Quoting in dialect

I thought this was only done in fiction, not reporting. [Link]

Look closely at the way the Washington Post quotes Sarah Palin yesterday:

"John? John?'' Sarah Palin called to John McCain. "Can I add somethin'?'' ...

One woman wanted to give her the chance to address those who say Palin can't be a mother and vice president. "Well, let's prove 'em wrong,'' Palin said to cheers.

She talked about her role if the ticket is elected: "Let me tell you, I know a little bit about energy. That's gonna be my baby when I get to Washington, D.C.''

"Somethin'" instead of "something"; "'em" instead of "them"; "gonna" instead of "going to." I don't doubt that's the way Palin sounded. But I've heard a lot of politicians drop their 'g's and 'th's, and this is the first time I've seen a newspaper put three of them in one story about a politician's speech.

All according to the narrative. She's a white trash yokel from flyover country. I hate the media.