Newsweek deputy editor Julia Baird only arrived in America in 2007 from Australia, but she knows how to play a good corporate soldier. In the wake of Newsweek’s Sarah Palin cover fiasco, she wrote a column for the November 30 issue loyally dedicated to making excuses for her editor Jon Meacham’s bratty cover theatrics, like he was the editor of Spy magazine for a week. Palin’s complaints of sexism are lame, declared Baird:
And now Palin thinks she has been Palinized by NEWSWEEK, for last week’s cover image of her looking fit and posing in running shorts, even though she has been photographed and filmed more than once in aerobic gear (most recently on Oprah just a few days ago.)
Baird knows that Barack Obama has been photographed topless in a swimming suit, too, and that didn’t make the cover of Newsweek. (A few pages before Baird’s column in the November 30 issue is a photograph of Obama topless in the surf, illustrating the Palin quote that her Newsweek cover was "sexist and a wee bit degrading.")
Perhaps Baird should consider how she would feel if her columns were illustrated regularly by pictures of her in say, a sparkly gown she was "photographed and filmed in more than once." She’d call it an attempt to degrade her seriousness. Ahem.
Baird, the author of a feminist book on how the Australian media manhandled female politicians called "Media Tarts," wanted to declare that sexism in politics is a serious, bipartisan affliction. But then she insisted that Palin was a dangerous lightweight: "she has made a stunning number of errors, and her claim to celebrity outshines her claim to authority. She has not proved her ability to run a campaign or a country, and she quit her job as governor of Alaska before her time was up, with a lame excuse about being a lame duck."
Palin’s book is "light on ideas" and "self-serving" (as if Hillary Clinton’s memoir wasn’t):
When Palin writes tenderly about her family and her love for Alaska, she seems sincere. The rest of her new book is self-serving, preoccupied with revenge, light on ideas, and full of contradictions. President Obama may tell us "the American system is broken," she writes, but what about Facebook, "which sprang up out of nowhere"? She glosses over the reasons for our economic collapse, just cheering that even though she disagrees with all bailouts, we can get through it.
She simply advocates cutting taxes and controlling federal spending, "and then [that we] step aside and watch this economy roar back to life." Right, then. As for Afghanistan and Iraq, she says we should just "complete our missions in these countries." Good-o. Once we stop being distracted by fluffy Palin stories and start concentrating on what she says, you realize why we are so easily distracted.
"Good-o"? Is that Australian slang, or just odd? That last sentence was the pull quote for the column: Palin’s "fluffy."
Baird really goes after Palin for complaining about the Katie Couric interview, organized by Nicolle Wallace, who had worked for CBS after leaving the Bush White House:
Palin also does not shy from "Palinizing" other women, notably Katie Couric, whom she calls "The Perky One" and "the lowest-rated news anchor in network television." While she writes that her "blond, pretty" McCain campaign adviser, Nicolle Wallace, possesses charm she thinks some other women in politics lack, she blasts Wallace for leading her to believe that her gaffe-laden interview with Couric was going to be a homey chat between women. It is offensive to assume that someone seeking serious political power should not be asked hard questions or critically scrutinized — that it's OK to think an interview with a serious journalist like Couric would simply be a girly chat between working moms. This is embarrassing for women. And working moms.
Baird, the scourge of sexism, makes no attempt to figure out whether or why Couric would badger Palin with nasty questions designed to make her look like a lightweight "media tart," like asking what she read, while she went easy and fluffy with Joe Biden. (CBS's own summation of that alleged newsmaker interview: "He's the close-talking, free-wheeling, ice-cream-loving Democratic nominee for vice president.")
Baird concluded: "I admire Palin's pluck and steel. She has some legitimate grievances about the way she has been treated. (But apparently not by Newsweek.) But unless she articulates a coherent vision for America, the most staggering incidence of sexism in this fiasco will be the fact that someone chronically underqualified and unprepared was chosen to run as McCain's VP ahead of the throngs of women who could nail that job."
—Tim Graham is Director of Media Analysis at the Media Research Center.
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Baird is.....
