Analysis

These are the three main points that I am covering in my analysis:

1) I am exploring how commentors on YouTube videos pertaining to Sarah Palin describe Sarah Palin either in a “hypersexualized” or “iron maiden” manner, or “ambiguously,” meaning that there is a potential mix of both “hypersexualization” and “iron maiden” usage.

2) I found that the majority of commentors on the selected YouTube videos for this project describe Palin in a “hypersexualized” as compared to “iron maiden” and “ambiguous” way.

3) I was surprised to find that commentors uninhibitedly spoke about Palin in an explicitly “hypersexualized” manner. I was surprised that there were fewer comments than I expected that described Palin in an “iron maiden” manner.

Video #1:

The first video of analysis was a user-created music video titled “MIA Paper Planes Spoof – ‘Trophy Vice’ Sarah Palin,” which was posted on October 27, 2008. The creator of this video used the instrumental background music from the song “Paper Planes” by artist MIA and created his or her own lyrics that the animated character in the video, Sarah Palin, sings. At the introduction of the song, the animated character of Sarah Palin sings, “Drill, Baby Drill,” which is a reference to her stance on drilling off the coast of Alaska for oil. She also says that she “buys clothes like Oprah,” which is a reference to the media attention where the GOP spent $150,000 in clothes for Palin’s use on the campaign trail; the clothes would be donated after the campaign. She proceeds to remark, “My daughter’s knocked up, seventeen, can’t help her.” She later sings, “Come to Alaska, hunt moose all day! I’m a Platinum member of the NRA.” She also says, “I hate Katie Couric – I wish she would die.” For the chorus of the song, she sings, “All I really do is [gunshot, gunshot, gunshot, gunshot], Beauty Queens Wave! I’m McCain’s Trophy Vice!”

I coded 30 comments in total for this video. Twenty-four comments were coded as “hypersexualization” comments; three comments were coded as “iron maiden” comments and three comments were coded as “ambiguous” comments. In terms of the “hypersexualization” comments, nine commentors referenced the lyric “Beauty Queens Wave! I’m McCain’s Trophy Vice” as humorous. For example, Katy223 said, “wow…lol u got every single line right ‘I’m McCain’s trophy vice.’” Phoeel 429 said, “Brilliant. Palin is McCain’s Trophy Vice. I think I know why he picked her for VP *wink wink.*” Other commentors referenced Palin as a “sex object” and discussed her in sexually-charged terms. For example, Kuj49 stated, “Sarah Palin is a skank if John McCain becomes president America is screwed because he is gonna have a stroke in 2 months then we have a mose shooting alaskin redneck for pres plus shes a chick.” Kuj49 alludes to Palin as sexually promiscuous by calling her a “skank” and demeans her competence because “shes a chick.” Milli6 also claims, “ALL of us would totally do Palin…Don’t lie” while Chusdus says, “The feally f****d up part about this is well it’s true. LOL vote for mccain-palin and you’re telling the work class to f*** itself. But aleast well have a VPILF right?” A “VPILF” is an acronym for a “Vice President I’d Like to F***.” This acronym was pervasive in the archival data of all seven videos. Pis97 states, “lol…nice video man, but cant escape the fact that she’s bangable.” Bob2971 found it necessary to reference Palin’s role as a mother when he said, “Haha got more kids than the bradys lol you pretty much nailed her and again that’s all she’s good for HA STUFF THAT IN YOUR PIPE PCCAIN.” Bob2971 expresses in this statement the opinion that “all she’s good for” is having “more kids than the bradys.”

I coded only three “iron maiden” comments. Tommy92 targets Palin for her aggression against animals, “And she’s an animal murderer. Shoots wolves and caribou from helicopters. Killing a moose is like killing a cow standing out in the pasture. MadelineEngla89 added that Palin was a “killer” as well, “Thats a dumb b**** go back to alaska and kill more animals palin.” I also coded three “ambiguous” comments. Two posters laughed at Palin, via usage of the expression “LOL!” and “lmao” [laughing my a** off], as “the alaska gangsta diva.” I was unsure as to how these comments could be coded. For the third comment, A87ic explains, “I know a woman is definitely qualified to be VP and even Pres…” while proceeding to explain that Palin is not because she has only a Bachelor of Science degree. The commentor then states, “The fiaso (well star power move) have blown up in his face because Sarah is tired of playing his puppet…she’s all rouge now.” This comment employs the “pet stereotype” by referencing Palin as a “puppet,” which is used for McCain’s benefit.

