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Lipstick On A Tanning Bed

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Media
Posted on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 04:01:42 PM EST
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When you write posts like this, you forfeit the right to complain about the lack of substance from the Media. On a day when Barack Obama gives a fantastic speech on the economy, that is what some blogs choose to write about.

Somerby says:

WE’RE ALL SEAN HANNITY NOW: Josh Marshall’s descent into Hannity Land has been a dizzying ride. But even by Josh’s declining standards, this gruesome post by Kate Klonick represents a new low in rube-running. (David Kurtz linked to the piece, on page one.) Do you enjoy being treated like fools? If so, you’ll love Klonick’s opening: On the campaign trail, Sarah Palin likes to brag about how she put the Alaska state jet on eBay and fired the governor's personal chef. One item that doesn't appear in her stump speech, however, is the personal tanning bed Palin had installed in the governor's mansion.

Yep. You sometimes become that which you claim to hate.

Speaking for me only

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    Lipstick On A Tanning Bed | 108 comments (108 topical)

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    Good lord. (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by rooge04 on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 04:05:27 PM EST
    It's like they want to help him lose.

    And Obama would win so easily if they pounded about the economy instead.

    Obama... (none / 0) (#29)
    by Brillo on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 04:29:23 PM EST
    Is pounding at the economy.  Look one story down from this one for a sample.  

    The fact that on any given day you can dredge up some crazy pro-Obama blogger or pundit talking about something else has nothing to do with Obama.  People really need to get over the idea that blogs and those commenting on them somehow represent the candidates and campaigns, or even that they contribute to much of the overall media's coverage (which is still where the vast majority of swing voters are getting their news).

    Parent

    My "they" referred (5.00 / 1) (#72)
    by rooge04 on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 05:29:53 PM EST
    to the blogger boyz. Obama is doing just fine on this IMO.

    Parent
    Heh (5.00 / 2) (#3)
    by Steve M on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 04:07:22 PM EST
    Check out this front-page diary at MyDD and, in particular, the first comment.

    heh (5.00 / 1) (#9)
    by andgarden on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 04:11:44 PM EST


    Parent
    Poor Jerome. (5.00 / 1) (#13)
    by rooge04 on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 04:12:58 PM EST
    Trying to hang on to some semblance of integrity on his own blog.

    Parent
    Jerome's (none / 0) (#62)
    by Socraticsilence on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 05:18:05 PM EST
    basically become a concern troll, sometimes he has a point but its seems that the vast majority of the time his purpose is merely pouring the cold water.

    Parent
    Uh huh (5.00 / 4) (#77)
    by Steve M on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 05:32:37 PM EST
    I notice that the blogosphere has redefined "concern troll" to mean "someone who disagrees."  I regret that a formerly descriptive term has been stripped of all meaning.

    For Jerome to be a concern troll, he would have to be posting stuff like "I'm concerned this strategy may be bad for Obama" when in his heart he knows that it's good for Obama and he's hoping to discourage it.  Obviously nothing of the sort is going on.


    Parent

    That is the mentality (5.00 / 4) (#82)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 05:34:51 PM EST
    that has destroyed the Left blogs.

    My gawd, how much stupider can you get than the DKos community and the MYDD community now?

    It truly is a wasteland.

    Parent

    Ah the classic mindless riposte (5.00 / 1) (#79)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 05:33:36 PM EST
    "concern troll."

    You really have nothing better to write than that?

    Parent

    Hm (5.00 / 1) (#4)
    by chrisvee on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 04:07:59 PM EST
    Clearly I can't vote for Palin now that I know she's likely to drop dead from skin cancer at any moment. Darn TPMMuckraker for keeping me so well informed about issues that matter!

    As much as (5.00 / 5) (#8)
    by Carolyn in Baltimore on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 04:11:29 PM EST
    I don't like Palin, but my understanding is that the tanning bed was bought used from her own funds and so may not be added into the redecorating she's done with state funds.

    She also has teenagers who live in parkas (none / 0) (#112)
    by hairspray on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 11:49:02 PM EST
    most of the year. Can't they have a little fun for chrissakes?

    Parent
    Seriously (5.00 / 3) (#11)
    by andgarden on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 04:12:36 PM EST
    Another day we can be happy that no one listens to the leftosphere anymore.

    Sorry, but. . . (5.00 / 1) (#12)
    by LarryInNYC on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 04:12:38 PM EST
    there's high-minded and low-minded politics.  I prefer high-minded.  But the past twenty years or so (indeed, pretty much all of recorded history) teach us that low-minded usually works.

    I'm glad that the left now has it's own insane team of character assassins, if only to facilitate an eventual truce a la MAD doctrine of the Cold War.

    My only concern is whether the attacks are effective or harmful -- something on which I generally don't feel qualified to offer an opinion.  However, I think it's clear that Palin-in-the-spotlight has resulted in a net decrease in her approval rating and what appears to be a consistently record movement in the polls back towards Obama.

