On Fri, Oct 17, 2008 at 8:48 AM, Steve Timko <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I wonder why Republicans don't remember the whole Ron Nesson episode during > the Ford campaign. Granted, Palin is only making an appearance and not > hosting the show. But maybe it supports the theory that the campaign is > sinking and they're grabbing at anything that might help.
Those of us stupid enough to earn degrees in communications are aware of the phrase "charm offensive." For those who aren't, this is when somebody is seen, for whatever reason, as unlikable, then proceeds to blitz the media (and the public at large) by appearing at staged events or participating in events that project, if not manufacture, a positive image. The stereotype of a corrupt politician kissing babies to engender sympathy is an obvious example. It is a desperate move, and it rarely works. The reason it rarely works is that it fails to address the root cause of people's dislike. Without getting overly political, one of the primary reasons the public dislikes Palin is because she refuses to make herself available to the media who are, or should be, the people responsible for publicly vetting a candidate. The media are supposed to ask hard questions of politicians so the public can learn about them. By boycotting the media, Palin is boycotting the public. One thing about Americans: If you lie to us, we can forgive you, but if you hold out on us, that's another story. In modern terms, Palin has told America to "talk to the hand," and we find that disrespectful. So, as part of her charm offensive, Palin still isn't talking to the media. Instead, she's appearing on a comedy show. And McCain appeared on Letterman last night, and I'm sure McCain left the Ed Sullivan Theater believing he'd fixed his campaign's image problem. And I'm sure Palin will leave 30 Rock tomorrow night convinced of the same thing. And the scary thing is that they both might be right. The last two people elected to the highest office in the land were elected because they seemed like fun drinking buddies. They seemed like regular folks. I will never understand the logic behind electing an anti-intellectual to a position which requires a keen mind. Honestly, I have very little problem with John McCain as our president, but Sarah Palin scares the living daylights out of me. I actually agree with Bill Maher who has said on multiple occasions that it isn't Palin's inexperience that makes her a bad candidate; it is the fact that she is a moron. Appearing on SNL won't make her any less of a moron. But it may win her the election. -- Kevin M. (RPCV) --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ Like TV only smarter. You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "TV or Not TV" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/tvornottv?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
