The Washington Post columnist Dana Milbank has pledged not to write anything about Sarah Palin for the month of February.
Milbank writes, “I have written about her in 42 columns since Sen. John McCain picked her as his vice-presidential running mate in 2008. I’ve mentioned her in dozens more blog posts, Web chats, and TV and radio appearances. I feel powerless to control my obsession, even though it cheapens and demeans me.”
That’s why Milbank has declared February a Palin-free month and he’s calling on fellow media members to join him with the hope the boycott could last longer. The Post has aso added a link on the column page that generates a message to be sent from a Twitter member’s page that reads, “I’m making February a Palin-free month. Will you join me?”
Milbank continues, “And so, I hereby pledge that, beginning on Feb 1, 2011, I will not mention Sarah Palin – in print, online or on television – for one month. Furthermore, I call on others in the news media to join me in this pledge of a Palin-free February. With enough support, I believe we may even be able to extend the moratorium beyond one month, but we are up against a powerful compulsion, and we must take this struggle day by day.”
So what are the chances the media can be Palin-free for one month? Zero, zilch, nada. Why?
Ratings
Simply put, Palin is a ratings juggernaut. Milbank explains how the media obsession with Palin began when the Alaska governor emerged as an electrifying presence on the Republican presidential ticket more than two years ago. And those in the press discovered that the mere mention of her name could vault their stories onto the most-viewed list. The premiere of Sarah Palin’s Alaska delivered record-breaking ratings for TLC and if you google Sarah Palin’s name, almost 26,300,000 results pop up. And what more is there to say? Ratings = money!
The 2012 Race is heating up
It won’t be long for the race for 2012 to start heating up and Palin could easily find herself in the top spot. She is beloved by large segments of the GOP base, and is perceived by many as the heir apparent 2012 nominee. Palin is considered the candidate most likely to unify the GOP and her political action committee has proved they can raise money.
Media loves controversy
Everyone knows the relationship between the media and Sarah Palin and some in the media take every opportunity they can to fabricate a story about the former Governor. In fact, it seems the only time the media does talk about her is when they’re badmouthing her, whether it’s attacking her for her language, trusting the National Enquirer that Todd Palin had an affair, and let’s not forget all of the misdirected blame for the Arizona shootings. Bottom line is that the press needs a political figure that is controversial and polarizing and Palin fits the bill.
So as we turn to February, a month that will be Palin-free, what will the media talk about? Why Palin of course! Someway, somehow, the talk will be directed back to Palin. In fact, I find it ironic that by Milbank creating a Palin-free month, he’s actually doing quite the opposite. He’s caused even more people to talk about Palin. Go figure!
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As published on Examiner.com
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