Posted on 02/24/2012 11:37:56 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
“Age hates youth and ugliness hates beauty…”—Kirk Douglas, “Town Without Pity”(1961)
Why is the nation’s news and entertainment media—as well as everyday people—so fascinated by Sarah Palin? After all, it’s been almost four years since she unexpectedly burst onto the scene as Arizona Sen. John McCain’s Republican vice presidential running mate, flaunting an effervescent smile and sparkling personality.
Yet, the drop-dead gorgeous Palin—a description agreed upon by many female Democrats—still commands all manner of attention from celebrity-obsessed Americans. Pundits, newspaper readers and TV viewers can’t get enough of the former Alaska governor.
The latest example is a forthcoming (March 10) HBO movie “Game Change” about the conservative Palin and her role in the 2008 campaign that saw Barack Hussein Obama become America’s first Black president. Based on a so-called “insider’s” book by liberal journalists Mark Halperin and John Heilemann—unabashed Obama sycophants—the film stars Julianne Moore as Palin and Ed Harris as McCain.
The outspoken Palin—who, like Obama, is a Jeremy Lin fan—is less than thrilled by the movie. “I’m sorry that millions of people are going to waste their time,” she told Chris Wallace on “Fox News Sunday” earlier this month. More later on the film.
“Game Change” is the second recent, mainstream visual vehicle about Palin. A docu-movie called “The Undefeated”—concerning her time as Alaska governor—had a high-profile, short run in big screen theaters last summer.
All of that said, let’s briefly examine some of the reasons for America’s ongoing fascination with Palin, who, at 48, remains one of the country’s best-known, admired, influential and powerful women. And why not? Her emergence on the national political scene was as important and noteworthy for mature family women, as the emergence of the relatively unknown, mixed race Obama for Black people.
Remember how she mocked Obama at the 2010 Tea Party Convention in Nashville. To wit: “How’s that hopey, changey stuff working out for ya?” And a growing grassroots backlash against Obama’s big-government gamble is helping make her case.
As for Palin’s relationship with the Republican-oriented Tea Party so feared by Democrats, the vivacious mother of five is a hero to the movement. Why? Because she represents a relatively unpolished, plain-spoken conservatism untainted by association with GOP compromises and failures in Washington during the George W. Bush years.
After the Republicans went down in flames in the presidential election—leaving the party in shambles—Palin reinvented herself. Regular shots as a commentator on top-rated (much hated by liberals) Fox News Channel have provided her with an unmatched public forum. In addition, she makes big bucks from her best-selling books and $60,000 speaking fees.
As anathema as she may be to many, Palin has undeniable attributes. For one, she’s a knockout—by far the best-looking female ever in big-time politics—so much so the lame Tina Fey, who spoofs her on TV’s “Saturday Night Live,” comes off as a wet noodle.
And like her or not, the ubiquitous Palin—who clearly rankles and scares liberals and Democrats with her feisty appearances on Fox News and occasional speeches at important GOP gatherings—may be just what the doctor ordered for her party. When she gets around to endorsing a candidate, everyone will take notice.
Thus, the outdoorsy Alaskan—the self-styled “Mama Grizzly”—has served notice that she’s still a major player on the national political landscape. Despite resigning as governor after two years, she’s been in the public eye as much as any current elected official. And it looks like she will run for president in 2016.
Now for “Game Change.” Clearly intended to denigrate Palin, the book and movie chronicle, among other things, her well-known, embarrassing gaffes and indicate that she was forced on McCain by his advisers. This, after they vetted her for a mere five days.
Although Moore is said to do a more believable job in the film as Palin than NBC’s lame, loony-tunes Fey does on TV, Palin is clearly blamed for McCain losing the election. In reality, he lost because he suspended his campaign for a while in the summer of 2008 to address the financial crisis and decided not to nail Obama for his questionable associations in Chicago with the Rev. Jeremiah Wright and terrorist William Ayers.