    It's sad to see a formerly high-minded site like TPM take the low road, but I haven't read them since they declared themselves part of the anyone-but-Clinton movement.  I don't know whether they've simply gone mad or whether they find that low-minded politics, in addition to being effective, pay better.

    If we're gonna be just like them (5.00 / 3) (#23)
    by myiq2xu on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 04:21:31 PM EST
    what's the point of being Democrats?

    Parent
    I dunno (5.00 / 1) (#32)
    by Steve M on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 04:35:08 PM EST
    To enact better policies, maybe?

    Parent
    Like FISA? (5.00 / 1) (#35)
    by myiq2xu on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 04:41:49 PM EST
    The Cheney Energy Bill?

    Parent
    Oh (4.25 / 4) (#47)
    by Steve M on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 05:00:43 PM EST
    Sometimes I forget, unless the Democrats are perfect, they can't possibly be better.

    Parent
    Who said anything about perfection? (5.00 / 1) (#50)
    by ks on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 05:03:16 PM EST
    Time for another variation of the "Perfect is the enemy of the Good" line?  : )

    Parent
    Honestly if democrats don't stand up for FISA (5.00 / 1) (#57)
    by Marvin42 on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 05:11:28 PM EST
    Ultimate violation of constitutional rights what the heck are they standing up for? And does it matter.

    Parent
    Well (none / 0) (#84)
    by Steve M on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 05:35:52 PM EST
    I think the FISA amendment was a bad bill.  I don't agree that it was the "ultimate violation of constitutional rights."  I mean, we used to have slavery in this country.  We put Japanese-Americans in camps.  The current administration is torturing people.  One of the things that annoys me about the insistence of the blogosphere on "purity" is that every bad vote is always the Worst Thing Ever.

    Parent
    I don't (5.00 / 3) (#83)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 05:35:23 PM EST
    think them not being perfect is the problem. IMO, it's not them even trying to be "good" that's the problem. When leadership constantly caves what are you supposed to think?

    Parent
    In terms of effectiveness (5.00 / 1) (#102)
    by esmense on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 06:20:17 PM EST
    Attacks based in class only work in one direction. When conservatives aim their barbs at "latte-sippers" they are acting as populists (whether they genuinely are or not) taking shots at people perceived as more powerful and elite on behalf of people with less power and status.

    When powerful, affluent and educated people on the Left sneer at "trailer dwellers" and the "bitter" people in small towns, the dynamic is reversed. It's not a populist attack on the powerful, it's a condescending attack by the powerful.

    The Democratic party's claim to be inclusive and to represent those less powerful, and without a voice other than their vote, including working people and the middle class, is seriously damaged when people on the Left with powerful voices in the media and the political establishment allow their personal self-righteousness to convince them of everyone else's stupidity.

    Parent

    Excellent analysis. (none / 0) (#115)
    by LarryInNYC on Wed Sep 17, 2008 at 09:10:26 AM EST
    I think the attacks on Palin have not been effective both for the reason that you state and also because so many of them have served to actually cast her in a good light (like Jeralyn's post about the fact that although she put the Governor's plane on eBay it really wound up selling through a broker, and wasn't that kind of dishonest of her).

    Parent
    No..the past 20 (none / 0) (#16)
    by rooge04 on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 04:14:20 PM EST
    years or so has shown you how terrible your press corps has become. It's not that Americans suddenly wanted gutter politics. It's what the media has sold us to keep us from knowing the real issues. It doesn't "work." It's just what they're selling us.

    Question is, why do we continue to eat it up?

    Parent

    Assuming this is a story about (none / 0) (#40)
    by inclusiveheart on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 04:50:57 PM EST
    the allocation of tax payer dollars, I'm not sure why discussing the installation of this tanning bed is the so-called "low road".  

    If no tax dollars are involved - which I find hard to believe unless she's calculating the machine's energy usage separately and paying it from her personal funds - it is irrelevant.

    Parent

    I want to know if the Obama girls watch cartoons, (5.00 / 2) (#65)
    by honora on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 05:22:53 PM EST
    before I decide if I will vote for their father.  In addition, I am sure that the White House is currently smoke free is Obama going to bring his own ashtrays or are we the taxpayers expected to pay for those!!!

    Parent
    So you'd be okay with a politician (none / 0) (#91)
    by inclusiveheart on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 05:50:02 PM EST
    spending tax payer dollars on a tanning bed for their personal use?

    Is that what you mean to imply with your snark?

    It doesn't matter even if it is tax payer money?

    I think that Palin has so little credibility that before I buy the story from her campaign spokesperson and her friends in her state administration claiming that there were no tax dollars involved, I'd like to see a copy of the check or credit card receipt showing that she did in fact pay for it and the installation herself.

