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VAMP: a type of "femme fatale"
I hope to god this is the very last time I will ever blog on the Alaskan Trophy Dame of Shame. And I'll try to make this short and sweet, because I'm simply trying to rid myself of this pathetic excuse for an actual candidate by describing her in one word: VAMP.
That's the word. That word describes her to a "T." It encapsulates not only her interpersonal style but especially her behavior in the various offices she has "held." It explains why some men may not catch on to her as quickly as most women do. It explains her vindictiveness when crossed. Her outsize ego - based on flimsy evidence. Her use of charm rather than professional skill
Vamp. You can look it up in the dictionary if you like. But Wikipedia offers a perfectly good description of this type of femme fatale here. In a nutshell a Vamp is:
"an alluring and seductive woman whose charms ensnare her lovers in bonds of irresistible desire, often leading them into compromising, dangerous, and deadly situations."
And here's the kicker:
"In some situations, she uses lying or coercion rather than charm."
Sound familiar? Think Troopergate. Think her style as mayor and governor. Diplomatic she is not! Dangerous is she.
What strikes me most as a psychologist is how she interacts in social situations. When she walked onto the stage for the debate she was overly perky and personal. Not composed and professional. She simply does not seem to understand social conventions which maintain boundaries. She lacks these boundaries when it comes to ethics. She lacks boundaries between her role in private life and her public role. She simply does not draw such lines. The thought of her at any international meeting is frankly unbearable. Lack of boundaries has already gotten her into ethical (perhaps legal) difficulties. Troopergate comes to mind. She'd have the same problems mixing lobbyists and a campaign. Just like the man who called her his "partner and soul mate."
I really can't bear to go on any longer.
Vamp. That's what she does. That's what she is. And that's my final word.
Except for this: Spare us, O Lord!
Comments (61)
"Lookin' like a tramp, like a video vamp
Demolition woman, can I be your man?
Razzle 'n' a dazzle 'n' a flash a little light
Television lover, baby, go all night
Sometime, anytime, sugar me sweet
Little miss ah innocent sugar me, yeah " -Def Leppard
October 3, 2008 10:19 AM | Reply | Permalink
You have said it so well. I was far less high-minded in my viscerally negative reaction to her.
Media_Elite: How about Tom Waits' "Pasties and a G String"?
October 3, 2008 10:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
I have a viscerally negative reaction when I see McCain and Palin together- I literally shudder in cold chills when I see them embrace on stage. There is something unholy about their pairing. The optics of them just does not sit well with me. You bringing up "Pasties and a G String" just raised their creepiness factor with me to a "whole... 'nother... level..."
October 3, 2008 10:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
Like this?
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/2008/09/asking-her-to-dance.php
Be sure to click on both the links. And look very carefully at the photo of the "soul mates." This was her first outing with her beau.
October 3, 2008 11:00 AM | Reply | Permalink
Oh my that is disturbing. I'm not certain if I should thank you for the link or not!
October 3, 2008 2:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
I am equally disturbed. Let's lay it at the doorstep of mcShame, shall we?
October 3, 2008 2:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
But this really goes back to the magazine shot of McCain and Tina Fey. I think Tina, who is a genuinely radient woman, must have raced McCain's motor--and when he saw Palin, in his back brain something clicked, some kind of lizard brain deja-vu--there is clearly something else going on with him beyond a political partnership--she has clearly invaded his dreams. He is always hugging her at the hips on the campaign trail--and even though Cindy is ALWAYS there, check out the look in her eyes. She looks like a wife who knows she has good reason to worry about what she sees.
October 3, 2008 3:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
You've got a deal.
October 3, 2008 3:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Me too. He seems lecherous somehow. ick.
October 4, 2008 12:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
There is something unholy about their pairing.
---------------------------------------------------
God yes, the image of satan with his succubus by his side keeps popping up in my mind. We're facing a disaster of biblical proportions. Who ya gonna call? In a situation like this there's only one place to turn. Please Barack watch this video and you'll understand the nature of the battle you're facing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w91-GMc3j7I
October 4, 2008 4:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
As Sarah Palin has been more and more revealed and as I have done more and more research into McCain's life I realize that his pronouncement that she is his "soulmate" could not be more profoundly disturbing. I'm sure he thinks of himself as a hero and, thus, thinks well of her, but both of them are clueless as to their extremely narcissistic behavior and how dangerous their personality-based governing would be for America.
October 3, 2008 11:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
AMEN. I'm in detox - done with them both!
October 3, 2008 11:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
Sounds like envy to me, thera. Plain old run-of-the-mill envy. I'd say jealousy, but I'm not sure which one is the object of your jealously. Is it she? He? Both? Help us out. Pretend you're a client and spill your guts.
October 3, 2008 9:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sounds like unrequited love. Love deprived of its object. In other words, thera, hate. Must be hard for you to watch her. You've communicated your pain very well. Must be your training.
October 3, 2008 9:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
You will enjoy this link to the original VAMP:
Theda Bara: Kiss my, My Fool!
October 3, 2008 11:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
For now, you must talk sweet and in your clever little noodle, plan out a way for this man to be involved with the start of World War Three.
