Reply #2: Multiplier effects in blowback against Palin's favorability

[krkaufman]

In reference to Rachel's discussion w/ Bob Herbert on Wednesday night's show, Bob suggested that using Palin as "the attack dog" may have contributed to her high unfavorability ratings. This is likely true, though Palin's lack of preparedness (and qualifications) is also a factor.

The problem with using Palin as the attack dog is that she was the least known of the four candidates now in the race, so she didn't really have any foundation of credibility with the public, any standing, from which to make such an assault on Obama, whom much of the public has been getting to know for the last 2 years. Palin's negative, personal attacks against Obama may not have been successful this year, regardless, but her lack of standing became a multiplier in the blowback against her.

Similarly, Palin's lack of preparedness, lack of substantial qualifications, really, also acted as a multiplier against both Palin and the McCain ticket when the economic crisis emerged. The new, sassy candidate from up North might be a refreshing twist to enliven the campaign, but her shallowness, exposed in a series of TV interviews, became politically cancerous in the context of the economic crisis.