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Sarah Palin's 'Loaded for Bear': Mama Grizzly roars again Sarah Palin's 'Loaded for Bear': Mama Grizzly roars again
(6 months later)
WhoWho
Sarah Palin's back! But did she ever really go away? The conservative firebrand has released a new fundraising ad for her SarahPAC organisation that is capitalising on her remarkable performance at the CPAC conservative conclave just a few weeks ago. That speech – in which she mixed rightwing red meat with boob jokes and Big Gulps – delighted her fanbase and served notice that Palin intends to have a political future.Sarah Palin's back! But did she ever really go away? The conservative firebrand has released a new fundraising ad for her SarahPAC organisation that is capitalising on her remarkable performance at the CPAC conservative conclave just a few weeks ago. That speech – in which she mixed rightwing red meat with boob jokes and Big Gulps – delighted her fanbase and served notice that Palin intends to have a political future.
This new ad is the next step on carving out that role. Liberals may scoff, pundits may shake their heads, but Palin herself clearly still wants some form of political life. Maybe that will be a run for an Alaskan senate seat in 2014, maybe it will be as a backroom powerbroker on the party's right wing. Whatever it is, Palin is plotting and scheming and – as the delighted crowd at CPAC showed – she can still pack a powerful punch.This new ad is the next step on carving out that role. Liberals may scoff, pundits may shake their heads, but Palin herself clearly still wants some form of political life. Maybe that will be a run for an Alaskan senate seat in 2014, maybe it will be as a backroom powerbroker on the party's right wing. Whatever it is, Palin is plotting and scheming and – as the delighted crowd at CPAC showed – she can still pack a powerful punch.
WhatWhat
It is a two-minute web ad called "Loaded for Bear". You did not read that wrong. That is its real name: a reference to Palin's self-declared status as a Mama Grizzly and avid huntress. (Though if you think about it too hard, the title means Palin is loading her gun to hunt down herself or, perhaps, preparing to shoot her own bear-kin. Perhaps, it is best not to over analyse Palin's thinking on this one. Just enjoy.)It is a two-minute web ad called "Loaded for Bear". You did not read that wrong. That is its real name: a reference to Palin's self-declared status as a Mama Grizzly and avid huntress. (Though if you think about it too hard, the title means Palin is loading her gun to hunt down herself or, perhaps, preparing to shoot her own bear-kin. Perhaps, it is best not to over analyse Palin's thinking on this one. Just enjoy.)
WhenWhen
It went up late Wednesday, complete with handy links to fundraising pages.It went up late Wednesday, complete with handy links to fundraising pages.
WhereWhere
It is an internet ad. Obviously, that is cheap and also intended to spread virally, as well as via the "earned media" of news stories. When you are Sarah Palin and your new ad is named "Loaded for Bear", success is virtually guaranteed. It already has 50,000 views on YouTube.It is an internet ad. Obviously, that is cheap and also intended to spread virally, as well as via the "earned media" of news stories. When you are Sarah Palin and your new ad is named "Loaded for Bear", success is virtually guaranteed. It already has 50,000 views on YouTube.
HowHow
But here is the shock. This ad is very good. Brilliant, even.But here is the shock. This ad is very good. Brilliant, even.
The entire ad is a mash-up of clips from Palin's speech at CPAC, a wide variety of commentators describing that speech as a huge hit and then a long list of Republican politicians paying tribute to her and thanking her for her help in getting them elected. It is well-edited and flawlessly executed, with the sort of gradually swelling soundtrack that the Obama camp used so well in 2008 and 2012. It is the sort of ad that makes viewers feel they are part of something bigger than themselves; a movement gathering behind an inspiring figure. There are few figures in American politics who can make their fans feel that way and Palin, it's clear, is still one.The entire ad is a mash-up of clips from Palin's speech at CPAC, a wide variety of commentators describing that speech as a huge hit and then a long list of Republican politicians paying tribute to her and thanking her for her help in getting them elected. It is well-edited and flawlessly executed, with the sort of gradually swelling soundtrack that the Obama camp used so well in 2008 and 2012. It is the sort of ad that makes viewers feel they are part of something bigger than themselves; a movement gathering behind an inspiring figure. There are few figures in American politics who can make their fans feel that way and Palin, it's clear, is still one.
