Sarah Palin: Expert Communicator and PTA Advocate

Hubba hubba

I’m really not that much into politics. If you’re looking for top-notch political commentary you’ve come to the wrong place.

While I do have my own opinions and views, I’ve never understood how people can argue for hours on-end about politics. It doesn’t make any sense to me. It’s like going to the MOMA and staring at a Barnett Newman piece while listening to art snobs argue for hours as they try to deduct meaning or the artist’s intentions. It’s all relative.

But, what isn’t relative, is the Palin-fever I’m succumbing to like a cold glass of lemonade after a Dakar Rally. Politics aside, I’m intrigued by her mystique. The way she speaks, her appearance that reminds me of every Kindergarten teacher we’ve ever had a crush on (5 years old or not), and even the way she’s so “down-home” and “folksy” fascinate me. She’s like that little turtle you see in a Chinatown shop window that looks just like a regular-sized turtle only it’s little, inevitably blowing your mind.

We’ve heard about the bridges, the lifetime NRA membership, hell, even her affinity for naming kids as if they were Morse code commands. However, it was the recent interview with Charles (you can call him Chuck) Gibson that caught my eye because of the blatant use of media training communication and body language that was bursting at the seams like a French brazier. While I’m definitely no expert (not by any means), I’ve been studying communication for a few years now and have read a few well-known books on body language.

Now then, let’s have some fun, Alaska King Crab style!:

Here is the second part of the Palin interview I’m interested in; the first is all political hoopla with the “Beef, it’s what’s for dinner” soundtrack playing. Gibson and Palin are both seated facing one another with the splendor of Lake Lucille in the background. I wish all interviews had this “come on in and don’t be afraid to ask for more grits” kinda feel, but then again that’s why this one is so special. Reminds me of watching Golden Girls with my grandmother.

Things that immediately catch my eye:

(:45) Pain tilts her head to one side while she’s mentioning “power brokers” and “the lobbyists”, pretty hard topics for a Republican to discuss. Tilting one’s head gives the impression of being less threatening, even some animals do this to show their inferiority to the the alpha specimen. Listen to her tone; I’d swear if I didn’t speak English I’d imagine she was asking for more apple juice.

(2:10) While talking about excessive spending, Palin puts her hands in a praying position, interpreted as a sign of asking for forgiveness. It’s hard to tell if she does this unintentionally or if she was coached to use such a gesture.

(3:03) Dammit Charles Gibson, you just don’t take any guff from anybody, do you!?!? Not even a hockey-mom that could probably make the best macaroni and cheese you could shake a stick at! Watch Palin’s right hand as she desperately tries to fight that aggressive index finger that’s begging to come out of her politician’s thumb press.

Thank you for being a friend

Now, the following part of the interview…the hard issues:

(2:13) Palin on homosexuality: “Uhh uh uh family uh uh community ummmmmuh uhhh I uh I I I’m not one to judge uh and uh ya know.” And you’re from a family of diverse backgrounds too? Me too! Sometimes my dad has eggs in the morning while my sister prefers toast. My uncle likes Egg Beaters while my aunt just reaches for a muffin before darting off to work. Me? I like pancakes and a punch in the kidney before I start my day; I’m from a diverse background too!

(7:19) Meanwhile back at the ranch, or Palin’s high school, Gibson brings up the possibility of the hometown lass banning books at a local library. Watch her thumb sticking out of her pocket and how she rocks back and forth like an off-Broadway extra on Grease. This conveys a sense of “I’m listening to you but I’m too cool and hip. After all, I’m a Maverick.” It’s tomboyish, but I’ll let it slide seeing as though Gibson is doing his worst Roger Moore impression this side of the British Empire.

I came across another interview that was conducted (I think within the same week) and by now it’s obvious Charles Gibson is fed up with these simple-minded, “oooh-Bobbo-doncha-know” colloquialisms that are clearly aimed to appeal to a Walmart-shopping, stay-at-home-and-watch-Jerry-Springer culture. Playtime is over:

(1:13) Gibson: “Haven’t you realized just how big of a deal this really is?”

Palin: *girlish arm touch to build rapport and charm him with her femininity, possibly to mask the hasty response that’s about to spew out like dinner after a night of Georgi vodka doubleshots…

“I haven’t had the time to think that.”

(1:36) This is my favorite move of the whole interview. Palin must be overwhelmed. She has to be. Anybody, experienced or not, would be. Just be honest and tell the truth. But instead, she lies. And it’s oh-so obvious because of how she’s firmly holding her hands together to maintain her shaky posture. To further make matters worse, while she’s saying how she recognizes her great responsibility, Gibson smirks “Hmph” and scratches his mouth, sealing the deal that he thinks this woman has no idea of what she’s talking about and that she’d better hurry up with his order of a Whopper and small fries. Burned.

(2:23) My second favorite part of the whole interview. Instead of clearly answering Gibson’s question on how she would repair the economy, she a) agrees with him b) skirts the question with generally-accepted truisms and finally c) speaks on something positive that has no relevance to what was originally asked. This is classic media training (gone wrong I might add)- be positive, avoid tough issues, and smile.

I did not...have breakfast today

It’s not all porkchops and apple sauce, though. Gibson smells blood and soldiers-on with the tough questions. I could continue writing about the persisting, unimpressed, and skeptical sneer plastered on his face the whole time like a vegan at a rodeo, but I won’t. I think’s it’s very clear Palin was coached on how to respond to hard questions even though she may not have had the answers to them. Her awkward body language and scripted retorts are painful to watch, even if I think she presents herself aesthetically as a classy, well-dressed, and attractive woman.

Take a look at this video below. It’s the CEO of the company that makes Grand Theft Auto and Manhunt, two of the most infamous, ultraviolent videogame franchises ever released. Where is he? On FOX News of all places, the equivalent of a snake pit for what he has to defend- violence in videogames. Look at his controlled responses: well thought out, directly answers the question, and is knowledgable on what he’s talking about. While some may argue the reporter may have went soft on him, I disagree. This is an excellent example of how to handle a tough interview. Well done, Strauss. Now here’s a cookie.

There it is. It’ll be interesting to see what comes of all of this in the following months and I thi…wait…hold on, I just got an important phone call:

"Hey 'cesco, we hangin' tonight or what? Hooters closes at 9 so I can swing by your place at around 7:30 if that's cool."

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Tags: body language, interview, media coaching, sarah palin

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