Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin greeted a crowd at a Borders bookstore in Springfield, Mo., today before signing copies of her book, "Going Rogue," and a closed-to-media address at the College of the Ozarks. (AP Photo / News-Leader, Amber Arnold)
by Mark Silva
Sarah Palin was supposed to be drawing a pretty good crowd this evening on her Going Rogue tour at the College of the Ozarks.
But her appearance at the Mall of America is another story: Authorities there apologizing for suggesting that reporters covering the former Alaska governor's book-signing tour speak English only.
It was all a misunderstanding, the mall outside of Minnesota's twin cities, where Palin received her party's vice presidential nomination last year insisted - that's usually what happens, after words gets out that the mall is asking reporters covering Palin to address her as "governor'' and speak in English only, people apologize and call it a misunderstanding.
Officials at the Minnesota mega-mall this week told reporters planning to cover the Minneapolis-area stop on Palin's Going Rogue book tour they must address the 2008 GOP vice presidential candidate who resigned as governor last summer by her old title - a common honor, actually, which normally is accorded to former governors.
But the mall also was banning foreign reporters, permtting "only English speaking press.'' That's not a common requirement.
Mall officials, calling the proposed guidelines a mistake, apologized to Palin today for "an internal miscommunication" that was "inadvertently distributed."
In other words, it got out.
"That should never have been in any kind of press release," said Tina Andreadis, a publicist for HarperCollins, publisher of Palin's hot-selling memoir. "That's not the message the governor wants to send out.''
For that matter, Palin hasn't been speaking with many reporters - other than FOX's Sean Hannity and Greta Van Susteren or radio's Mark Levin. ("Idiots... don't learn from history,'' Palin told Levin.)
"A lot of us smell like salmon,'' the Alaskan told Greta, which also may help explain the limited media engagements.
A speech scheduled tonight at the private College of the Ozarks in southwest Missouri was expected to draw a crowd of 5,000, and the school agreed to keep reporters away from the appearance.
A few media outlets did gain access with tickets to the event - sort of like those gate-crashers at the White House. "I can't take their tickets and ask them to leave, but we have asked (reporters) not to (attend)," said College of the Ozarks spokeswoman Elizabeth Andrews.
They asked in English, no doubt.
English-language wire services contributed.
Comments
English only? That Freudian slip will not be forgotten. The governor just lost any chance she had to run for a national political office.
There are not enough ignorant people in this country to back such a candidate.
"Sarah go back to the woods" and stop parading the unfortunate "trisomy 21" around, have you no shame? How about some respect?
Posted by: Carlos Verti | December 2, 2009 10:15 PM
Someone came out smelling like a fish.....
Sarah speaks American, not English.
FYI
Posted by: ornery | December 2, 2009 10:26 PM
Ahhh, Loons and apparently the unable to report accurately Mark Silva: Sarah Palin DID NOT require reporters to speak English only, it was the folks at the Mall of America. Now, Mark does report this, but he also vaguely implies that Palin asked this also, which is why the brain-dead morons like ornery and Carlos Verti put the onus on Palin.
Incredibly Stupid Loons from the Left + Dishonest Reporting = The World of today's lamestream media and worthless idiots that salivate when they gorge on the crap dished to them.
Posted by: John D, still right, as usual | December 2, 2009 11:08 PM
What the Hey! If it looks like a fish and smells like a fish, it must be a salmon? Could it just be someone from Alaska? Remember, Sarah is after the money! She is out fishing for the dollar, that is why she gave up her job in Alaska, she couldn't wait to start raking in the dollars, especially with Murdoch, from FOX, financing her. I don't remember Murdoch making any donations to the dems. Remember, also that the republicans never do anything for this country, they only do things to this country! whiteagle38
Posted by: Raymond L. Juneau | December 2, 2009 11:41 PM
Stop with the ridiculous, desperate attacks on Sarah Palin. Really, some of the stories are getting ridiculous and frankly, boring. We see through it.
Posted by: Steve S. | December 3, 2009 12:01 AM
Mark Silva that type of media bias is why news papers are crying to FTC that they need help to keep going.
Posted by: Crooks_In_DC | December 3, 2009 12:47 AM
The article mentions 5 times that it was the mall who had the requirement. How can someone report inaccurately, and also report it as it happened?
