Palin and Boyle: A Tale of Two Women

It was a time of song and a time of speeches. It was a time to see Russia from Alaska and a time to sing of dreams in Britain. For two women ascended the world stage with meteoric rapidity and somehow became unable to keep their balance under the glare of the television cameras and the eager scrutiny of billions of pairs of expectant eyes. Both were relative unknown until recently. Sarah Palin, Republican vice-presidential contender, who must be admired for her gutsy Americana approach to a contest she had all but lost even before she was nominated; and the British crooner Susan Boyle, a unlikely star out of nowhere whose very presence in the arena inspired ordinary people to dream of extra-ordinary things. Well, we are still waiting for the next dramatic episode…

And that’s exactly what’s wrong with the plot for these two ladies. People who liked to root for the underdog cast their hats into the ring and watched and waited for a Cinderella ending. Against better judgement. Against statistics. Against common sense. You know the stuff of which heroes are made.

In their own way they have redefined their chosen niche. Politics in America may never be the same post-Palin. She had the energy, the passion, the drive, and up to a point appeared to be successful in balancing family and career. And Boyle has forced the entertainment industry to spotlight the serious anti-glamgirl celebrity. Flying in the face of skin deep beauty and mass produced greatness.

Can these two women of our time go on to become heroes?

Alas the age has been slow to produce heroes but they may still have time to rewrite the history books.

Time and the adoring public can be very unkind to mavericks who dare to walk the path not taken. Discovered (or rediscovered depending on which version read) on the reality show Britain’s Got Talent, runner up Boyle tugged at the hearts of millions when she performed I Dreamed a Dream from the musical Les Miserables. She is under contract to record her first album with Simon Cowell.

In the realm of politics, Palin evidently had the nerve to take on the old boys’ network as well as the dominion of oil companies in Alaskan politics. She should have stayed in Alaska. Her unconvincing run for the vice-presidency has left America and the world embarrassed for her. And her sudden and inexplicable resignation has left both admirers and tormentors shocked and guessing.

Unlike Sarah Palin, Susan Boyle does not have beauty contestant looks; but also unlike the Alaskan ex-governor, Boyle is still a media darling. Even the American president, Barack Obama, was forced to reschedule his prime-time television health care address because it clashed with an exclusive network interview of the Britain’s Got Talent runner up. No wonder the White House had to calculate its way around her; she has over 275 million Americans viewing her clips on YouTube. That’s a lot of respect for the Sunday school volunteer Mr Obama!

Pennsylvania Avenue may not feel the same way about Palin who is seen as hot headed at worst, practical for a small population state like Alaska at best. She lacks a command of serious issues and one wonders if people really believe she can swot books in time to make suggestions of a 2012 run seem plausible.

Lady did not help her cause, and the jury is still open on the identity, at the swearing in ceremony of incoming governor Sean Parnell. According to CBS her speech was “most notable for Palin's remarkably blunt swipes at her favourite nemesis: the media”.

You have come a far way baby! Palin was so admired and respected in Alaskan media in the early days that she convinced seven journalists to join her administration. The "troopergate" investigation and the rigours of office have rubbed the gloss away. She is no longer seen as the people’s champion in some quarters. How long can you sell uniqueness in public life?

Similarly, Boyle’s uniqueness will make her or break her. She is still reeling from her good fortune complaining that fame has hit her like a demolition ball. If she wants obscurity she should have stayed away. Audiences are going to demand that she wows them again with some new songs and a radical make over.

A tale of two women still being written.