Possibly. Or maybe she in fact has not read a newspaper or a magazine since college. She probably could have thought of the name of a newspaper, but she was afraid that if she did, Couric would ask her something about it.

I have to agree with cervantes. I do not think she was in a strategic blunder--hell, she could have just said the wall street journal.

No. She appears not to read or know much about newspapers. Maybe fear of being asked who her favorite op-ed writer was. But at this point, I think she might just be clueless.

Anchorage Daily News, not Post. She could have also listed The Juneau Empire,or The Fairbanks Daily News Miner.
Maybe she doesn't know how to read?

I think this incorrectly reads the situation, both by Ezra and by the previous commentators.

McCain has directed Sarah Palin to give specifics on nothing. Anyone can name a specific newspaper, and anyone with any passing acquaintance with politics knows that the obvious, correct answer for her was the WSJ, and maybe the Anchorage Moose Chronicle or whatever the local newspaper is for some parochial charm.

The McCain camp, however, has such little faith in her that they think she's incapable of doing that.

And who should we trust, the McCain camp or the public? Who's vetted Sarah Palin the best?

...well, then.

It sounded to me like the reason that she couldn't answer is that she doesn't read newspapers or news magazines. Most people don't read newspapers anymore. Or news magazines other than "People".

Really, Ezra, this concern about print media is representative of the reasons why so many people think you East coast liberal elites are out of touch. (And yes, I went to an Ivy League school before moving back to MN, so I should know from out of touch East Coast elites).

Seriously, I think Gov. Palin is demonstrating the results of a lifelong disinterest in current events. Her lack of elementary knowledge of our nation's history is making it very difficult for the McCain campaign to get her ready for unscripted public events.

That's all fine, but there was no tv in 1929. Palin has committed no howlers like that one. Does Biden think they sat around the dustbowl watching the Beverly Hillbillies? Until you explain the FDR went on tv in 1929 remark you can have no cred. re Palin

"She appears not to read or know much about newspapers. "

Odd for a journalism major. As mentioned, there are plenty of "safe" publications she could have named. I wonder if part of the explanation is that she knows she's in over her head and is just choking under pressure, suffering through an eternal brain fart.

Like I said at Yglesias' place, I bet she has a clipping service. She *is* reading articles from lots, though not "all" the papers.

However, naming one might open her up to "so what do you think about their continuing series on..." which she wouldn't be able to answer and would make her look like a hypocrite.

Also, saying she has a clipping service might sound elitist.

(Not defending her, but I don't read a newspaper unless I'm trapped in an airport any more. I read everything online, and that means I'm skipping around a dozen different publications every day. I think I'm well-read, but would be really nervous about a followup question if I dared say that.)

"I read everything online, and that means I'm skipping around a dozen different publications every day."

I don't think Couric or anyone else would care that she read news online vs. newsprint or a glossy mag. Pretty much every major city newspaper has an online edition, so for the governor of Alaska to not read any of the state's papers (or even be able to name them) shows she's completely disinterested in anything, even doing her job as governor.