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 09:04 ET by pantryman...just another blorch who has been trained to growl on command, and surely this sheila speaks for all of America.
Remember in November 2010
give us a break will ya??
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 12:04 ET by Patriot IIHow many of these jealous bimbos do we have to listen to?
Funny Without Trying
Sun, 11/29/2009 - 17:04 ET by countmein5050that it's OK to think an interview with a serious journalist like Couric would simply be a girly chat between working moms. That was the funniest line in the whole article. The same Katie who flies over the crowd in a Peter Pan suit...the same Katie who dances on cue...seriously...now that's funny.
Couric is still a sinking ship...until the name Palin pulls her back to the surface. There is nothing 'serious' about Couric except her lack of objectivity when it comes to conservatives in this country. She's a lightweight and she knows it. Without Palin she has NOTHING.
Of Course!
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 09:22 ET by GeneralAlBaird concluded: "I admire Palin's pluck and steel. She has some legitimate grievances about the way she has been treated. (But apparently not by Newsweek.) But unless she articulates a coherent vision for America, the most staggering incidence of sexism in this fiasco will be the fact that someone chronically underqualified and unprepared was chosen to run as McCain's VP ahead of the throngs of women who could nail that job."
In the meantime, we have an inexperienced, undocumented, America bashing, above my pay grade, change we can believe in, President! Need I say more?
Bimbo Baird thought "Hope and Change" was a coherent vision?
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 12:12 ET by allanfI guess this bimbo thought "hope and change" was a coherent vision for American. Far from being a feminist, she votes and babbles as directed by the left wing cognescenti.
What a shameless bimbo.
Need I say more?
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 16:22 ET by needleYes, you and I and all of us need to say a lot more! Especially as long as Newsweek is functioning in any fashion.
First of all we certainly do not need to bring in foreigners to sh#t on our political candidates, at least not those who are certifiable American citizens! Leave it to Newsweek to hire this creep.
More than once I have wondered how many ardent terrorist sympathizers work for Newsweek. I imagine that will always be an open question.
- Relying upon the Newsweek for your information is like relying upon an embezzler for your portfolio management.
- I didn't leave the Republican Party; the Republican Party left me.
Madoff's in the News
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 19:41 ET by allanfOne would come away with a very incomplete picture of the world if your only source of information was Newsweek. Have nay of these publications picked up on Climategate?
She simply advocates cutting
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 09:30 ET by rimskyShe simply advocates cutting taxes and controlling federal spending, "and then [that we] step aside and watch this economy roar back to life."
Baird has no clue just how spot on this simple strategy is and how effective it would be. I guess in her mind if there isn't a 2,000 page piece of legislation involved it must be just a simpleton's notion. Pure socialistic elitism.
rimsky, that line caught my
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 09:47 ET by motherbeltrimsky, that line caught my eye too!
In the liberal mind, the economy can't come back to life unless government revitalizes it! And that doesn't mean adjusting the atmosphere to make it better, it means "hands on" tinkering and regulating.
And she complains that Palin says we should complete our missions.
It can't just be that simple, can it? Which is why she claims that Palin's ideas are stupid and she covers it up with "fluff."
However, she has a point about Couric. Palin should quit whining about Katie. She was supposed to be a big girl, she knew Katie wanted to "make her bones" as a serious journalist interviewer. She let Couric make a fool of her and it's her own fault.
Mother, I agree with you on
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 09:54 ET by rimskyMother, I agree with you on the Couric issue. God help me I loathe people like "the perky one" but Palin should leave that kind of bashing up to us. She needs to rise above that and just keep delivering the message of less taxes and government and finishing the war on terror.
Concerning Katie Couric
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 16:53 ET by needleWhen Oprah, or Barbara Walters or whoever asks Palin in an interview about the Katie Couric issue, just about anything Palin says will be grist for some kind or criticism or other, but she cannot easily not say anything. However, I thought Palin commented on the Katie Couric rather effectively in her book (pp 206-7).
We can bash Katie Couric ‘til the cows come home; but personally what will really do the trick is for Palin to be elected as President, and then show, by applying the administrative and executive skills she demonstrated in Alaska, what a complete doofus the Big Zero is.