    Parent

    I feel the same way about Obama (none / 0) (#103)
    by honora on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 06:29:51 PM EST


    Parent
    Obama has a tanning bed? (none / 0) (#106)
    by inclusiveheart on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 06:44:40 PM EST
    Now, that would be interesting news. lol

    Parent
    Its not about tax payer dollars (5.00 / 1) (#104)
    by Fen on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 06:39:23 PM EST
    The purchase and installation of the tanning bed was paid for by Palin.

    I do find it ironic that all this blowback from those seeking to slime Palin has inteferred with coverage of Obama. Its sucking all the oxygen out of his campaign.

    Parent

    I don't know - (none / 0) (#108)
    by inclusiveheart on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 06:51:28 PM EST
    based on my experience - the new kid on the block always sucks all of the oxygen out of the room - that's really what Obama did for months on end - he was the "It Girl" - but fortunately for Obama not all the oxygen is being sucked up by exclusively positive stories about Palin or this election probably would have been over when Palin was introduced.

    Regardless of whether all the bloggers in the liberal networld had the discipline not to talk about her - the American public and the media were going to talk about her - that's just the way it is.  To pretend otherwise is to ignore human nature.

    Parent

    Perhaps (none / 0) (#80)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 05:33:57 PM EST
    the best thing to do would be put Hannity and his clones on the left together in some desert island.  A survivor series of bloggers. Whoever can say the most nice things abou the opposition gets to come off the island first (this is NOT a pleasant island to be on)!

    Parent
    I don't see that. (none / 0) (#96)
    by lansing quaker on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 06:00:11 PM EST
    However, I think it's clear that Palin-in-the-spotlight has resulted in a net decrease in her approval rating and what appears to be a consistently record movement in the polls back towards Obama.

    I see movement from McCain to independent, and not so much momentum on Obama's side.  Not nationally, not in the swing states in the Rust Belt and Upper Midwest, not in Washington State, and not in the Middle Atlantic (PA, NJ, and even -- if you want to go there -- NY).

    The polls may tighten, but I don't see continually getting energized about Obama.  Even if Palinpalooza/Palinmania wanes, it just pulled the rug under Obama's forward momentum.

    At least, that's my take.

    Parent

    Good point and the shame is (5.00 / 2) (#18)
    by Marvin42 on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 04:15:28 PM EST
    Its not like there isn't enough real and substantive criticism to throw at the republicans. Usually its the republicans, who have no leg to stand on issues, and their positions are wrong and unpopular that resort to this kind of stuff.

    But this time around the a large portion of left and democrats have gone off the deep end. And in the process imo have lost the high ground and any power for valid criticism.

    And it extends to the Obama campaign also to a degree.

    Don't they even research before they write? (5.00 / 7) (#26)
    by Teresa on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 04:28:07 PM EST
    Since Palin bought this item herself (see paragraph 2), it's hard to see how it relates to the paring of those state assets. But then, our dwindling intelligence gets insulted again as Klonick ends her groaner:

    KLONICK: The news of Palin's luxurious purchase--beds can cost as much as $35,000--presents a sharp contrast to the blue-collar persona she projects on the campaign trail.

    Dang it's silly season. $35,000?? Mine was $1000. I get depressed in the winter and a few minutes in the tanning bed makes me feel better. If I lived in the darkness they do in Alaska, I'd be sure to bring mine with me.

    Can't we talk about health care and other issues? Not you BTD, the other blogs.

    Careful - next story will be that (5.00 / 5) (#31)
    by ruffian on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 04:34:34 PM EST
    she was depressed like Eagleton.

    Parent
    LOL, I had similar thoughts when I wrote that. (5.00 / 1) (#33)
    by Teresa on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 04:36:39 PM EST


    Parent
    I think I read yesterday (5.00 / 3) (#37)
    by ccpup on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 04:43:33 PM EST
    that she bought it second hand from a health club.  But I could have misread that.  On Yahoo!, I think.

    In any case, this is yet another non-issue the blogs seem intent on diluting our message with.

    Oh well.

    Parent

    Apparently (5.00 / 6) (#81)
    by chrisvee on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 05:34:42 PM EST
    it's now a moral failing to tan. or the mark of an unserious person. Or an abuse of taxpayer funds if she doesn't pay the electric bill herself. I guess if it had been a 52 inch TV, that would be an entirely different matter.

    I'm saddened and shocked at what has happened to the left blogosphere.

    Parent

    Next up: (5.00 / 3) (#99)
    by lansing quaker on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 06:05:08 PM EST
    Sarah Palin has a tattoo.  She does.  It's of the Big Dipper, and she had to get it because she lost a bet with her husband.  The shock!  No person of respect would have a tattoo!

    Ugh.

    But for now we get: Palin tans and owns a tanning bed!  AIIiIiiIiEEeeeEE!  How dare she!!?

    This will get about as much traction as "Cindy McCain has some $#%^@!@ expensive jewelry!  $300,000 outfit!"

