Palin Cone of Silence Watch: Day 11 (*)

It has been 10 days since Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin has been allowed to say anything in a public setting that is not carefully scripted or controlled. No interviews with the political press. No taking questions from the news media, although soft focus and touchy-feely stuff is okay. Palin has read one prepared statement twice and delivered an address written by a White House speechwriter.

McCain spokeswoman Nicole Wallace disingenuously asserts that voters don't care if Palin can answer questions about foreign and domestic policy, let alone the string of troubling allegations that cling to her shoes like so much oily kelp washed up on a beach in Alaska. Campaign manager Rick Davis adds that Palin won't give any interviews until she feels comfortable giving one and certianly wouldn't give any "until the point in time when she'll be treated with respect and deference." In other words, softball questions only.

By contrast, two other relatively unknown veep candidates went before the press quickly: Dan Quayle one day after being selected and Geraldine Ferraro a mere four days.

What does the campaign not want us to know about a woman whom fate may dictate becomes the next president? What is it trying to hide? How much longer will Palin be kept inside this Cone of Silence?

(*) The Sarah Palin Cone of Silence is not to be confused with the Alberto Gonzalez Cone of Silence, the Harriet Miers Cone of Silence or the Karl Rove Cone of Silence. Local taxes will be collected and some restrictions may apply. Further information is available at 202-456-1111.