October 3, 2008 11:26 AM | Reply | Permalink
I found this definiton at the Wiktionary to be particularly resonant:
Noun: Singular
vamp
1: (shoemaking) The top part of a boot or shoe, above the sole and welt and in front of the ankle seam, that covers the instep and toes; an upperdef.
2: Something added to give an old thing a new appearance; a patch.
3: Something patched up, pieced together, improvised, or refurbished.
4: (music) An improvised accompaniment, particularly a simple chord progression, repeated as necessary to accomodate dialogue or anticipate the entrance of a soloist.
(by extension) An activity or speech intended to fill time or stall.
October 3, 2008 11:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thank God for you!
October 3, 2008 11:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
"2: Something added to give an old thing a new appearance; a patch. "
like, umm, lipstick on a pig
October 3, 2008 12:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
There is a definite Ick Factor about the two of them. Like an unspoken taboo that they are not respecting. For every "Joe Six Pack" out there who might be smitten by Sarah's "homespun" charm, I'd say there are 3 or more average Americans how cringe every time we see her.
October 3, 2008 11:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
Just tells you what a sucker mcShame is as well.
October 3, 2008 12:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'd say that for every Joe-Sixpack who's smitten, there's a wife or girlfriend voting for Obama.
I worry that by the end of the campaign she'll have undone ten years worth of progress for serious women politicians. For an awful lot of pundits, 4-inch heels, a good figure, and the illusion that she's winking at *them* (and not the millions of other men watching) seem to substitute just fine for knowledge and understanding.
She's appalling, and the amount of slack the media is cutting her debate performance is even more appalling.
October 4, 2008 1:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
Um, isn't a vamp supposed to be sexually alluring?
I will admit she's got nice legs. It's just a pity she can't wrap them around that plastic face.
October 3, 2008 12:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
TPM poster says:
It is reported in the French news that a Palin look alike is a porn star. The look-alike was hired by Hulster Video, producer is Larry Flint. The ad to find the right actress was run just after the end of the Republican convention...The actress will get $3000...
LOL
Posted by psmdsfc
October 3, 2008 12:48 PM
October 3, 2008 12:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
She could never lead me to my doom.
Then, again, I am an old dog, and pretty much immune to those beauty pageant 'allures'. I respond more entusiastically to stimulating conversation(I am such a pushover for smart women).
I think, for many men, stupidity is a REAL turnoff. Unless you are the kind of guy who thinks that riding a snowmobile 1000 miles across the artic tundra is your idea of a good time. Then I guess a woman who wears seal skin mukluks and cooks a hearty moose stew will knock yer socks off.
October 3, 2008 3:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
That is such a come on!
October 3, 2008 9:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
An old cypress tree perches on the edge of a cliff in winter. No where is there any warmth.
October 4, 2008 1:18 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thera P,
Did you happen to catch the Huff Po blog that claimed that Independent Women from CO preferred Palin. They said: "Palin was more genuine. She's a mom," one said. "She's more herself, just the way she talks -- it's down to earth,". I though WT.., but then I noticed the group behind this was WVWV-a group that TPM and others (including Wired, & Daily Kos) followed during the primary for their robo-calls to Af Am in attempt to suppress the Af Am vote. Even after they were warned by Virginia police in February, they continued their efforts in other states. I wonder if these are PUMAs-do you know anything on this?
October 3, 2008 2:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sorry. Can't help you.
October 3, 2008 3:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
She would probably massage Angela Merkel's shoulders the way Bush tried to . . .
October 3, 2008 2:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Guess you didn't catch the little scene of Biden rubbing her back after the debate. Pheromones. Some of us have them. Some of us don't. She has them. Old Joe noticed.
October 3, 2008 9:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Can I call ya Joe? (bats eyelashes, flashes smile, giggles)
Men....
Can somebody please explain how men fall for this crap? I really really want to know. I must be really clueless, because I really want to believe that men are a lot smarter than that.
Of course there is that old joke. Men have two heads but only enough blood to run one at a time.
Please say it ain't so....
October 3, 2008 9:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's the pheromones. Joe didn't even know he was rubbing her shoulder. Power of surrender and all. Definition of being made.
October 3, 2008 9:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Definition of being made or male?
October 3, 2008 11:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sarah Palin's Soliloquy.
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/2008/10/sarah-palins-soliloquy.php
October 3, 2008 3:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Suzy Cheerleader in red high heels, with a feverish 'n' fizzy affect and a touch of wide-eyed cluelessness. God help me, she gives me the creeps!!!
October 3, 2008 3:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
OK, forgive the rant, but here it is:
Palin is an affront to women whose accomplishments in life are based on merit rather than manipulation. We women are fully aware of our natural power over men (after all, that's what Madison Avenue instills in us daily). But what lasting inner satisfaction do we have if we're a con artist/vamp to get everything we want? What is the self-esteem level of a vamp?
Sarah, you may be in the spotlight now, and you may have people eating out of your hands (conservatives anyway), but you're a horrible role model, and you won't win many voters among the throngs of women who respected themselves enough to achieve their goals the "old fashioned" way -- through honest assessment of themselves and their abilities, and not through selling themselves out at a cheap price.