"never under-estimate the taste levels of the american people."
~~~~~~p.t. barnum

i was at a gathering the other day, and one of the young women, who i know, who is divorced, financially unstable and with children who have some medical issues...the kind of voter who would benefit from an obama presidency.
but, she said that she is planning to vote for mccain because obama is a muslim and we cant have a terrorist running the government.
her other sister probably doesnt even know who is running for the presidency or that we are having an election and the others there, were, i am sure voting for mccain, because he is patriotic, and a maverick and a prisoner of war.
since these people dont read newspapers, i think it is a plus for sarah palin that she is just like them.
i was up last night, thinking that there may be a sympathy backlash for palin, because she may find some way to muddle through...
because she will strike the chord of "sticking it to those guys in washington" because she will somehow personify the need for reform and the sentiment of outrage with the bailout....and she is just like them....a raw meat gal.
and because, the less she knows and the more playfully arrogant the more adorable she becomes....the more
she will resonate and i am quite nervous about the debate.
.....on the other hand, i can say that voters are pouring into our obama headquarters, even students are donating money....we are registering people from sunup to sundown. the affection and support for obama is immense.
the people we are registering, are horrified by sarah palin, and she has really bolstered voter registration for us.
maybe if there was no sarah palin, the moment would just have invented her.
i dont know what is going to come out of the debate.......or the bailout.
we are at a deeply strange and faltering moment.
everyday is one day closer to the election.....a reason to work and pray as hard as we can to keep turning this corner.

Here's what's so sad about that answer -- the likely truth would have served her so much better:

"Well, Katie, I watch Fox News whenever I can, and when I need to know more about a particular issue facing Alaskans, my staff puts together a briefing paper for me. But to be honest, I don't sit around reading newspapers and magazines like the ... Read Moreliberal elite in the lower 48 states. I'm busy working hard for the people of the great state of Alaska. And oh, by the way, I'm also raising a family of 5 children, including a newborn with special needs. But if I find the time to do more reading, I'll be sure to ask you for some recommendations! HAHAHA!"

Instead, she went with "Um, all of 'em," and then pretended that Katie Couric was trying to insult her and all Alaskans. Jeebus.

She was about to utter the truth - she reads the LA Times - but the pain of the electric shock she was being administered through that white bracelet on her arm was just overwhelming.

We haven't had much of a problem electing presidents who don't read newspapers. Why should Palin's anti-intellectualism be a bar to electing her to high office?

Now that is funny!

What about Field & Stream?

The people have this romance where Mrs Smith goes to Washington and straitens them all out, so it could work.

Of course the people in the press seem very ignorant also.

I am sure that Palin could ask Katie a few things about life that Katie would not know and I do not mean just about butchering moose.

I am not defneding Palin, I just find the whole thing funny.

i am wondering, if during the debate, she can be using an earpiece where answers can be fed to her.
is that just a kind of urban legend, or can that really happen?

"i am not defending palin, i just find the whole thing funny."

there wont be anything funny if she should happen to become our president.

I am sure that Palin could ask Katie a few things about life that Katie would not know

Floccina, your problem is that with statements like this you are saying that you actually believe that sort of romance.

I knew I had heard this line before!!

Homer is in the owner's office...

Man 1: You have been safety inspector for two years.
What initiatives have you spearheaded in that time?
Homer: Uh... All of them?
Man 1: I see. ... Then you must have some good ideas for the future as well?
Homer: I sure do!
Man 1: [waits for a follow-up, which doesn't come]

Sarah Palin=Homer Simpson

I think she probably wanted to answer that she reads the Bible and various "Christian" publications. But I'll bet that the McCain campaign won't let her talk about that stuff, since she has the Christianist vote all sown up already and they are still trying for the votes of a few rational people. But it is a pity they wouldn't allow her to say "The Christian Science Monitor" Sounds all christian-y to the wingers, and gives the "elitists" a bit of pause.

Do people really think that she was prepped on what to say if she got an answer about newspapers? I'm pretty sure she's winging it and is afraid of the consequences of saying something specific.

Er, a question about newspapers.

i don't think she knows what "specifically" means.

Sorry to be an annoying language troll, but the correct term here is "brava," since you're referring to Katie Couric's performance.

You use brava for women and bravo for men. It's an Italian opera term, and "brava" was used to signal enthusiasm for female singers, "bravo" for male singers.

On reading more carefully, I see that your "bravo" actually applies to Palin. But of course the same trollery applies.

Recall please classic Simpsons episode 43: "Burns Verkaufen der Kraftwerk"

Homer has been asked to join his the new German ownership for a "brief friendly chat".

Take it away satirical cartoon show:

German Man 1: You have been safety inspector for two years. What initiatives have you spearheaded in that time?

Homer: Uh... All of them?

German Man 1: I see. ... Then you must have some good ideas for the future as well?

Homer: I sure do!

German Man 1: [waits for a follow-up, which doesn't come]

This exchange, of course, immediately precedes Homer's now legendary fantasy trip to the Land of Chocolate.

Sarah Palin is Homer Fu**ing Simpson. WTF

there wont be anything funny if she should happen to become our president.

I disagree. Something can be horrific and funny at the same time.

Sorry to be an annoying language troll, but the correct term here is "brava,"

You lose at life.