PALIN & AUTHENTICITY

A few days ago I heard James Zogby say that Palin embdies "authenticity" and that struck me as something Hannity and the Noise Machine would gladly peddle. I wondered how widely this meme spread in Wingnut World, so I poked around the Net to find these examples.

If McCain Cannot Be McCain, Can Palin At Least Be Palin?
By Christopher Coffey
Republican Consultant
THE FOX FORUM
September 3rd, 2008 9:53 PM Eastern

There is something authentic about Governor Palin.

Huntsman: My fellow guv Palin will 'raise a little hell'
By Thomas Burr
The Salt Lake Tribune
Article Last Updated: 09/05/2008 01:19:57 AM MDT


ST. PAUL, Minn. - Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. brought the Republican National Convention to its feet Thursday night with chants of, "Sarah, Sarah, Sarah," as he nominated "fellow Westerner" Sarah Palin as the GOP vice-presidential nominee.

"She's a hockey mom, a hunter, a hard-hitting reformer, and quite frankly, she's not afraid in a little town called Washington to kick a few fannies and raise a little hell," Huntsman said, a cold making his voice crack.

"In a world of artificiality, we are looking for originality, we are looking for authenticity, we are looking for a rebel, a renegade - we are looking for Sarah," Huntsman shouted.

Palin-Obama Comparisons Ramp Up
By WILLIAM MARCH and BILLY HOUSE
The Tampa Tribune
Published: September 5, 2008

In a roundtable with battleground state political reporters Tuesday, Doug Holtz-Eakin, senior policy adviser for the McCain campaign, compared Palin at length with Obama.

"It's remarkable that the discussion is between Barack Obama and Sarah Palin," Holtz-Eakin said. "Palin brings an authenticity that's powerful. It's not just Republicans, people are excited by her.

"She's an accomplished woman, she's got an extraordinary story. ... She's a real American. And he's, you know, been a lot of things. ... But he's not very authentic."

Lingle, Palin put spotlight on Republican women
Posted: Sep 3, 2008 09:09 PM MST
Updated: Sep 3, 2008 10:02 PM MST


ST. PAUL, Minnesota (KHNL) - Besides Gov. Sarah Palin (R-Alaska), another woman getting a lot of attention at the Republican National Convention is our own Gov. Linda Lingle (R-Hawaii).

"She's genuine," said Gov. Lingle. "She's comfortable in her own skin, truly authentic."

And Gov. Lingle hopes that authenticity carries the McCain-Palin ticket all the way to the White House.


Exclusive photos show Sarah Palin has convinced John McCain
By Thomas M. DeFrank
Daily News Washington Bureau Chief

Wednesday, September 3rd 2008, 7:13 AM

A senior GOP official told The News Palin's disappearing act was designed not only to keep her away from prying media queries but also build anticipation for her speech.

He predicted the prime-time rollout will "reinforce her authenticity" and embellish McCain's credibility.

Wide range of reaction to Palin
Last update: August 29, 2008 - 8:00 PM
Minneapolis Star Tribune

"They're [conservatives] going to be excited about this pick because here's an authentic person who believes and does what she says in her policy atmosphere and can authentically carry that message to the country."

Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan.