Conversation | 08/24/2009 11:00 pm

Sarah Palin and the Celebrity of Politics

Joni Evans, Judith Martin, Liz Smith and Mary Wells talk about a new breed of celebrities, Palin’s political future and more in the wOw Conversation.

With Joni Evans, Judith Martin, Liz Smith and Mary Wells

LIZ: Do you know there’s no celebrity news to speak of? That’s why Michael Jackson’s death was such a big event while it lasted. The new celebrity is politics. Politics is all people really are talking about, in my opinion.

JUDITH: Ah, you’ve finally come around to the Washington point of view.

LIZ: Exactly.

MARY: Well, society’s disappeared …

LIZ: The new celebrities, the performing celebrities, are mostly people nobody over 40 ever heard of, and we haven’t gotten used to them yet. And none of them are great stars or great characters in the tradition of the MGM days.

MARY: No. They’re all gone.

JONI: Well, at least we have Sarah Palin. Will she be a politician one year from now?

LIZ: Well she won’t be an Alaskan anymore. That’s what I predict. I mean, I think she’s about to shake the ice off of her feet. I think she’ll still be a name, because for one thing she’s physically very pretty and attractive; and she’s either irritating to people or they’re slavishly addicted to her. So she’s got all of the ingredients necessary to become a fixture.

I think she's formidable. I think she has time now to educate herself, and I wouldn't rule her out on anything.

MARY: Also, the Democrats are being very smart about her. They are pushing her. They are driving her to the top of the charts. They are literally making her a much bigger star than she is, because they want her to stand for Republicanism, and they want everybody to associate her with Republicanism.

LIZ: Judith, what do you think?

JUDITH: A star, but not a star politician. She made a lot of enemies in her own party and I think Mary’s quite right. She’s the ideal opponent to run against because she is extremely accident-prone in the intellectual department.

MARY: She’s perfect.

JUDITH: But she’s made enormous enemies in her own party.

MARY: She could literally drown the Republican Party in the next 12 months, little by little.

JUDITH: It will be interesting to see if people take her up on her offer to campaign for them. I would think that they would run away.

LIZ: Well, she spoke at the Reagan Library recently. I think she’s just starting out.

JONI: I just wanted to say that I think everyone has underestimated what she’s going to be one year from now, and I think she’s formidable. I think she has time now to educate herself, and I wouldn’t rule her out on anything.

LIZ: We ruled Nixon out and that was a big mistake, because he appealed to that whole victimhood thing on people who feel they’re so badly used. That’s her theory. She is preaching the doctrine of cultural resentment. And these days lots of people suffer from that. They enjoy being victims.

MARY: I think there’s a crazy streak in her. And I think she’ll be forgiven anything because everybody likes the way it’s going.

LIZ: She’s fun. In a world without any big names anymore, except big political names, she’s getting bigger all the time.

MARY: And an awful lot of big-time people are crazy.

JONI: Now, with Walter Cronkite gone … I remember the way the media used to be. We’ll miss Walter Cronkite and his authoritative ways.

LIZ: He never made the kind of mistakes Alessandra Stanley made in The New York Timeswhen she wrote about him in her appreciation and made seven glaring errors. I think I would have been fired if that had been me writing that. And I was fired and I didn’t even write anything like that. You know, that comic guy, Bill Maher, said it best. He said, "People have forgotten that when Walter Cronkite was doing the news, the news was a loss leader in television." The news wasn’t expected to make any money. So if he wanted to really cover some story substantially he did, and he didn’t have producers screaming and saying, "Don’t do that. You’ve got to make money. You’ve got to put Farrah Fawcett-Majors on."

427 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Love the comment that Sarah Palin is extremely accident prone in the intellectural department. But people have short memories. Hope someone remembers that next presidential election time.

By Judy K. on 08/25/2009 12:32 am

e-mail alert

Ladies of Wowowow, thanks for the conversation.

Mary made such an interesting comment on how the democrats are driving Sarah Palin. Kind of like the republicans did to Hillary Clinton and look what happened to that. It will be interesting to see what happens. Maybe they should stop trying to manipulate the populace and let the natural process of evolution take place.

I try to watch all the news cable stations at one point or another during the week and I have to agree with Liz about (I am not sure how you put it) - but the culture of victims or cultural resentment. I think the repubs have to be very careful about justifying their behavior with "If it were a republican the whole media would be on it….they are giving Obama a pass." etc. Okay, it has been proved over and over again that the media did give him a pass. Old story - get busy rebuilding the country to rebuild their reputations.

I think if the republicans and Sarah Palin want to catch that head wind they need to be above that, stick to their principles and make them more translatable to the entire spectrum of our society. Quit the tit for tat arguments, and "remember what you did to us?…." arguments. It is not substantive and is not enough to build a bigger base. It gets kind of babyish. I have to admit, when a democrat gets upset about the treatment of the president I just have to laugh after all the vitriol that was spewed towards the republicans over the last 8 years.

