Media Lauded Meghan McCain's 'Saucy' Memoir but Call Bristol's Book 'Trailer Trash'
There were two candidates on the GOP ticket in 2008, John McCain and Sarah Palin. Both had young daughters involved in the campaign. Both have written books about the experience. Guess which book was celebrated and which was savaged?
The media's character assassination of Sarah Palin knows no bounds, as she's been smeared as everything from "evil" to "unintelligent." But "Palin Derangement Syndrome" is a hereditary disease, and the media have continued their multigenerational malice toward Bristol Palin in reviews of her new memoir, "Not Afraid of Life: My Journey So Far."
(Video after the jump)
One newspaper columnist called the book "trailer trash," and the Palins, "the Wal-Mart Waltons." The thought of reading Bristol Palin's account of being a single mom in the spotlight made one writer want to "spew out" his coffee. Another called the book a "vent for her fury."
By contrast, liberal Republican blogger Meghan McCain got much kinder treatment, during the release of her book, with network anchors praising her book as "terrific" and "fun."
The weeks preceding the release of both Bristol Palin and Meghan McCain's books produced some telling numbers about the anti-Palin bias of the mainstream media:
- Networks pan Bristol's book - ABC and NBC ran a combined three negative pieces on the book that causes "a stir"; CBS skipped the news of the book's release altogether.
- Newspapers mock Palin's memoir - 15 prominent newspapers ran reviews of the book; four were neutral, and nine were negative, ridiculing Bristol for "taking swipes" and calling the book 'trailer trash.'
- ABC fawns over McCain's 'terrific' book - Good Morning America's George Stephanopoulos called McCain a "fun writer."
- Newspapers mixed on McCain- One negative story on McCain's book, two neutral stories, and one positive review, which highlighted the author's assertion that Sarah Palin brought 'drama, stress, and uncertainty.'
Palin's 272 page account details the last few years of her hectic life - the unplanned pregnancy (which gained worldwide attention and sparked a nationwide abstinence debate), her tumultuous relationship with former fiancé Levi Johnston, her skepticism of the McCains, and life in the unforgiving media spotlight.
But the media focused like a laser upon the "blasts" against her baby daddy and surprisingly honest account of getting drunk and losing her virginity. However, the media played nice with their darling Meghan McCain's tell all memoir, "Dirty, Sexy Politics" about her father's campaign, calling it a "savvy" and "saucy" new book.
Trailer Trash Talking
The most biting critique of Bristol's book came from The Daily Telegraph in London on June 23, 2011 in a piece that isn't a book review, but a platform to hate on the Palins. "If you were concerned that Ma Palin had lost her unique ability to say what nobody with an IQ above 10 is thinking, then console yourself with the news that her 20-year-old daughter is set to release her memoirs," Bryony Gordon wrote in the introduction.
"Bristol Palin, the one who got pregnant during mom's 2008 election campaign, has 'written' a tell-all book … it starts predictably, given that the Palins have been called the Wal-Mart Waltons," Gordon wrote, suggesting Bristol is incapable of writing, putting the word "writing" in quotes. Gordon then concluded that since the book began with Bristol's account of getting drunk and losing her virginity on a camping trip, the book is 'So far, so trailer trash."
George Stephanopoulos didn't hide his love of "Dirty Sexy Politics" when he interviewed McCain on Good Morning America, on August 31, 2010. The ABC anchor and former Democratic pundit began the interview by stating, "'Dirty Sexy Politics'… It is savvy. It is saucy… you're a fun writer." During the interview, ABC displayed graphics that read "Outspoken Blogger Tells All." He concluded the interview by stating "Meghan McCain, it is a terrific book. It's a fun book."
But Bristol didn't nearly receive the kind words that McCain did from the former Clinton campaign staffer. The Good Morning America piece on June 21, 2010 featured Stephanopoulos warning that Bristol Palin is "about to cause another big stir" with her book, which he describes as "real blow-by-blow account of her battles." He later described her as having "the most biting words in the book" for Levi Johnston.
