Roger Ebert has some astute thoughts about the inexplicable appeal of Sarah Palin to a certain portion of the electorate.
I think I might be able to explain some of Sara Palin’s appeal. She’s the “American Idol” candidate. Consider. What defines an “American Idol” finalist? They’re good-looking, work well on television, have a sunny personality, are fierce competitors, and so talented, why, they’re darned near the real thing. There’s a reason “American Idol” gets such high ratings. People identify with the contestants. They think, Hey, that could almost be me up there on that show!
My feeling is, I don’t want to be up there. I want a vice president who is better than me, wiser, well-traveled, has met world leaders, who three months ago had an opinion on Iraq. Someone who doesn’t repeat bald-faced lies about earmarks and the Bridge to Nowhere. Someone who doesn’t appoint Alaskan politicians to “study” global warming, because, hello! It has been studied. The returns are convincing enough that John McCain and Barack Obama are darned near in agreement.
[Click to read more from The American Idol candidate :: rogerebert.com :: People]
Personally, I despise the America Idol Caribou Barbie and all she stands for, but the ratings for McCain’s little Red Corvette remain disturbingly high. Don’t people realize she is a serial liar? A television talking head trained to read the words of others with phony sincerity?