     

    Parent

    Might not be vanity (5.00 / 5) (#46)
    by mudlark on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 04:59:42 PM EST
    I believe I've read that people who live in places like Alaska where it's completely dark for months out of the year use tanning beds because the full- spectrum light combats seasonal affective disorder and vitamin D deficiencies. So it may not be a George Hamilton kinda thing after all. And anyway, the whole story is stupid. Marshall just demeans himself with this garbage.

    It's not just vanity (none / 0) (#71)
    by mg7505 on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 05:29:19 PM EST
    It's "standing up to dermatologists and other members of the sun scare industry who are trying to frighten Americans away from UV light." This is probably going to be McCain's next line in his stump speeches: not only does she stand up to big-city liberal elites and wild moose, she shows those dermatologists a thing or two! She can take on threats to our liberty, like Al-Qaeda AND the sun-scare industry!

    Provided McCain doesn't actually win, this whole election will be brilliant political theater. The parodies are just writing themselves.

    Parent

    I Learned Things From This Article (5.00 / 2) (#53)
    by daring grace on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 05:08:09 PM EST
    Of course, I only read this far in the first paragraph of the Indoor Tanning Association's defense:

    "While partisan bloggers and the sun scare industry will use this as an opportunity to undermine Gov. Palin and demonize the indoor tanning industry,..."

    An association and an 'industry' I never knew existed...

    Sun scare industry? (5.00 / 1) (#86)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 05:39:37 PM EST
    ROTFLMAO! Where the heck to do people get this stuff from? This should be on SNL this coming weekend. We know have the "sun scare industry". LOL. Dematologists around the world unite!

    Parent
    Yet another. . . (none / 0) (#64)
    by LarryInNYC on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 05:21:53 PM EST
    special interest industry association!

    Parent
    I hear she's ordering a tanning bed for McCain (5.00 / 2) (#61)
    by steviez314 on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 05:15:08 PM EST
    (that was a joke, just in case you're not sure).

    I just got back from my dermatologist and he told it to me, so don't shoot me!

    Thanks for the joke (none / 0) (#89)
    by christinep on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 05:44:12 PM EST
    I know that it has a nasty side to it. But,it is nice to have anything to chuckle about in this "political death match." By the way, after being submerged in so much of the match myself, some questions about the past have arisen: Specifically, does anyone recall the story about John McCain being sought out by John Kerry in 2004 as his vice-presidential candidate? I realize that neither the left nor the right might not want to broach that subject now (for different reasons.) Sut, as I recall, it was a fact (?) If so...does that make John Kerry wrong or does our opponent wear the demon horns only in this election. Note: The reason I raise this point is because it has been on my mind lately; good, spirited debate with the opposition is great and all that...but, for the sake of any discussion here, what is the deal?

    Parent
    I no longer believe in my side's superior virtue (5.00 / 10) (#63)
    by esmense on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 05:18:36 PM EST
    It's embarassing at my age to admit I ever thought my team really was more tolerant, less biased (rather than just biased in different ways), more compassionate, less parochial, less limited by class and experience, less likely to indulge in self-serving lies, disdainful distortions or self-righteously justified bad behavior than it's political opposite. But this campaign has both revealed my own long-standing political self-delusion and made me ruefully acknowledge that many of the opposition's most bitter criticisms of Democrats -- especially in terms of elitism and hypocrisy -- contain some considerable truth. It's hard to get outraged by disdainful dismissals of "latte-sippers" on behalf of people who are busy disdaining "trailer dwellers" and dipicting working class people (as one TPM poster's You Tube video entitled "Clinton Supporters" did) as toothless, shirtless, shack dwellers availing themselves of toilets placed on the porch. (Shocking, degrading, de-humanizing stereotypes; not just for White Supremacists anymore.)

    I still believe the Left has better policies. I just no longer believe it has "better" people. And, I'm embarassed that I ever did.

    I agree. (5.00 / 2) (#92)
    by esmense on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 05:52:14 PM EST
    "We're all humans and we all succumb to weaknesses."

    Especially, in politics, self-righteousness.

    Parent

    Thank you, Esmense (5.00 / 2) (#94)
    by christinep on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 05:52:44 PM EST
    Esmense: Your comment brought tears to my eyes. Thank you.

    Parent
    Wish I could agree (5.00 / 2) (#107)
    by ColumbiaDuck on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 06:47:32 PM EST
    I still think that the left is much less discriminatory and tolerant than the right (especially towards homosexuals).

    I think that's true now, but given this past year, I'm not certain that would continue to be true if the opportunity presented itself to score some political points by going the other way.

    Not to mention much sexism is based in homophobia (and vice versa).  "You throw like a girl" hits both women and gays - women because it's obviously an insult and gays because to be associated with females clearly shows you are less than a real "man".  And I believe many attacks on feminists are based on a fear of lesbians.  Lord knows we've heard enough comments this year about castrating women.

    Parent

    I never rate comments, as a matter of principle, (none / 0) (#67)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 05:22:58 PM EST
    but if I did I'd give you my first "5."