Video #2:

The second video of analysis was “Tina Fey and Sarah Palin on SNL,” which was a clip of the Saturday Night Live skit on Bill O’Reilly’s Fox News show, The O’Reilly Factor; this video was uploaded October 18, 2008. In the SNL clip, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler play Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton respectively. Tina Fey says, “I can see Russia from my house” and “I don’t know what that is [in reference to the Bush Doctrine].” Hillary Clinton’s character is presented as having an extensive knowledge of foreign policy while Sarah Palin’s character is portrayed as having very limited foreign policy knowledge. In the clip, Palin’s character says the two politicians are teaming together to address “the very ugly role that sexism is playing in the campaign.” Clinton’s character responds that she is “very surprised to hear that people suddenly care about [it].” This video portrays Clinton as an “iron maiden” and “unfeminine” while Palin is a “sex object.”

I coded ten comments in total for this video. Seven comments were coded as “hypersexualization” comments; two comments were coded as “iron maiden” comments and one comment was coded as an “ambiguous” comment. In terms of the “hypersexualization” comments, commentor Ice55 references the controversy related to the GOP’s purchase of $150,000 in clothing for Palin. Ice55 says, “I wish Sarah Palin had not spent $150,000 on her wardrobe. I would have preferred to see her naked.” Jamison2 also references Palin’s wardrobe by noting her high-heels in the comment, “Governor Palin should ‘kick off’ her high heels and carry them away to Alaska.” Julain6 says that Palin should be the “VPILF.” Tommy2 states, “Palin is hot-hot-hot! She will lead America to prosperity and look GREAT doing it. Vote for Palin!” Timna55 discusses in his or her comment “Sarah Palin’s Pregnancy Lie,” claiming that Palin is not the mother of her infant with Down Syndrome, but that her seventeen-year-old daughter, Bristol Palin, is the mother. For the most prominent “iron maiden” comment, Kodks states, “Sarah Palin is a hermaphrodite! The b**** got sars!” It appears that the reference to Palin as a “hermaphrodite” means that she displays both culturally socialized male and female characteristics.

Video #3:

The third video of analysis was “Sarah Palin Hot Pics – One Hot Mama – Trace Adkins,” a user-created montage that was uploaded September 3, 2008. The video is a montage of various photos, including some that are clearly photoshopped, of Sarah Palin. The videos are accompanied to the country song, “One Hot Mama” by artist Trace Adkins.

I coded forty-one comments in total for this video. Thirty-four comments were coded as “hypersexualization” comments; three comments were coded as “iron maiden” comments; four comments were coded as “ambiguous.” In regards to the “hypersexualization” comments, several commentors refer to Palin as “hot,” a “milf [mother I’d like to f***],” and a “VPILF.” Commentors also referenced her role as a “mother” and the sexual appeal of her daughters. R8990 said, “I’m gonna go look for her daughter’s myspace.” Fan252 said, “Oh and her daughters > Bush daughters…oooooo!” Mr89ee stated, “What the f*** is so hot about an ugly wh*** giving birth to down syndrome babies and using a yahoo! Email account for government affairs.” Posters also drew comparisons between Palin and Clinton. Cchann said, “You WISH you had her on your side. Instead you have Shrillary. HaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHa!!! I can’t laugh hard enough!! Time for a synopsis: - Hilary: Screeching old prune has-been. –Sarah: Smart, strong, driven, HOT babe.” Two posters also inappropriately discussed “raping” Sarah Palin. CaLi1 said, “If she really cared about our troops she would’ve let them all gangbang her, for the good of the country…but she didn’t so the terrorists have won.” Fayah22 said, “she got raped by biden last night.” For the “Iron Maiden” comments, both posters referenced Palin’s sport of hunting animals. For the “ambiguous” comments, posters expressed language that referenced Palin as both “feminine” and “masculine.” For example, B135nics said, “Oversexed? Jealous? She’s hot! yeah she’s weird, not because she does not have an Ivy League Degree, because she is an Aquirius. She’s so pretty but has qualities of a man. Todd is like the woman…”

Video #4:

The fourth video of analysis was “Carly Fiorina Calls SNL Video Sexist,” a news clip in response to Tina Fey’s impersonations of Sarah Palin on Saturday Night Live; it was uploaded on September 15, 2008. Fiorina said that Clinton was “portrayed as very substantive and Sarah Palin

as totally superficial.”

I coded eight videos in total for this video. Seven comments were coded as “hypersexualization” comments while one comment was coded as an “iron maiden” comment. Regarding the “hypersexualization” comments, commentors fixated on Palin’s physical appearance rather than political experience and positions on political issues. For example, Alarles stated, “Sarah Palin had a Brazilian crotch wax. She now thinks she’s an authority on Latin American. and can see Russia from her igloo._” Heathbug72 said, “Palin is all face!!” while Hk3 said, “All a** and legs too lol_.” Bfum22 described McCain and Palin as “The McManchurian Candidate_and his new Stepford Wife.” In terms of the “iron maiden” comments, Ddje2 said, “What substance?_Moose hunter”

Video #5:

The fifth video of analysis was “Elisabeth Hasselback on Sarah Palin’s Wardrobe,” a response to the wardrobe controversy where the RNC spent $150,000 on Palin’s wardrobe; it was uploaded on October 26, 2008. In this video, Hasselback said, “Instead of the issues, they are fixated on her wardrobe.” She says, “I’m actually most personally impressed by her accessories - you know - like the flag pin she wears in honor of her son and our military men and women fighting abroad.”

