Popular Palin

Since Sarah Palin’s introduction to the general election, I’ve had trouble understanding her political appeal.

It might be her folksy way of talking or her perceived incompetence in handling interviews, but either way there isn’t a word that has come out of her mouth that I have been able to take seriously. This perception has only deepened as Nov. 4 nears and the media continues their aggressive onslaught against her.

In fact, there are very few similarities I have been able to draw between Palin and other politicians and far more that I can find when I compare her to Hollywood celebrities.

Most notable is Tina Fey’s portrayal of the governor on “Saturday Night Live.” Airing on Thursday nights, these half-hour election-special parodies showcase the “30 Rock” star impersonating Sarah Palin in all her moose-hunting, pro-life, book-banning glory.

The spot-on imitation (and Sarah Palin’s recent appearance on the show) has helped lift “SNL” into the Nielson top 10 for prime time. So at least these skits are helping the popularity of something, even if it’s not the McCain-Palin ticket.

And what good celebrity doesn’t have a little sex scandal in her life? Hustler Video is producing a porn inspired by the Alaskan governor entitled “Nailin Paylin” in which a look-alike of the vice-presidential candidate will be getting down and dirty with Russians and a creationist college professor and even engage in a three-way with Condoleezza Rice and Hillary Clinton doppelgangers.

The Alaskan governor has even gotten the attention of rapper Jay-Z, who just recently dedicated his song “99 Problems” to McCain and “the one who says ‘You Betcha’”.

So what’s next for Sarah Palin in the world of the mainstream media if she doesn’t make it to the White House? Some industry insiders like the idea of a Palin talk show, as she is someone who would appeal to red-state housewives. Others think she has a future as a political commentator on a news network (Fox News, anyone?).

There are even thoughts of giving her her own reality TV show a la “The Osbournes.” Who wouldn’t want to see Sarah and Todd and their funky-named kids running around and getting into all sorts of trouble in Alaska? I know I would.

Although it is nothing new for the media to poke fun at political candidates, it seems to me this is the root of Palin’s notoriety. She might be a well-respected governor in Alaska, but as a vice-presidential candidate there is little I see of her as an esteemed politician.