Style backlash: Did Sarah Palin let her hair down to thwart Tina Fey?

This past weekend, Sarah Palin ditched the uppity bouffant and the bizarre French braid hair styles. She looks different. More carefree and less like that efficient diner waitress who always tops off your coffee just when it starts to get tepid.

But most importantly, she now looks nothing like her impersonator, Tina Fey on 'Saturday Night Live.' Clearly, Palin is either trying to change her image or she's suddenly self-conscious about her ear lobes.

The N.Y. Post reports today that some political scientists believe that political spoofs damage a career.  From the article:

"Presidential impersonators do influence elections, and in this one, Tina Fey is well on her way to ruining Sarah Palin's political career," said Jerald Podair, a professor of American Studies at Lawrence University.

The story also cites a Washington Post poll that revealed that voters are crediting the "Tina Fey effect" for turning them off to the GOP ticket. If SNL skits have such sway, one can't help but wonder how George W. Bush got elected while Will Ferrell impersonated him. (Though I can imagine that more liberals and Democrats watch SNL than right-wingers.)

I have my own theory as to why Palin decided to ditch the librarian bun. Cindy McCain wanted to wear the bouffant this weekend.  (See lower photo.)

Do you think these two women talk in the morning to make sure that they're not wearing the same color blazer or shoes? Do they fight over which one gets to tease her hair higher?

Seriously, do you think that Tina Fey's Palin spoofs are hurting the candidate's image?

Weigh in, people.

-- Monica Corcoran

Photo credits: Top, Getty Images; bottom, AFP

Comments

[Lucy]

I don't think they're hurting her one bit to be honest. Those that don't like her will watch and laugh in a mean spirited way.. their opinions will be the same. Those that like her will laugh in a light hearted way and guess what... their opinions will be the same.

It's the same with these debates... because there have been no major gaffes then people will consider whomever they like best to start with the winner. Why? Because they naturally have a more positive spin on what their favourite says... before they've even said it.

I'm glad I live in Britain and don't have to vote... it would be a tough decision. McCain is awful... but slightly better than Obama who is clearly a career politician that's just way too liberal. John McCain is a doddery old war mongerer... but the lesser of two evils in my opinion.

[toner]

All I can remember from the SNL debate spoofs is the "Lockbox"-- and I'm sure that had a damaging effect for Gore.

[gns100]

She's showing she's as "erratic" as her running mate. Condelezza Rice (now that would have been an interesting choice) and Hillary Clinton both have the same hairdo for years.

[Richard R]

And the worst streak job ever. Trying to identify with the trailor trash voter?

[Susan]

Sarah Palin is hurting Sarah Palin. It's insanity that she is being considered for VP of our country. Tina Fey just happens to copy her well and points out the obvious to the rest of us. It is pretty funny as long as SP isn't seriously in contention (which she is) for the job.

[Louise Topper]

No way Tina Fey has hurt Palin, she's probably helped her in the ratings. Some of Fey's material wasn't so much a parody as parroting Palin as evidenced in the Couric interview. Palin is her own worst enemy and could stand some therapy to deal with those Axis II demons rather than fighting imaginary "Axises of Evil."

[cathy woolf]

Do you really think americans are that uneducated that a comedian could convince them not to vote for a candidate? Well perhaps they are morons. People who like her are not going to change their mind based on a comedian that hates her. How ridiculous.

[sandy]

Do you really think Palin needs any help hurting her image...really?

[srethng]

Personally I think her hair is down to hide the microphone that is in her ear. They did this so they can tell her what to say.

[mcmac]

No, Tina Fey is merely parodying the ridiculous things that Palin has been saying; Palin has been hurting herself.

[Todd]

Monica: I realize you work for one of the most left wing news papers in the nation, but really, jumping on the bash Gov. Palin wagon. I didn't believe, in my heart of hearts, that you would stoop that low. Why don't you blog about how bad our State's budget process is, the wild fire, or anything else?

[McCain/Palin Supporter]

I think Sarah is a remarkable woman and shows strong leadership qualities. If Tina Fey is able to influence anyone in any way, well lets just say that shows their ignorance.

[Kristi]

I agree with the earlier post. I believe she has to wear her hair down to cover the earpiece. In addition, isn't wearing your hair down a way of showing a lack of confidence? Maybe like you are trying to hide? Think about that. Psych 101.

[Russ]

Tina Fey is obviously not doing Palin any favors, however I don't think SNL has been that overly negative for Palin. Of course they definitely don't hit on Obama very hard. But if you look they've hit on most Presidents since Carter.
She looks better with her hair down as well. She seems more relaxed.

[Alexandra]

If Palin was less capable of blathering, and more capable of articulating a clear thought that wasn't scripted for her, then SNL (and Tina Fey) wouldn't have such a rich harvest of material. Palin's inadequacies are her responsibility. If, as one of her campaign aides noted, Palin had a goal of being President of the US 2 years ago, wouldn't a smart person have started studying the issues? Palin isn't dumb, just intellectually lazy. And that's not a sign of leadership, it's a sign of an aging beauty queen. America deserves better.

[Alexandra]

If Palin was less capable of blathering, and more capable of articulating a clear thought that wasn't scripted for her, then SNL (and Tina Fey) wouldn't have such a rich harvest of material. Palin's inadequacies are her responsibility. If, as one of her campaign aides noted, Palin had a goal of being President of the US 2 years ago, wouldn't a smart person have started studying the issues? Palin isn't dumb, just intellectually lazy. And that's not a sign of leadership, it's a sign of an aging beauty queen. America deserves better.

[Kris]

I sure hope so!

