Sarah Palin: rouge or rogue?

Above, on the left: the autobiography from Sarah Palin, former Alaska governor and vice presidential candidate, set to be released on November 17. And on the right -- and slated for release the exact same day -- a collection that looks to be critical of the high-profile Republican, subtitled, as it is, "Sarah Palin: An American Nightmare."

Note that in the above paragraph, "left" and "right" are meant to denote image locations only, not political perspectives.

The book covers bear no small resemblance to each other. So, too, the titles: Sarah Palin's book is  "Going Rogue," a phrase taken from her deviation from John McCain's views during the 2008 campaign. The other book is entitled "Going Rouge," a phrase that comes from nowhere except a switcheroo of the letters "u" and "g" from Palin's title. (And is being used by a coloring book, too).

"Going Rouge," which is being edited by two senior editors from The Nation, is being published by the young imprint OR Books. The company seems to be hoping to either catch the wave of enthusiasm greeting Palin's book -- it's currently the #2 bestseller on Amazon, and Palin will be a guest on Oprah the day before the book arrives in stores -- or to confuse Palin supporters into purchasing the Palin-unfriendly book.

Or maybe OR Books wasn't thinking about the similarities at all. Maybe they were simply remembering that Palin paid a makeup artist more than $20,000 for two weeks' work. And if anyone wants to know how she rolls, rouge-wise, the makeup artist used blushes from Mac and Chanel. 

As for going rogue, she is, in some Republican circles, still a bit roguish, in the sense of being an outsider, or perhaps even mischievous. Top of the Ticket reports that her offer to assist in governors races in New Jersey and Virginia was declined.

-- Carolyn Kellogg

Images: Left, Harper / Associated Press. Right, OR Books.

Comments

[JL]

Palin is making herself irrelevant by refusing to speak to the media and now appearing on Oprah on her first interview after her hiatus from public interviews...Im beginning to believe she is much more interested in making money and being a celebrity than being a real political candidate. Too bad...her political brand of conservative priniciples, success through hard work, and outside the belt politics is in danger of being seen as an "act" and if that happens..she will precisely lose all her appeal and what made people interested in her.

[Alec Martin]

Sarah Palin thanks you again- for the free, albeit backhanded, publicity.
And I am sure that us stupid Palin supporters will be so very confused by this book cover.
DUH

[Leigh Oats]

Says Alec Martin ("October 22, 2009 at 03:57 PM"): "I am sure that us stupid Palin supporters will be so very confused by this book cover. DUH"

Dear Alec, what point are you trying to make? The palinologists of the world assume that the whole of the book _Going Rouge_, including its title and its subtitle, has been designed not to confuse anybody but to entertain and inform the world and to satirise, criticise and perhaps pillory one of the most succulent sitting ducks in the history of political mass debate in the USA.

The things that have been confusing the world have been the hilarious words uttered unwittingly (or do I mean witlessly?) by the book's subject.

[TDY]

Ever wonder why so many people have pig piled on trying to delegitimize Sarah? Is it because she is about the most approachable, down to earth, girl next door candidate of our time? Sure, she could use some polishing up, before battling the career politician types, but that is why she is appealing! She speaks her mind, and speaks on the behalf of the folks like myself, who do pay attention to where this country is headed.

People need to get used to embracing the thought of standing behind some new, untainted, political figures. The good ol boys and girls in Washington, are stripping us of everything that we, and our mothers and fathers, and grandparents have worked for! Wake up America! Tomorrow's leaders are today's neighbors, friends, and co workers!

[Oemissions]

Sarah knows what sells.
Proving her 'rogueness' she is supporting a non Republican.

[Bob F. in FL]

Since she will not have actually written the book, will she take the time to study it in case Oprah asks those tough Katie Couric like questions such as, "Where do you get your information from?" that stumped her last time. I's a good thing the book isn't a term paper because she would get an "F" because someone else wrote it. H. L. Mencken's line, "Nobody ever lost a dime underestimating the intelligence of the American public" applies here.

[gil evaro]

i have always thought that sarah is a new refreshing face in the mix,i have always said we need a woman with alot of spunt as sarah has,even hillary is a great assett to our government.i love sarah and she is probably one of the most sexiest woman i have ever had a crush on.and she will never loose her appeal to me.i will continue to support her for whatever she goes for. go get em" sarah

[Roberto Sanchez]

If I were McCain's running mate, I would have gone rogue as well. McCain's views are for the most part quite similar to a moderate democrat, he is not conservative. I applaud Sarah Palin's efforts to champion the conservative movement on the national stage. Sarah really understands what the average American wants: more freedom and less oppression from the government.

[Roberto Sanchez]

Also, Oemissions, I suppose you are perfectly happy when a "Republican" such as McCain is quick to join Democrats in "bipartisanship," which really means capitulating to the Democrats. Sarah is concerned about the liberal cancer in the Republican Party and is doing the right thing supporting the real conservative candidate. In fact, if other conservative third parties pick up steam solely on real conservative values of limited government and greater personal freedoms and responsibility, I would gladly support that party instead of "Democrat Lite." Be it the NY Conservative Party, the Libertarian Party, or any other conservative party, I will gladly support them if the Republicans do not get their act straight.

[Trisha]

Sarah Palin is nuts. What is it with the republicans that love this crazy site of a human. All she does is rant and not think. Their are a lot of great republicans. But this ding bat needs to go back to Alaska keep her head down and stay away. Maybe her family can step outside with out people laughing at their mother.

