NEWSWEEK like most print journalism is in a real struggle right now for better circulation. Magazines and newspapers are dropping like flies in this recession. So what does NEWSWEEK do to grab a little attention? Why, it rips off the hip formula of ROLLING STONE and uses an offbeat, but memorable photo of Sarah Palin to grab readers attention and sell some magazines.
The Sarah Palin cover is all the talk right now. If NEWSWEEK ever wanted to get noticed, then it more than succeeded in that goal. Just the cover photo, and not even the writing or opt ed opinion pieces are dominating public discussion right now. If anything, the marketing wizards at NEWSWEEK sought to do something daring to be noticed at the newsstands. And they are indeed being noticed.
But beyond the offbeat cover, NEWSWEEK is far different magazine inside than it once was. It is amazing just how many pages of opt ed opinion pieces you have to page through just to find the main cover story. NEWSWEEK appears to be wanting to be more hip and cool, like a news version of ROLLING STONE, and potentially attract some younger readers by looking cool and trendy. I'm not sure if that hip face-lift will work or not. But still the magazine is a far different NEWSWEEK than I once knew.
The long Sarah Palin piece did have some important thoughts in it. One of the most vital was the comparison with Barry Goldwater. Is Sarah Palin a populist cult following type of candidate who is so unelectable that she only promises to ruin the Republican Party in the 2012 election if she wins the GOP nomination? Yet, I seriously doubt that even GOP voters would nominate such a silly candidate as Palin. There are far more serious and capable candidates than this one who didn't even serve out one entire term as governor of Alaska before quitting for some sort of screwy and convoluted set of reasons that I still haven't quite figured out. But the cover of NEWSWEEK is also right in pointing out that Sarah Palin is a real problem for the Republican Party. She does little to restore faith or respect for that party with her constant sideshow. And the more public and outrageous she is, the worst it is for the Republican brand image. For what few GOP voters she attracts, she no doubt turns off 2 or more serious voters far more likely to vote. That's hardly a fair trade-off.
Even die-hard supporters of President Obama, like Oprah Winfrey realize how really harmless Sarah Palin is to their president. Oprah did no harm to the president at all by showcasing Sarah Palin on Monday's show. Palin is a kook and goofball foremost, and lastly a serious political figure. In fact, the more public exposure of Palin, the more she becomes seen as the leader of the Republican Party, which helps President Obama and the Democrats, and only worsens Republican odds of a comeback in 2010 and 2012.
But both Oprah and NEWSWEEK recognize that Palin has enough supporters that she draws attention and ratings or sells magazines. Her book signing yesterday in Michigan had huge lines waiting to buy a copy or to meet the candidate. And Palin is toying with the notion of hosting a talk show( you only have to wonder how long that will last before she quits that gig). Why this outrageous know-nothing is this popular defies real explanation. She has a poor grasp of economics, history, and even politics. Quiting the role as governor of Alaska was hardly a confidence building career move.
But NEWSWEEK did better itself by hitching itself onto Sarah's star this week. For no good reason at all, Palin draws lots attention. And NEWSWEEK could sure use the boost in sales.
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Comments (9)
Paul, again, I implore you ... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Clancy | November 19, 2009 2:43 PM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Paul, again, I implore you to stick to the pop stuff - Wizbang Blue highlighted your corrupted political views, and we all know how well that worked out. These continuous displays of your twisted-illogical thinking are hurting this site.
1. Posted by Clancy | November 19, 2009 2:43 PM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on November 19, 2009 14:43
2. Posted by Paul Hooson | November 19, 2009 3:28 PM | Score: -2 (2 votes cast)
Hello Clancy. You know that's there's always going to be some overlap between entertainment, culture, business and political figures. Palin might even compete with Oprah with her own talk show. That's news. And the Palins are always major tabloid news because women especially like to read about her family.
This isn't Wizbang Blue, nor will it ever be Wizbang Blue. Every story has some culture or entertainment, book, movie, TV, Cd, DVD element, etc., in it here. I'm an entertainment writer here. But that doesn't mean that I won't be controversial, without opinions or without edge here. Some folks don't like my "Holy Crap!" features with aging stars. Some didn't like my John Fogerty record review. I can't please everyone. Sorry. ---But I made you read Wizbang Pop, right?