While the book is about much more than Palin's drunken encounter with her baby's father Levi Johnston, The Chicago Tribune thought that portion of the book the only one worth mentioning.
With the headline "Wine Cooler fail," one can conclude the Tribune didn't take the book very seriously. "Call it an endorsement for Bartles and Jaymes?" began the snarky short section on the book. "In an upcoming new book, 'Not Afraid of Life: My Journey So Far,' Bristol Palin says she was drunk on wine coolers when she lost her virginity to Levi Johnston, eonline.com reports. She also calls her baby daddy a 'gnat.' Sounds like a sweet relationship."
But the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette didn't even get far enough into the book to notice the wine coolers. Ignoring the advice to "never judge a book by its cover," an editorial on June 23, 2011 by Russell Lemond titled "Good coffee wasted" read, "Did anyone besides me spew out their morning coffee across the table when they read that 20-year-old Bristol Palin is coming out with a book?"
Bristol'blasting,' Meghan 'opens up'
Apparently a Christian who writes a tell-all memoir defending her reputation will earn the scorn of the media. With the release of Palin's book, the media wagged their collective fingers at her for "blasting" others.
The Detroit Free Press' June 21, 2011 piece titled "Bristol book swats 'gnat' Levi" clues the reader in about the unflattering critique. B.J. Hammerstein began the piece highlighting Bristol's attack on Johnston, writing,"'Bristol Palin rips into Levi Johnston…", but assured readers that Johnston would have his own retort (being sure to mention his brief stint with Playgirl). "Don't worry, Johnston fans…The 21-year-old former Playgirl model's tell-all, 'Deer in the Headlights: My life in Sarah Palins Crosshairs,' is being readied for a fall release."
However the Reuter's piece (reprinted in The Chicago Tribune and Sun-Sentinel in Florida) was more subtle in its distaste for the new author by using negative adjectives to describe the way Bristol wrote about the McCains in her book. "Bristol Palin takes swipes at everyone from Sen. John McCain's family to the media and her ex-fiancé in her memoir," Reuters wrote. Bristol also 'pokes fun at his wife, Cindy' and "blamed Johnston… for taking advantage of her."
New York Post writer Cathy Burke continued the negative commentary writing that Palin "blasts" Levi in her new book for calling him a 'gnat' and "spills how, when she told him she was pregnant he said 'it better be a [bleeping] boy'," in a June 18th, 2011 story.
But Meghan McCain didn't nearly receive the type of scolding that Bristol endured. McCain received more positive words describing her writing, with newspaper reviews describing her as "opening up," and a writer who thoughtfully "recounts" the campaign in her book.
The Detroit News wire service ran a piece on September 1, 2010 that said "Meghan McCain opens up about campaign, Palins," and proceeded to feature a line that paints the Palins in an unfavorable light. "John McCain's daughter says in a new book… that Sarah Palin brought drama, stress and uncertainty to her father's failed bid for the presidency in 2008…"
The Washington Post's Stephen Lowman echoed similar claims about Palin's negativity in "Not Afraid of Life," calling it nothing more than "a vent for her fury."
'In the place of real insight, we frequently get catty asides,' Lowman scolded. 'Some of her ex's trash-talk expertise must have rubbed off on her, because she dishes it out with aplomb.' He then adds his own snarky and unnecessary advice by stating, "If a guy, say, Johnston, proposes by slipping a ring on your finger while you're watching TV and the first words out of his mouth are, 'It was expensive,' his heart is probably not in it."
Methodology
The Culture and Media Institute looked at the three major broadcast networks, ABC, CBS and NBC, and major newspapers in Nexis. CMI compiled stories that aired or were published the week preceding each book's release date.
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Comments
If you hold.....
Submitted by almostacowboy on Fri, 07/01/2011 - 10:37am.
Megan McCain up to your ear you can hear the ocean.
Clever!
Submitted by Red Jeep on Fri, 07/01/2011 - 11:14am.
Accurate mind picture.
show the semi nudes....
Submitted by dmacleo on Fri, 07/01/2011 - 4:13pm.
and you can hear the screams.
