Thursday, September 18, 2008

The Tina Fey bounce

While the Republican convention bounce (aka Palin bounce) is not completely dead yet – the numbers are, again, moving in Obama’s direction. Most pundits are giving credit to the financial crisis for Obama’s poll uptick. But, something far more important happened to move those numbers: Palin’s interview with Gibson followed by the coup de grace: the SNL’s Palin/Clinton sketch.

Among other things, Palin had this to say about Russia: “They’re our next door neighbors and you can actually see Russia from land here in Alaska, from an island in Alaska.” Within the context of the interview, it wasn’t quite a silly as it looks. But, it was widely quoted out of context – as reporters always do quite unfairly - and then it came out in the SNL sketch as:

Hillary Clinton character: I believe that diplomacy must be the cornerstone of any foreign policy.
Sarah Palin character: And, I can see Russia from my house.

This was the defining moment for her. Is it any wonder her poll numbers are plummeting from their earlier highs?

This is the stuff that moves elections. Which can be quite horrifying. But in this case, it seems relatively fair.

And, hey, wasn’t Tina Fey awesome?

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