Palin confirms she is just a “prop”
Well, I never thought she would do us the favor…but I think Sarah Palin confirmed for us last night during her Saturday Night Live appearance that she is, in all reality, a “prop.”
Historically, political figures have made SNL appearances to show that they are just “regular people” who are able to set aside their egos, make a few self-deprecating jokes, and weather a handful of jokes at their expense. McCain, both Clintons, and Obama have all done this and with some success. Generally, the SNL cast has always seemed to enjoy this opportunity and it showed in the resulting sketches…that is, until last night.
Last night, if anything Sarah showed us that she does not play well with others…and perhaps the only sense of humor she has is the mean-spirited one that she directs at opponents. In this first clip, Tina Fey reprises her wonderful impression of Palin…and Alec Baldwin stands right next to the governor, accusing her of being a terrible, horrible person…and all the while she contributes…well, almost nothing:
I thought it was curious…and my first thought was: how much of her statement about refusing to do the skit “a joke” and how much of it probably reflected several very real conversations she had with Lorne and the writers? Then she came back on for one final time during the weekend update…and I think I got my answer:
Again…she makes a “joke” about refusing to participate and then mugs for the camera while SNL cast members perform the actual humorous portion of the skit…which, by the way, I thought was hysterical…
Now…I’m not saying that I would base all my opinions regarding Palin on her SNL appearance…but see: I already had opinions about her. At this point, most everybody does. And with just a few weeks until the election this appearance represented one last chance to try and change some people’s views of her…one last chance to say “I know I talk a lot about being just one of you guys…see…I really am.”
But she’s not, is she? I was listening to a correspondent on television yesterday and he brought up an interesting point: isn’t that really how the GOP always plays this game? They really only represent (in views and practice) the wealthiest, whitest, most corporate segments of our population…the one percent.
But the problem is that one percent…well, that’s not enough to elect.
So they have to fool around fifty percent of the population into thinking they are just “average joe’s and jane’s.” McCain has seven houses and is married to a wealthy heiress…but he wants you to think that he’s just a blue-collar war hero who walks and talks like you. Palin’s worth millions as well…and her husband has a high paying position with BP oil…yet we’re told she’s just a “hockey mom” with her blue-collar, “commercial fisherman” hubby. Even their examples of “working class heroes” are fakes: Joe the plumber…not only not a plumber…but this guy would actually be helped more by Obama’s policies than McCain’s.
One day…America will wise up…and see these people as “them” and not “us“…for a lot of people, I think November 4th is that day.