Everyone should buy Bristol's
Submitted by Van Halen on Fri, 07/01/2011 - 10:49am.
Everyone should buy Bristol's book just to piss off the Left.
Could we please stop
Submitted by Tugboat Phil on Fri, 07/01/2011 - 11:02am.
calling McCain ANY kind of Republican? She'd have to take a hard right just be in RINO country!
Lol!
Submitted by Djinn1975 on Fri, 07/01/2011 - 11:11am.
I was thinking the same thing! The statement, "By contrast, liberal Republican blogger Meghan McCain got much kinder treatment, during the release of her book, with network anchors praising her book as "terrific" and "fun." is profoundly more accurate when you remove the word 'Republican.'
The MSM loves to promote the likes of Meghan McCain . . .
Submitted by Galvanic on Fri, 07/01/2011 - 11:21am.
. . . and Ronald Reagan Jr. as ideal young Republicans, when the more fitting defintion would be 'child of a Republican.' In actuality, little Meghan and little Ron are persons born into great wealth of their parent(s)'s making, and striving to capitalize on the family name. IN this regard they are peers of Paris Hilton.
And the MSM is willing to oblige because it gets to poke at the lives (or legacies) of big name Republicans.
getting old
Submitted by Agnostic on Fri, 07/01/2011 - 11:19am.
Seriously, twenty year olds writing memoirs?
Good point
Submitted by Galvanic on Fri, 07/01/2011 - 11:23am.
I'm more worried about the people who pay $20-35 to read them, and of course the so-called adults who review them.
Galv,
Submitted by Agnostic on Fri, 07/01/2011 - 11:32am.
Exactly. Not that there aren't twenty year olds that could not have experiences worth writing about but they lack the perspective to place those experiences in context.
The people reviewing such books are obviously doing so for reasons other than literary reasons. Does anyone really expect that either McCain or Palin daughters have such a unique perspective in their early twenties they are going to have the ability to create a literary work worth critiquing. That is like a film critic reviewing one of the Olsen Twin 'Tween (Direct-to-DVD) Movies'
Oh, really?
Submitted by CobraMan on Fri, 07/01/2011 - 12:10pm.
"Not that there aren't twenty year olds that could not have experiences worth writing about but they lack the perspective to place those experiences in context."
Oh, really? So, people why are under a certain age don't have the ability be cognitive of their experiences and, therefor, don't have the proper "perspective" to place their own experiences in "context?" Tell me, is that your context, or theirs?
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
Really,
Submitted by Agnostic on Fri, 07/01/2011 - 12:48pm.
No one changes? Experience doesn't alter ones views and hopefully deepen ones personality?
This really bothers you? This is not a detraction from anyone under 20. Perspectives do change and experience changes the value of previous experience. I does not detract from what happened when you are young but the weight of current issues in your life is likely to change drastically when you are accustomed to carrying the weight and new issues become central to your life.
This is about literary expectations not the quality of life or content of character for someone under 20.
My context was at 20 the heavy issues in my life, the burdens and trials are now looked back on as some of the most enjoyable of my life. That doesn't change the fact that there were real problems and issues for which I had to develop solutions. Yes, I would have wrote a memoir if it would have made money and I could write well but I wouldn't have expected a critic to take it any more seriously than I would expect one to take this post.
So, what's your point?
Submitted by CobraMan on Fri, 07/01/2011 - 12:56pm.
Yes, people change, so what;s your point? That 20 somethings shouldn't relate their experiences because, gaps, those experiences will continually change? To me, that a perfect reason for documenting the early experiences, so that those experiences are preserved in writing.
As for "literary expectations," those "expectations" are as unique, as individual, as the person who has them. MY "literary expectations" are not the same as yours. So, please, save your "critique" of the "literary expectations" of a book until AFTER you read it. Otherwise, you're only being prejudgment. After all, you can't decide if any book will fulfill your "literary expectations" until you've actually read it, correct?
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
perhaps..
Submitted by dmacleo on Fri, 07/01/2011 - 4:15pm.
but how many years of media search and destroy missions would you put up with before placing pen to paper?
there is no one blanket time frame here, this situation she is in may have caused the writing.
