John and Jackie Kennedy first brought the cult of the celebrity into the White House, but it’s hard to imagine a major national magazine would have published an exposé of them – or of any other politician – quite like the one on the Palin family that’s appearing in the latest Vanity Fair (via Feministing). You can’t access the whole article online; the Frisky has more excerpts than Vanity Fair actually provides. But basically the article consists of Levi Johnston talking trash about the family who very nearly became his in-laws. He portrays Sarah Palin as a neglectful mother and her marriage to Todd as a sham. After reading the excerpts, I headed straight for the shower. (Literally! I’d been doing the blogger-in-a-bathrobe routine.)
Even if Levi’s accusations are all accurate, they don’t have any bearing on Sarah Palin’s political credentials. She’s managed to totally discredit herself in that realm without his help. What this does signal, though, is a new nadir in conflating our politicians with our celebrities.
It’s bad enough that Jerry Spring fancies himself a politician. Now our politicians’ lives are grist for the Jerry Springer Show.
I don’t think that the Republicans have cornered the market on this, though Palin is the most egregious example of style and surface totally trumping substance. John Edwards had much better policy chops, but he also traded on his looks and made decisions that raised the National Enquirer’s credibility – no small feat.
Ironically, the same Republicans who brought us Palin tried to portray Barack Obama as a shallow celebrity in the summer of 2008. Yes, he has good looks, charisma, and a certain glamour. The big difference? He has dignity and an impressive intellect. I say this even though I’m pissed at him. He let the bankers dictate the financial bailout. Now he’s lost command of the health care debate, and to turn it around, he’d need to channel the eloquence of his speech on race during the primaries. But even at his worst, Obama doesn’t provide fodder for the tabloids, unless you’re inclined to believe the birthers.
In the long run, I’m afraid we’re going to see many more Palins, male and female, white and black, Republican and Democrat. And I don’t have the slightest clue what to do about it. We can keep demanding better media. We can teach our children to look beyond superficial qualities. We can keep trying to educate the next generation to think critically, one young mind at a time. I’m afraid it won’t be enough.
Patron cat of Kittywampus (1985-2001)
Actually, Springer was a politician at one point–but I think that just makes it scarier.
We here in Ohio are aware of his past in local politics, but at one point he was making serious noises about running for the U.S. Senate. That was several years ago, and mercifully we haven’t heard much since.
Note to Mark Nuckols: You’re still banned from commenting here. I just deleted your two latest racist comments. Even if your next comment is brimming with sweetness and light, I’ll delete it, too, so you might as well move on. The Freepers would be happy to have a man of your erudition, I’m sure.
You know I dislike Palin, but call me a cynical parent: I don’t believe anything disaffected teenagers say. Period.
Probably, the first dude went to sneak ONE beer in the garage, and Levi transforms this fact into: Sarah makes him drink his beers in the garage!
Uh-huh. Scuse me, been there and done that. I have to sympathize with Palin on this one, God help me.
Oh, if I thought Levi had a strong case I would have quoted him. I have not always taken the highest of high roads when it comes to the ex-Governor. But he says the Palin’s marraige was cool (none of my business) and she was a slacker parent. Hey, I’m a slacker parent pretty often! Okay, I haven’t run for high office on the basis of my motherhood, and the fact that Palin did makes her private behavior more relevant to the public interest. But even if Levi’s providing a fair assessment – and I agree he probably isn’t – I’m not inclines to think any less of Palin than I already do.