Reading The Pictures: Make Up Sex Meets Identity Politics

In an impressive example of network make-up sex, NBC's SNL not only provided HRC the opportunity to rebut a parody debate slamming the network for supposedly slandering the candidate in its real-life debate, but then submitted the candidate's parody self for her review. Whether or not Hillary has taken an unfair degree of fire throughout this campaign, her organization has been effective in elevating the complaint into a defining theme going into this do-or-die series of primaries.

But what of the visual itself?

It, of course, is a bit of a rush to conceive of the political sphere spliced with the FX world to produce two HRCs. But the effect is telling also. Given Hillary's primary and overarching challenge throughout this presidential campaign to somehow, and ultimately find her (own) voice and message, it is fitting (and not accidental) that Clinton's campaign might actually finish out on a sympathetic scene in which Hillary, in the role of herself, has to request her earrings back from her own alter-image.

An editorial response from Hillary Clinton (SNL Video)

For more leading -- and misleading -- political pictures,, visit BAGnewsNotes.com.

(image: Dana Edelson/NBC, via Associated Press via NYT "The Caucus." March 1, 2008. The Caucus caption: Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton appeared on "Saturday Night Live" with her doppelganger, Amy Poehler)

Comments

[factbased]

Rebut? Why would she do that? The previous week's skit was pro-Hillary, insinuating that her opponent wasn't undergoing any scrutiny. If anything, Obama should rebut that.

[gallonjug]

I think the point is that is smells really fishy to have Sen. Clinton getting so invigorated by snl's favoritism while using it as "evidence" of the tv bias against her? Really sort of sad that she's been reduced to this level of narcissistic indulgence. I think she's a brilliant woman and a good person, but she has lost her way of late.

[AZDemocrat500]

MSNBC has been biased in their coverage of the Democratic nomination, it is as if Obama can do no wrong in the opinion of their shows, from Morning Joe to Hardball. I for one have stopped watching them. NBC must be getting some blow back, keep up the heat Hillary supporters.

[LoRiseAntlers]

Her strategy seems to have devolved into "you need to vote for me because I'm being picked on".

Why would anybody want a President with a persecution complex?

[Dee321]

Good Analogy.

from wikipedia:
Makeup sex is an informal term for sexual intercourse which may be experienced after conflict is resolved in an intimate personal relationship. This conflict may range from a lover's tiff to a relationship breakup. In the popular imagination, sex under these circumstances is imagined to be especially gratifying and invested with special emotional significance. It is sometimes conceived as a physical expression of reconciliation and rediscovery of one's partner following the cathartic experience of a fight.

[mouselion]

You actually needed to look that up ! ? Ha ha -- OK, time for me to do something else for a while, my cynical side is coming out way too strong for some of the (ahem) comments I'm reading this evening. . .

[LeeFromVA]

The lamest thing I've seen in a long time is Hillary Clinton referencing a SNL skit in a Presidential Debate, as if it had any bearing on anything. That would be like Obama referencing a comment made by Chris Rock. Why does she get away with this crap?

[HeadScratcher]

Ratings. Political satire used as a political issue. Two weeks full of free media. Softening of an image.

[politicsnut]

Why is NBC giving Hillary Clinton so much coverage? This is sick! They are being so heavy on her support now, is it out of guilt for David Shuster's comment?
Bring equality back!

[kingfishstew]

I think so. The press is fickle. They've had their fill of hillary, and now want to taste some Barack. That's okay, its just a reminder that it is us...the voters...who have stand steadfast. The press has its uses, but it is not committed to better governance by any stretch of the imagination. The cycle will change back again, if we do our parts.