OK, stepping off the soapbox.
October 3, 2008 4:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Great Rant!
Such a foolish thing to use your "wiles" when you can use your wits.
October 3, 2008 4:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wow. She is running all over you Progressive ladies. Tell us how you feel about Mary Matalin.
October 3, 2008 9:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Suzie Creamcheese, what's got into ya?
October 3, 2008 4:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_sS8-S1A2o
October 3, 2008 5:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh great! Now I'm not going to be able to watch Palin and McCain out on the trail together without thinking of this scene from "Pandora's Box," the great silent movie classic with the immortal Louise Brooks playing Lulu, the ultimate femme fatale! *grin*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkjZGyG-a70
October 3, 2008 6:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Don't have the Thesaurus at work but have no doubt Roget agrees. I always shared Richard Burton's fascination with how precise the English language could be in nuance and definition.
I will hazard a guestimate that for every Erin Brokovich there are a thousand Sarah Palins. What percentage of them are porn stars is probably not all that small.
Here's to Grandpa and Gidget getting closed down 11/4.
October 3, 2008 7:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
TheraP, of course you would never articulate any such gender-related criticisms about a male candidate.
This diatribe is a trite stereotype, something a psychologist should be embarrassed by. You can't back up a single thing you say.
I'd say Palin got you.
October 3, 2008 8:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
I've always figured thera was a woman. Now I'm convinced. Envy and jealously clouding her mind. Her pain almost too embarrassing to witness. I'd better take a cold shower. :)
October 3, 2008 9:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Your cold shower bill must be huge lately, Billy. ;-)
October 4, 2008 11:01 AM | Reply | Permalink
Don't tell anybody but Sarah Palin winked at me last night. It's a shame I live in suburban Chicago cuz the chances of her coming here for a speech are as dim as McCain's election prospects. But now that I know she's interested there's no way I'm voting for her and her grandfather. That Vice Presidenting business would keep her way too busy for me to whisk her off for long romantic weekends. If you're reading this Sarah give me a call when the campaign's over my little love moose. You're gonna need a manly man and let's face it Republican dudes including AIP Todd aren't gonna be feeling their oats this fall if you catch my drift.
October 3, 2008 8:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Into each thread some rain must fall.
(something the Buddha might have said)
October 3, 2008 9:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's one way of getting wet.
October 3, 2008 9:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
That definition sounds like most of the women I know.
October 3, 2008 9:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Glad to see a few people could show up to pull the developmental level down a notch or two.
October 3, 2008 9:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Now that for sure the Buddha could have said!
October 3, 2008 10:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Her scorecard is filling up with men she has vamped and won over. But that Witch Doktor pulled a switcheroo on her and left her with the power of babble when he removed that other demon.
Years ago she told a friend she would be glad to be gov. but she really wanted to be President.
Though she seems like an accident, this was part of her plan...how scary is that?
October 4, 2008 12:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
Apparently, the strategy of lightning bugs in their courtship rituals is to flash their little lights like morse code. This is how they recognize their own species in the darkness--each species has a different rhythm. But there is one species whose females know how to mimic the mating calls of the other species, and lure all the males of all the species to them, only for them too discover, too late, that they are a dinner date, and the entre, as well.
Nature only has a few ideas it repeats with variations. Many predators have evolved false flag courtship allures to obtain their dinner. Sarah Palin is merely the latest of a long line of insects practiced in the art of deceptive seduction.
As for primates--the lizard brain is very old. The pre-frontal lobes are very new. Women bat their eyes, men drool. Biology is destiny.
October 4, 2008 1:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
I love you more and more c4Logic! Agape love, of course.
October 4, 2008 8:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
Biology is destiny?
Total fraking bullshit.
October 4, 2008 9:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
I am beginning to suspect that you are not a biologist. If you were, you would be aware that many organisms posess behavioral characteristics that biologists call instincts. Instinct means that you will never succeed in training a dog to abstain from sticking their nose in another dog's butt. This is because of the glands that line a dogs' anus that secrete hormones that indicate their status and their rank. Low ranking dogs keep their tails down and try to slink by without detection. This is canine zoology 101.
Biology IS destiny.
Heat is no substitute for light.
October 4, 2008 9:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
You know nothing about me. All you have are your "religious" beliefs about biology.
October 4, 2008 11:00 AM | Reply | Permalink
I know what you've written, and from your comments and your hostility you seem to have something against biologist. Most biologists do not. I also know you have a big chip on your shoulder that I do not care to knock off.
October 4, 2008 11:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
My cat the nutritionist came into the bathroom the other day after I was done with my morning ablutions and told me by the smell of my feces I was not getting enough mouse in my diet.
While I appreciated the advice I don't think I'll change my eating habits.
October 5, 2008 9:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
Putting in a plug here for a new post. Which ties together language (of sense) and politics (of a civil society). If you've read this far, you might as well check it out:
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/2008/10/the-joy-of-a-sentence-that-mak.php
October 4, 2008 9:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
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