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

[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.

[Johnny]

Most of Tina Fey's material is word for word what Sarah Palin has said. I think that Tina Fey's impersonations are definitely hurting Palin's image, simply by pointing out how little sense she makes when she opens her mouth.

[Ager]

I haven't read all of these comments but I do want to mention this. Has anyone thought to impersonate Cindy McCain? She looks like a cold, b***h, stepford wife. I would love to see a skit of her after the 2nd pres debate where she walked around with her hands behind her back afraid to touch anyone. It would be hilarious! I mean, the woman never smiles and when she does it's so phony it's laughable. I remember reading somewhere that she didn't really want John McCain to run for Pres and the way she acts it's almost like she's secretly hoping he doesn't win...

[Lily Shorter]

I live in new Zealand and here most people I speak to think she was an unwise choice for McCain as VP. It seems he has a weakness for ex beauty queens however his VP is far from honest over the troopergate affair she was not cleared of unethical conduct and certainly during this election she demonstrates she will be unethical if not completely ridiculous in her accusations against Obama. if people were guilty by association then Bush would be guilty of associating and doing business with the family of Bin Laden the real proven Terrorists responsible for 911. Bush is guilty then of sending Bin Laden family home on private flights the day after 911. Sarah needs to do some homework on the history of her own party who are accused of institutionalized terrorism in Iraq. I think Palin is a liability and I agree with the old republican who called her a cancer ... in this political election. Do I think she hurts McCain hes done it again!! Definitely world wide no one can take McCain seriously after his pick as VP. Yep I would say hes done it AGAIN!!! he has bad advisors obviously.

I love the Tina Fey impersonations :)

[Mary]

I don't think it hurts. SNL has been parodying politicians for 30 years, and they equally skewer Republicans and Democrats. In fact, I think it helps a politician if they come on the show and show what a good sense of humor they have about the whole thing.
Sarah Palin really doesn't have anybody to blame but herself for any backlash. The woman is so clearly in over her head it's hard to watch.

[npeebles]

I personally would like to see a SNL skit with John McCain, Cyndi McCain, Sarah Palin and John's first wife surrounded by a bunch of kids teaching them about morals and ethics.

[Tannim]

Two reasons for the hairstyle change:

1. She needed to ditch the dominatrix librarian look.
2. She needs to hide the earpiece that is feeding her the talking points.

[Phil 1957]

First off, from a 50 something man ... here's my take on all of this ...

Rebecca Burt's post is just a little nuts. She writes a lot about nothing and reports things as "facts" that were long ago shown to not be true. Joe Vogler did not die under the circumstances she describes, and even if he did the relevance is a little lost on me. People who write these types of things, whether on the left or the right, are just a little scary. Try to get some perspective Rebecca.

The skits on SNL I doubt have any effect on how Sarah Palin is perceived, at least not by anyone reasonable.

And Sarah Palin, handles herself well, much better than any of the other players in this contest, on either side of the ticket.

[Mary]

I think that being a "babe" is her best weapon, since everything else has failed. Before the debate, I bet my office friends that she would pull out all the stops and wear her hair down to keep the men interested. I was partially right. It was half up and half down. Her hair hasn't been up once since the dabate. Each day the suit gets tighter and the neckline lower. It's her final defense and probably has little to do with Tina Fey. (My son is in theater and I can assure you, they do have wigs!) Sarah Palin wants to win at all costs and if looking like a pageant queen helps; that's what she'll do.

[CMcK]

Seems Cindy is sporting a variation of the "Sarah".

[McPainiacs]

The worst thing a politician can have happen to them is to be laughed at and seen as a buffoon. Dan Quayle never recovered, nor did Prez Ford, who was lampooned by Chevy Chase. Sarah Palin has been killed by Tina Fey; when you get big laughs by merely using Palin's OWN WORDS, you know you are dealing with a first-class ditz who will never make it on the big stage. Let's face it, Palin is as shallow as a wading pool and makes Paris Hilton look brainy.

[cmholm]

Is the "Tina Fey Effect" hurting Palin's political image? God as my witness, I hope so.

[ccflorida]

Tina Fey does us the favor of revealing Sarah Palin as fool's gold. When you rub the pretty shine off, all you get is a dumb rock.

[HMM]

Monica,
You are joking aren't you? Worrying about what Sarah Palin is doing or not doing to her hair and what it means... is a joke isn't it? You can't be serious! Is this like the inane commentary on Hillary's pantsuits or her showing too much cleavage? Would anyone care about this if it was a guy? You can't be a real journalist...this is a total waste of time and energy. I kept reading to try to figure out when you were going to make sense. Get another day job, my dear!

[Tee Dee]

Its that "Trailer Trash "...."Joe 6 - pack's woman" look that she is going for

[Scott]

Sarah Palin is it! She is what we need. Why is it the people that hate her are women? Vagina envy or what? Sheesh. Give it a rest and accept her she is going to be around for a long time. She will be Mrs. President after the first 4 years. John's retiring after this term he is about to win. NObama is being found out. I heard him talk about Bush like a camels nose under a tent and on Stephanopolous's News show he used the words in my muslim faith. Oops. He says he mispoke. I am always forgetting what religion I am in. Sheesh! He has ties to Islam. Beware.