The ad is fascinating on numerous levels. First is that its targets are not Democrats or the Obama camp. It is the Republican elite. At numerous times, the ad quotes Palin attacking her own party bosses:The ad is fascinating on numerous levels. First is that its targets are not Democrats or the Obama camp. It is the Republican elite. At numerous times, the ad quotes Palin attacking her own party bosses:
"They talk about rebranding the GOP instead of restoring the trust of the American people.""They talk about rebranding the GOP instead of restoring the trust of the American people."
Not surprisingly, there is no reference to the gag she made about her "rack" in the very same speech. She slams "focus groups" and "consultants" and makes a direct pitch to the conservative base – a group of people who have no desire to change the GOP after 2012's loss. It is heady stuff. For a woman who notoriously despises the "lamestream" media, she uses clips from journalists, including even the pinkos over at CNN and MSNBC, who all laud her pulling power with conservatives.Not surprisingly, there is no reference to the gag she made about her "rack" in the very same speech. She slams "focus groups" and "consultants" and makes a direct pitch to the conservative base – a group of people who have no desire to change the GOP after 2012's loss. It is heady stuff. For a woman who notoriously despises the "lamestream" media, she uses clips from journalists, including even the pinkos over at CNN and MSNBC, who all laud her pulling power with conservatives.
But the real key to this ad lies in what it says about Palin's ability to endorse other candidates.But the real key to this ad lies in what it says about Palin's ability to endorse other candidates.
Texas Senator Ted Cruz – who made a surprise introduction of Palin at CPAC – is filmed at length thanking her for her endorsement and saying how other up-and-coming stars like Kentucky Senator Rand Paul and South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley also owe her a huge debt. The ad then mentions the 2014 elections and how 35 Senate races and 36 governor spots are up for grabs.Texas Senator Ted Cruz – who made a surprise introduction of Palin at CPAC – is filmed at length thanking her for her endorsement and saying how other up-and-coming stars like Kentucky Senator Rand Paul and South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley also owe her a huge debt. The ad then mentions the 2014 elections and how 35 Senate races and 36 governor spots are up for grabs.
Thus, Palin's next step is hinted at: she wants money she can fling at 2014 candidates. That will give her power, as a parade of hopefuls beats a path to her Alaskan door, looking for blessing and a check. It is Palin, not as queen, but as a kingmaker.Thus, Palin's next step is hinted at: she wants money she can fling at 2014 candidates. That will give her power, as a parade of hopefuls beats a path to her Alaskan door, looking for blessing and a check. It is Palin, not as queen, but as a kingmaker.
The ad concludes with Palin saying:The ad concludes with Palin saying:
"The next election is 20 months away, the last thing we need is Washington DC vetting our candidates.""The next election is 20 months away, the last thing we need is Washington DC vetting our candidates."
What she means, of course, is that Sarah Palin needs to vet them, instead.What she means, of course, is that Sarah Palin needs to vet them, instead.
This is giddy stuff. But as with most things involving the former governor of Alaska, it can't help itself from going over the edge. Right at the end, as the message "We haven't yet begun to fight" flashes on the screen, a gigantic bear appears silhouetted against a night sky. It lets out a throaty roar.This is giddy stuff. But as with most things involving the former governor of Alaska, it can't help itself from going over the edge. Right at the end, as the message "We haven't yet begun to fight" flashes on the screen, a gigantic bear appears silhouetted against a night sky. It lets out a throaty roar.
Which is a shame (for conservatives) because it means that this otherwise genius ad has a disturbing final image that sticks in the mind: that of a crazed beast howling at the moon.Which is a shame (for conservatives) because it means that this otherwise genius ad has a disturbing final image that sticks in the mind: that of a crazed beast howling at the moon.
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