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Palin and the Mystery of the Bubble-wrapped Barbie
11 Responses to “Palin and the Mystery of the Bubble-wrapped Barbie”
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[...] visual of Palin’s interaction (or lack thereof) with the media is that the McCain campaign threw bubble-wrap a virtual blanket over her, and she helpfully grabbed the edges and pulled it tightly over her [...]
Seems to me that the protection has little to do with gender. The way I see it, the McCain camp took a calculated risk- they decided to try to prevent any misspeaking or gaffes from Palin by keeping her under wraps, and gambled that they could cover for this by presenting it as backlash for the unfair smears she'd been subjected to. This is a standard GOP play anyway, going back to Reagan (who famously said he'd go over the heads of the media and speak directly to the people) and Bush 41 (remember the bumperstickers-”Annoy the media- elect George Bush!”)
The gender issue confounds though because it does end up coming across as a chivalrous gesture to protect the fair lady.
It confounds even more when the bogus unfair media argument continues to be trotted out. Fact is, Campbell Brown is exactly right, and she is making the same point I was making here two weeks ago. The more Palin is perceived as in need of protection, the more she will be perceived as weak and underqualified. Camp McCain is doing neither her nor the American electorate any favors.
I agree completely, JS.
I think the choice of Palin is proving to be something McCain will increasingly regret.Also, the more time McCain spends defending Palin, the less time he has to go on the offensive. It points to McCain's judgment, as there is no doubt that Obama chose a more informed, experienced candidate in Biden.
If McCain wanted to shore up his conservative credentials he could have chosen the more experienced Kay Bailey Hutchinson, and still appealed to women.
I would have felt a lot more secure having her a heartbeat away from the presidency than Ms. Palin.
I repeat my comment to a similar post yesterday, this is the 'rope a dope' strategy. Additionally, the media is doing McCain's job for him, lowering expectations prior to her sole debate. The more she is shielded from the press, the more stories written about her being or needing protection, the lower the public's expetations for her debate performance. So, if McCain keeps up the bubble-wrapping for a little while longer, she will defeat Biden with a TKO as long as she doesn't drool on herself (too much) during the debate.
no doubt that Obama chose a more informed, experienced candidate in Biden
Heh. He may need to become a bit more informed about his candidate's ads, positions, etc, though.
I have to say, I never really paid that much attention to Biden and overall had a fairly positive view of him before his VP selection. Now that I'm seeing and hearing more of him, I find his reputation as a statesman to be really bizarre. I know he's also always had a reputation for verbal slip ups, but his activity on the campaign trail has been far worse than tripping on words, ranging from humorous to scary IMO.
I'm sure some of you will brush the gaffes off as “Joe being Joe”, but honestly, when you hear people from your own party wondering if he's intentionally being set up to withdraw and move over for Hillary Clinton, I'd think that you have to be wondering if he was the right pick.
Maybe Palin should step in for McCain in this Friday night's debate?
Hahahahahahaha!!!!
Oops. Sorry. Couldn't help myself.
Yes, that would be a very mavericky thing to do.
George, I'm not sure she could get out of all that bubble wrap by Friday.
CS, it's an interesting theory you advance, but it seems a little far-fetched to me. I think Biden is seen by most folks as an assett and he's been around long enough to know whether any of his gaffe tendencies are worth worrying about. I'm not sure if your theory is even workable, although if it is, I would have to say there would be initial reaction and sensation, which would likely settle into a solid double digit lead for Obama. Don't tell Silhouette I said that.
That said, I have no problem with Biden.
CS- I think most people know that Biden is OK in substance even if he seems to speak before thinking sometimes– he's well-intentioned and more honest than most.
You may find his comments scary– but I am terrified by some of McCains'=== remember the Bomb, bomb, bomb Iran joke on the campaign trail— ha ha how humorous! And his recent gaffe about the strength of the economy?