[Rebecca Burt]

Please educate yourselves - google Palin and the A.I.P.
Google Palin and Joe Vogler
Google Palin Chryson and Stoll
Googal Joe Vogler and Iran
Please take the time to find out who is really involved with current American terrorists....
Just a little dot connecting....Joe Vogler founded the A.I.P. - to which Todd Palin was a card carrying member until 2002 (belonged for 7 years) Sarah attended and spoke at their events. Vogler was quoted as "Hating America and pushing for Alaska to become an independent nation. He was killed in a deal where he was buying plastic explosives - he had strong political ties to IRAN!! Chyson and Stoll are the big guys in the A.I.P. currently - they helped Palin in her election for Mayor and Gov. Both are known militia organizers and supporters....Come on guys this is very scary stuff...

[Pippa]

Pippa writes from Africa:
Actually I don't think Tina Fey is hurting Sarah Palin's
image. On television, I watched Tina Fey winning a few Emmy's and her self congratulatory attitude is in keeping
American arrogance.
Celebrity obsessed America have actually
turned Sarah Palin into a celebrity of sorts, if you
think about it.
Sarah Palin has been reviled, savaged, hated
and mauled by the media and the 'upper echelons'
of 'intellectual' America. In fact, I think she is the
most despised person in America.
Reader, please do not laugh, but I wager, that soon, Sarah will begin writing her first book.
Hah! You may think.
Well, she can hire a ghost writer, after all, we know her degree in Journalism took so long to achieve.
Sensationalism sells.
'Say it ain't so Joe.!'
Do not fear Democrats. Smoothy Obama will win this Election and save you all.
Sarah will sled back to Alaska and she will be comfortable with her guns, pit bulls and that revolting company she keeps.
Those racist 'six pack joes’', trailer trash on welfare, and over bred families.
Those third grade children she gives a ‘shout out’ to during her speeches.
Alarming as to think how she infiltrated her way onto a public platform! A ‘hockey mom’ wearing vulgar lipstick which is now associated with pigs!
Like it or not, Sarah Palin will be part of the book on American History.
Peace out from the 'Peanut Gallery' in 'third world Africa.'

[shannon]

Is this story the best you can do? Is a presidential candidate's hair what you consider news?

[dfm]

No, Tina Fey and SNL are not damaging Pailin/McCain at all. If you watch the various skits Biden and Hilary Clinton have been lampooned at least as severely, arguably more so.

If Palin is suffering, Tina Fey's skits are merely a symptom, not a cause. Parodies like this only work if there is something that can be mocked in the subject of the parody.

[dfm]

No, Tina Fey and SNL are not damaging Pailin/McCain at all. If you watch the various skits Biden and Hilary Clinton have been lampooned at least as severely, arguably more so.

If Palin is suffering, Tina Fey's skits are merely a symptom, not a cause. Parodies like this only work if there is something that can be mocked in the subject of the parody.

[Linda]

Its to cover the ear pieces she now is using to be coached during speeches. Duh...

[Rebecca Burt]

Who is Sarah Palin:

Palins mother (Sally Sheigam) was of Lithuanian Jewish heritage and so were both of her mothers parents (Louise Sheigam and Shmuel Sheigam). Her father Chuck Heath can also be considered of Jewish blood because his mother, Beatrice Coleman, was of Jewish decent. Further information on Governor Palin's ancestors can easily be found in the vital records in the Lithuanian State Historical Archives in Vilnius. http://www.archyvai.lt/ The Archives holds birth, marriage, divorce, and death records for the Lithuanian Jewish community from 1851 until 1915 when the Jews were required to leave the country because of World War I. They are in 18th Century Cyrillic script and Yiddish Many of these records include the mother's maiden name and town of registration.

I understand her mother, Sally, was raised as a Jew. Her father Chuck became an evangelical Christian however and Sarah has been raised in that tradition.

The fact the Sarah is Jewish by birth is no big deal, in fact I think it is fascinating. However, this is where it get scary – she has covered up the fact that she has Jewish heritage and in fact one of the rumors she started about her rival in her run for Mayor was that her competition (Mr. Stein) was Jewish, which was not true.

Sarah also has strong ties with the A.I.P. in Alaska. Joe Vogler started this party. Joe hated America and rage constantly regarding his hatred. He wanted Alaska to be an independent country and to secede from the USA. He stated his hate for the USA was as cold as the glaciers and that he refused to be buried under the American flag. He had close ties with Iran (I am not kidding!) Please Google Joe Vogler and Iran if you doubt this. Vogler was actually killed when a deal to purchase plastic explosives went bad!

The current big guys in the A.I.P. are Chyson and Stoll. They helped to get Palin elected as Mayor and as Gov. They enjoy a close relationship with the family. Todd belonged to the A.I.P. for 7 years, until 2007 and Sarah spoke at and attended their functions. It was Chyson and Stoll who helped Sarah spread the rumors regarding Stein. Both of these men have strong ties to white militia organizations.

So here we have a woman, ashamed of and hiding her Jewish heritage and attempting to smear and persecute someone else for being Jewish. Seems I remember another person who was ashamed of his Jewish background…whipped up crowds into Aryan frenzies, told half truths and played on peoples irrational fears…incited violent mob mentalities ….do we really want to go there again….

[Abbracadabbra]

I wouldn't go so far as to compare Sarah Palin to Hitler. I don't agree with her politics, but a Hitler comparison is beyond the pale.

I don't think Tina Fey's impersonation is hurting Sarah Palin. No publicity is bad publicity. But I think Sarah Palin's reputed appearance on SNL may. This candidate needs to convince the American people she's a serious candidate, not a celebrity or comedienne. Hillary could pull off an SNL appearance - Palin can't.

As for the hairdo... she looks tired. I bet the past five weeks have taken a lot out of her. I suspect the updo just required too much effort.