    Parent
    Kudos (none / 0) (#78)
    by ks on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 05:32:43 PM EST
    Very well said.

    Parent
    The Amazing Thing (5.00 / 4) (#74)
    by BDB on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 05:30:52 PM EST
    is that Josh Marshall probably wonders how this nation re-elected Bush in 2004 and the answer is that that's the kind of decisions people make when this is the level of discourse.  Voting for Obama because of this crap about Sarah Palin's tanning bed is no smarter or better than voting for George Bush because Gore "lied" about inventing the internet.  That it might lead to a better result is pure happenstance.  Forgive me if I would prefer the future of my country be based on reality and facts and not which inane lie takes hold in the public imagination.

    But, hey, Josh should know all about the dangers that come from believing this shallow drivel, he recently admitted to having been taken in by McCain in 2000.  That certainly hasn't caused any harm, has it?

    whats got into us? (5.00 / 5) (#75)
    by christinep on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 05:31:56 PM EST
    Fascinating analysis. I have been in a fascinating position myself this year. Forty long (or short) years in active Democratic politics. Waiting for Bush's years to be over. Oh, so much more could I anguish over. Then...the primary season; then, now. While only alluding to my history in terms of old-line gender challenges as an attorney (since 1970) and manager, suffice it to say that the past has been prologue for me. For a number of reasons, instead of rejoicing at the prospect of Democratic victory in the months to come, I have watched Hillary pummeled in some significant respect because of her gender; and, then, friends of mine called to say that a woman governor (Palin) was--among other things--a bimbo, a barbie, someone to fear as a monster, etc. These were Democrats who supported women working, having families, living their lives, being equal in work and at play...or, so I thought. Whoa! As I've said more times than I care to count lately: "We have met the enemy, and they is us." (the cartoon philosopher Pogo) It seems to have become a Fellini movie. Oh--for the record, I certainly understand and support the Democratic policies since before I was old enough to vote in 1968. Yes. I also understand strength in argument, compromise, and the need to secure a win. What is falling by the wayside--at least, how I'm thinking now--is the integrity of the liberal. I'm a liberal; so are many of my friends. But, the desire to win today seems so strong that we may have reached a point of trying to justify in ourselves ("he does it too" whine whine) some allegations that have a stink of excrement about them. It is nothing new in the history of politics and life down to the level of the "ends justify the means." I keep telling myself that it helps to know the difference.

    By the way (none / 0) (#88)
    by Steve M on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 05:43:23 PM EST
    the sexist narratives on the left about Palin are not very different from the narratives about Clarence Thomas that have been around for years.

    Justice Thomas, like Sarah Palin, had a resume far shorter than what you would normally see for a nominee in that position.  That was a perfectly fair criticism.  But over the years, how many times have we heard liberals argue that Thomas is stupid, that he does nothing except dumbly nod along with whatever Scalia says?  It's no different from people who want to discount the very real things Sarah Palin has accomplished (even if we all happen to agree those things do not add up to being qualified for the Vice-Presidency) by portraying her as just an empty-headed bimbo.

    So in a sense, people who are just now realizing that liberals are capable of behaving obnoxiously with regard to race or gender haven't exactly been keeping their eyes peeled over the last couple decades.

    Parent

    Prescient of you (none / 0) (#98)
    by Pianobuff on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 06:03:31 PM EST
    I believe Chris Matthews had a rant today comparing Clarence Thomas to Palin.  

    Parent
    Quote from Chris Matthews Today (none / 0) (#100)
    by Pianobuff on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 06:07:18 PM EST
    "CHRIS MATTHEWS: Let me ask you Paul [Begala], because I know your politics. But is this a, like a Clarence Thomas where they wanted to pick an African-American for the Supreme Court so they picked the kind they wanted, which was in this case, a guy who was very conservative who hued to the, sort of the, the line of the conservative court. They have a person [Sarah Palin] here, who's apparently, to some extent, in terms of foreign policy, tabula rasa. Someone they can fill up with all this neo-conservative thinking, including vocabulary, apparently based on her performance with Charlie, Charlie Gibson. Is that what they wanted, just sort of a vessel to sell and carry their product, rather than someone with independent thinking on foreign policy?"

    Parent
    Well (none / 0) (#110)
    by Steve M on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 08:24:15 PM EST
    The analogy breaks down in that Clarence Thomas was in no sense an empty vessel.  He had strong jurisprudential beliefs (which, I hope it goes without saying, I disagree with) that he certainly didn't learn from Scalia or anyone else on the Court.  He was underqualified in a resume sense, but intellectually I gotta tell ya he has the chops to be on the Supreme Court.  I would still vote against him today because I think he's too extreme ideologically, but hey.

