Newsweek Cover: Why This Palin Fascination?

Newsweek Palin Cover

Has the news media ever made such a big deal over nothing?

Of course, I'm talking about former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and the release of her new book, 'Going Rogue: An American Life.'

Supporters of the former governor believe she has tapped into a populist core in America and point to the cheering crowds that have attended her book tour stops. In Michigan, more than 1,000 people braved the cold to cheer her name at a recent stop.

I'm not the only one thinking about what's behind the Palin fascination?

Numerous columnists and political pundits have been writing for weeks about what's behind Palin's popularity. To me, it's very simple, and it all starts with her slightly aging beauty queen looks.

It's not as if we get eloquent reasoning or soaring, inspirational speeches from the former candidate. She does offer a folksy, homespun, simple view of the world that must appeal to some. What Palin offers by the bushel, though, is looks befitting a former pageant winner.

For proof, just put the name Sarah Palin in the Google search field. Sarah Palin "hot," Sarah Palin "pictures," Sarah Palin "divorce" and Sarah Palin "divorce scandal" are among the first results that Google registers.

That doesn't sound like the resume or background of a future stateswoman to me. Yet when asked about her future ambitions, she refuses to rule out national politics. Incredible.

Has any policy recommendation offered by Palin in her book made the news? None that I can remember. The only "news" I've seen from her book tour is the dust up caused by a cheesecake picture Newsweek used of Palin on the cover.

The picture shows a smiling Palin, with hands on hips, beauty queen pose and cute running shorts to boot. It's not porno, but it is quite cheesy for a woman who sought to be vice president. To be fair, the photo was originally shot for a story to appear in Runner's World magazine, and Palin criticized the picture as sexist. The magazine editors have defended the photo.

If Palin wants to sell books, fine. If she wants to host an Oprah-style television show and spout her right-wing politics, go for it. Can we, however, do away with the notion that her tissue paper-thin grasp of complex politics qualify her for another run at national politics? Just sell your book and keep on smiling.