http://www.theatlanticwire.com/features/view/feature/Palins-Palm-Gate-721
I don't want your personal opinion of Palin.
What I want to hear is a discussion of why this "rhetorical act" matters and how it challenges our ideas of "Competent" leaders and "cheating" --why does it matter that this was a pen note on her hand instead of her using a teleprompter? Does it matter? What kind of expectations do we have of our leaders when it comes to public speech? How does "Palm-gate" violate or challenge those expectations? Most importantly: Who is gonna buy my coffee Wed? JK!!!
This "rhetorical act" matters because it challenges our ideas of "competent" leaders and "cheating". Having handwritten notes on her hand leaves the impression that Sarah Palin was not well-prepared for her speech/interview. Seeing those notes gives me an image of her writing them backstage a minute before she begins addressing the public. The cause for discussion is Palin's failure to reach the expectations we have of someone who was in-the-running to be the President of this country. Leaders are expected to be well-prepared, well-spoken, and considerate of how or what the audience will think or feel. Leaders are also expected to be able to think quick on their feet, because we expect them to be knowledgeable enough of their own ideas and plans, especially regarding the well-being of this country. When they address the public, whether they rehearsed or not, they should have the audience's best intentions at heart no matter what. That's their job. The words written on Palin's hands were topics or issues that are so important that having them written the way she did makes it seem as if she doesn't care. Even if she did feel like she was going to need help remembering something, she could have been more professional about it. Writing on her hand is so effortless. It's like a high school student writing last minute notes before a test. She really violated a lot of the expectations for leaders.
ReplyDelete-Clariza Macaspac
Go on Clariza! Awesome analysis...it gives new meaning to the term "palm reader, no?" Some folks claim that Palin is all the more charming for this low-tech blunder, Joe six pack and the hockey moms, it all works together as her rhetorical persona of the Mom who relates more to main street than Wall Street...Your thoughts? Anyone?
ReplyDeleteIt's one thing to have notes to guide us along in our speeches in class, but if you're a political figure, you better darn well know what you're talking about and make it convincing! Are students allowed to cheat on tests and quizzes in class, or would a teacher stop and say something if they saw a student with notes for the test on his/her hand? Writing notes on your hand is equated with cheating, and cheating shows a lack of knowledge as well as a high level of unpreparedness, and who wants a leader with these qualities? Not only does it show that the person does not have the public's best interest as a priority by the lack of preparation (like Clariza mentioned, she could have prepared the notes more professionally, not last-minute scribbles), but it also makes him/her look bad in public and causes the public to shut-down and not take the political figure quite as seriously the next time.
ReplyDeleteJazmine Rojas
ReplyDeleteThis pen note does matter because obviosoly she does not seem ready for the interview. We as a nation expect our leaders to be great speech spesakers.But does it really matter that it was a pen note, of course she cant have a reminder on paper it's an interview, but live television.That must be tough on someone.I think she challanged the public speech expectations. she had a rminder on her palm. who does that ? I think it's great. It shows that even though she is a leader she is a human who maybe gets nervous at times even if she is a leader. people are people, no one is perfect and I am definetly not expecting someone to be perfect.
What I have to say is very simple. First, it definately matters that Palin "cheated"! If you are positioning yourself as a "political leader" it is a must that you are able to be an impromptu speaker. It shows that you have at least thought about important topics of concern, even if you don't know what the questions are going to be asked of you beforehand. What would we think of our President if he referred to his "palm" when addressing our nation? Not only would we feel he was unprepared and uninformed but we would also assume that issues in which have been on the table for a "long" period of time is not in the forefront of his mind as it is in ours. Personally, this is not what I call a "competent leader", nor someone I want to follow. Leaders are those we can gain knowledge and insight from. Not someone who will refer to their "palm" for answers. This is what I felt when seeing the recent Palin interview. It reminded me of the Katie Couric interview of Palin when she was running for VP. Perhaps if she had scribbled notes on her hand she would have been able to answer the simple questions asked of her at that time by Katie, such as, "what publications do you get your information/news from?" Palin still has a long way to go. I'm just sayin......