    Palin does seem to be an "empty vessel" on foreign policy, not in the sense that she's dumb, but in the sense that she hasn't spent much time thinking about these issues over the years and is happy to sign onto whatever the party line is going to be because it's not really her bag.  What she said in that interview about not second-guessing Israel - and I'm pretty pro-Israel as Dems go - was just nuts.  It was to the right of the Bush Administration!

    Parent

    I think all of the sport metaphors (none / 0) (#111)
    by hairspray on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 11:47:03 PM EST
    have spilled over into our lives including sex (scoring) politics (crushing and winning) and so on.  Because sports have become so pervasive in our society I believe so much is seen through that dichotomous paradigm, winning and losing.

    Parent
    and you covering this (none / 0) (#1)
    by Jlvngstn on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 04:04:39 PM EST
    is not doing the same?  Why not do three polls breaking down the specifics of BHO economic policy vs McCains?  Why commit space on this site to the idiocy of that statement?  

    Sure (none / 0) (#15)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 04:13:00 PM EST
    And your commenting in my post about it is more of the same.

    Don't you get tired of writing ridiculous comments?

    Parent

    exactly (none / 0) (#17)
    by Jlvngstn on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 04:15:17 PM EST
    if the shoe fits.  Sounds to me like you are both trying to drive traffic to your posts, unfortunately for you, you quote the importance of what happens today and criticize a bad post with a post of your own.  Who is being ridiculous?

    Parent
    You are (none / 0) (#19)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 04:17:11 PM EST
    I am doing Media criticism. You are acting the fool.

    Parent
    shallow (5.00 / 1) (#22)
    by Jlvngstn on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 04:20:18 PM EST
    at best and I would hardly define it as media criticism.  You are great at giving criticism and miserable at receiving it.  I have yet to see you accept criticism with any degree of dignity.  That is as shameful as getting excited about a tanning bed.

    Parent
    shame shame (none / 0) (#42)
    by coigue on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 04:55:46 PM EST
    everybody knows your name.

    Parent
    Look in the mirror (none / 0) (#76)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 05:32:34 PM EST
    You got bakc what you were offering.

    Look, if we ever wanted to devolve into a dozens thread, I assure you there is not a person in the blogosphere that can beat me.

    Jeralyn does not permit it.

    But I have a record to back up my claim. And I have seen your work. You're not even a minor leaguer.

    Parent

    What is a "dozens thread"? (none / 0) (#87)
    by oculus on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 05:43:18 PM EST


    Parent
    "dozens?" Never mind, he's on a roll. (none / 0) (#109)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 08:05:39 PM EST


    Parent
    And you (none / 0) (#113)
    by Jlvngstn on Wed Sep 17, 2008 at 08:00:41 AM EST
    have many crosses to burn my friend. Empty, shallow and angry is what you are.  I am a minor leaguer, there is no question and I don't run from it.

    Methinks the dailykos folks got tired of your antics and idiocy and were happy to see you go.  Your anger and belief that you are always correct are more than a fatal flaw, they are indicative of severe character flaws.  

    You are hard working researcher with a penchant for actually believing that you are superior to most people and you simply are not. The louder youo scream on issues the more people realize that you are addressing your own failings.


    Parent

    And you (none / 0) (#114)
    by Jlvngstn on Wed Sep 17, 2008 at 08:00:41 AM EST
    have many crosses to burn my friend. Empty, shallow and angry is what you are.  I am a minor leaguer, there is no question and I don't run from it.

    Methinks the dailykos folks got tired of your antics and idiocy and were happy to see you go.  Your anger and belief that you are always correct are more than a fatal flaw, they are indicative of severe character flaws.  

    You are hard working researcher with a penchant for actually believing that you are superior to most people and you simply are not. The louder youo scream on issues the more people realize that you are addressing your own failings.


    Parent

    TPM is Media? (none / 0) (#25)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 04:26:22 PM EST


    Parent
    Well, they were cited in an Obama ad in the (none / 0) (#28)
    by Teresa on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 04:29:16 PM EST
    primary.

    Parent
    I think it is kind of good (none / 0) (#6)
    by befuddledvoter on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 04:09:04 PM EST
    that they cover this.  It makes Palin look like an airhead, not VP material.

    It makes them look like silly airheads (5.00 / 2) (#7)
    by myiq2xu on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 04:11:28 PM EST
    not Palin

    Parent
    she already did. (none / 0) (#44)
    by coigue on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 04:56:47 PM EST


    Parent
    Totally. (5.00 / 2) (#10)
    by rooge04 on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 04:12:12 PM EST
    Talking about her tanning habits will make her look completely unqualified.  Forget the economy...no one is thinking about that at all.
    /snark

    :brickwall:

    Parent

    Well, it is Alaska (5.00 / 4) (#41)
    by Coral on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 04:55:06 PM EST
    And it is really dark there for at least 6 months of the year.

    Parent
    It's a silly thing to cover (none / 0) (#21)
    by litigatormom on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 04:18:40 PM EST
    but the tanning bed company made a silly statement too.  Something about how courageous Palin is to ignore the dermatology lobby. I hope that made the McCain/Palin camp cringe.