Why not write a memoir?
Submitted by CobraMan on Fri, 07/01/2011 - 12:05pm.
Why shouldn't 20 year old people write memoirs? Don't they, too, have memories? Can't they, too, share their memories in a memoir? What age must you achieve before you're "eligible" to write a memoir?
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
Cobra,
Submitted by Agnostic on Fri, 07/01/2011 - 12:17pm.
I didn't mean to imply that they shouldn't write memoirs especially for evil capitalistic reason. But like I alluded to in a follow up post these memoirs should not be held to the literary or content level of Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant or Ice: A Memoir of Gangster Life and Redemption-from South Central to Hollywood. Like the 'Tween' and other direct to DVD movies made they usually don't garner the ire of critics because they are the not written to be any more than revelations. There isn't literary expectation by the readers, I hope, to have a profound insight upon reading their memoirs.
They can be interesting, they may even raise poignant questions but literary devices worthy of critical acclaim or condemnation is not really the expectation.
Literary or content levels? By who's judgement?
Submitted by CobraMan on Fri, 07/01/2011 - 12:25pm.
Just how are you supposed to judge the "literary or content levels" of anything if you don't read the material? You're making judgements based upon, well, nothing, other than your own bias, since you haven't even read ether book. It's VERY easy to be judgmental about the "literary or content level" of a book you've never read. It's just not wise.
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
very well Cobra,
Submitted by Agnostic on Fri, 07/01/2011 - 12:36pm.
If your expectations upon reading a book written by a twenty year old with no formal writing training is that you might find a literary gem then you are welcome to your optimism. Unfortunately, my expectations will not raise above being mildly entertained.
Perhaps I am too cynical by your standards but not bias on the subject matter. I actually think it is good they wrote their respective books. I think the book they may write in 10-15 years about their future perspective on their lives as portrayed in their current books would be an interesting read as well. Besides, as always, make the money while you can.
I am with you Agnostic
Submitted by Hoosier Conservative on Fri, 07/01/2011 - 12:44pm.
If either one of those girls even wrote it themselves without a ghost writer, they're not exactly Anne Frank. The true test of a good writer is simple: if her name was Bristol Jones instead of Bristol Palin, there's no way in heck that book would get published. Tells you all you need to know.
You haven't read them!
Submitted by CobraMan on Fri, 07/01/2011 - 1:09pm.
Your being very prejudgemental, Have you even READ the books? If not, then how do you even know if they will fulfill your "literary expectations" or not? You can't, that's impossible.
You're making all your judgements based upon a single critique, an author's AGE! How old was Samuel Clemens, a.k.a Mark Twain, when he started writing and had his sketches and articles printed in the Hannibal Journal? That's right, he was in 16! Humm, I guess young Twain wouldn't meet your "literary expectations," would he?
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
Mr. Cobra
Submitted by Hoosier Conservative on Fri, 07/01/2011 - 1:30pm.
Mark Twain was obsessed with writing at a young age. He started working at a printing press when he was 12. He didn't just go up to a publisher and say, "hey mother is famous, so I wrote a book." Every single person in politics writes a book whether they are talented or not. Mika Brzyzinski wrote a book. Nancy Pelosi wrote a book. I didn't bother reading those either, and it had nothing to with age.
How do you know if they're talented?
Submitted by CobraMan on Fri, 07/01/2011 - 1:40pm.
HOW do you know if someone is talented or not, unless you actually read their works? Many children of "famous" people have written books, past and present. What does that have to do with whether someone is talented or not? "Talent," after all, is in the eye of the beholder. One man's Trash is another man's Treasure, as they say.
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
wow
Submitted by Hoosier Conservative on Fri, 07/01/2011 - 1:47pm.
You are really reaching now.
There's a reason why school children read Mark Twain in the 21st century, while they've never heard of Edna Ferber. Publicity sells in the beginning, but talent lives on.
Maybe next you'll tell me I can't judge Justin Beiber without buying his album because his music might totally be as good as John Lennon.
Little Palins, McCains, Reagans, et al are free to write . . .