If the back and forth vitriol does not stop, very little of substance will get done for our country, and it will be sad if it advances from an ideological war to a societal or civil war because our first AfAm president’s term will be marred by it. Both sides need to stop and put principles before personalities and get our country back on track rebuilding the economy. Get the lobbyists out of the business of buying influence and start listening to the people again - both sides. I was terribly disappointed when I read that within the first 6 months of Pres Obama’s term the lobbying firms that his administration has worked with have had an average raise in profits of 15%. I wonder if that money were better spent opening up medical clinics for the unemployed that have lost their insurance, and all the other citizens that don’t have it. The people are tired of being manipulated and it is just going to get crazier. I read that Obama’s political organization is going to be spending $24million in ads in the next couple of weeks to sell healthcare, and the repubs are going to be spending as much to stop it. Why don’t they all perform their jobs better and quit papering this country with unneeded legislation.

By Frannie Em on 08/25/2009 1:10 am

e-mail alert

As a republican, I admired Sarah Palin from the moment she accepted the Vice Presidential spot as John McCain’s running mate. Not having known she existed before that, I liked what I saw. She was attractive, confident, and accomplished. She was a mother, wife, former mayor and governor. I was impressed! One of our own who made her way to being elected Governor of Alaska! What a personal price Sarah Palin paid for accepting a public servant position to serve our great country! Sarah Palin is unwavering in her beliefs. Has she made mistakes? I’m not sure. However, what I am sure of is that she will continue, as an American, to voice her concerns for the direction this administration is taking her country. I believe she will continue to gather strength with knowledge, mature politically and will one day find the right platform. When that happens, she will be taken seriously. Never underestimate the power of a woman. Sarah Palin is merely in transition mode.

What Obama supporters seem to overlook is that President Obama is a "politican" and as such engages in backroom deals, orchestrated posturing and questionable tactics. ACORN donated $33 million to Obama’s campaign. Obama and his czars are tied to ACORN in one way or another. When that information is released, it will be an eye opener to all Americans on how an election can be orchestrated through corporate backing and paybacks. President Obama isn’t the only politician to do this and he won’t be the last. However, I believe he does "get a pass" in the press and that is something our country is experiencing for the first time. Curious republicans want to know how he is able to accomplish that loyal support from the media and I believe they will keep digging for the truth. After all, every politician has something to hide. The skeletons in Obama’s closet have yet to come out. Sarah Palin’s "closet" was emptied in 2008.

It’s no secret that everytime Obama appears before us talking about his healthcare plan, his ratings drop. Who can we blame for that? George Bush? Dick Cheney? Sarah Palin? The entire republican party? I believe the drop in ratings reflects the growing lack of confidence in this administration to get anything right. $15 trillion in debt, so far, and what has been accomplished? A healthcare bill that must be called "an intangible" doesn’t have the support of the majority of Americans and yet this administration will spend $24 million to promote it…my question is "promote what?"

I agree with Frannie Em, that people are tired of being manipulated. Americans are reacting to this administration by pushing back. As a politician, we will now watch President Obama exist between a "rock and a hard place." He has set himself up to fail and he has run out of people to blame. America has learned a valuable lesson in only eight months. As he ignored our small businesses and their immediate need, he is now ignoring Americans without jobs who cannot afford to pay their healthcare premiums. Instead of putting them on medicaid immediately he ignores them. Taxpayers are going to pay for these people so give them the help they need NOW. Show us you care about the people and take a rest from your backroom dealings. It is what Obama "isn’t" doing that concerns millions of Americans.

By deber B on 08/25/2009 6:21 am

e-mail alert

deber

great post. We shall see what happens when and if the dust ever settles. I think Obama made the mistake to turn the healthcare debate over to congress because they just put anything into it that they wanted to. It has left him with his hands tied.

I don’t know what will happen with Sarah Palin. I agree with Joni, I think she is formidable, but I also think she has a long way to go before she understands the whole country - that is what we need now - someone who gets both sides. Something like what happened between Newt Gingrich and President Clinton - they didn’t like each other but they pushed each other until we had a balanced budget and many reforms that moved the country forward. It took both sides. Right now there has been so much gerrymandering of districts that mostly hard right or hard leftists get elected and then they don’t negotiate for the better of the country. It has all ended up in ideological fights with little substance with a fine dose of fuel the media always adds to that fire. Neocons? Neolibs? Save me from them. Bipartisanship gets lost somewhere in the flames and that furnace just keeps burning up any solutions. If the far side of either political spectrum gains power and pushes too hard, as is happening today and the country begins to reject it, then the pendulum swings too far the other way and the problems remain. Is is possible to meet somewhere on common ground?

I am curious about Acorn’s donation to Obama’s campaign. Isn’t most of Acorn’s money coming from the American Taxpayer?Well, what can I say? I guess nothing has changed in Washington culture and many of the great newsmen are passing on.

By Frannie Em on 08/25/2009 11:14 am

e-mail alert

Frannie Em, and your post as well.

