Random Thoughts From Marybeth

Palin had every right to answer "Actually I don't read a lot of paper newspapers and magazines, but I spend at least an hour every day reading online newspapers, magazines, and other news aggregators from sources such as the NY Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Time, Newsweek, etc.". That would have been an acceptable answer. Don't blame Katie Couric for a "bad" question. It was a bad answer no matter how you slice it.

I'm not defending Palin's answer, no one can read "all" of them and anyone who reads "any" of them lacks discrimination. I just think it was also a stupid question. Unless there was a previous question of "where do you get your news?" that I haven't seen, it makes an assumption that newspapers would be a primary source. That's sloppy thinking.

I get all my news online, but I still read "newspapers and magazines." I read the NY Times, the Washington Post, and the Wall St. Journal. I just do it online. It's not a bad question. Much of the country still reads their local paper as well as the USA Today or the Wall St. Journal

Plus, don't forget that there are still a huge number of older politians that don't use a computer at all. I don't mean any disrespect, but it's easy to think your own habits reflect those of the rest of the world - when they often don't. I've become aware of making that mistake when moving between California and Michigan. You can esily forget you're in a microcosm.

And I think Couric made the mistake of thinking her own habits reflect those of others.

I live in so I am used to people thinking that everyone below the Mason-Dixon Line is non-compter literate (or completely illiterate). Perhaps that is why I wouldn't presume to know something without asking first.

If Palin were more experienced, she would have given the more political answer of "I get all of my news by watching you, Katie." I find a politician who isn't a total suck-up refreshing.