Submitted by Galvanic on Fri, 07/01/2011 - 2:29pm.
. . . all the books they want.
And people are free to read them if they so choose.
But for me, I'm not interested in what they have to say about themselves, the world, or the universe, for the same reason that I don't turn on my TV to find out what people named Snookie and The Situation have to say, or who's forming an alliance to vote someone off the island, or why Jennifer still wants or doesn't want Brad. To me, it's all pap.
And that's why I find these MSM reviews of these books ridiculous. The reviewers have a political bias and they are merely looking for snippets of gossip that verify their myths, and if they find them, the book is great; if they don't, the book is terrible. The reviewers are no more significant than the authors themselves.
Twain at 16
Submitted by Agnostic on Fri, 07/01/2011 - 2:51pm.
Would Twain meet my expectations at 16? Don't know what he wrote at 16 so I can't answer that. Let us presume it was a master piece that somehow got missed because of all of his other writings later in life: when I picked it up and read it then I would be pleasantly suprised as I've done a few times when reading highschool short stories. However, my expectations would have still been that of a novice writer with minimal experience to lend his books.
I've met a couple 16 year old genuises and while impressive in knowledge and far more intelligent than I could ever hope to become they still lacked the ability to relate their vast amount of information to the large scale of human emotion. This is in no way an insult to those exceptional people that either have that level of a gift of intelligence or those who work very hard to excel.
Or 35-year olds, for that matter.
Submitted by SickofLibs on Fri, 07/01/2011 - 1:08pm.
.
Exactly! Memoir of what?
Submitted by jerseydevel on Sat, 07/02/2011 - 12:28am.
Exactly! Memoir of what? Passing through the birth canal? Woo! Meghan... Here's the impression of lil' john...
"Like... Totally... Like, really??? ...like...."
So-cal ditz
Seriously...
Submitted by pepperoniprince on Fri, 07/01/2011 - 11:22am.
What life experiences have either of these two spoon fed dynasty offspring had that would enable them to write a book? Who are their readers? Water, water, everywhere, nor any drop to drink...
Dynasty? You've got to be kidding!
Submitted by CobraMan on Fri, 07/01/2011 - 12:00pm.
Just how is Bristol Palin, or Meghan McCain, for that matter, a product of a dynasty? One generation in politics does not make a dynasty.
As for their "life experiences," how many 20 year olds have had the experiences of ether Meghan or Bristol? Very few, I would say.
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
Meghan McCain is the scion of an Arizona beer . . .
Submitted by Galvanic on Fri, 07/01/2011 - 4:46pm.
distributing dynasty that her mommy inherited from her old man; at least three generations there. It's a bit of a stretch to call the Palins a dynasty at this point.
As for what these 20 year olds have to say, I would prefer to read the books of 20 year old OEF/OIF war veterans. They know a lot more about humanity and life than these two young ladies can even imagine at this point in their silver spoon lives. For those who really want to know what the young ladies think, have at it.
George Stephanopolous was
Submitted by ChicagoSteve on Fri, 07/01/2011 - 11:48am.
George Stephanopolous was dropped on his head by his mother when he was 20 years old!
So that is why he never grew!
Submitted by Red Jeep on Fri, 07/01/2011 - 12:06pm.
.
You know I disagree with Meghan McCain verhemently
Submitted by gmaniac1 on Fri, 07/01/2011 - 12:30pm.
on a bevy of issues but I hold no ill will against her in light of how liberals elate over her as "their" kind of republican.
Bristol Palin can be assured about one thing. She knows who are her friends and enemies.
Meghan unfortunately is a pawn like her dad and has no real identity whatsoever and that must be a sad state to be in.
Have we figured out yet what
Submitted by balboa on Fri, 07/01/2011 - 9:10pm.
Have we figured out yet what exactly Bristol meant when she said Levi stole her virginity?
Bal,
Submitted by Radical1979 on Fri, 07/01/2011 - 9:16pm.
yes, but if you haven't figured it out it's not something I'm going to explain.
I long for the days when people kept these facts private.
TMI Bristol.