- Relying on Katie Couric for your information is like relying upon an embezzler for your portfolio management.
- I didn't leave the Republican Party; the Republican Party left me.
OUCH
Sun, 11/29/2009 - 17:10 ET by countmein5050I'm a total Palin supporter but I hate the idea of her taking on another run for the White House. It won't happen. What she does best is what she is doing....speaking out...speaking up...and spewing the truth. Liberals are aching for her to run...and with the liberal media being the only media that will be touted...she'll be crucified. However...whom ever she backs will shoot to the top. She is a thorn in the MSM's side....they lose their minds...they get tongue tied. She is a great diversion for those on the right who actually know what they're talking about. Palin needs to support...not run.
And can we send all the
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 21:23 ET by Willis_Leon_JohnsonAnd can we send all the illegal aliens home and take the pressure off the healthcare system?
And take the majority of criminals off OUR streets?
And get rid of the most dangerous drivers on our highways?
And make more affordable housing available to the lower income working AMERICANS?
And cut the expense of feeding and clothing them in addition to their healthcare? THAT would lower government spending.
How come the media never mentions the costs associated with uncontrolled borders?
Obama, the first "alleged" president
http://gjresult.com
cutting taxes and controlling federal spending
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 10:00 ET by CarlosSYes, as opposed to:
Tax and Spend - FDR, turned a recession into a 10 year long depression
Cut taxes and Control spending - JFK, reveresed the recession into a recovery
Tax and Spend - Jimminy Carter, gave us the GREAT MALAISE
Cut taxes and Control spending - Reagan, the malaise roared to recovery
Isn't history great!
Obligatory Reagan quote:
Sun, 11/29/2009 - 03:38 ET by Tom1969caAs Ronaldus Magnus once said...
"There are no easy solutions, but there are simple solutions."
=====
"Liberals claim to want to give a hearing to other views, but then are shocked and offended to discover that there are other views."
-- William F. Buckley
As I have mentioned before
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 09:36 ET by legacyrepublicanAs I have mentioned before, change the headline to "Is she running?" then it makes sense. Its so obvious. No one would have complained.
But, use of the photo with a headline about her being a problem for the GOP is not only an attack against her, it was to make the photo become an icon to demean her visually. Once you see it before you read the headline, you knew it was striking and would not be forgotten. Then, since they knew it would be a visual memory for everyone, they could place a negative thought with that image.
Further, just the headline alone is awful. They used the Song of Music's tempo ( How do you solve a problem like Maria / Sarah) to make Sarah look like a fool.
All in all, the Newsweek photo from the get go was and is a hatchet job!
They know it and are proud of it -- the jerks!
Little Jon claims 'gender-neutral' judgment
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 09:43 ET by Tim GrahamStill funny. Editor Jon Meacham responds in an email to POLITICO:
And that was the image that
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 09:53 ET by motherbeltAnd that was the image that they best thought illustrated the theme that Sarah Palin is a problem for the GOP.
Well, when you look at it that way, and that was their intention, it makes sense. It wouldn't have made her look like a problem if she seemed professional and capable. It was necessary to make her look like a lightweight to portray their "theme."
So actually, it fit. It suited their intention. And in their minds, their intention was perfectly acceptable.
BINGO, MB! __________
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 10:00 ET by ThisnThatBINGO, MB!
__________
"mmm, mmm, mm. Barrack-Hussain-Øbama↓." - The liberals coolaid drinking song
Not so fast
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 11:02 ET by legacyrepublicanNot so fast MotherBelt. I can see where you are going, but the photo still doesn't fit.
Newsweek had lots of choices for photos that need to be considered too.
Their intention was to show her as a problem for the GOP. Right?
Then the best photo for that is her in front of a crowd. Neither a photo of her posed in a running outfit or even in a professional outfit making her look serious and professional explains why Palin is a problem for the GOP.
The crowds are at the core of why she is a problem for the GOP. The crowds come out for her, not for them. The crowds feel a kinship with her, they don't with the leadership of the GOP. The crowds trust her, not the leadership of the GOP.
