H/T to Ottoline for locating this "Live Shot" with Andrea Gusty and Governor Palin. We've examined the photos from this in great detail and a number of theories exist on the news piece Gusty later did about the controversy and her role in it. Here's my take:
Like it or not, I think this video lays to rest any idea of any involvement with Gusty and the alleged hoax. This looks to me like an authentic "Live Shot" and I say that as someone who has done hundreds of them. The anchorman does his lead-in. He tosses it to Gusty. She references the legislative session ending hours before and states that there will be a complete story on the Ten O'clock news. That is when she will "re-package" this. It makes perfect sense to me.
The dark "sky" behind the anchorman is a set. I doubt very much it's a live scene. The shots of an editing console behind the weather "girl" and the idea that Gusty might have edited a hoax video herself leads me to point something out. If this is a union shop, and I don't know if Alaska is a "union state", but my guess is that it is, then I doubt very, very much that a news reporter would touch an editing system. It's a serious union violation. The engineers are usually members of IATSE (eye-AT-see) or NABET (NAY-bet). No one touches the equipment except them. Not even a news director can run into an editing booth and monkey with the equipment. And most people couldn't even begin to know how to edit on a system, much less have the temerity to try it. Likewise, Gusty is probably a member of AFTRA (AFF-truh) and no one outside that union is allowed in front of a camera.
I also want to say, as much as it might pain some to hear this, that both women did a fine job in this piece. Gusty was young here. Live shots can be nerve-wracking. Because what you see is what you get. They are live. There are no re-do's. She was polished and poised. She didn't fumble or stumble and she knew exactly what she wanted to ask in what order. I give her four stars.
Likewise, Palin surprised me. She sounded sane. She appeared knowledgeable and interested in the topic. She knew the size of the "soundbite" to offer and she gave each one with confidence and a gut instinct for when to end the sentence. She also showed this green, awe-struck reporter some respect. And that's an attitude we've not seen since Palin became a household name.
What happened to Palin "there, also, too" on that campaign trail is anyone's guess. It's difficult to imagine that this is the same woman we have seen shriek about basketballs, dead fish, and glass ceilings. In my opinion, she has devolved so much from this segment, it's pathetic. Too much stress? Personality disorder? A combination? You decide.
Now, I don't know if Palin was packing foam here, or if she'd strapped on rubber. I do know that Brad Scharlott has made a solid case for that through some excellent analysis and arguments. What I can comment on here is that this looks to me like a legitimate Live Shot and I'd lay the "Gusty involved in a hoax theory" to rest. I think it's a non-starter. Or continue-er. Feel free to disagree.
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