if you think mcain palin would have helped this country you dont even have two marbles in your empty head,oh before i forget palin said" "hang em high" should that also appli to the ones who comitted war crimes also,like bush the ex born again worst pres in history,and his cohort cheney , thats what i thought
Posted by: royce | November 17, 2009 5:28 PM
Well. So. Is the cheese inside the moose meat hotdot or is it out?
Can't we please get on with real concerns and skip this non-entity person? Personally, I like my cheese on top or beside the meat.
Posted by: irene | November 17, 2009 7:43 PM
Obama is much smarter than Sarah. Well, let's do a little fact checking.
The flight of Air Force one over the 9/11 site being chased by a fighter jet.
Doctors cut off patients feet and remove tonsils from kids just to make that extra buck.
THE STIMULUS, you pick which, One, Two, or proposing a Third.
“And one of the points I want to make is, is that if you actually took the number of Muslim Americans, we’d be one of the largest Muslim countries in the world,”
There's enough in that statement alone to prove that Sarah Palin is a genius compared to Obowdown.
One other note from the interview... Here's the president talking about his upcoming speech.
“Now, I think it’s very important to understand that one speech is not going to solve all the problems in the Middle East,” Mr. Obama said. “And so I think expectations should be somewhat modest.”
Geez, I thought that "the one" could solve anything by reading his magic teleprompter. He is not only stupid and arrogant here, but he thinks you are so stupid that he has to tell you this.
Stupid is as stupid does:
Smokes
Did drugs...now tell me that makes you smart.
Lies, too many to list. Rev. Wright, Bill Ayres, "I'm not a socialist", we will be the most transparent administration ever.
Obama doesn't respect you. He thinks you are stupid enough to believe his lies, and too stupid to be told the truth.
Posted by: Free to Watch Whatever I Want | November 17, 2009 9:50 PM
"She will not bow down to her opposition unlike our current "ditherer in Chief"
Ditherer? No one in modern times even talks like that. Instead of parroting a five-deferment draft dodger who thinks he's in a 16th century play, learn to think for yourself. That way, you'll sound less ridiculous.
Posted by: Diane | November 17, 2009 2:29 PM
Come on Diane, expand your vocabulary to more than 100 words.
Posted by: Free to Watch Whatever I Want | November 17, 2009 10:05 PM
Let the Left keep doing what they are doing. Let them keep putting down Palin. Let them keep thinking the Tea Party Movement is all white all republican. Once they see what is happening it will be to late.
Posted by: Crooks_In_DC | November 18, 2009 11:16 AM
"Come on Diane, expand your vocabulary to more than 100 words.
Posted by: Free to Watch Whatever I Want"
Based on your 10-word response, it appears that's the extent of your comprehension. Sorry to confuse you by posting more than one sentence.
Posted by: Diane | November 18, 2009 3:45 PM
Based on your 10-word response, it appears that's the extent of your comprehension. Sorry to confuse you by posting more than one sentence.
Posted by: Diane | November 18, 2009 3:45 PM
I didn't want to confuse you with big words. Obama has one adjective: "outstanding". Maybe you could help him out with something from modern times like "b*tchin," or "groovy," or "far out." Waddayathink?
Posted by: Free to Watch, Kathy's Clown | November 18, 2009 10:18 PM