ABC’s Jake Tapper reports on the Davis appearance with Chris Wallace this morning:
Rick Davis, campaign manager for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., just told Fox News Channel’s Chris Wallace that McCain running mate Gov. Sarah Palin won’t subject herself to any tough questions from reporters “until the point in time when she’ll be treated with respect and deference.”
Davis assailed the way the media had discussed Palin and her family in the last week and said the campaign would wait until a less hostile media environment.
So when will she subject herself to questions?
“When we think it’s time and when she feels comfortable doing it,” Davis said, praising a Fox News Channel profile of Palin that ran last night.
Why is she scared of answering questions? Wallace asked.
“She’s not scared to answer questions,” Davis said, “but you know what? We run our campaign not the news media.”
Wallace said inappropriate intrusions into Palin’s family and personal life aside, there are legitimate questions about whether she is prepared to be vice president.
“Sarah Palin will have the opportinity to speak to the American people,” Davis said. “She will do interviews, but she’ll do them on the terms and conditions” the campaign decides.
If I were a nut-roots blogger, I’d be harping on this, too. But, be careful what you wish for. If Palin’s performances at her announcement, at the convention, and at subsequent campaign stops is any indication of how she’ll do on the morning shows, she’s going to knock the pitches of Tom Brokaw, George Stephanopoulos, Bob Schieffer and Chris Wallace out of the park as well.