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Sarah Palin cancels 'Today' chat due to Martin Bashir rant

Former Alaskan Gov. Sarah Palin speaks at the Tea Party of America political rally, September 3, 2011 in Indianola, Iowa. UPI/Steve Pope
Former Alaskan Gov. Sarah Palin speaks at the Tea Party of America political rally, September 3, 2011 in Indianola, Iowa. UPI/Steve Pope | License Photo

NEW YORK, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin canceled a planned interview for NBC's "Today" show after MSNBC's Martin Bashir ranted about her on the air, Fox News reported.

"Today" anchor Matt Lauer was to fly to Palin's hometown of Wasilla to interview Palin about her new book, "Good Tidings and Great Joy: Protecting the Heart of Christmas," however, she canceled the sit-down because she is still upset over Bashir's remarks, TVGuide.com said.

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Bashir said on his show last week Palin is a "dunce" and "world-class idiot" who deserves to have her mouth urinated and defecated in, in the way 18th century slaves were abused by their masters.

Bashir's remarks were in response to a Nov. 9 speech Palin gave, in which she compared the federal deficit to slavery, TVGuide.com said.

Bashir apologized for his remarks Monday, saying he understands his comments about Palin were "deeply offensive."

"I wanted to take this opportunity to say sorry to Mrs. Palin, and to also offer an unreserved apology to her friends and family, her supporters, our viewers, and anyone who may have heard what I said. My words were wholly unacceptable. They were neither accurate, nor fair. They were unworthy of anyone who would claim to have an interest in politics, and they have brought shame upon my friends and colleagues at this network, none of whom were responsible for the things that I said," Bashir said.

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Although MSNBC recently took Alec Baldwin off the air after he uttered a gay slur during a confrontation with a reporter he said was harassing him and his family on the street, Bashir has not been suspended for his comments about Palin.

Fox News said Tim Crawford, treasurer of Palin's political action committee, told NBC bosses in a letter, this apparent double standard isn't fair.

"Americans deserve to know that your network doesn't condone violent and hateful rhetoric," Fox News quoted Crawford as writing in the letter to NBC.

"Are we to assume that disciplinary procedures at your network take place based on the target of the remarks rather than the remarks themselves?" EW.com said the letter also said.

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