Sarah Palin and SNL: The Fey Factor

Sunday, October 12th, 2008
by Brian R

John McCain made a bold decision in selecting Alaska governor Sarah Palin as his running mate. He and his political advisors must have spent countless hours running through the advantages and disadvantages of taking Palin on as their vice presidential candidate. She’s inexperienced, but some would argue so is Obama. She’s an effective public speaker who knows how to connect with an audience, but some would argue so is Obama. She’s not a white male, but I certainly argue neither is Obama. The pros and cons of Palin’s candidacy go on and on. But through all the political maneuvering and strategizing by the McCain campaign, one major problem developed that no one could have foreseen: Tina Fey. For those who don’t know, Saturday Night Live has done multiple spoofs on the run for the white house. And their best skits by far have been about Sarah Palin. Why are they so funny? Here’s why:

Long time SNL super star Tina Fey (right) looks EXACTLY like Sarah Palin (left). If you have not seen the videos yet, watch them right now. I’m serious. There are three of them so far: the first involving Fey and the very bitter Hillary Clinton played by Amy Poehler, the second being an interview between Palin and Katie Couric (also Poehler), and the third poking fun at the Vice Presidential debate. All three are hilarious, and all three accomplish the important task of making the republican candidate for vice president look like an absolute dope.

Anyone who has seen the SNL skits now has trouble taking Palin seriously. During the vice presidential debate, a few tough questions came up, and all I could think of was “wow, she really does get increasingly more adorable when she’s backed into a corner”. And every time foreign affairs came up I couldn’t help but think of her kicking Russians out of her front yard as her civic duty. I ended up laughing at some of her more serious answers. The sad part is SNL did not stray very far from the truth. They obviously added a few well scripted jokes, but most of Fey’s tip-toeing responses to tough questions closely resembled those of Palin’s actual responses. Unfortunately for Palin, she didn’t have the option of phoning a friend. Maybe she would have called Hillary for some help?

Sarah Palin is a well educated woman, and a very successful politician. She was qualified enough to become chair of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, and then qualified enough to become the governor of our largest state. She’s now one health condition away from becoming president of the United States of America. But is she qualified? Sure she can wink at the camera now, connect with the regular people, and assure us of the fact she’s just like one of us. But what about during the upcoming depression? What about when terrorists threaten our national security again? She can’t wink at the camera then. What about when new conflicts with rival countries arise? I’m not sure some of these ruthless dictators would be too receptive of her winking and small town lingo. “Well hey there Mr. Jong-il, can I call you Kim?” She’s just like one of us. But I’m not convinced I want just “one of us” running the country. The president of the United States is the leader of the free world, and he or she needs to be someone whose prepared to take on and effectively handle the pressures that come along with the position. Sarah Palin just isn’t ready for it.

Tina Fey took Palin’s flaws and twisted them, exaggerated them, and broadcast them to the entire country. Like it or not, her image has been effected by the skits. It was meant to serve simply as entertainment, but it turned into unintentional propoganda of sorts. It may not be fair. But hey, who ever said media was fair? Look at FOX news.

I leave you with a little joke they used to tell back in my hometown: “what’s the difference between a hockey mom and a president?” Everything.

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