 |
A New York Times review posted ahead of the embargo date for journalist Joe McGinniss' book was not kind: "Although most of 'The Rogue' is dated, petty and easily available to anyone with Internet access, Mr. McGinniss used his time in Alaska to chase ...
Director Nick Broomfield poses with a cardboard cut-out of Sarah Palin in a scene from the documentary "Sarah Palin: You Betcha!" The film is being presented at the Toronto International Film Festival. (Toronto International Film Festival / AP)
September 15, 2011, 5:48 a.m.Sarah Palin was on TV the other night, chatting with Fox host Greta Van Susteren about the latest GOP debate and the president?s new jobs plan. As usual, Van Susteren tried to nail her down about the future.
"I still have that same old dopey, same old answer that I'm sure you guys are getting sick of hearing, and that is I'm still thinking about it, praying about it, contemplating, talking to my family," said Palin. "I'm sick of giving the same answer, believe me. I'm anxious to give an answer and get on with life one way or the other."
No matter what she decides, the next couple of weeks will bring a barrage of unwelcome publicity to the former Alaska governor. Two books and one documentary by a well-known British filmmaker, none sympathetic, are on the verge of release.
A New York Times review posted ahead of the embargo date for journalist Joe McGinniss' book was not kind: "Although most of 'The Rogue' is dated, petty and easily available to anyone with Internet access, Mr. McGinniss used his time in Alaska to chase caustic, unsubstantiated gossip about the Palins, often from unnamed sources like 'one resident? and 'a friend.'"
The second book, "Deer in the Headlights," is by Levi Johnston, the ex-boyfriend who won?t go away. Johnston is the father of Palin?s grandson from a high school romance with her daughter Bristol.
Meanwhile, filmmaker Nick Broomfield spent some months in Palin?s hometown last year disguised as Elmer Fudd, walking around in his flappy hat and plaid shirt with a boom microphone trying to get Wasillans to dish on Palin.
Broomfield befriends Palin?s parents, Chuck and Sally Heath, and seems to think that Chuck Heath, whose dumb-like-a-fox act is obvious to everyone but Broomfield, will put in a good word with Sarah for an interview.
"Sarah Palin: You Betcha!" is a kind of bookend to "The Undefeated," Steve Bannon?s recent uncritical documentary about Palin?s record as governor. Broomfield mostly ignores Palin?s work as Wasilla mayor and governor.
He interviews neighbors-turned-enemies and wounded former staffers who feel they?ve been thrown under that now-clichéd bus. None of her non-estranged friends or former high school classmates would talk to him. In fact, Broomfield has to go all the way to Alexandria, Egypt, to find a former classmate willing to chat about Palin.
Broomfield builds a case that Palin is a product of an ultra-religious small town given to robust fight-picking, a trait she has not shed as her fame has grown.
He describes Troopergate -- the catch-all phrase for Palin?s efforts to get a former brother-in-law fired from his job as a state trooper-- as ?a family feud that took over her governorship" and says "the Heath-Palins had so many feuds going in the community it was hard to keep track of."
Steve Schmidt, John McCain?s chief strategist who championed Palin as McCain?s vice president, and has since clashed repeatedly with her, also turns up.
"This is a man who has been relentlessly stalking my family to the point of moving in right next door to us to harass us and spy on us to satisfy his creepy obsession with my wife. His book is full of disgusting lies, innuendo, and smears," he said, also citing the New York Times' review.
Note to Mr. Broomfeild: Hey, after your documentary flops, maybe you can get a gig licking toilet bowls wearing that shirt... But, stay on the meds. We're all pullin' for you, man...JCCutcliffe at 9:
I also saw Broomfield's doc at TIFF; I actually enjoyed seeing Broomfield in front of the camera, and thought the film provided numerous laughs throughout. But then again, I find everything to do with Sarah Palin highly amusing.darrylsee at 9:
Mike Memoli has covered politics from Washington since 2004, including stints at National Journal, NBC News and Real Clear Politics.
PoliticsNowLAT Rick Perry tells Iowans that Romneycare cost them http://t.co/2BThzunA 29 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite latimesmuskal Rick Perry tells Iowans that Romneycare cost them http://t.co/0mC1tPur 33 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite mateagold My piece for tomorrow with @thamburger: Silicon Valley gives conservative Christians a boost - http://t.co/iVKmAkIy 49 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite latimesmuskal Pat Robertson infuriates Christian faithful with Alzheimer's comments http://t.co/df2M8goO 50 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite HotlineReid MT @Philip_Elliott: HUNTSVILLE, Texas (AP) - US Supreme Court halts execution of Texas man whose lawyers say race was factor in sentence 58 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite markzbarabak MT @LATimesTech In France, Apple yanks Jew or not Jew app lat.ms/pH4F6f>Oy gevalt 58 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite latimesmuskal Texas drought expected to last through December http://t.co/cihEHiNB about 1 hour ago · reply · retweet · favorite markzbarabak @mateagold+@thamburger have political man-bites-dogger: Secular #SiliconValley has emerging evangelical element Hi tech 4 GOTV lat.ms/r4eH4N about 1 hour ago · reply · retweet · favorite jamesoliphant RT @markzbarabak: Attention @jonhuntsman! To celebrate 20th anniv of Nevermind,VH1 to broadcast never-before-seen #Nirvana TV concert 2 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite markzbarabak Attention @jonhuntsman ! To celebrate 20th anniv of Nevermind,VH1 to broadcast never-before-seen #Nirvana TV concert http://t.co/4JcwNrCS 2 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite markzbarabak MT @LATPoliticsCA Republicans file legal challenge to California redistricting plan lat.ms/ngIGqj #CAremap 3 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite mikememoli Rick Santorum will be the "celebrity" shooter at Cheshire County Republican Shoot in Keene, NH on 9/18 3 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite jamesoliphant RT @RyanLizza: RT @CNHorn: No apologies: Bachmann defends HPV remarks : http://t.co/p7UcBOjd from @SarahH_CBSNJ 3 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite latimesmuskal In Las Vegas, closed Sahara sells off doorknobs, camel lamps http://t.co/ylPLFXjR 3 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite latimesmuskal Obama administration pressed on access to physician records http://t.co/LR6sbsZP 3 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite latimesmuskal Senate strikes FAA deal, averts furlough threat http://t.co/nMbySk32 3 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite KevinMaddenDC It's gotten to the point where I think a working Metro escalator is just a trap for a practical joke... 3 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite PoliticsNowLAT Senate strikes FAA deal, averts furlough threat http://t.co/w8qUjRi9 3 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite latimesmuskal Cesar Chavez's home is designated national historic site http://t.co/zkeZQREP 3 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite latimesmuskal Newly found planet has 2 suns; sound familiar, 'Star Wars' fans? http://t.