The non-profit ACORN, which takes in 40 percent of itsrevenues from American taxpayers after four decades on the public teat, has a long history of engaging in voter fraud, corporate shakedowns, partisan bullying, and pro-illegal immigration lobbying. President Obama knows it, and he appreciates it. He said so himself. His remarks tied himself to ACORN over the years but he asserted on the "Fight the Smears" campaign website that he "never organized with ACORN." He lied.

Obama trained ACORN’s Chicago members in leadership seminars and ACORN volunteers worked on his campaigns. Obama also sat on the boards of the left wing Woods Fund (with Weather Underground terrorist Bill Ayers) and Joyce Foundation, both of which poured money into ACORN’s coffers. Under the guise of "consumer advocasy" ACORN has lined its pockets with both public and private money.

The worse part….ACORN Housing Corporation has worked to obtain mortgages for illegal aliens in partnership with Citibank. It relies on "undocumented" income, "under the table" money. It can be said that ACORN brought Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to their knees. And worse yet, ACORN has been found to have more than 200 federal, state and local tax liens sent to their office compound in New Orleans. The debt totaled more than $3 million. Anyone can research this information. Yet, the Obama White House has entrusted this same organization to keep track of its taxes to gather and report accurate census data.

Frannie Em, when the full story is disclosed in it’s entirety, we will see just how up their necks Michelle and Barack Obama are with ACORN. That $33 million campaign donation bought some very special privileges from this President and his First Lady.

ACORN is a myriad web of millions of dollars and revenue streams and all of them need to be examined along with all of their coporations, the inner locking connections, and we’ll see that the same faces appear from board to board.

By deber B on 08/25/2009 11:50 am

e-mail alert

deber B - ACORN is certainly a nut case.

By Patricia Sprofera on 08/25/2009 3:49 pm

e-mail alert

Patricia, the American people don’t know the half of it….yet…..but they will and then I want to see how Obama supporters scramble…in his defense. It’s going to be ugly.

By deber B on 08/25/2009 5:16 pm

e-mail alert

Deber, you are well researched! Do we know WHY both Barack and Michelle lost their licenses to practice law in Illinois? I believe Michelle’s was turned in by ct order, and barack’s was turned in to avoid disbarment procedures that would be public.

I hear he lied abt using other names?

By Mimi Jones on 08/26/2009 1:59 am

e-mail alert

I would caution you about spreading rumors about the president and first lady. Do you have any facts to support your statements? I have never seen any FACTS that Michelle Obama was ordered to turn in her law license by court order. What I have seen is that she actually does have a law license, it’s just inactive. Many lawyers who no longer practice law inactivate their licenses because you then do not have to meet continuing education requirements, pay dues and renewal fees. If you have a role that is not as a practicing attorney, as she did when she was working for a hospital system, she had no need for an active law license.

Perhaps we all need to stop trying to find some sinister undercurrent in every thing. If we can stick to real facts, perhaps we can move the country forward. Not everything is a conspiracy theory.

By Barbara on 08/26/2009 10:07 am

e-mail alert

Just re-stated what is posted on the world-wide web—Illinois Supreme Ct site.. That used to be ‘open-records"!!

May be scrubbed by now…. ????

By Mimi Jones on 08/27/2009 9:23 am

e-mail alert

My understanding is that ALL lawyer disciplinary actions (including disbarment, of course!) are posted along with the lawyers bar number and other information. At least, that’s how it is in Washington. Such matters are considered a matter of public record and are very important for the public to have access to when chosing a lawyer. If a disbarment occured, anyone could know instantly, and it would have come out during the election! You betcha!

By Raugiel Reddel on 08/27/2009 7:19 pm

e-mail alert

righ on barbara lets stand togeather for once and at least let the man try if he fails we all fail dont u people understand this lets hope he gets it right for all our sakes

By joyce brandt on 09/25/2009 10:45 pm

e-mail alert

You hear, Mimi? Depending on what circles one travels in, one can hear a lot of garbage. Do your circles know the difference between being disbarred and allowing one’s license to practice law?

By Mickey Thompson on 08/27/2009 11:41 am

e-mail alert

Dear Deber,

I would SO love to see you put some of that energy and investigative zeal into, say, Hallibuton and its subsidiary KBR. What is happening as a result of the fraud of overcharging for meals, or charging for meals not delivered? How about looking into the electrocutions of soldiers taking showers maintained by this company. I know this seems to be on the other side of your politics, but fair is fair, after all.

By Lexie Homewood on 08/30/2009 9:15 am

e-mail alert

Lexie, thank you but I have already. Perhaps you need to do some more research to educate yourself that Halliburton the only company that could build infrastructure in a remote or austere environment such as Iraq. When is anything ever perfect? As far as electrocutions of soldiers taking showers, there is much we don’t know about that. Accidents happen whether you live in America or reside in a war zone. War is not pretty. War is dangerous.

What is fair, Lexie, is obtaining all the research that tells the whole story.

By deber B on 08/30/2009 9:47 am