Ruh, roh. Steven Schmidt (hardboiled Rovian minion) brings up "paternity tests"

[deminks]

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/212778.php

From an insider and longtime friend of the site ...

(snip)

Either McCain's vetting process was a complete sham. Or his press operation is the worst in modern presidential politics history. Or some unholy blend of both.
Campbell Brown isn't the story - people are underestimating her, as they always have. No, the story is that Tucker Bounds went on national television without material to answer what is maybe the simplest, most straightforward follow-up question any reporter can ask: "What's your evidence for that assertion?" And I suspect that the reason they canceled Larry King is not to punish CNN (it doesn't work that way) it's that they still couldn't come up with an answer to the question by the time his show aired.

Now look at this comment from McCain honcho Steve Schmidt to Katie Couric last night: "Members of this campaign went to off-the-record lunches with reporters today, and they were asked if she would do paternity tests to prove paternity for her last child. Smear after smear after smear, and it's disgraceful and it's wrong. And the American people are going to reject it overwhelmingly when they see her."

First of all, that's the first time I've heard anyone in the campaign/political press throw out the notion of paternity tests. So Schmidt is to blame for bringing that issue into the mainstream. If anyone is smearing the candidate, it's Schmidt. This is as cynical a tactic as I've ever seen in politics.


(end snip)

emphasis mine

Smearing their own candidate, and then blaming the press. Who could have imagined? BTW, the mainstream press is asking about paternity tests off the record? That is interesting.

[wtmusic]

1. It's called "pre-emptive self-defense"

It didn't work five years ago, and it won't work now.

[MannyGoldstein]

2. Also "Off-The-Record"

The press claimed they could transport themselves to other planets in the blink of an eye, and that Palin is actually Genghis Khan in drag.

Don't believe it? Bet you can't prove that it didn't happen, you silly Liberal!!!

[FVZA_Colonel]

12. It's a (near) perfect defense.

I don't think it happened, and even if it did it doesn't mean a damn thing.

[Fumesucker]

3. Sound of can opening, distinct odor of worms...

I think Sarahcuda has been lying to everyone..

:popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn:

[daleo]

4. I thought it was maternity that was in question, not paternity

It is interesting news anyway.

[shraby]

5. The only reason I can think of why anyone would

ask this question is because Down's Syndrome babies resemble Oriental's to some degree and by extension, the Native Alaskans..the Eskimo (not sure of what they are called in her area of Alask. Could her story of a Down's Syndrome baby be a cover for a "tryst" with a Native Alaskan?

[phillysuse]

6. Todd Palin is part Eskimo - what I think is more interesting

is whether the kid is Track Palin's with Mercedes Johnston, the sister of Levi Johnston.

[KoKo]

14. huh? do you have a link?

[redqueen]

7. Reporters are asking about paternity tests? Really?

Interesting...

[wtmusic]

8. Reporters typically don't like to have words put in their mouths.

I wouldn't be surprised if he gets asked to name them.

[redqueen]

10. Hopefully McSame's dutifully fawning press will turn on him over this. (nt)

[karynnj]

9. Not to mention shouldn't it be "maternity"?

[Geoff R. Casavant]

13. I think genetic testing in general is what they meant.

In regular paternity testing, they check the child's, mother's, and presumptive father's genetic markers. Subtract the markers mother has in common with child, and compare what's left with father's markers.

If Ms. Palin is the child's mother, by definition she should match 50% of Trig's markers. If Trig's mother is really Bristol, then there should only be a 25% match with Sarah.

[Wilber_Stool]

11. Finally.

They're looking at the insurance scam angle. If the baby is the daughter's, their insurance will not pay for any of the treatment that a special needs child is sure to require. If it's her's it will.

[L. Coyote]

15. "It’s The Corruption, Stupid" that they are distracting from

With a false story that will be blames on the opposition.
Yes they are trying to get this in the media, for the obvious reason:

"It’s The Corruption, Stupid"

===========
Abramoff, McCain, Palin, Corruption & the GOP...
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/9/1/1829/47514

This is important. In September 2006 it became clear that the November Election would turn on the issue of corruption. All signs point to the same thing happening this year.

I’ll try and put this in the simple language of politics:

It’s The Corruption, Stupid