Image source: Gage Skidmore, via Wikimedia Commons.
What was the Accusation?
In October 2008, Republican vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin faced criticism after comments at campaign events appeared to suggest that small towns or certain regions represented the “real America” or “pro-America” parts of the country. The remarks came during the final weeks of the 2008 presidential campaign, when questions about patriotism, elitism, and national identity were already politically charged. Critics argued that Palin’s language divided Americans into more and less authentic citizens, implying that urban voters, Democrats, or people outside her preferred political audience were somehow less American. The comments drew national media attention and became part of a broader debate about populist rhetoric in the McCain-Palin campaign.
Key Apologia Strategies:
Denial, Mortification
Video
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Transcript
CNN Interview:
CNN: You’ve talked about America and certain parts of America that are maybe more American than other parts of America. Are there?
Sarah Palin: I don’t want that misunderstood. No, I do not want that misunderstood. When I go to these rallies and we see the patriotism just shining through these people’s faces and the Vietnam veterans wearing their hats so proudly and they have tears in their eyes as we sing our national anthem, it is so inspiring. And I say that this is true America. You get it. You understand how important it is that in the next four years we have a leader who will fight for you. I certainly don’t want that interpreted as one area being more patriotic or more American than another. If that’s the way it’s come across, I apologize.
Sources
CNN. (2008, October 21). Transcript: CNN interview with Gov. Sarah Palin. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/21/palin.sitroom.transcript/index.html
New York Times. (2008, October 21). P.S. Palin apologizes. The Caucus. https://archive.nytimes.com/thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/21/ps-palin-apologizes/
YouTube. (2008, October 21). Sarah Palin apologizes for “real America” comment [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-HWDcWL8is
Wikimedia Commons. (2011). Sarah Palin by Gage Skidmore 2 [Photograph]. Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sarah_Palin_by_Gage_Skidmore_2.jpg