ReplyDeleteCredibility is very important when poliicans are responding to the "rhetorical act". We as Americans realize no one is perfect but when it comes to appointed leaders we have to be reassured our choice is valid. Juveinele foot notes on a hand is far from the reassurance we demand. I wonder if she was tryting to be green was she proving that she was one of "us" an "average Joe" or just finding a way to poke at Obama? Whatever she had intended it to mean or symbolize it came across as uncreditable and embrassing. Even Joe six pack wants to be inspired and feel confident by his oppointed leader.
ReplyDeleteI think some context is completely necessary here-- which is that Palin and her party CONSTANTLY make fun of Obama for reading off of a teleprompter..but I guess writing on your palm is cool. Then again, quite frankly, I think it is all a part of her 'schtick' because 'lifting American spirits' shouldn't be that hard to remember..that is sort of your job, lady. Or it used to be. Before you quit!!
ReplyDeleteOkay, I'm done being obvious about my distaste for the woman in question but I don't think it is all that surprising. I think that is sort of what people expect from her. That warm, toasty, good old Sarah Palin! Who kills moose! And writes on her palm! For some people, competence, knowing your speech, and being able to deliver it are very important- which is why Palm-gate is such news. We hold our leaders to pretty high expectations so to see someone referring to their palm for notes seems...tacky? I'm not sure that is the word I'm looking for. I write notes on my hand when I need to remember something, not when I'm giving a speech. A speech I'm getting paid for no less! It made her seem unprepared and almost silly. Just use your notes! Writing on your palm is juvenile, I mean, I'll attest to it! I should be writing things down in my planner, not writing them on my hands! It matters, I suppose, because when you're trying to lift our spirits you could at least refer to notes in front of you, or notes on a teleprompter. Everyone makes mistakes and I often think our expectations for our leaders are a bit much. They're only human after all. I guess what I'm trying to say is that if you're going to make fun of someone for doing it one way, you better have a better way and it sure seems like Mrs. Palin did not. But to be honest I think it does fit in with the people she is aiming for. Because who doesn't write on their palms every once and awhile?
--Kylen McCudden
Hey sure Palin and the (my) conseravtive Party made fun of Obama for reading off of a tele prompter, its no wonder that the media made fun of her for scribbling a few words on her hand as notes. I really don't think that people should be judging these acts here and this just plain dumb. It's extremly hard to get up and give speechs about such important topics. If you hate her just cause she ran with McCain that's your own business. Sarah Palin had notes for her speech and they were the words written on her very own hand. She was probably using the words on her hand to make it seem as though she were more of a regular person not a "political" leader. Maybe she wrote the notes on her hand because she thought they wouldn't be noticed.
ReplyDeleteBut for whatever of reasons something miniute like this shouldn't be cast in such great light. There is a way better news out there than someone scribbling notes on their hands. Come on people, get over it!! geezzzz!
Rememebr and refocus--Idon't want your personal opinions of her, gang! I need yo to be objective rhetorical critics, stick to the act and it's significance--Having said that, I have enjoyed and appreciated your take on things, we all have different politcal affiliations, but if you remove that "label" from your self, if this wasn't Palin, it was, say...Oyr current VP or President or even the Governor or your teacher, the rhetorical act of palm-gate can be read as a text to suggest what? About whom? Why? Is the "myth" of a prepared speaker being professional just that in the technology age? Inquiring minds want to know!!! Wink--Keep up the great work everyone--you are a smart and lively bunch of crazy early-birds!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteTypos mucho--rushing and sleepy--sorry!!!!! I'll leave them there so I can appeal to Joe Six Pack and main street, not Wall Street! (wink)
ReplyDeleteThis rhetorical act matters!! Because political leaders are suppose to be "LEADERS", people expect ALOT from you. So wheN people find out that you were reading from your palm during a speech it becomes a HUGE DEAL!! She basically lost alot of credibility because as a political leader public speaking is like suppose to come "natural" i guess. And reading the issues that your country faces off your palm is just a huge fail. :/
ReplyDeleteThis shows us how we expect our political leaders to present material to the public. We want them to at least show that they are prepared and know what they are going to say. As public figures for the people we know that they get trained for speeches to give out to us and so we expect them to have those public speaking skills. Having written notes on her hand shows lack of preparedness. Also, it does not make her look very professional in her part. So in conclusion, I do think that Palin’s palm notes show what we expect from our leaders when they present material to us.
