I'm going to have to disagree with Ed at Hot Air on his analysis of Palin's appearance on Today. She killed and can set herself up perfectly with this appearance and approach. Pushing and winning on this will inoculate Palin from the very kind of attacks Ed thinks they'll promote. The vast expanse of America doesn't watch Letterman, who couldn't beat Leno. But they do seem to like watching Palin when they can.
Does Ed really believe the Democrats want to be seen as the party of David Letterman and misogynistic humor, while Sarah is busy rallying women to the GOP? Really? No way. If Letterman keeps up, which I doubt he will, the Democrats, if they get involved at all, will be forced to stand up for Palin on this issue, while she's helping to put a non-traditional feminist face on that movement. This can be a potentially huge win win for her. No one even knows if she plans to come out for POTUS in 2012. And even if she does, she handled the issues great today, as Ed admits, and has plenty of time to engage on substance while the above is playing out. And beating Letterman would display strength. Clip below.
This interview shows both the potential and the peril of Sarah Palin. She has improved considerably in handling the national media. On both economics and politics, Lauer couldn’t dent her (and just to emphasize, Lauer was treating her fairly), and had the Letterman controversy not existed, that aspect of her performance would have been the headline here. Instead, the three minutes or so in the middle of this 11-minute interview that has nothing to do with governing or policy will be all that the public will remember or want to see.
That could be the overall aim of Palin’s opponents. If David Letterman has to eat some crow every few months for his personal attacks on Palin, does that really matter to him? He has a contract with CBS for the next three years, at which point he’d probably retire anyway. Letterman and his ilk can continue to make all of the coverage about Palin revolve around her daughters, forcing her to respond and to look less serious as a politician, in a way that the media would never do to a man or to a liberal - as Palin said, no one did it to Obama, nor should they.
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
I'm just aghast.
You'd think as a mom she'd want to move from a continued discussion that is focused around the sexualization of her 14 year old daughter. But it seems the politician in her could not resist the renewed focus here - including an opp to for a Today Show interview. And now she's added to the mix - sincerely - that David Letterman may actullly be physical threat to her daughter.
Unreal.
Sarah Palin continues to be newsworthy primarily due to the TMZ/Tabloid-ization of her and her family (which reflects badly on all of us).
Why does she embrace and encourage this? Perhaps she is just pushed along by others who see opportunities.
I'm not surprised by 'rising up' and 'outrage' over all this by her supporters and the new 'real conservatives', as these trumped up controversies have in essence become the only motivator for their ranks. Dan Reihl and others are suddenly passionately offended by the issue of 'misogynistic humor' in society.
How convenient...and false.
Posted by: Mike2Cents | Friday, June 12, 2009 at 12:54 PM
It's riehl, not rei - and we already kow what your opinion is worth mike2cents.
Posted by: Dan Riehl | Friday, June 12, 2009 at 01:23 PM
Most of the liberal MSM types would be very ticked off if this comment was made about their daughter but since it is Palin it's cool and so they defend the comment and their co-liberal Letterman. These people are pathetic.
Posted by: AWW | Friday, June 12, 2009 at 01:41 PM
Dan,
Apologies for the typo on your name.
Why this schoolyard response...my opinion has no value? That is your retort?
I'd expect it from some of your posters, but I would think you'd be more inclined to at least attempt a reasoned rebuttal of the point I'm making.
Look, if you want this blog and it's forums to just be a place where folks can get together and drink 'liberals are bad' flavored kool-aid, fine. I'm just as capable as you to insult folks, call them names, etc. - and maybe you have reasons to encourage that.
But I'll do my best to not take the bait.
I understand that my opinion differs from yours and others on most issues - and there's no lack of places I can go to find people who agree with me.
What I was hoping for here was something more stimulating and possibly enlightening.
Posted by: Mike2Cents | Friday, June 12, 2009 at 01:56 PM
Actually, Mike2Cents, she knows better.
Specifically, she knows that, until scum like you and Letterman are publicly humiliated and driven completely into the ground, you're just going to keep making nasty remarks about her family and her children.
Posted by: North Dallas Thirty | Friday, June 12, 2009 at 01:57 PM
Remember when conservatives condemned Rush Limbaugh for calling then 13 year old Chelsea Clinton the family dog? Remember the outrage?
