Palin, Polarizing and what’s next?
Sarah Palin came and went - didn’t get a signed copy of her book? Check ebay. If you read this piece you will see why lots of people turned out. However, there were at least a hundred who wanted to reinforce the notion that Ms Palin didn’t speak for them.
A friend of mine was part of that contingent. She sent this account after being interviewed by the local media.
The first question I was asked was innocuous enough. I was asked to explain why I was out there. I explained that I was there to raise awareness about the fact that, although Sarah Palin is often characterized as a feminist, her policy positions indicated otherwise. I wanted to emphasize the fact that Sarah Palin does not speak for all women.
That’s when the interview took an interesting turn. I was asked why people on “your side” disliked Sarah Palin so much. I asked for clarification about what “my side” was, and he explained that by “your side”, he meant “Democrats.”
I took issue with the characterization that Sarah Palin was “disliked” and instead said that I thought she was a polarizing figure.
When asked to elaborate why I believed she was polarizing, I explained that Sarah Palin chose to accentuate the differences among Americans, as opposed to what Americans shared in common.
The reporter asked incredulously “That’s it? That’s the only reason?” I replied that I thought that was enough of a reason for her to be perceived as polarizing.
Yeah, “that’s it”, and apparently they are surprised and disappointed at the answer, that I think is enough- to be polarizing.
Which leads to, “what’s next?”. I agree with this assessment by D&C op-ed editor Jim Lawrence.
Had a brief encounter with Sarah Palin at her book signing tonight in Henrietta. She flashed those pearly whites at me, clasped my right hand with both of hers, said something lighthearted after I told her I was with the local newspaper and moved on to the next person in line.
Was Palin like she appears on TV? You betcha.
But now more than ever, I think that Palin’s true calling is TV. She has the effervescent personality and the growing fan base to become a mega media celebrity. OK, she’s already that to some extent. But there will soon be an opening for the 4 p.m. weekdays slot now that Oprah will be moving on next year. I think Palin recognizes the potential–financially and politically.
As for being presidential timber? I think Palin has a ways to go.
I don’t see her as the next Oprah because she is a divider, not a uniter which is what happens when you, “accentuate the differences.”
I can easily see her as taking audiences from the likes of Limbaugh and Beck. In the end, the ability to spew words without any accountability serves them well and Ms Palin would be a fresh voice on that circuit.
Still, being a conservative media celebrity is easy. All you have to do is reinforce the beliefs of your followers through cute, folksy soundbytes. You get to live in a protected bubble away from accountability for your words and deeds.
All you have to do is flash back to the Couric interview and the attacks on Couric and others who attempted to ask questions of someone who, if elected, would be a heart beat away for the presidency.
A situation tailor-made for former Governor Palin.
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At least a hundred? In shifts maybe - of the three tv reports I saw, none showed more than 20. Socialist Workers of the World unite!
I relied on folks on the ground for the number. Maybe there were 20 signs but I’m pretty sure there were more people.
I only saw about 20, also,but I was watching FOX news and we know how reliable they are.
I am not sure what’s more sad the people who waited in line for her signature or the people who felt the need to protest a book signing. Two lessons learned; Conservatives are cultic charisma followers (although Obama-ites are the same) and liberal’s have nothing better to do than protest…everything!…oops except the Democratic president who hasn’t ended the wars as promised…
Liberals protest everything. Gee that’s funny. Very nice how you lump everyone together say Beck-ites and Obama-ites. I suppose it is simpler that way.
By the way, did you guys see this youtube of someone interviewing palin supporters at another book signing? The most hilarious video I’ve seen in weeks… not sure if embeding will work, but here’s the link followed by my attempt to embed in this comment:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKKKgua7wQk