Palin Overplaying Her Hand in Kerfuffle with Letterman
June 15, 2009 by Goose Nissley
Filed under Culture, Featured, Politics
Even in the unpredictable annals of political discourse, you could hardly expect it. A zealous Conservative youth coming to the defense of a sardonic liberal who recently mocked one of the most prominent and popular Republican leaders in the land? Alas, as the British troops indicated with their music choices upon their defeat at the hands of Yankee colonials and French folks in Yorktown all those years ago… the world is indeed turned upside down.
Last week late night funnyman and renowned leftist David Letterman took several shots at Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. He dedicated his renowned top ten list to her recent trip to New York City.
As usual, it’s not difficult to tell from the snide insinuations what Letterman thinks of Palin. And it’s unfortunate, though expected, that he would label Palin’s fashion sense with such a term. But the chief fireworks came from this joke…
UPDATE: CBS has removed the video of Dave’s monologue we were featuring. The quote in question was set up by the host relaying that Palin had been in town at a Yankees game with Rudy Guiliani, but that there had been an awkward moment during the game:
During the seventh inning, her daughter was knocked up by Alex Rodriguez.
Obviously this is tasteless and cruel. Letterman and comics like him have no qualms about marring reputations if they think enough laughs will be produced. Even worse is the fact that he doesn’t stick to insulting Palin herself, instead going after her family too.
But that said, Governor Palin has gone competely overboard in her response to Letterman’s unkind words. Here is said response…
For starters, I think she’s wrong on which daughter Letterman meant. Palin’s use of the term “rape” takes the discussion to a whole different level, therefore the increased importance of which daughter the joke references. The Governor indicated to Matt Lauer that only her fourteen year old daughter Willow was with her at the baseball game. True – but the fact that her 18 year old daughter Bristol is the most famous unmarried mother in history gives heaps of credit to the idea that the “knocked up” reference was intended for Bristol. Additionally, there is absolutely no way that Letterman or his writers would deliver a joke regarding sex with a fourteen year old girl in this context. They are far too artful in the game of public relations.
I think too that Palin is ferrying the whole matter down a rabbit trail with her statement that this is somehow an opportunity to destroy a culture that says its ok to mistreat young women. That’s a great sentiment, but has nothing to do with what Letterman said. While incredibly unkind and insensitive to Bristol (and A-Rod by the way), the joke just was not anti-young woman. That’s just a leap right there. And lastly, to say that Willow would want to stay far away from David Letterman is not a very well veiled attempt to paint the talk show host as someone with whom 14 year old girls cannot be trusted. Is Letterman guilty of telling a really poor and unkind joke? Yes. Is he a pedophile, no. Deliberately throwing down that charge is, in my opinion, quite a bit worse than the initial joke.
Interestingly enough, Governor Palin’s spirited response to Letterman’s “comedy” worked on at least one level – David Letterman issued an apology of sorts to the Palins today. That is rare, and further goes to show that a lot of folks were strongly supportive of the Governor in the face of this. Unfortunately though, I think those taking a closer look at the Governor’s response will see her remarkably overplaying her hand. I honestly hope that the excesses are the result of a defensive mother… as opposed to a politician sensing an opportunity.
Raised on Eastern Montana's wind-swept prairies, love for small town life & simplicity were kindled early in life. He now earns his keep as a radio personality in Sioux Falls, SD. Reached 19 before realizing he could close his mouth & brush his teeth.
As a mom of daughters, I have to tell you, Goose, that Letterman’s comment about the daughter being knocked up by a baseball player during the game was above and beyond acceptence. Since Willow was the only daughter with her at the game, I can’t assume that the writers were refering to the older daughter.And even if they were, that comment was totally not acceptable.
Lauer’s interview opened up the comment about not letting her daughter be next to Letterman. I heard that to mean that Willow would open up her own can of whip arse on the man. Lauer led Palin with his own comment. She followed too easily into the idea that Letterman was a petophile. I don’t see Letterman as a dangerous man, just thoughtless and rude. His job is to tell a funny story and interview. Children are off limits unless your Art Linkletter. The Obama campaign asked that. Palin is just following up on the POTUS request. She was far to kind. p
I agree, Goose. It does seem a bit like she’s trying to keep herself in the headlines while earning her some brownie points with those who dislike the Left, as represented by Letterman.
I do, however, understand Palin bristling at the jokes. I think Letterman went too far with the Top 10 joke about her updating her wardrobe, let alone about any one of her daughters getting knocked up.
But, Palin seems to have blown this way out of proportion. Her acceptance of Letterman’s was even pretentious. She said she’s accepting his apology “on behalf of all young women, like my daughters, who hope men who `joke’ about public displays of sexual exploitation of girls will soon evolve.” Wow… Calm down, Lady!
Letterman’s playing it right, taking the apologetic, contrite stance instead of coming back at her.
Good post, Goose.
Bob’s Sis – And I sure hope I didn’t fail to express that I do think Letterman was wrong in what he said – particularly when family is brought into the jesting. Whereas public figures place themselves in the limelight, and in so doing have to know they are opening themselves up to this – the children of those figures really and truly ought to be off limits. And not just in the case of our esteemed, venerable, and munificent President Barack H. Obama – may his name be blessed.
I prefer your take on the Lauer interview! The way Palin phrased it to Lauer still really seems to me that she was trying to infer, without coming out and saying it, that he somehow couldn’t be trusted with young girls. In any case, thanks for the read and comment… and also the Art Linkletter reference which was fabulous.
Carl – Thanks for drawing my attention to her acceptance of the apology! The way she delivered that just kinda sums up the whole exchange to me. Governor Palin starts out totally as the one who has been wronged along with her daughters. But Palin ends up taking it too far, drawing parallels that don’t quite work, and taking the chance to be the defender of flight attendants, the female population, people with morals, and the military.
Letterman was out of place to make the joke. Though it may seem like Palin is overreacting, and probably rightfully so, if you could put yourself in her place, it would make no difference at all which daughter it was. Even though I don’t have a daughter, I think if I did and someone made a comment like that about her I’d be a lot less reserved than Governor Palin.
And again, there is no excuse made here for the nature of what Letterman said. But I believe it’s really important to examine the folks who are vying to lead our movement. And there is no better time for an examination than when a person is dealing with the difficult and challenging moments in their lives.
Being really wronged as the Palin family was doesn’t give excuse to dish out wrong. And as important as empathy is Marshall, I think you’ll find another prominent political figure using that as his basis for decisions quite often.
I think the Virgin Mary has Bristol Palin beat as the most famous unmarried mother in history.
Just sayin’.
Hahahaha… Levity!