[Grey D]

Ms. Kellog seems to have forgotten that Sarah Palin once registered a company in Alaska that she named "Rouge Cou", a poor translation of "Red Neck" into French. Hardly an appropriate choice for a national candidate for office.

[Janice Williams]

I am a 56 year old woman from the South. I have strong values, the same as Sarah Palin. She is for the hard working people of America. She understands that the people in Washington think small town Americans are stupid and beneath them. Reminds you of another place and time (Rome). Get over it, all of you over educated yuppies. We are going to take America back! God Bless the USA!!!

[Shahoon]

Sarah Palin is just what this country needs.

Those of you who have written nasty comments about her have been influenced by the liberal media for too long.

The left has gone after her and will continue to do so because she has struck a chord with the American people. This has thrown the liberals in a panic.

Sarah Palin is a force whose time has come!

[sellmeyoursoul]

Shahoon, are liberals not "the American people?" I'm not going to weigh in on Mrs. Palin myself, but I honestly think comments like yours and Janice Williams' do nothing to open real political dialog. Urban people are just as much Americans as Rural people are. They may have different concerns and priorities, but those types of differences and different view points were once what made this country great. On the other side of the argument Bob F. in FL and Trisha could also be a bit more constructive. Come on people! How the heck are we supposed to be a nation if we can't even be polite to the people who have the audacity to have a different point of view?

[Mike]

Sarah is a breath of fresh air as our country is becoming third world fast and it needs to keep the values of what this country was built on. I have always though more democratic like as when I was in high school. However now the party has accepted almost every conceived immmoral behavior as the norm. This is no longer a party of love but a party of anything goes.

Can't stand greedy conservatives either as am for health care but for free and for every citizen. Kinda think back and fourth on alot of issues and no part exist for me now. Maybe alittle Sarah and an independant attitude of simple right and wrong is needed. Remember Ross Perot and his theory of voodoo ecomonics about clinton as he got 18% of the vote. Honestly believe that if America Choose our president now they are desperate enough to choose anyone. So why not Sarah for President or ? for president. You may love her or hate her but almost anyone is better than we got now. Dont like our president as your association is whom you are and it sure is speaking out loud now, Yes We Can hire socialists and radicals for almost every post he assigned.

[Ventura Bob]

While many see Palin as a breath of fresh air I see her as a breath of hot air. The woman is not bright. She is also poorly educated. Thomas Jefferson would be appalled, but unsurprised by the support she's received from the uneducated masses of this nation. Nothing endangers this nation more than placing democracy in the hands of people, sadly some high school graduates, with a third grade education. Yet it is the Republican party that has consistently tried to undermine the educational system that leaders like Jefferson felt was essential to the proper function of democracy. If you want to understand why Palin is so ignorant and can somehow look past her lack of knowledge on all major political issues take a look at her creationist views. The last thing we need is a literal interpreter of Genesis in control of anything.

[JR Jake]

Rouge or rogue matters little when you unscramble the word = our eg. = everything other which is not inclusive of the statement. Which means she tells things that you won't reand anywhere else. Isn't that what you want?

[Julie B]

She is the only one capable of making me vote for Obama again.

[WOW]

Please...Uneducated & irrelevant = Ms. Sarah P.
Really, hope your book sells well. And I pray for those magnificent but unknown writers who struggle to sell their masterpieces every day. Jesus, I never want my little kids to know about today's ridiculous social and political realm of sheer craziness! A BOOK WRITTEN BY PALIN? Oh MY LORD!

[Alex G.]

Sarah Palin is ANNOYING! When will she just vanish into obscurity like the rest of us?

[Anthony]

I really hope she runs for president. Really.
LOL

[Anthony]

I really hope she runs for president. Really.
LOL

[Leigh Oats]

Says Shahoon ("October 27, 2009 at 05:26 PM"):

"Sarah Palin is just what this country needs."

She may well be what the USA deserves, but she ain't what it needs, or what the world needs.

Shahoon finishes thus:

"Sarah Palin is a force whose time has come!"

For "force" read "farce", and for "come" read "gone".

[John Gulino]

It is interesting that one person who posted in support of Sarah Palin, Mike, seems to be semi-literate, if one reads his post. His writing is, I'd say as an educator of many years experience, below 6th grade level in ability. In addition, his ideas are confused and murky. A person can sometimes struggle with writing well, and yet, in there in the midst of all the words, the reader can perceive some solid ideas. But not in the case of Mike.

"Sarah is a breath of fresh air as our country is becoming third world fast and it needs to keep the values of what this country was built on. I have always though more democratic like as when I was in high school. However now the party has accepted almost every conceived immmoral behavior as the norm. This is no longer a party of love but a party of anything goes."

This country is becoming third world fast?!? Which country is this guy looking at?

His third sentence above is nearly incomprehensible. Perhaps, Mike had very inadequate teachers in school, who never took the time to teach him how to write, because of our budget cuts to education.

"Dont like our president as your association is whom you are and it sure is speaking out loud now, Yes We Can hire socialists and radicals for almost every post he assigned." Barack Obama has all sorts of mainstream folks in his administration, including some that are highly pro business and pro military. Where does Mike get the "socialists and radicals" stuff?

The Democratic Party is accepting of immoral behavior?!? Well, of course they are, but more so than the Republicans? Let's see, now, Tom DeLay, Dick Cheney, Bush, Rice, John Yoo, etcetera, etcetera.

Is Mike confused or what? H'mm, in that respect, he is just like Sarah Palin....how scary.