Interestingly, for this video, I coded 12 comments as “hypersexualization comments of Hasselback”; I coded one comment as a “hypersexualization comment of Palin” and I coded no comments as “iron maiden” and “ambiguous” comments. Posters attacked Hasselback’s intelligence, her physical appearance, and her social location as a woman for defending Palin against the extensive media attention drawn to her clothes. For example, Leis215 said, “I have an accessory for ya a tack hammer that I’m gonna hit ya on the head with! get a life you dumb B****! Real people DO! Care that the RNC blew 150K on that f***** airhead! I wanna see you cry on the view when McCain loses. Did you figure out that none of your co-hosts like you yet?” Ju373 said, “OMG listen to her, she’s actually starting to talk like Palin! She’s taken on the other stupid b****es accent! Priceless! And she calls Obama supporters sheep! Drink some Palin kool-aide you airheaded b****! In terms of the “hypersexualization of Palin,” Migueli3 says, “Sorry you outed your vice pressy nominee as a shallow teenage girl…”

Video #6:

The sixth video of analysis was “FOX Irate Over Un-Retouched Sarah Palin Photo,” a Fox News clip where a Fox News anchor and guests, including a Republican Media Consultant and a scholar from American Universtiy, reacted to Newsweek’s publication of an un-retouched cover photo of Sarah Palin; it was uploaded on October 9, 2008.

I coded six comments in total for this video. I coded four comments as “hypersexualization” comments; I coded one comment as “ambiguous” and one comment as an “iron maiden” comment. Commentors mostly attacked the news anchor and guests for their views that it was sexist for Newsweek not to re-touch the photo. Commentor Steh3 said, “Who cares b*****s…The only good photo of Sarah involves_her naked anyway. I wish her photo included a very small brain on her head.” Fra3lyMisankly argued that Palin is “clearly not suited for politics” and that “This [Newsweek controversy] is merely a distraction from the fact that Palin was vacuous bimbo stewardess who knew nothing about policy, geography, economics, or even grade school civics when she naively asked ‘What does a VP do everyday?’ Let her run for Mss MILF Moose Glamor Alaska or whatever the f***.” In terms of the “iron maiden” comment, Renney referenced Palin’s hunting hobby, “Sarah_Palin: The ‘KILLA FROM WASILLA’! She’d kill anything, even McCain’s run for president.” For the coded “ambiguous” comment, T3289 referenced Palins’ gender, “The only thing more annoying than a republican_is a female republican.”

Video #7:

The seventh video of analysis, “Own Sarah Palin!” was a user-created montage of a fake infomercial selling a CD of themed songs played by Sarah Palin on the flute, such as “Drill Me Baby One More Time” and “It’s Rainin’ Babies.” The purchase includes a bonus pageant swimsuit DVD of “Buns of Leadership.” This video was uploaded on October 6, 2008.

I coded twenty-nine comments in total for this video. I coded twenty-six comments as “hypersexualization” comments and three comments as “ambiguous” comments. I coded no “iron maiden” comments for this video. Several commentors remarked on Sarah Palin playing the flute, which was a clip from her talent portion of the Miss Alaska pageant competition; their remarks were often sexually charged. Jeskk2 said, “She can play my skin flute anyday.” BillOux invoked Bristol Palin’s name, who became pregnant at seventeen years old, when he said, “She mastered the skin flute also…I wonder what music instrument her daughter plays?” Br3ati discussed how political leaders would have sexual relationships with Palin if she became Vice President, “Now this B**** is going to be your Vice President. Russian V.P. will f*** her. America is already dead.” Ronald667 added, “Damn, Sarah Palin is f***** sexii, I’d so do her…Unfortunately for her, the only thing I’d let her govern is my d**k. OBAMA/BIDEN ’08!” One example of an ambiguous comment is when Deck100 appeared to be using both “hypersexualized” descriptors and “iron maiden” descriptors. Deck100 said, “she is no longer hot and sexy but a mean, nasty b. who will do and who will say anything to get ahead…Isnt that sort of what a HOE does?? Just wondering”

I coded 137 comments in total; 74 comments were coded as “hypersexualization” comments; 9 comments were coded as “Iron Maiden” comments and twelve comments were coded as “ambiguous” comments. Therefore, 78% of all comments were “hypersexualization” comments; 9% of all comments were “Iron Maiden” comments and “13% were “ambiguous” comments.