Do you just look for things to complain about?
But in all fairness, there was one inaccuracy. Sean Hannity is a reporter?
Posted by: John D, wrong as usual | December 3, 2009 12:48 AM
John D thinks the Mall made all kinds of decisions about everything and didn't tell the Barracuda about any of them, much less take the Barracuda's demands. Nothing is ever the Barracuda's fault. Good thing she's not Canadian, the government-run CBC would skin her alive if the Tories didn't do it first.
Posted by: Dave in Denver | December 3, 2009 1:02 AM
"lamestream media"
I can tell you can't think for yourself. Sarah should stop parading her family around like a political tool. The only person I know who has a son and a grandson the same age. What a piece of white trash she is.
Posted by: Carlos Verti | December 3, 2009 1:58 AM
Palin is like the paris hilton of politics, people only care about what she says because other people care about what she says. Someone break this catch-22 already so she can go away.
Posted by: ropes | December 3, 2009 5:31 AM
Since when is it a crime for the English speaking MAJORITY to be asked to be spoken to in the national language.
Typical liberal ACLU, NAACP, PCness...morons.
Get a life, then maybe you could get jobs.
Posted by: ontheright | December 3, 2009 8:12 AM
For the fake John D:
The headline reads Palin's English-only Bookstop: Mistake. Then we have the first two posts from Incest-brained looony leftersm like Carlos and Ornery who put the onus on Palin that she ordered the English-only criteria. To quote Carlos, "English only? That Freudian slip will not be forgotten. The governor just lost any chance she had to run for a national political office.
There are not enough ignorant people in this country to back such a candidate."Loony Lefters + Loony Lefters = Not only the worst mankind has to offer, but without a doubt, the most ignorant, worthless slugs.
Posted by: John D, still right, as usual | December 3, 2009 9:02 AM
Get a life, then maybe you could get jobs.
Posted by: ontheright | December 3, 2009 8:12 AM
This is the pompous type of generalization you find from the rabid right. Keep flippin burgers and I'll also give you a couple of bucks to mow my lawn.
Posted by: bill r. | December 3, 2009 9:18 AM
Rumored Obimbo's crowds are "stacked" . wonder if Sarah's are.
Posted by: Inky | December 3, 2009 9:49 AM
Again, you said there was dishonest reporting. Where exactly was that in the article?
Posted by: John D, wrong as usual | December 3, 2009 9:56 AM
John D better take it easy before someone demands personal satisfaction, just another internet tough guy. He, like the Barracuda, are challenged enough in the official language, g*d help them in another. They'd be lost in Canada, where society demands the opposition be both loyal and literate.
Posted by: Dave in Denver | December 3, 2009 10:10 AM
Maybe this headline will help Saint Sara's chances for 2012:
Rush Limbaugh referred to Clemmons as “Huckabee’s Willie Horton,”
Posted by: bill r. | December 3, 2009 10:16 AM
Really? 300 + words on this nonsense, an article about Tiger Woods, at least two stories /week about FOX news, and you have no time for anything on the climate gate story... ? The issue is everywhere except the MSM and apparently the print media as well...
Our government wants to tax our economies energy use until we resemble a third world country based on a theory that even the scientists supporting global warming, with FAKE numbers can't prove - and you have nothing to report ?
Posted by: heartburn | December 3, 2009 10:26 AM
Sure smells fishy. Why would the Mall of America ban non-English-speaking press, if it wasn't a demand by Palin's handlers? It isn't in the the Mall's interest to offend its international clientele. But as we've seen over and over again, it's in Palin's interest to limit her exposure to media. They might ask her questions that are too hard for her to answer, like "what do you read?"
As for addressing Palin as "Governor", she forfeited that privilege by resigning halfway through her first term.
Posted by: jasperjava | December 3, 2009 10:46 AM
There are not enough ignorant people in this country to back such a candidate."Loony Lefters + Loony Lefters = Not only the worst mankind has to offer, but without a doubt, the most ignorant, worthless slugs.
