Question of the Week: Is the news media treating Sarah Palin unfairly?

By DUANE NOLLEN
The Oskaloosa Herald

OSKALOOSA September 15, 2008 12:55 pm

— A vast majority of those who answered this past week’s Question of the Week: Who will win the Iowa/Iowa State game? said IOWA.
Forty-four — 72.13 percent — Answered IOWA while 17 — 27.87 percent said IOWA STATE.
The Question of the Week poll is not scientific and only reflects the opinions of those Internet users who have chosen to participate. The Question of the Week is just another way the Herald’s readers can voice their opinions about issues that affect them.
This week’s Question of the Week deals with the news media’s treatment of Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin.
Since being named Republican John McCain’s vice presidential candidate during the Republican National Convention, Palin has been in the media spotlight … and gun sight.
Right off the bat, Palin’s pregnant 17-year-old daughter was an issue. Then, it was a “Troopergate” scandal in Alaska. Then, her political experience was questioned — she has been governor for only two years. After her acceptance speech at the convention, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama himself started throwing barbs at Palin while he was on the campaign trail. Recently, Palin went one-on-one with ABC News’ Charles Gibson for her first interview. And, media talking heads are picking her performance apart — focusing on her foreign policy knowledge.
In contrast, Obama appears to be treated with kid gloves by the media. The only exception being a recent close encounter with Fox News’ Bill O’Rielly.
Is the news media being unfair to Palin?
What do you think?
This week’s Question of the Week: Is the news media treating Sarah Palin unfairly? YES or NO.
People can vote on The Herald’s Web site, oskaloosa.com, from Monday through noon on Friday. Then, votes will be tallied and published the following Monday.