    Having said that, of all the things that bother me about Palin, this is really low on the list. It does run counter to her "I cut a lot of frilly benefits for the governor to save money" argument, just like the fact that the fired chief continued to work for her, and the fact that she billed the state for meals eaten at her home in Wasilla.

    But still, how much did the tanning bed cost?  Maybe she can put it on eBay.

    Josh and Jerome should focus on the economy.  Also the economy. And the war.  And the economy. McCain's telling more than enough lies about those things.

    Parent

    Heh (5.00 / 5) (#27)
    by Steve M on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 04:28:26 PM EST
    Thing is, once you realize she paid for the bed herself, it becomes a totally worthless story.

    Parent
    So what? (5.00 / 2) (#34)
    by mmc9431 on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 04:41:45 PM EST
    If I had to live in Alaska, I'd want a tanning bed too. And plastic palm trees!

    Trivial issues like this make Dem's look like fools.

    Parent

    If she really did (none / 0) (#36)
    by litigatormom on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 04:41:55 PM EST
    then its a nothing story at all.  Given how much she's charged to the state for other things, I'm not sure I give her credit for buying it herself, but whatever.  I just hope she's not giving herself skin cancer.

    Parent
    For once I agree with you BTD. (none / 0) (#14)
    by scribe on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 04:12:59 PM EST
    Now, could you get some actual video of that barnburner speech so those of us who now have a minute (or ten) to watch it, can?

    Gotta Say... (none / 0) (#20)
    by Brillo on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 04:17:25 PM EST
    This is getting to be hilarious.  Not only because you're now covering the tanning bed story (in a round-about way)... but because this particular story originally came from Al Giordano, who just a couple days ago you were holding up as someone who 'gets it' when it came to covering Palin.

    PS.  The attacks on Palin are pretty clearly working, lamentable as that fact may be.

    Sort of disagree (none / 0) (#45)
    by ks on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 04:59:30 PM EST
    I'm not surprised that there's some bounce adjustment now, when you consider the attacks on Palin in their totality, since she was announced, I'd say the net result so far has been very counterproductive.

    But this quote from your link is an amazing bit of revisionist spin:

    "Ironically, Palin raised her expectations so high after the convention, that it is virtually impossible for her to ever meet them now. Of course, she only pulled that off because expectations were lowered so massively before her speech. The irony is delicious."

    Um, expectations were lowered so massively primarily due to the hysterical and irrational overreaction to her from some quarters before her speech. The notion that her convention speech raised her "expectations so high....etc., is a nice bit of wordplay but not really accurate. The convention speech itself and general reaction to it simply illustrated how ridiculous the initial overwrought response was to her and how badly some had played their hand.


    Parent

    Tina Fey's (none / 0) (#59)
    by WS on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 05:12:44 PM EST
    Palin helped to caricature her as a right wing culture warrior and intellectually shallow.  She's just like Bush but with lipstick and if she has any higher ambition, associations and resemblances to Bush will hurt her.

    Palin certainly doesn't compare with Hillary Clinton.  

    Off topic but Open Left says a new PPP poll in Virginia will reveal good news for Obama.  

    Parent

    A nice quote from Somerby. But.... (none / 0) (#30)
    by EL seattle on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 04:30:44 PM EST
    I think the formatting of the quote didn't do it justice here.  It isn't clear in this post that the last quoted sentence is still from Klonick's opening, and not a comment by Somerby.  

    A quick jump to Howler made this clear, but sometimes it's sure tough to arrange information in posts.

    Well, perhaps they didn't understand (none / 0) (#38)
    by nycstray on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 04:50:29 PM EST
    his speech on the economy and this is all they've got? /s

    I'm confused..I just thought it was funny. (none / 0) (#39)
    by steviez314 on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 04:50:31 PM EST
    I mean, did Obama make it a campaign ad?  Did the blog post use up the last electrons on the internet and now we're all out?  Has the NY Times written an editorial about it?

    It's like the blackberry  thing..just humorous.  We don't have to be totally serious 24/7.

    From another site (none / 0) (#43)
    by scribe on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 04:56:01 PM EST
    run by an expat in France:

    The Palins sound like a lot of families in the redneck town I grew up in, all entertaining in a perverse way but none of whom I'd want as VP

    It makes Sarko and Carla seem so normal, so boring.

    Anyone who can make Carla Bruni seem boring by comparison, shouldn't be in high office....

    Maybe tell your expat friend... (5.00 / 2) (#52)
    by EL seattle on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 05:06:42 PM EST
    ... that the rednecks probably don't appreciate that thought, and will remember guys like him on election day.

    Parent
    Here's (5.00 / 3) (#90)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 05:47:26 PM EST
    the problem:

    When Dems treat voters like this disrepectfully, they don't even want to stay around to listen to what we have to say about the economy. And implying that they are idiots for voting for the GOP really isn't helping our case. It's the same way that the GOP, at least down here in the south treats AA's, they are constantly talking about how they are voting to keep themselves in slavery or on "the plantation" by voting D.

