McGinniss compares Palin’s tactics to Nazi Germany

The most talked about fence in the country and the author cited as the main cause for the 14 ft. fence that’s become known as “The Great Wall” made its way onto NBC’s Today Show Tuesday morning.

Joe McGinniss, the controversial author, who has moved next door to the subject of his next expose, Sarah Palin, has many questioning his move. Is it immersive journalism or stalking?

McGinniss, who also gave an interview to the Washington Post’s David Weigel, told Matt Lauer he would live in the house if the Palin’s lived on the moon.

McGinniss claimed he needed to be in Wasilla to do his work and that his work is not to be in the house. He said he “couldn’t care less about her kids,” and was not there to observe the Palins. His goal is to talk to the people who have lived in Wasilla for 40 years, who know the Palin’s best and can trace their evolution.

At the very start of the interview, McGinniss got defensive as he attempted to clarify the photo posted by Sarah Palin on her facebook page of McGinniss standing on the deck of his newly rented home in which she questions, “Wonder what kind of material he’ll gather while overlooking Piper’s bedroom, my little garden, and the family’s swimming hole?” McGinniss wanted to clarify that he was not peering in on the children, that he was as far away from the Palin home as he could get (on the other side of the deck), and that he was talking on the cell phone. Matt Lauer pointed out that Palin was probably talking about what McGinniss could do from that deck, not at that particular moment.

McGinniss said his wife will be moving in with him soon and his daughter and three grandchildren will be able to visit and enjoy relaxation while he works.

McGinniss said, “I moved here and didn’t tell anybody outside of my family. I wanted to tell the Palins directly, personally, face-to-face, and work out some accomodation with them to live peacefully.” But McGinniss added that, “Sarah hysterically puts up this Facebook page.” He claimed it was revolting what Palin has caused people to say about him and pointed out the power Palin has to incite hatred and her readiness to do it. He compared the same kind of tactic to that of the Nazi troopers used in Germany in the 30s and said he didn’t think there was any place for it in America.

When Lauer asked McGinniss what he would do if the roles were reversed, McGinniss said, “I would go over and shake hands and maybe give her a plate of cookies and say welcome to the neighborhood.”

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