Newsweek failed to demostrate or show the disconnect between the GOP leadership and Palin with their photo choice.
So if Newsweeks intention was to show why Sarah Palin is a problem for the GOP, then why not use a photo were she has become a thorn in the side of the GOP -- at a rally where she is speaking?
There are plenty of those rally photos of her and only a few of her in a running outfit like the one they used.
I won't cut them any slack at all on this one.
The only context that this photo works is if the headline is about her running or not.
Otherwise, the use of the photo was and is a hatchet job used to demean and marginalize Sarah Palin.
You completely misunderstood my comment.
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 14:13 ET by motherbeltOtherwise, the use of the photo was and is a hatchet job used to demean and marginalize Sarah Palin.
Isn't that what I said?
They made the point they were trying to make: their "theme." If you had considered my comment in light of Tim Graham's. to which I was replying, you would have seen that.
I give Julia the Bird
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 09:57 ET by Jack BauerI forced myself to wade through Baird's turgid, and remarkably shallow twitterings.
A few points leap out:
1. I don't believe for one second she has read Palin's autobiography/memoire; though she has picked up all the leftard talking lies.
2. She is deliberately obtuse throughout on every issue. Palin HAS laid out a foundation of commonsense conservatism, on many occassions. The fact that Baird, el al simply refuse to acknowledge it, does not make it... not so.
3. Baird knows VERY WELL of the difference between a male politician deliberately wanting to show off, what may be perceived as "manliness," by exposing his fit body in a physical activity; and that of a female politician being diminished by a photograph which focuses on her fit body in a context where she is being serious about politics. Again, Baird just refuses POINT BLANK to admit that.
And these media whores wonder why they will soon be without a publication to peddle their opinions masquerading as facts.
"The fact that Baird, el al
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 10:29 ET by Jerry"The fact that Baird, el al simply refuse to acknowledge it, does not make it... not so"
JB, she has Journalistic consensus, and everyone knows that consensus trumps fact. The debate is over. It has been peer reviewed and peer regurgitated, relegating you to a "denier" status.
When asked if he went to war with Iraq to derail the impeachment vote: “I don’t think any serious person would believe that any President would do such a thing." - President Clinton (Dec 1998).
ha ha Jerry! I embrace my
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 13:37 ET by Jack Bauerha ha Jerry!
I embrace my inner deniability.
Palin quit her job as
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 09:56 ET by ThisnThatPalin quit her job as governor of Alaska before her time was up.
I guess anyone who does that is toast, and should be treated equally across the political spectrum? Like Obama, for example? How about Hillary Clinton? And Arlen Spector changed political parties while serving.
I kept waiting for Baird to show some consitancy here. But then I remembered -- liberals don't show consistancy. They only follow the mindless template laid in front of them by their elitist masters.
Also, I want to see Baird's list of "the throngs of women who could nail that job".
__________
"mmm, mmm, mm. Barrack-Hussain-Øbama↓." - The liberals coolaid drinking song
No one's talking
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 10:33 ET by pbthinkerSarah Palin quitting as governor of Alaska was brilliant and will be perceived as such if her Lt. Governor wins election outright as the Governor next time around.
I would have bet that, had Sarah stuck around, the Democrats would have played the culture of corruption game with backup from the LSM, and a Democrat would have been elected governor. Now, there's a strong possibility that won't happen because they can't pull the same stuff with the new guy.
As much as she's been perceived as a quitter, I look at this long term and believe she outsmarted the Democrats in Alaska, as long as the new governor doesn't screw up. They really need to put SOME restrictions on that Alaska law to stop what happened to her, from happening again. Lawsuits alledging misconduct in office are one thing, what was done to her is something else altogether. Perhaps it will happen if someone decides to go after a prominent Democrat in Alaska.
Election 2008-God's way of showing us that elections count.
Obama didn't quit, he just
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 10:33 ET by JerryObama didn't quit, he just quit working. That way he continued to draw a paycheck, courtesy of our wallets.
