Sunday, November 9, 2008

The rise and fall of Sarah Palin (Part 1 of 2)

In wrestling, a "Push" is when a wrestler gets elevated to superstardom by the 'powers that be'. Although manufactured at first the wrestler is expected to "run with the ball", where their popularity should continue to grow organically.

Wrestlers can be "pushed" in many ways: By scheduling matches against easier competition, the use of flattering color commentary and positive video packages. The now defunct WCW were known to have planted fake "homemade" signs for the crowd to create the impression of a grassroots following for their manufactured star 'Bill Goldberg'.

barack obama, basketball, sarah palin, crowd, rally
Barack Obama and Sarah Palin mirror each other
Since her introduction to the world prior to the GOP convention, Sarah Palin has become an overnight sensation. She rejuvenated the conservative base who were originally lukewarm towards the McCain candidacy. Sarah filled the coffers, made Politics cool and attracted crowds and ratings to rival the original superstar Barack Obama. This level of popularity was inconceivable prior to her arrival, the once-in-a-lifetime magnetism and media frenzy Barack received was derided as being "celebrity" politics and a "cult of personality". With Sarah Palin, the GOP effectively replicated it.

One drawback of enjoying a meteoric rise is disintegrating upon entry into earth, collapsing under the weight of expectation. Fred Thompson suffered such a fate in the early Primary season. Sarah Palin under enormous scrutiny convincingly surpassed every marker, starting with an impressive introduction, a show stealing convention speech and most notably a solid Debate performance against the vastly more experienced Joe Biden.

Sarah's incredible 10-week push was not without turbulence. She memorably floundered in some high profile interviews (exarcerbated by how few were granted) and she was effectively defined by a bumbling Tina Fey caricature. But on the whole she cut an imposing national profile and was poised to become a conservative figurehead and frontrunning GOP Presidential contender for 2012 regardless of the 2008 election outcome. That was until November 5th, the aftermath of a resounding GOP defeat.

In wrestling, to "bury" is to diminish a popular wrestler's status in the eyes of the fans as designed by the 'powers that be'. This is achieved by placing them in unflattering storylines and losing matchups. It can be a result of real-life backstage disagreements or feuds with the powerbrokers. It's a falling out of favor with the company, the stripping of credibility by those that bestowed them.

This is what has befallen Sarah Palin since the election loss.

In Part 2 of 2 I will be highlighting the growing deluge of stories attempting to "bury" Sarah Palin. Those in conservative media, the McCain camp and inside the GOP who have turned there back on Sarah, blamed her and ultimately want to diminish any future prospects.

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