Discussing the movie during their Fox News interview, Wallace asked Palin: “Is there any truth to the story [that she was on the verge of a complete mental breakdown]? Did you ever go into a funk during the campaign?”
“Thank God I have the right perspective on what really matters in life, Chris,” Palin said. “And there’s no need to ever be in a funk when you know what right priorities are and what really matters in this life.” She added that the movie was “based on a false narrative.”
Meanwhile, will her naysayers—including some Democrats questioning Obama’s competence—keep mocking her? Is she really that close to the Tea Party? These are burning questions for the media, as well as Democrats, Republicans and independents.
Finally, a good measuring stick for Palin’s influence could very well play out at the Republican National Convention in August. Will she attend? Will she speak? What will she say? Stay tuned, because Palin ain’t going away. And that’s the name of that tune.
WHERE was Fey before the SNL thing? Yes, she’s now famous and making big bucks - but WHO and WHERE was she before her talantless impersonations?
WHERE was Fey before the SNL thing? Yes, she’s now famous and making big bucks - but WHO and WHERE was she before her talantless impersonations?
Please excuse the multiple postiings - my fault - got it figured out.
Fey has been writing for SNL since 1997 - and been a SNL performer since 2000.
30 Rock came on the air in 2006.
She’s been famous and in the public eye far longer than Palin.
But make no mistake, her career surely benefited from her impersonation of Palin.
Pretty good talker, alright. Not so much of a doer.
The singer Adele also hit the bigtime after appearing on the same SNL show as Palin, and she credits Sarah for drawing the huge viewership that made it possible.
The singer Adele also hit the bigtime after appearing on the same SNL show as Palin, and she credits Sarah for drawing the huge viewership that made it possible.
Oh? Every lib in the country tried to destroy her for years, throwing every nasty thing possible at her and her family and she not only survived, she prospered and emerged as the best known voice of American conservatism.
That lady can take lemons and whip up a helluva batch of lemonade. We could use her recipe right about now.
* PALIN PING! *
Are you high?
>>...Not so much of a doer...<<
Opinions vary. Especially if one bothers to look at what she accomplished in her (albeit abbreviated) term as AK gov. Most pols won’t accomplish as much of high significance in multiple terms. Some, not even in their entire political career.
Heck, even out of office, every appearance she makes draws huge numbers and a correspondingly high level of financial support.
Now, you may not like the “where/what/who/when/how/why” she does all that, but claiming she isn’t much of a “doer” is laughable to the point of being patently intellectually dishonest.
Making that doozy of a claim says much more about you than it does Palin.
Writing and performing - OK. But “famous” and “in the public eye”? With respect to you - and I mean that - I disagree that Fey was much of a celebrity before the Palin impression, and “30 Rock” never had the spotlight like it now does. But, as I sincerely write - I absolutely respect your viewpoint.
2) Is the Loony Left really able to wreak so much havoc on her that they're actually able to chase her away? Isn't that Satan incarnate? Seems like Sarah is a tough woman like Margaret Thatcher, who could take that stuff and she did it with panache and style. In fact, Thatcher, like Reagan, seemed to enjoy the opportunity to mix it up with the Loony Left. I don't know, maybe Palin's not a Thatcher, but I would have thought so.
Anyway, if there's a chance, here's what I have to say to her:
SARAH. GET IN THIS THING. NOW.
What? And where did his piece of info come from? Anyone know about this?
Why would she not run now and wait until there's no more America?
What are you talking about, have you a clue?
Palin cut the absolute size of the budget in Alaska through her years in office. Can you name me the last pol to do that on either a state or federal level?
She broke the back of corruption in both parties in her state and registered Gallup’s all-time highest approval ratings for a governor.
Palin is as an accomplished living pol as we’ve got.
Wished I could have written that. A beautifully written sketch of a beautiful person who needs to be POTUS.
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