When asked if he went to war with Iraq to derail the impeachment vote: “I don’t think any serious person would believe that any President would do such a thing." - President Clinton (Dec 1998).
Hopefully
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 10:14 ET by PokerAndCigarsthe cumulative effect of all this liberal nonsense will result in a liberal massacre in the midterms, and certainly in the presidential election of 2012.
Who is our new Reagan to get us out of this nightmare?
well this goes to prove
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 10:15 ET by lunaticcringeradiothe feminist movement is not about wymyn, but about progressive politics. if you are a particular group, sexual orientation, sex, race, economic class, or religious bomb vest wearing group, it's never about the fake ties that progressives say are used to bind that group, it's all rooted in progressivism. you are expected to be a progressive because you in a pre judged expectation(almost like prejudisim except progressives aren't prejudiced because they are progressive) fit a certain demographic. if the feminist movement were about forwarding women on equal plane with men then it wouldn't matter which political affiliation a woman takes. nope it's only about forwarding the progressive agenda using wymyn like whores along the way.
would this editor run a photo of a prominent progressive wymyn on their cover in tight lil short shorts in an effort to cast doubt and taint public opinion on her effectiveness to do their jobs based simply on looks. would she do it to hillary clinton, the wise latina, or maybe helen thomas. oh no that would be sexist, and quite possibly felonious.
lunaticcringeradio
Substance vs Perception
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 10:19 ET by Kingfish17I agree with most of Sarah Palin's positions.
But if you plan on a high level political career you don't take a picture in short-shorts unless you expect it to get published anywhere and everywhere. I don't think Palin's stupid. I don't think she's surprised at all that some socialist magazine or website used the picture in a demeaning way.
that pic was taken for a particular instance and then reused
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 10:26 ET by lunaticcringeradiothat photo was taken for a running magazine that she interviewed for, in that context it was appropriate, but then newsweek hijacked that pic and used it to try and portray her as less than capable by a bias progressive news media with opposing political agendas. that's the point behind this story.
lunaticcringeradio
So very true.
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 10:32 ET by Kingfish17I don't know if you are agreeing or disagreeing with my point, though.
And don't get me wrong. I like the picture. I'll watch more of her speaches if she wears those hot pants more often.
my point was not to disagree exactly
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 10:41 ET by lunaticcringeradioshe should be able to take a pic like if the media were unbias, but the media isn't. they took a legitimate picture out of context and published it for the same reasons that during
the campaign so many progressives photoshopped pics of her in bikinis
and a cocktail dress, it was another attempt for the media to express
their bias to the masses in manner to most eeeediots who don't
understand politics. those eeeediots being the biggest untapped source
that progressives need to be elected and whose opinions are swayed by
the photoshopped bikini pic or the 5 second sound bite of
conservatives hate you and progressives care about you and want to give
you free health care.
lunaticcringeradio
lunaticcringeradio
Sex Appeal as a Politician
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 10:54 ET by Kingfish17Photoshoped images are, of course, totally out of line no matter who the candidate.
Sarah Palin introduces a new dynamic to the presidential campaigns, and that's one of sexuality appealing to male voters, (on a hetero level). Let's be honest: Some women voters, (falling between 1-100%), always factor in "good looks" when they vote for their candidate. I remember my 80+ year old Aunt telling me she voted for Bill Clinton because he was "...such a handsome man". So how does the first "hot" legitimate female candidate for president change this dynamic? I think the press is afraid of that.
How can they be soooooo wrong?
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 10:25 ET by pbthinkerIt should be obvious, to the most casual observer, the LSM and Newsweak, have been unfair to Sarah Palin. If you want a woman to appear unserious, take a picture of her in running shorts. I'll bet Newsweak wouldn't put that picture up if Sarah Palin wrote a book on fitness and health. The would have searched unceasingly for a picture of her right after the birth of Trig with a little of that Post Partum baby fat on. It's amazing how the LSM sends people out to defend them.
We're at day 9 after the release of the climategate e-mails and still no major articles from the LSM. Those of us watching this understand what's going on and how much harm they're doing with themselves. I hope that Newsweak and the NY Times doesn't believe that can send out the Ombudsman to say, "my bad" and have people actually believe they're a news organization.