Posted by: Patriot | Friday, June 12, 2009 at 02:00 PM
Trumped up controversy? You mean like Don Imus being fired for calling a group of adults 'nappy headed ho's? Like that kind of trumped up controversy? Or John McCain is a racist because he put Paris Hilton and Obama in an ad together?
The onus for the controvery is on David Letterman, not Sarah Palin. Letterman is the one who either purposely or stupidly made a joke that appears to refer to her 14 year old daughter. Either he didn't bother to find out which daughter was with her in New York or he knew and didnt' care. Both answers put the fault on David Letterman, not Sarah Palin.
Why shouldn't she take it and run with it, especially given the sexist and unfair treatment she's received in the media since Day One?
Posted by: anon | Friday, June 12, 2009 at 02:08 PM
Mike2,
See, this is the new normal. You and yours are going to get what you've been handing out. There's no more benefit of the doubt. There's no more of this "we all just disagree" nonsense. You've been fighting a war for seven years now. Don't act shocked that the other side has decided to fight back. It's going to be a long four years for you. No more free passes, no more ignoring the personal lives of celebrities and journalists who have decided to trash the personal lives of ours. Enjoy.
Posted by: Told you | Friday, June 12, 2009 at 02:12 PM
Look, if you want this blog and it's forums to just be a place where folks can get together and drink 'liberals are bad' flavored kool-aid, fine. I'm just as capable as you to insult folks, call them names, etc. - and maybe you have reasons to encourage that.
Wow, a liberal troll bemoaning the fact that his non-sensical, hate-filled screeds are treated with the contemptuous dismissal they richly deserves then gets all sanctimonioious when called out for his bs. YAWN.
Posted by: paul zummo | Friday, June 12, 2009 at 02:21 PM
And if NOW, and you and all the rest don't go all in to support her ( like you would Hillary or Chelsea or Nancy Pelosi or Barbara Boxer ) you're going to show the world that you don't mean a single word you have said about women's rights. That it has all been a reprehensible con job by double talking people with no moral center. What have you against women's rights Mike2? Or is it that all that freedom and equality talk was simply shallow bilge spouted for purely political purposes?
Posted by: Told you | Friday, June 12, 2009 at 02:23 PM
Told you- I can answer that for you- yes, it is "all that freedom and equality talk was simply shallow bilge"
The Left has done everything it can to twist truth to gain power including trying to lose the war in Iraq.
Posted by: Zaugg | Friday, June 12, 2009 at 02:42 PM
Mike,
Sorry, but I have a hard time taking your criticism seriously. I didn't see Palin spending her time bemoaning the plight of her poor daughters in the video. They were invoked on point only to answer particular questions.
What she did, or is doing is actually elevating a cause that you would think any serious minded liberal would embrace. You and aligned liberals and groups should be celebrating the support and attention to a cause you have been championing for years.
But, no - it is more politically expedient to overlook those facts and continue to try and take the conversation back to the personal life of Sarah Palin in an effort to detroy her political viability. Why is that, do you suppose?
And she is not popular because of places like TMZ. She is popular because of what all of America that thinks for itself and doesn't take their talking points from the DNC or liberal media saw and heard at the Republican convention, or when they greeted her on the stump in crowds that equaled Obama's.
She scares you and the Left. We realize that. And we realize that you are intent on destroying her. And we're just as intent on not allowing that to happen. So, opine away, Mike. As for the 2cents comment - gee, I would think that, if anybody could, a Letterman apologist could take a joke.
Posted by: Dan Riehl | Friday, June 12, 2009 at 02:46 PM
Dan -
Perhaps I am wrong to assume that the reason she got the interview was solely due to the recent controversy...admittedly, I am being critical of her here based on that assumption.
Again, my overall point is that I disagree with HER amplifying this issue.
I understand others need to, and perhaps should. I feel she should step back out of concern for her daughter and other children.
And I do think the Letterman joke was lame - and that a more sincere apology was/is warranted.
There are many worthy points made here by you and others regarding the hypocrisy of the 'left' - I accept there are many examples to be found to support that.
Also, I did not say she was 'popular' because of TMZ (I use that more as a present day culture ref than anything specific) - I suggested she was 'newsworthy' because of it.
It's just as lame to me when Obama is 'newsworthy' because he got a puppy, bought Joe Biden a hamburger, or went on a date. And I agree with those who are critical at the media for that.
(And yes...I did not not get the 2cents joke until you pointed it out now. Duh on me, apologies. But was still pretty dismissive of you).