2. Posted by Paul Hooson | November 19, 2009 3:28 PM |
Score: -2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on November 19, 2009 15:28
3. Posted by J.R. | November 19, 2009 3:36 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Why, it rips off the hip formula of ROLLING STONE and uses an offbeat, but memorable photo
Memorable?? To whom, the millions upon millions of Runners World readers? And "hip formula"? Please, spare us your ignorant, biased justification for this cover photo.
Why this outrageous know-nothing is this popular defies real explanation.
This is coming from a "man" who has posted about her 3 times on an obscure pop culture website in the last week. Try all you want to dismiss and demean her Paul, but this "know-nothing" has more intelligence and appeal than you could possibly imagine.
How were you able to reconcile the contradictions inherent in this post while you were writing it? Please, stick to CDs, Hollywood, and scooters, at least you can articulate your thoughts on those subjects.
3. Posted by J.R. | November 19, 2009 3:36 PM |
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on November 19, 2009 15:36
4. Posted by Steve | November 19, 2009 5:05 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Paul, I have to disagree with those who tell you to stick to writing about pop stuff. I actually think you should give up the writing altogether. I teach high school sophomore English and your writing always makes me want to whip out the red ink pen!
4. Posted by Steve | November 19, 2009 5:05 PM |
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on November 19, 2009 17:05
5. Posted by Rich Fader | November 20, 2009 10:03 AM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Several observations:
1. If the idea was for Newsweek to be hip...FAIL. They're too hip to be a serious news magazine and too unhip to be Rolling Stone.
2. The Stone usually shoots its own cover photos (as Newsweek until recently anyway did), instead of "borrowing" them from another magazine.
3. I look forward to 2012. I look forward to the governor being the nominee (please, God). I look forward to President Obama, or whoever the Democrats select to replace him after he's encouraged to step down, campaigning against her primarily on the basis of how stupid and quirky she is. And I look forward to her standing on the stage on election night, saying "My friends and fellow Americans, I just received a call from the president..."
5. Posted by Rich Fader | November 20, 2009 10:03 AM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on November 20, 2009 10:03
6. Posted by Paul Hooson | November 20, 2009 2:57 PM | Score: -2 (2 votes cast)
Rich, it's fine with me if you like Sarah. However, the latest polls have her running the weakest of any potential GOP nominee behind Obama, losing by eight points. But 2012 is a long ways off.
6. Posted by Paul Hooson | November 20, 2009 2:57 PM |
Score: -2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on November 20, 2009 14:57
7. Posted by Marc | November 20, 2009 4:15 PM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
hooson "Why this outrageous know-nothing is this popular defies real explanation."
Ah huh, how does that statement reconcile with this one?
"Every story has some culture or entertainment, book, movie, TV, Cd, DVD element, etc., in it here. I'm an entertainment writer here."
They don't. Not in any way.
In short, you're a hateful little twit.
7. Posted by Marc | November 20, 2009 4:15 PM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on November 20, 2009 16:15
8. Posted by Greg | November 20, 2009 5:34 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Dang Hooson.
You did make me read Wiz-Pop (second time you ever convinced me to do anything). You really are the "know-nothing" around Kevin's site. I hope Kevin actually makes expenses with you running Pop. He has to need you somehow. Put the beautiful Markie Post back up and I may return.
8. Posted by Greg | November 20, 2009 5:34 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on November 20, 2009 17:34
9. Posted by Madalyn | November 23, 2009 11:46 AM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Paul - you missed the boat. You all spew hatred for Sarah, but can give no reason for it. Is it because she is smarter than you? Is it because she grabs headlines and you don't? Is it because she has morals and you don't? Is it because she is very unpretentious and you aren't? Better give up the lap dog crap and get in the real world. She is a force to be reckoned with. By the way, she quit the office of Governor because of people like you filing false ethics charges against her, and it was costing the state of Alaska millions of dollars to investigate (which they are required to do), and even tho it was determined she did nothing wrong, you people still can't get over it. Also, didn't BHO quit his office after a short period of time to SPEND TAX MONEY INSTEAD OF SAVING IT? HUH, HUH, HUH? You are a hypocrite and if there is one thing this country does not need is another spineless, brainless hypocrite.
Madalyn
9. Posted by Madalyn | November 23, 2009 11:46 AM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on November 23, 2009 11:46