I could not help but note a criticism of the White House Correspondent’s Dinner by former Alaska governor and vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin last week. Palin denounced the dinner as “pathetic” and a case of “DC assclowns” were throwing “themselves a #nerdprom” while “the rest of America is out there working our assess off.” This was a remarkable statement from a person who resigned from her governorship early to create a reality show and make millions being Sarah Palin. I am not sure that many Americans would see Palin as one of those “working out asses off.”
Others like Tom Brokaw who recently denounced the dinner as bad for journalism are a bit more credible on this subject. I have gone to various White House Correspondents dinners until I got tired of the event (and frankly most of the Washington social scene). I do find the close friendship and social ties between media elite and the ruling elite to be discomforting. The increasingly low opinion of the White House press corp (which is viewed as often soft and shallow in its questioning of the White House) is part of this problem.
Nevertheless, Palin is legitimately viewed as the personification of the dumbing down of American politics and turning our political discourse into little more than an extension of her reality show. Palin trademarked herself and has made millions feeding the public a slurpee of anti-intellectual and reactionary soundbites. It is particularly ironic given the criticism from McCain staffers that, once selected as their candidate for Vice President, Palin seemed more interested in shopping on the campaign credit card than actually working. The White House Correspondents could not have picked a better foil. Just as people were listening to the criticism of Brokaw, Palin stepped in to return the public discourse to the lowest common denominator.
What Mike said.
If the white house press corps actually came together as a group and held the white house to its word the white house couldn’t retaliate against them individually as easily. But, with the bread and circuses the white house offers them along with the possibility of the stick, they are kept in line to the general satisfaction of the politicians.
I long for the days when we can always trust the press to expose the truth and not be in anybody’s pocket.
Hawkeye, The term “assclowns,” I like and will use w/o attribution, although I bet she didn’t make it up. “Ass eyes” is a term of derision I learned from Ball Four. Mickey Mantle used to call Jim Bouton that. I’m always looking to expand my repertoire, and this is a good addition.
You’re right Bruce….
MikeS, Amen!
“I don’t know why this woman continues to get any press attention”… -leejcaroll
Nor do I.
“I do find the close friendship and social ties between media elite and the ruling elite to be discomforting. The increasingly low opinion of the White House press corp (which is viewed as often soft and shallow in its questioning of the White House) is part of this problem.”
Jonathan,
I absolutely agree with your assessment, though as you know I don’t have your temperance of language. What is missed I think is that there is a similarity between the Palin types and the Washington establishment. Both of these ego-driven personality types see themselves as prescient and necessary. When in fact they are merely self-congratulatory clowns, who in their distinct ways are unable to see the world beyond their own insular experience.
I don’t know why this woman continues to get any press attention other then from rags like the Enquirer and the kind of person who finds Kardashian and Lohan interesting
“AssClowns”…it could only have come out of the mouth of Palin. You nailed this one…how did you like her move to Texas to become physically closer to the “Republican Blue Bloods”….although, in all due fairness, the Democrats have this counterpart in Clinton’s move to New York State. About that tight social connection between news media and the White House, see what C. Wright Mills predicted in 1956 in his work: The Power Elite. Prophetic in terms of today’s political scene.
She may have actually said “The rest of America is out there working our asses off…”
I had to check. I’m rather surprised that she knows how to spell the plural of “ass.”
Mr. Turley, Calling the relationship between the press and WH “discomforting,” is a good example of your judicial temperment.
My half blind guy Pal is here at the bar at the Willard sizing ujp the C Street women wokring the K Street folks and listening in to Pavlov and her pals. We gottme goin on Palin. Who might be bent, if ya know what I mean. More later. I got my eyePhone which is tied into the Dogalogue Machine back at the marina down south, if ya are wondering how I communicate when off base. And sometimes I get way off base. Bent? I dont think that has to do with posture during sex but perhaps choice of partners.
AY, Alaska shares the wealth because Palin drove a hard bargain and made a good deal with the oil companies.
“‘Refudiate,’ ‘misunderestimate,’ ‘wee-wee’d up.’ English is a living language. Shakespeare liked to coin new words too. Got to celebrate it!'”
–a follow-up Tweet by Sarah Palin, proudly mistaking her illiteracy for literary genius, July 18, 2010
We have to consider the source of this nonsense. Palin is one of the least intelligent national politicians in the history of our nation. I think it is time to give her privacy and let her earn a living for a change.
“…has made millions feeding the public a slurpee of anti-intellectual and reactionary soundbites” A wee bit of coffee just shot out of my nose. But thank you for the laugh. This is my first encounter with a slurpee metaphor.
Ms. Palin herself is just as sickly sweet and nutritionally void.
is she unaware that there are pictures on this Intertube thingy of her hobnobbing at last years dinner? Does she know the rubes that fund her are too stupid to know that? How long can this carbuncle on the hindquarters of out national life go unlanced?
Tune in tomorrow for more of “As The Stomach TUrns” the continuing soap opera that passes for politics at the dawn of a new millennium
“Nevertheless, Palin is legitimately viewed as the personification of the dumbing down of American politics and turning our political discourse into little more than an extension of her reality show.”
Reality is the show, the appearance, and she doesn’t even know where it came from:
(On The Origin of “Conspiracy Theory” – 2). Sarah and her ilk, along with the substantial portion of the rest of us, find it impossible to make sense of the national compass heading.
Yet, it is knowable.
Pavlov is back at the bar here in the Willard Hotel in DC. She says that she is no relation to Palin but that Palin works K Street. Pavlov can talk dogtalk because she was a dog in a prior life, so this is straighttalk in DC from the horse’s mouth so to speak. Pavlov is drinking here at the bar “on break” until the “Afternooners” come in. She said something about Palin being “a porker” and that is DC talk for something I dont quite understand.
BarkinDog in DC gettin educated.
Is this the Alaskan version of the Kerdashians….
What Sister Srah does not embrace is Alaska is one of the best socialist states in this country….in Sharing the wealth….
Sarah who?