Posted by: John D, still right, as usual | December 3, 2009 9:02 AM
---
Really John? Have you seen and tea party videos? Watched any Glenn Beck - now that's the bottom of the populations barrel. These folks are so ignorant they don't even realize that lobbyists have duped them into rallying against their own best interests. Too ignorant to realize that we will soon be a minority-majority country - and they're panicing with overt displays of stupidity and racism. Worthless is a party that claims "fiscal conservatism" and runs up a deficit larger than all of the presidents before him. Ignorant and worthless is starting two wars - without funding or plans - and then ignoring one war completely. Please, people in glass houses most certainly shouldn't throw stones. It's necessary to have an opposing party - but it'd be nice to have one with mental maturity over the age of 7 - an opposing party that chooses to act like adults and do their jobs - instead they have chosen to remove themselves from the debate and rely on lies, bumper sticker slogans, and dog whistle politics. That hooey isn't getting us anywhere and is only effective on those stupid enough to believe that Palin actually stands any chance at leading this nation.
Posted by: Jilli | December 3, 2009 10:51 AM
And the liberal msm can't understand why she doesn't want them or their biased reporting at her events. Gee, Silva just explained why, writing a liberal attack puff piece implying that Palin was the one that requested that reporters "speak english" when it was the mall staff that did it. How about you do a follow up article about the biggest scandal of the year? No i'm not talking about "climategate" that you and the rest of the liberal goverment run media has tried to ignore, i'm talking about "Palinjetgate" (Palin took a private jet to 2 book tour stops...EEEEKKKK). Better get right on that one Silva.LOL
Posted by: Dave | December 3, 2009 11:08 AM
Palin is worthless trash just like her supporters who drool and slobber all over themselves about her. The amusing thing about her mindless supporters is they lack the intelligence to realize she will never be elected to any public office. Her book, which was not even written by her and is full of lies and inaccuracies, is written at a 4th grade level. I would bet she hasn't even read it.
If this John D. loser wants to talk about stupidity, ignorance, and dishonesty, you need not look any farther than the Palin's. You betcha.
Posted by: Doug R. | December 3, 2009 11:14 AM
Mr. Silva should thoroughly check before he gets all excitedly snarky. The Minneapolis Star-Tribune is reporting that the guidelines were meant for MALL EMPLOYEES, not reporters. That's what you get for trusing the Associated Press (or the Trib, for that matter).
http://www.startribune.com/local/78370417.html?elr=KArks:DCiUMEaPc:UiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU
Posted by: SCSoxFan | December 3, 2009 11:33 AM
Sarah Palin is just a political-celebrity. Nothing more. Getting money and attention from the rubes who think she 'being real' on her 'bus tour' by private jet. Her answers to everything is just to say, "We need some common sense," when she herself has demonstrated none of it.
And please, please run for President. Our country in these hard times desperately need the laughter that will ensue.
Posted by: Unrepentant Liberal | December 3, 2009 11:57 AM
Palin's sudden concern for the English language is actually quite heartening, after so little evidence of it in her past oral and written communication.
Posted by: mark | December 3, 2009 12:05 PM
man the more she talks to more i love her. that is so great. speak english or beat it. she knows her fan-base, n its not latinos. im not sure i want to elect her prez?? but she should just keep it up, pissing off liberals. go sarah go, not vamos sarah vamos
Posted by: sean | December 3, 2009 1:10 PM
I see little johnnyDingbat is unemployed again. He's been posting his teabagging, lunatic rants on virtually every thread. I've said it before and I'll say it again, he's nothing more than a poser who can't get a real journalism job so he posts on blogs so he can pretend its a byline.
Posted by: neal | December 4, 2009 12:37 AM
Sarah Palin is going to be our next president thats why they want her to get as much publicity i mean come on the alaskan oil reserve is at stake and not to mention that weve got our first black president now its time for our first woman president and whos all behind it the clinton adminstration and our own government anyway thats the truth
Posted by: the truth | December 4, 2009 3:35 AM
I know I have said this before, but I will say it again and again and again:
I hope that Sarah Palin never goes away. No woman since Eleanor Roosevelt has done more for progressive politics in this country than she. Don'cha just love her? I sure do!
YOU GO, GIRL!
http://www.tomdegan.blogspot.com
Tom Degan
Goshen, NY
Posted by: Tom Degan | December 4, 2009 1:31 PM
In case some of you nuts have forgotten - English is the language of the land. Go down to Mexico and demand that English be spoken at an event. I for one am go*d*mn sick and tired of "Press one for English."
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