Visor-Gate: Ryan John

Back in September 2008, at the height of the Presidential Campaign, the word lipstick became a powerful buzz word used by both sides.  Earlier in the month Palin used it to promote a fiery image by saying lipstick is the only difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull.  Later in the month, Obama provoked critics when he indignantly compared the election of John McCain to the act of putting lipstick on a pig in reference to the “messy” tendencies of the Bush administration.  Although it was easy for Obama to brush off critics by saying he was simply citing a popular phrase, skeptics like myself were convinced it was a calculated political maneuver aimed at Palin.
 
I think that about all politicians, especially those of the presidential caliber, love the spot light and thoroughly plan for it.  They have enormous egos and meticulously search for ways to advance whatever it is they want our eyes to see and our ears to hear.  Even if we’re sure, but not quite sure, what they mean, we’re still left wondering a bit.  The message lingers.
 
If Palin is trying to say the “black out” was a spontaneous, unintentional move than I have a few questions for her. A) Is a visor, with or without McCain on it, going to be the difference between incognito and noticeable?  B) She didn’t have any other visors or hats to wear other than an old campaign one? C) Who carries black markers with them on vacation anyway and continues to wear something that is marked up like that?  I think this was another powerful, yet very dismissible message being sent by Palin.  She is trying to separate herself yet again from John McCain but can’t do so blatantly because he launched her onto the national stage and it wouldn't be politically wise to bite the hand that fed you.
 
And of course, who better to propel some controversy, than a celebrity and entertainment gossip website like TMZ?