Election 2008-God's way of showing us that elections count.
When I woke up today and saw my copy of "Going Rogue"
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 10:26 ET by ekslibthe thought crossed my mind that Michelle Obama should be put on a book cover with the words
Michelle Obama - Going Vogue.
Michelle has such gravitas. I'll bet, if she ran for president, no interviewer would dare ask her if she thinks she is smart enough to be president. I've never heard anyone but Gov Palin asked that question.
My husband thinks the Newsweek cover will backfire
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 10:55 ET by ekslibPalin looks wholesome and very attractive.
Baird Is A Hypocrite....
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 12:06 ET by DaMama....along with 99.9% of all feminists. These females have been clamoring for a woman who was successful in both career and family to be their champion for decades. Sarah Palin comes to the forefront and the feminsts implode. What do they do? Here is a woman who has been mayor, governor, now tapped to be the Vice President running mate, but GOD FORBID she's a conservative!
Feminists can't support a conservative who is pro-life, pro-traditional values and, *gasp* a Christian. So if a woman fits the criteria of "successful", but is conservative, well she just doesn't count. A truly successful woman must be a liberal.
Baird and her ilk are such frauds. They say one thing but practice another. Sarah Palin is someone that women everywhere can aspire to be and to respect. But according to the MSM, she's not anyone we should take seriously.
Hypocrites!
Sexism In Newsweek, Sexism in NB
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 12:32 ET by TenebrousThat Newsweek and their dissemblers practice sexism as a way of keeping Palin in her place (that is, out of politics) is no surprise. What is more of a surprise is the way that NB-ers try to keep Palin in her place by denying her the ability to go after the people that set her up. If I was in her shoes, I'd be flippin' angry about that, too. I was sold a lie and then stabbed in the back. That the rest of you can't -- or won't -- acknowledge that this is what happened, reveals the sexism that you have. Yes, Palin should shut up about Katie, because that's "our" job (our = what, manly, masculine men being all brave on the interwebs)? Come off it, guys.
-----
www.Random-jumbled-thoughts.blogspot.com
Opinions need to be backed
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 12:35 ET by ThisnThatOpinions need to be backed up by facts and references here on NB. Your opinionated ramblings simply aren't sufficient.
__________
"mmm, mmm, mm. Barrack-Hussain-Øbama↓." - The liberals coolaid drinking song
Newsweek cover
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 13:25 ET by Cool ArrowI'm ready for a cover featuring Pimp Daddy Obama surrounded by his bevy of scantily clad underage El Salvadoran sex slaves.
Again the corruption of this Administration stinks to high heaven.
This President shares the mind of Whoopi Goldberg. "It wasn't 'rape' rape"
Psalm 109:8
While I still believe that
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 13:38 ET by Willis_Leon_JohnsonWhile I still believe that Australia is one of our strongest allies in this world, I feel somewhat disappointed that they exported their lowest common denominator to us.
Obama, the first "alleged" president
http://gjresult.com
In all fairness WLJ..... just look at her....
Sun, 11/29/2009 - 06:22 ET by pahuberCan you blame them?
Our gain...
Sun, 11/29/2009 - 07:08 ET by Brizzyfolkyour loss. Bad luck but you are welcome to her!
Maybe if you do a quick whip around with a hat you might raise enough money to buy her a ticket outa there! That's how we got rid of her. I hear Dubai is lovely this time of year...
the twitterings of the Baird brained
Sun, 11/29/2009 - 07:24 ET by Jack BauerActually Baird brained, sounds more like a typical femipissed... mainly that a conservative woman is so successful in the home and at work.
I'd like to trun those pics
Sun, 11/29/2009 - 13:20 ET by jkwtradingI'd like to trun those pics around and present a differnt view of this situation.
Suppose Newsweek ran pics of Hillary Clinton in the same attire.. we'd all be so grossed out and sick to our stomachs by now. Or worse yet pics of Helen Thomas in cheesy shorts...god we'd all commint suicide.. we can be thankful those pics were Palin..lol..