Poll Results: Palin and the Media
Last week, we asked you guys for your views of Palin and the media coverage of her. Multiple choices were allowed, which makes it tough to summarize, but:
- 53% of voters thought that Palin was just being crucified because she's “honestly so incompetent and McCain's so old” (nooooo, we weren't biased at all when we wrote the poll!)
- 28% thought the coverage was deserved
- 26% thought no one should pull any punches with her, whether it be Biden or the media
- 17% could only sigh
- 9% thought feminism was taking a hit when Palin looked dumb (and accordingly hoped that Biden or the media would pull punches with her)
- 7% thought the coverage was horrible, as a woman
- 6% blamed the liberal media
- 4% of voters thought Palin was getting extra rough coverage in the media because she has such a manicured beauty about her
Readers wrote in with some great comments. Some noted we hadn't adequately represented the choices (Peg asked, “Where is “the media is being totally unfair to her” choice that I can pick without having to say that I feel that way “as a woman”? Meanwhile, jojo noted there was no choice for “Palin is incompetent to the point of embarrassment and disgrace.”)
Zoe, who lives abroad, noted
I do think that Palin’s disastrous interview with Katie Couric was when I went from thinking “who is she” to “I can’t believe this person could end up as President.” . . . There are intelligent Republican women who I can actually imagine on a presidential stage – Olympia Snowe and Kay Bailey Hutchison spring to mind – and I think it’s kind of an insult that they were passed over in favour of someone who can’t speak coherently when asked a simple question.
She went on to pinpoint exactly what has been bugging us about Palin, as well:
As a lawyer I’ve worked really hard in an academic setting for years to succeed. I’ve always been told to work hard and do well in school. Academic success has always been a goal to strive for, and it’s one that’s helped me get a great job that I love. I feel a real sense from Palin not just that she has no qualifications, but that academic achievement is to be mocked and isn’t worth pursuing. The anti-intellectualism she represents is horrible, especially since getting the best education available is the best way for women to succeed. I don’t want an average person as my President or VP – I want someone who can run intellectual circles around every other world leader. In Palin I see someone who embraces and celebrates academic mediocrity, which is against everything I’ve ever valued as an educated professional.
Sing it, sister! As always, the poll is still open.
