I'm sure Palin knows perfectly well that they are making fun of her. The reason politicians go on SNL is to show that they can make fun of themselves. (It would look really bad for a politician to refuse to be on the show--it would suggest an overgrown ego, and lack of a sense of humor.) I think she handled herself very well. The candidate who did best on SNL this year, in my opinion, was Mike Huckabee, in the skit where he pledged not to "overstay his welcome."
And it was a good idea. It probably won't save the ticket, but it may increase her likability ratings a tad. Politicians always try to make fun of their own weaknesses. Bush exploited this strategy to great effect in 2000, both on and off SNL, by passing off his reputation of being "stupid" as due to folksy verbal gaffes rather than more sinister tendencies.
Palin is trying to play that game, but it isn't working quite as well for her as it did for her predecessors. When she said "There you go again" during the debate, echoing Reagan's famous comeback, the laughter coming from the audience was not friendly. I think most people saw she was trying a bit too hard.
I'm sure Palin knows perfectly well that they are making fun of her. The reason politicians go on SNL is to show that they can make fun of themselves. (It would look really bad for a politician to refuse to be on the show--it would suggest an overgrown ego, and lack of a sense of humor.) I think she handled herself very well. The candidate who did best on SNL this year, in my opinion, was Mike Huckabee, in the skit where he pledged not to "overstay his welcome."
ReplyDeleteShe actually ASKED to be on...
ReplyDeleteAnd it was a good idea. It probably won't save the ticket, but it may increase her likability ratings a tad. Politicians always try to make fun of their own weaknesses. Bush exploited this strategy to great effect in 2000, both on and off SNL, by passing off his reputation of being "stupid" as due to folksy verbal gaffes rather than more sinister tendencies.
ReplyDeletePalin is trying to play that game, but it isn't working quite as well for her as it did for her predecessors. When she said "There you go again" during the debate, echoing Reagan's famous comeback, the laughter coming from the audience was not friendly. I think most people saw she was trying a bit too hard.