MOA apologizes to Palin

Guidelines released for her book tour stop were "an error." Foreign reporters aren't banned from the Mall of America visit, and no reporter is required to call Palin "Governor," said Dan Jasper.

By VINCE TUSS, Star Tribune

Last update: December 3, 2009 - 9:28 AM

The Mall of America's public relations director apologized Wednesday to former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin after internal notes and comments were released to the Associated Press as the mall's guidelines for covering her book tour stop next week.

Among the supposed guidelines: Reporters would need to address Palin, the 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee, as governor, and foreign reporters would be banned.

Dan Jasper called the comments poorly worded and "definitely an error on our part and don't reflect our policies."

"I personally would like to apologize to Gov. Palin and anyone connected to the book tour because absolutely this was an issue on our end."

Jasper said the internal notes were sent to one AP reporter who had contacted the mall about the guidelines for Palin's visit from noon to 4 p.m. Monday for her memoir, "Going Rogue: An American Life."

Using "Governor" in reference to Palin was a note to mall staffers "as a sign of respect," Jasper said.

The role of foreign reporters grew out of an internal discussion on how to deal with the crush of requests from local and national news outlets as well as bloggers and other smaller organizations, he added.

But Jasper was clear about anyone covering Palin's return to the Twin Cities, site of the 2008 Republican National Convention: "All media are welcome at any time."

Jasper didn't have a copy Wednesday night of what was sent out and didn't say what else was included.

The release drew a rebuke from Palin's publisher. "That should never have been in any kind of press release," said Tina Andreadis, a publicist for HarperCollins in New York. "That's not the message the governor wants to send out," she said.

Jasper said that mall staffers would be more careful, but that no one would lose a job over what happened.

"No, we all make mistakes. ... It was just a poorly worded statement sent out by mistake."

The Associated Press contributed to this report. Vince Tuss • 612-673-7692