Writers win from the "Palin Effect." by Don Goins
(libertarian)
Friday, January 28, 2011
Afew days ago I read a reply to a column that I had written about Michelle Bachmann. Basically, the responder was comparing me and others to a group of cackling hens (read women) sitting at the beauty parlor swapping gossip about Bachmann and former governor of Alaska Sarah Palin. Instead of being insulted, as I believe was the intent of the response, it made me laugh. The analogy was bang-on. Why is it that I, Blogsville, and the mainstream media obsess over Sarah Palin and hang on her every word?
The simplest and most accurate answer is Palin sells. If you write a column about her, your readership spikes. This is not just my opinion. In a column by Dana Milbank, he points out the shear volume of articles regarding the former governor and how it's an effective way to increase readership. How can you blame the media whose mantra is "if it bleeds, it leads?"
The obsession over Palin is not just contained to Liberals. I subscribe to various Conservative websites and Facebook pages and see the "Palin Effect" on a daily basis. When the administrators of these pages post stories regarding the debt, immigration, or something about the federal reserve, the number of responses is lackluster. Yet when something about Palin is posted, the responses skyrocket. And they're passionate as well. One responder wrote over 2500 words touting Palin's qualities to a seven minute video.
Fox News and Conservative pundits are convinced that Liberals "hate" Palin, even fear her. Au contrair, mon ami. We love Sarah Palin. Her propensity for making outlandish claims and interview blunders is a writers dream. If I ever had a chance to meet Palin, I'd thank her and say "Lady, you're putting my kids through college."
The only reason Palin is such a favorite target of writers is because currently she's the only target. Conservatives fail to recall how Smilin' Joe Biden took center stage after becoming Vice-President. Who can forget his classic "This is a big f***ing deal." open mic blunder? Unfortunately for us writers, it seems the White House has done a pretty good job of limiting his exposure. Yet as the 2012 election season draws near, I'm sure we can expect more Bidenisms.
Then came the 2010 midterm elections filled with writing opportunities when Sarah Palin and the Tea Party trotted out their horribly inexperienced and unpolished candidates.
Christine O'Donnell became a media sensation for head-scratching comments made in the 1990s and demonstrating a complete lack of knowledge of the Constitution. She was not ready for prime time, but the Not Ready For Prime Time Players on Saturday Night Live had quite a bit of fun with her. O'Donnell, apparently oblivious to being mocked, saw her portrayal as a compliment.
Sharron Angle also provided numerous gaffes that lit up Blogsville, including her scary "2nd Amendment solution" to Harry Reid and confusing Hispanic children with Asians. Unlike Palin and O'Donnell, Angle ran away from the spotlight yet created some very memorable moments of the 2010 elections.
And it wasn't just women that drew attention. Right out of the gates Rand Paul stumbled into the media spotlight over comments he made regarding his opposition to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and his defense of BP after the Gulf Oil Spill.
Joe Miller's campaign to become a senator was mocked when the Constitution quoting candidate denied and detained a reporter exercising his First Amendment rights.
After becoming unhinged and demonstrating his willingness to use violence, New York governor candidate Carl Palidino was constantly followed by the media hoping to catch him beating a reporter. Comedian and political pundit John Stewart called Palidino's concession speech an "aggression" speech after Palidino waved a bat around Ala Al Capone in the [link edited for length]
Those folks are gone and all we're left with is Palin. But why doesn't the media take swipes at others? There's a huge difference between Sarah Palin and other top political figures. Unlike her, they are more polished and prepared to handle the media. They choose their words carefully and don't fall into the trap of publicly lashing out at their critics. Boehner, Cantor, Reid, etc. just don't give us much to write about in regards to outlandish statements.
Even though Fox News has been incredibly harsh on the President (Glenn Beck calling him a racist, for example), the network still has a reporter at the White House and Obama fields his questions. George W Bush was treated brutally by the press, yet he never stooped down to that level and took a swipe at them, but Palin will, and that is her biggest flaw. It is too easy to evoke a harsh response from her. And when she does, we write. It's like trying to ignore a hurricane.
Am I saying this obsession with Palin is important? Of course not. There are far greater things that we should focus on; unemployment, health care reform, the war in Afghanistan, and the ever mounting debt. Unfortunately, when a writer covers those subjects, all he or she gets is a big yawn from the audience. Write about Palin, big money.
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