ReplyDeleteCelia Basurto
What makes this act by Palin a real faux pas is that it was obviously an attempt by her to hide what she was doing. It is not uncommon for someone giving a speech to use notes (i.e., Obama's use of a teleprompter), however to try to conceal the act forces us (or at least me) to question Palin's integrity rather than her ability to be prepared or to memorize a speech. After ridiculing Obama for using a teleprompter, it is obvious that she couldn't go forward doing the same thing, so in her "infinite wisdom" and boundless hypocrisy, she decided to scribble on her hand. One of the marks of a great leader is the ability to admit when one needs assistance, to be humble enough to admit imperfection. Palin's little show is just another display indicating why she is morally unfit to be in any position of power.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that if you decide to use notes (or in this case, right them on your hand) when giving a speech or responding to questions in front of an audience is a sign of an incompetent leader. Although I am not a fan of Palin, I think that the matter being discussed in this situation reveals more about oursevles than the speaker herself. It shows how much we expect of someone who is constantly under the public's spotlight -- we expect perfection; a flawless performance that must meet all of our expectations. Yes she made it somewhat obvious by consistantly referencing her hand, however, I do not believe that the notes on her hand were a sign of being unprepared. If anything, we are all human and some need more help than others when it comes to certain things; the excitement created by Palin's actions were slightly overdone.
ReplyDeleteJohn Ward
ReplyDeleteI don't really see the problem with this. The media made way to big of a scandal out of it in my opinion. Whether the notes were on her hand, written on paper, or on a teleprompter she still came to the interview prepared. I don't think Sarah Palin is even capable of successfully completing a task as challenging memorization so in my eyes this was the second best option.
Of course, it matters because we have a huge expectation to our leaders that they are prepared and competent when they make thier speech to the public or audience. In Sara Palin's situation, making notes on her palm is a bit unprofessional. I just can't imagine if she will be our next president...pen notes on her palm during her speech in front of the world leaders, oh boy....
ReplyDeleteAnna Marie A.
I dont have a problem with this because its not cheating, its not showing any form of weakness either i believe, if anything its extra prep and acting like its a weakness is just silly on the part of news stations. Sure it seems like our president should be perfect and have all the answers but everyone needs to remember that these are still just people they aren't some god like figure who wont make mistakes, we choose them because we agree with their political message. Funny enough though, we later impeach them though for the moral and physical let downs.
ReplyDeleteDaniel Rivera
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ReplyDeletePalin addressed the public. When she did, she made notes to her self about things to bring up. Yes she could have used a monitor to make sure the energy subject was brought to attention. But when you are a leader addressing the public, you dont want to count on anyone but yourself. Because as we all know as communication speakers, things will go wrong.
ReplyDelete-Alexander L. Ballesteros
I am kind of confused a little bit about all this noise around palm-notes, especially when i see a world "cheating". If i understand correctly our book on p. 142, "Speaking Impromptu", it says, “Try to anticipate situations that may require you to speak impromptu and prepare some remarks beforehand." So, in my humble opinion, it is not cheating (she is not in a class after all), all this bias is an attempt to spoil the image of a possible candidate in the next presidential election and the image of the candidate’s party. I agree that reading from the palm is unprofessional and just silly; she should use regular notes as the reporter, who asked the questions, he didn’t shy to show them. But the real trouble is that the words: energy, tax, budget cuts, has a lot of meaning to us, and obviously much less for Sarah Palin because writing down key words of our everyday life shows the level of her competency in these subjects, but that is just my opinion and might not be true at all.
ReplyDeleteThe writing on the palm doesn't really matter. It is the same as using a teleprompter. She could've written some last minute notes onto her hand. Its only natural people write things onto our hands. It can be nerve racking speaking infront of all those people. She should've brought a paper with notes on it, it makes her look unprofessional when she writes on her hand.
ReplyDeleteEric Cervantes