Gary:
Outside of interviewing people, I don't tell someone I just met that I am a journalist. I found that either I get an ear full of the "mainstream media bias" or the atmosphere becomes uncomfortable.

With the check and balance system in journalism, most Americans do not realize the triple-check of facts and information that is required in the profession. Just because the truth hurts, it doesn't mean we were responsible for it.

But on the other hand, when individuals want justice on a passionate issue, they seek out the press to promote their rights for freedom of speech. Okay, we can accommodate; but heave forbid if the other side of the story is reported as well.

Governor Palin is coming to Indianapolis Friday. Of course, the local press will be attending. It is our job. But with the enormous problems in this country, we are not attending as cheerleaders; we are trying to hold politicians accountable, even Palin.

Again, if the truth hurts, it doesn't mean we are responsible for it.

Gary, keep up the great reporting!

I think you're misreading this 'enthusiasm' Gary. If you look at past campaigns the core faithful get more and more vocal the farther behind a party ticket gets. Mondale for exemple was able to hold huge noisy rallies right up until the day he was anihilated in the election. So was John Kerry when he lost . The campaign strategy for the losing team has always been to hold even larger staged events to try to develop the false impression that they have some sort of momentum. It's all bluff and blunder.

LIES AND RUMORS MCCAIN AND PALIN

Lies and rumors is what the McCain campaign is all about! Gov. Palin is a idiot and not ready to be Vice President! But enough is enough. Our economy and the reputation of our country are at stake in this next election. Barack is honest about his faith, and is prepared to take this country in a new direction. It is clear that Sarah Palin has spent relatively little time thinking about global issues or the economy and is unprepared for the vice presidency. Though it might be interesting to have her as my Bible Study leader, I feel that God calls me to be responsible with my vote, and I need to vote for the candidate that is qualified to bring about change to our country, whose plans involve doing far more for the poor and uninsured, and who has tried to run a mature campaign.Morning joe need a lesson in whats good for the country and what is bad!

There is ABSOLUTELY NO COMPARISON between Sarah Palin and Barack Obama. Palin does not draw large crowds as Obama.Palin is FAKE and Obama is TRUTH. Palin has a UNMARRIED PREGNANT DAUGHTER while Obama has two decent young daughters. Palin is an ANIMAL KILLER while Obama is not. Palin speaks from her mouth,Obama speaks from his HEART. Palin takes advise,Obama gives advise. Internationally,Obama has proven he will attract hundreds of thousands HAPPY people but the same cannot be said of Palin being a Bush Republican. Obama is more HIGHLY QUALIFIED IN EDUCATION than Palin. Please do not compare these two individuals again.

Sara Palin is a complete oxymoron of an American. It is ironic how
she spewed her venom and incited the most ugliest underbelly of
American society, and she herself abused her power while in office.
I wonder of the bigots some of which call themselves Cristians can look themselves in the mirror this morning?
The sad part is that they probably can. McCain may have saved a tiny
bit of any honor that he has left by defending his and Palin's lies about
Senator Obama, who worked his way up to become a worthy and
patriotic American, only to be told by his fellow American, that he is the
wrong color. This should wake America up to not judge a book by
its cover. The devil just may wear lipstick.

Gary,
I'm glad that we are getting to hear from you again! I have to agree with the people that you talked to at Palin's rally, the media is extremely biased towards Palin and go out of their way to down her. But you are always fair so I am at least glad that they sent you along with her. With you we will get the truth and not fabrications or wild stretches trying to make mountains out of molehills.

Cindy...Ga.

People need to start looking into the suspicious construction of Sarah and Todd Palin's home. Not only has she has been found guilty of "Abuse of Power", this construction fiasco could be compared to Ted Stevens and his woes over taking state money for his own purposes. Sarah and Todd do much to benefit themselves, all at the expense of the city of Wasilla and the state of Alaska.
I don't believe McCain's 'people' did a very thorough job of vetting her.

I now understand why Palin talks to her supporters as if she is addressing a kindergarten class. The ignorance of the people in these crowds is astounding. It is disgusting what the McCain/Palin campaign has endorsed and encouraged in their efforts to get to the white house. I have received spam from numerous right wing organizations with slander against Obama.
In my opinion, anyone who could vote for McCain/Palin is either ignorant, a religious fanatic, a bigot, a warmonger, or just plain self-centered and greedy.
I would like to see more reporting about the seperation of church and state. Politics should not enter what goes on in our bedrooms or our doctors office.

Palin cannot touch Obama. He is known INTERNATIONALLY... in a positive light. Ever wonder why Saturday Night Live, the media, etc. appear to be biased (although they aren't)? It's because Obama continues to take the high road and in our world, people are hungry for negative news and material to use for laughable skits. Now, McCain and Palin seem to be staging Town Halls featuring select audience members to give McCain/Palin the opportunity to show that they can take the high road and don't want to be vicious anymore.
They can fool some of America, but they can't fool us all. Palin in the same boat with Obama? Not in the same class.

Gary,

I admire your ability to keep a straight face when one of the people you interviewed basically said (in reference to the Obama-Ayers controversy): "You are who you hang out with."

If those are the people Sarah Palin and John McCain "hang out" with, we should all be very, very scared.

The Republican strategy to pander to working mothers didn't work so it appears they chose a new group to focus on: morons.

You earned your pay, guy. I couldn't have kept the snickers at bay.

Sarah Palin's only passion is for herself and a need for power.
Her understanding of the world is black and white .
BIG EGO , LOW SELF ESTEEM !
Sarah needs to always be right and the best at all cost , that makes a for a dangerous person.

This report seems to want to downplay some of the more inflammatory, divisive and sometimes racist actions of McCain and Palin's supporters–people generally are going to be on their best behavior if a camera's pointed at them. At one of the Palin rallies in Pennsylvania, a man put an Obama sticker on a monkey doll, but tried to conceal it when he realized he was on camera. There may be people doing questionable things at any political event, but you'd probably be hard pressed to find the type of behavior that occurs at McCain-Palin rallies amongst Obama-Biden supporters.

Gary

You're so nice I can't think of anyone refusing to talk to you unless they practice polygamy. Just stay away from the kook-aid on these events and you ought to be fine. This has got to be the strangest election season we have ever seen – both parties with superstars that pull out rallies large enough for some celebrities. I didn't think this many people would be into politics ever.

Annie Kate
Birmingham AL

Gary: I have to admit, this election season has made me look at the media with more of a critical eye. I think we naturally want to focus on the negative aspects and seldom see the positive if there are even any.

May the voters continue to talk to you! Looking forward to your reports out on the trail.

Palin is Fascist Racist Bigot! Call her what she is, a disgusting person, fanning hatred, dividing our Nation in a time of crisis, this is McCain's idea of a VP. Passion! I don't think so, she is a Fanatical Right Wing Looney, the lowest the Republican Party has ever unleashed on the USA.

Gary
can we please get a story on aig the alaska independece party

This is all hate.... look at all the stuff in the 1950s mississippi racial issues. This is not the way Americans should be acting and if you dont see this then America is still ignorant about differences, and thats extreamly sad.

I especially love how Palin's Preachers look down on the elitist liberal media and jeer and boo and hiss, I see them all the time on my elitist liberal TV.

I ♥ The Irony Impaired.