Who is being disrespectful?

The right wing politicians and commentators keep saying that the media is not showing proper respect to Gov. Sarah Palin. The other day Gov. Palin was at the United Nations to meet with some foreign leaders. Her Republican handlers wouldn’t let reporters ask any the Governor any questions and didn’t even allow her to speak. What outrageous questions was she asked? Terrible things, like, “What did you learn from Prime Minister X? What do you think about the crisis in country Y”?

There are plenty of knowledgeable women who have a lot to say about current domestic and foreign affairs. A prime example is, of course, Sen. Hillary Clinton. I have the privilege to be married to another. But Gov. Palin’s handlers don’t allow even allow her to open her mouth, unless it is in a controlled setting where they can be sure no one will ask any difficult or probing questions. Who is really showing disrespect for Gov. Palin? The media who try to ask her the same questions that Sen. Biden is asked and answers every day? Or is it Sen. McCain’s staff, who don’t trust her to engage in the normal give and take of a political campaign? If Gov. Palin is ready to be a heartbeat away from the nation’s highest office, why are her handlers treating her like some vacuous beauty queen? What are they afraid of? Do supporters of, say, Sen. Clinton think this is the proper way for a woman candidate to be treated?