Sarah Palin launched as latest product
13 09 2008Reading this article on CNN.com about how Senator Joe Biden is receiving less press coverage – even though he is (and perhaps because) the most easily accessible to reporters – reminded me of how we think about launching products that have a long way to go before they’re ready.¬ Here’s what I mean. . .
When you have a great idea without a final product built you want to build hype, but you don’t want to give people too much of a look under the hood.¬ You want excitement about your vision, but vagueries on the specifics because many haven’t been decided yet.¬ In this case, media access to Sarah Palin has been restrictive and details have only trickled out.¬ Her views on energy have been widely documented, but I haven’t seen a lot of coverage of her views on healthcare, foreign policy, immigration, economic policy, and more.¬ My guess is she’s still getting up to speed on many of those issues (even if she has personal ideas on them).¬ Those will come with time.
This entire election I’ve felt pro-Barack, even though on many issues I differ from his opinion, because I want somebody who’s not an old white dude to be president.¬ I want fresh ideas that integrate technology and governance as well as a foreign policy that looks at the global impact of our actions.¬ I want someone who’s not afraid to meddle with the established corporate behemoths in this country if it means long term improvement (healthcare, automotive, and energy industries).¬ Barack Obama was that fresh face.¬ Now he’s old hat and this hockey mom turned VP nominee has the world’s attention.
So, as in the marketing world, the true test will be when both products are out on the market and available to the consumers.¬ That means political debate time.¬ For the moment I’m not too worried about the bad Disney movie scenario, but I’ll be watching the debates closely to see who can keep their version of the truth straighter ( was the lipstick on the pig’s face or on its delicious bacony thighs?).
At least this time we’re not deciding between a giant douche and a turd sandwich.
As with most products, the the packaging of Sarah Palin is meant to dazzle so that one does not actually consider the contents. Given an overpopulated world, why would a “smart” woman conceive a fifth child once she has reached an age at which the risk to the child of birth defects is greatly increased? Someone who cannot master the basics of birth control (or teach them to her daughter) likely cannot handle the complex problems that a new administration will face. Of course, it is politically incorrect to mention such a thing as reproductive decisions in a negative light, but I’m sick to death of the positive spin that is being foisted upon us on these same reproductive decisions.
We know that Palin is anti-gay but they told her not to say it because they don’t want to lose the gay vote. I just don’t want to know what the Republicans are teaching her now. When she gets in office I believe one of the first issues she is going to tackle is getting rid of Roe vs. Wade. This is something about which American women who are planning to vote for her should be aware. They are getting lost in the hoopla of Palin but they are forgetting that she is not really into women’s issues. It is like political suicide.
Journalists/news media sold to the public the deceitful invasion of Iraq. They are just continuing what they do best.
@Sarah H. – Don’t think population limits apply in Alaska – population 683,000; They have to replace all the people eaten by polar bears
@codesense – while I think initially it’s easy to get wrapped up in the fact that she’s a woman, I didn’t hear too many women do that with Hilary. Is Sarah Palin a more relatable figure for American women? Definitely. Does that mean most women will overlook what she stands for? I hope not.
@Jinny Lee – You’re comparing apples and oranges. Along with a litany of celebrities, the left-leaning media is ready and waiting to pounce on Palin, believe me. They’re just gathering ammo like the following quote from an ABC news interview before they pounce on the darling of the moment.
Sarah Palin’s response on an Israeli attack of Iran’s nuclear sites – ΔϊWell first, we are friends of Israel, and I donΔτt think we should second guess the measures Israel has to take to defend themselves and for their security,Δω
Seriously? They’re our “friend” so they get a hall pass? I don’t think so.