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This is not journalism

October 19, 2009 3:18 pm ET by Jamison Foser

This Politico headline tells you pretty much everything you need to know about the article that follows: "Palin offers calm critique of Baucus bill."  Politico's Andy Barr goes on to cut-and-paste from Palin's Facebook post about the Baucus health care bill, pausing occasionally to describe the post as "tough but wonky," tout her citation of an actual economist to "make her argument" and marvel that Palin's approach was "more tempered" than her "Death Panel" claims earlier this year.

Not mentioned: Whether Palin's "calm critique" is accurate and fair, or whether anyone disagrees with anything she wrote. 

"He said/She said" journalism is bad enough.  But this is worse: This is just "She said."

Tags: Politico, Andy Barr

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    • Author by borealis (October 19, 2009 3:31 pm ET)
      5  
      Wow!!! Complete sentences and footnotes!!! Clearly Andy Barr is wrong to say Palin "penned" this post. The only thing she penned was the check to the actual writer.
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    • Author by MickD (October 19, 2009 3:38 pm ET)
      4  
      It must kill those sell-outs at Politico to waste their parents college money by working for this hackery. Future (or maybe present) alcoholics for America.
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    • Author by wookie (October 19, 2009 3:40 pm ET)
      8  
      Nothing like the benefit of diminished expectations. "She wasn't completely insane this time!"
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    • Author by smarshall1432997 (October 19, 2009 5:01 pm ET)
      4  
      Former Alaskan Gov. Sarah Palin "quits" her job, and these Republicans at Politico writes a column in a 'cut and paste' format from her Facebook page just to "keep" her in the political arena, LOL.

      Why didn't Politico just interview former Alaskan Gov. Sarah Palin in person? And, Facebook is owned by whom? Makes no sense as to why this was important Politico, just saying LOL.
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    • Author by aBeck in 10-O-C (October 19, 2009 6:11 pm ET)
      1  
      ...pausing occasionally to describe the post as "tough but wonky," tout her citation of an actual economist to "make her argument" and marvel that Palin's approach was "more tempered" than her "Death Panel" claims earlier this year.

      Amazing Palin tranformation, huh? Now let me know when she can manage the same feats in a debate or interview.
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    • Author by Diosnomeama (October 19, 2009 11:53 pm ET)
         
      The tone of the article was a slightly modified version of the language adults use to praise children for learning to use the bathroom all by themselves.
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    • Author by carlileb5935 (October 20, 2009 12:50 am ET)
      1  
      "He said/She said" journalism is bad enough. But this is worse: This is just "She said."

      No, it's worse than that. It's a supposed journalist editing a politician and cherry picking to make them look good, and then talking about how good they are.
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    • Author by kydem09 (October 20, 2009 7:37 am ET)
        3
      This critique coming from the same site that boldly promoted a story consisting of false "quotes" attributed to Rush Limbaugh? talk about hypocrisy!
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    • Author by nerzog (October 20, 2009 8:54 am ET)
      1  
      Look for a concerted effort by the Troglodyte Media to rebuild Sarah Palin over the next two years. They will lie for her, ignore her stupidity, and even write material for her. They will be her Cyrano hiding in the bushes, convincing the Troglodyte hordes that she is the Neanderthal Princess who will deliver them from the clutches of the Obama Presidency.

      It will be fascinating and frightening to watch.
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