I do not want to destroy her.
And I am not scared.
Thanks.
Posted by: Mike2Cents | Friday, June 12, 2009 at 03:13 PM
You aren't credible either.
Posted by: Told you | Friday, June 12, 2009 at 03:17 PM
Why should she let it slide? Doesn't that, in its own way, just open up the door for more and more sleazier and sleazier attacks on her and her family?
I mean, she's letting the fact that he basically called her a SLUT slide, isn't that enough? Whether you like her politics or her or not, she's still governor of Alaska and a former candidate for vice president. It's disgusting.
I didn't initially take Hillary Clinton's claims that the media was treating her in a sexist manner seriously, I figured it was just personal, they didn't like her. But when you add in the truly disgraceful treatment Sarah Palin has received and the ridiculous levels of justification that have been taken by the media and "the left" in making first her older daughter the butt of jokes and now her younger one too...its hard not to see both some sexism at work and some serious hypocrisy.
Posted by: anon | Friday, June 12, 2009 at 03:21 PM
Sarah Palin is a class act. She didn't ask for this to happen. But of course, because she actually responds...all the libs are just UP IN ARMS!!! This will just make her stronger, her family stronger, and ultimately, ALL CONSERVATIVES stronger.
It seems that in our country, where last time I checked the constitution still exists and does still contain the first amendment, it seems to apply to everyone EXCEPT CONSERVATIVE WOMEN.
By the time she is elected President, she will be able to TAKE IT. COME ON DOWN, LIBS!!!
Go Sarah 2012. WE LOVE YOU!!!
Posted by: Charlotte | Friday, June 12, 2009 at 04:15 PM
The real issue is the overwhelming demeaning of women by the men of power in this country.
Any woman who gains power is simply regarded as less than human and treated in a completely sexist manner. It isn't just Letterman. The same thing was evident against Hillary in the presidential election.
Miss California is another example of the effort to put down ANY woman that dares to speak up or challenge those in power in our society.
It crosses party lines but the leftist focus on Palin is almost comical in and of itself it is wasn't so sad. It is simply another example of the sexism that is rampant in our country!
Why would ANY woman in this country want to enter the political landscape when the resulting attacks are so predictible!
Posted by: SacTownMan | Friday, June 12, 2009 at 04:26 PM
It would be of benefit for all of us to put our collective foot down on this. I'm sick and tired of the double standard. And being told I'm making a big deal out of nothing when our side gets trashed in such a low down perverted way. If a conservative had said this there would be hell to pay. There's gonna be hell to pay on this for Letterman and about Damm time too. I'm not stopping till i see him off the air. And barring that, a serious downturn in the profits of those that buy his air time.
Posted by: Calypso Jones | Friday, June 12, 2009 at 04:27 PM
Well, I wouldn't go so far as to say that all women in power are treated in a totally sexist way, but if you go back and you look at ALL of the coverage about Hillary's looks/clothes/expressions and the specific adjectives that were used to describe her, I don't think you will find anything close to a corrollary in descriptions of men of similar stature.
Sarah Palin, because she is conservative, attractive and feminine was treated even worse than Clinton.
As far as I am aware, 'sex jokes' are usually reserved for politicians that have misbehaved in some sexual manner, like Spitzer, Clinton or ____Kennedy...but jokes dripping with sexual innuendo were made about Sarah Palin almost from the beginning for no real reason other than she's good looking and the media didn't like her. In fact, a large percentage, if not the majority of coverage of Palin had nothing at all to do with her policy positions or her accomplishments or lackthereof as governor but about her children, her clothes, her husband, her accent, her parenting ability and so forth, the rest of what masqueraded as issues coverage was nothing more than bashing her for out of context and in some cases patently false quotes and information.
Posted by: anon | Friday, June 12, 2009 at 04:51 PM
What would be the reaction if Limbaugh or any other conservative talk heads had said tha Mahlia Obama was knocked up by A-rod???? Cucky Curric and her ilk would be demanding that person be fired inmediatelly. The double baggers of NOW would be demanding a boycott. Double standard?? You betcha!!
Posted by: nina | Friday, June 12, 2009 at 06:03 PM
and by the way mike2pennies(no 2 thoughts capable in your brain) good old dave the perv is lucky that was not my daughter. I am pretty sure dave won't be visiting Alaska anytime soon. Palin has been pretty level headed in her response to perverted idiot.
