With Nov. 4 fast approaching, Barack Obama and John McCain are scrambling to get in some last minute publicity before the American people cast their votes. According to polls, Obama is in the lead, while the McCain campaign is struggling to get more votes, especially from college students.
After facing some pretty heavy accusations, like racism, the McCain campaign is starting to play it light and behave like good sports. McCain even joked about his “oldness” in order to gain the love of Americans and, ultimately, more votes.
A recent strategy that was used by Republican vice presidential nominee, Sarah Palin, was rather unexpected — an appearance on “Saturday Night Live” that aired Oct. 18. I am not sure if many of you know, but Tina Fey has been doing a pretty great impersonation of Palin, so great, that when I first saw Fey’s impersonation, I thought it was the real Palin.
Surprisingly, Palin and the McCain decided to be good sports and instead of being offended, played along.
Palin’s appearance started off right in the beginning of the show. She watched from backstage as Fey, pretending to be the Alaskan governor, answered questions at a mock conference. Alec Baldwin then appeared and thought that he was speaking with the “fake” Palin.
After, he was told that he was speaking with the real Palin, he went on to say, “Forgive me, I have to say this, but you are way hotter in person.” The scene ended with the real Palin walking past Fey at the conference and delivering the all too famous “Live from New York” line.
Palin’s second appearance on the show is one that I may never forget. It was rather amusing and Palin actually seemed like a very fun person. She was a part of the “Weekend Update” segment and wanted to clear up misconceptions about her campaign, but decided not to do the piece that they rehearsed.
Instead, she asks Amy Poehler to take over, and the very pregnant Poehler burst into a hilarious rap that I would never be able to describe in words. It is simply something that you must see for yourselves. Palin dances along in her seat, raises the roof at the appropriate times, and even scrunches her lips throughout the rap.
If McCain and Palin wanted to show that they are good sports and can appeal to the American people mission accomplished.
It is difficult to say how Americans responded to Palin’s appearance on the show. I have spoken with students who responded positively, while others were not so impressed.
Some students were amused by her skit, and respect her for coming on the show and playing along. On the other hand, there are those who thought she needed more lines and contributed in no way to the comedy of the show. Personally, I was rather amused.
Palin did a pretty good job on Saturday Night Live and it summed up to a light-hearted cameo.
However, I am not sure how long this good impression will last or whether it will have a prominent effect on voters.
The fact is that some laughed with Palin, while others laughed at her. But did her appearance on Saturday Night Live accomplish her mission to gain votes for the McCain campaign? Only time will tell.