    I used to be just like you. Then the Obama primary campaign came along and I all of sudden realized what these people have been feeling lo these many years. I have learned so much I was astounded at how much my attitude and thought process was keeping me from seeing things so clearly before.

    Parent

    Do Rednecks... (none / 0) (#60)
    by Brillo on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 05:13:15 PM EST
    Commonly read blogs run by expats in France?  

    Parent
    Boy, I am so interested in what an ex-pat in (5.00 / 3) (#69)
    by honora on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 05:27:08 PM EST
    France thinks.

    Parent
    well (none / 0) (#51)
    by connecticut yankee on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 05:04:32 PM EST
    It's the internet. If you want to spend all of your time looking for silly stories I would suggest a UFO site, a 9/11 conspiracy site, a creationist site, etc.  All good headlines for distracting everyone if that's the goal here.

    Ive never seen anyone complain about silly stories on the internet quite like this before.  

    Who here is looking for silly stories? (5.00 / 1) (#54)
    by ks on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 05:08:38 PM EST
    I'd say TPM and some others are but BTD is merely pointing out that their "findings" are silly.  

    Parent
    Maybe... (none / 0) (#58)
    by kdog on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 05:12:34 PM EST
    we are just a shallow people, as much as we hate to admit it.

    It is what it is...any hope for real discourse is long gone, because we are hopelessly shallow.  Tanning beds, bl*wjobs, and crazy preachers are what sells.

    Then we can stow our complaints (5.00 / 2) (#70)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 05:28:36 PM EST
    about the Media then.

    For those too blinded to see, that is the point of this post.

    Parent

    Maybe we should.... (none / 0) (#97)
    by kdog on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 06:03:26 PM EST
    good point.

    Giving the people what they want...we get the government, and the media, we deserve.

    Parent

    Kudos to TalkLeft for (none / 0) (#66)
    by mg7505 on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 05:22:53 PM EST
    keeping it real and relevant! Other bloggers probably write this kind of junk because they don't care to develop any knowledge of the real issues.

    Question: does posting in this thread mean we've fallen into the irrelevance trap too? After all, I could be spending this time learning more about the economic crisis...

    Correction! Correction! (5.00 / 1) (#95)
    by NYShooter on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 05:56:01 PM EST
    While attempting to be a little humorous in my previous post, I didn't realize Wolf was discussing a really serious issue: John Mccain invented the Blackberry.

    I stand chastised and ashamed.

    Parent

    Of course not! (none / 0) (#93)
    by NYShooter on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 05:52:27 PM EST
    If it was irrelevant would Wolf Blitzer be popping a polyp on CNN trying to keep this doggie barking, and would his "two sides to every story" guests be taking him oh, so seriously?

    I ask you, Huh?.....Huh?


    Parent

    I do hope Gov. Palin is aware (none / 0) (#73)
    by oculus on Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 05:29:53 PM EST
    of the dangers of tanning beds from the standpoint of UV exposure, which can lead to skin cancer.

    Some sunlight (none / 0) (#116)
    by DancingOpossum on Wed Sep 17, 2008 at 09:19:05 AM EST
    Some sunlight won't  hurt you and is, in fact, good for you. We did not evolve as nocturnal mammals (much as I hope to return as a marsupial in my next life), we evolved to live under daylight. Too much of it will harm you, but that's true of anything.

    Then the Obama primary campaign came along and I all of sudden realized what these people have been feeling lo these many years. I have learned so much I was astounded at how much my attitude and thought process was keeping me from seeing things so clearly before.

    Bingo. Dead straight. I actually had a strong sense of this before the campaign started, because I have lived for the past several years among trailer dwellers and rednecks, and had to reverse a lot of my own deeply-held prejudices. The Obama campaign continually misses this, and imo it is too late, the damage is done and it isn't something you just pick up from reading a position paper.

    Their disdain for the white working-class (who, incidentally, are not all poor: Skilled craftsmen can earn high incomes but they are still considered--and consider themselves--members of this class). Hillary Clinton, who married a Bubba, got it and internalized it and most of all, actually cares.


    meant to say... (none / 0) (#117)
    by DancingOpossum on Wed Sep 17, 2008 at 09:20:47 AM EST
    Their disdain for the white working class is almost palpable.

    tanning beds aside (none / 0) (#118)
    by connecticut yankee on Wed Sep 17, 2008 at 12:10:29 PM EST
    The scary thing about Palin is how many people who know her say she scares them to death.  When was the last time people who knew a VP pick said that about him/her in interviews?

    She seems to have a very strong manichean sense of the world so would someone please ask her if she thinks the End of Days can be induced by our actions?  Y'know, before she actally has the nuclear codes.

    Lipstick On A Tanning Bed | 108 comments (108 topical)

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