Posted by: nina | Friday, June 12, 2009 at 06:09 PM
Re:
Anon's "I didn't initially take Hillary Clinton's claims that the media was treating her in a sexist manner seriously"
So due to the recent events discussed here with respect to Sarah Palin, you now (a year plus later) do take HC's claims seriously?
Will you truly now stand up for all women who deal with this, or just when Sarah Palin is the butt of a joke or Michelle Malkin is maligned in a truly crass playboy column?
If folks are truly concerned about the issue of sexism in society and the media, then it seems an effort to rise above political opportunism is warranted...and would be welcome.
As Riehl mentioned, Sarah Palin could now be a 'non-traditional feminist face' on this movement.
Would conservatives now welcome being part of that movement...and agree that it was/is a valid one?
If so, great.
But I wonder if this all isn't akin the concern that quite suddenly emerged in these corners over sexual discrimination issues during the Paula Jones/Bill Clinton brouhaha.
Posted by: Mike2Cents | Friday, June 12, 2009 at 06:38 PM
ND30 and Paul Zummo -
When did I make any 'nasty' comment...or post a 'hate-filled screed'??
And is the irony of your tone coupled with your accusation completely lost on you?
Look, I get it...plenty of folks on the left/progressive/liberal side say mean nasty things.
But they shouldn't.
Any you shouldn't.
You (ND 30) can't really feel ok/justified in calling someone 'scum'...right?
You will be able to make much stronger points if you can avoid getting so emotional.
There is a difference between passion and rage.
Posted by: Mike2Cents | Friday, June 12, 2009 at 07:06 PM
I can only speak for myself, I was truly, and I mean TRULY shocked at the venom that was directed toward Sarah Palin from 'feminists' and 'the left' in general, it was on par to the rabid hatred of Bill Clinton that you saw on the right when he was president. And yes, I did re-evaluate my dismissal of Hillary Clinton's claims of sexism, and believe me I despise her. Like I said, I had attributed it to the press not liking her and the general negativity associated w/the Clintons.
In hindsight I believe she was absolutely treated differently than a male candidate would have been and that difference was an underlying sexism, that while very subtle is pretty nasty. Same goes for the Janet Reno jokes, in hindsight, they were sexist and offensive in a different way than say, jokes about Dick Cheney, a more condescending tone and always of course, referencing her looks. Other than the Kennedy's, what politician who is male ever gets critiqued on his looks or his wardrobe?!
I also totally supported Anita Hill and believed her then and believe her still, Paual Jones, I really can't say if she was legit or not, too much crazy went on to get Bill Clinton for me to be sure she wasn't a pawn.
Not everyone who is a conservative and doesn't like Obama listens to Rush or prays to Jesus.
Me, I can't name one single policy on which I agree with Sarah Palin on, hell, I didn't even vote for McCain, but that doesnt' mean I can't recognize a hatchet job when I see one.
Posted by: anon | Friday, June 12, 2009 at 07:14 PM
After my anger at Letterman chilled a bit, I came to realize that this may turn into a major positive for Palin. Not only has she handled this well, but she has received support from both men and women regarding the jokes that are a disgrace. Through this, unexpectedly, she has been able to leave 2008 behind and has a transformed her image. Now is the time for her to become a force on the front lines, a voice heard loud and clear for the Republican Party.
Today's Alaskan-Exxon/TransCanada gas pipeline deal is a big plus too.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/11/AR2009061104186.html
Go Palin!!
Posted by: djn | Friday, June 12, 2009 at 07:25 PM
Comrade Palin loves to be outraged on the teevee. Maybe she could hold another national prime time interview in her off limits kitchen, holding her off limits children in front of the cameras, and discuss how her off limits knocked up daughter's baby daddy is trailer trash for airing their dirty laundry on Dr. Phil. If there's one thing that's true fact is that Socialist Sarah Palin values her family's privacy. She said so on the teevee every day this week.
People with class would have handled this kerffufle quietly, getting a sincere personal apology away from the cameras, and then moving on....but Commie Sarah, she does love to be on the teevee. Good thing for the attention monger, she's got a whorde of ineffectual conservative failures thinking a tabloid war with a late night talk show host will be the catalyst for political revolution.
You betcha...also.
Posted by: jaime | Saturday, June 13, 2009 at 04:47 AM