(photo: Penny Johnson Jerald as "Sherry Palmer" on "24" - Fox Broadcasting Company)
Several weeks ago, I wrote a column comparing the presidential campaign of Senator Obama with the 1st season of “24”. Dennis Haysbert, the actor that played President David Palmer on the hit series, said the following Tuesday:
“If anything, my portrayal of David Palmer, I think, may have helped open the eyes of the American people."
While there may be some truth to Haysbert’s comment, my May 25th column mentioned a more interesting political subplot (worthy of a “24” episode) – Rupert Murdoch and the vast right wing conspiracy against a third Clinton administration in the Oval Office.
“Rupert Murdoch and the Clintons have not been friendly since the mid-1990s. The FOX News Channel was at the forefront of the attack on President Clinton during his impeachment and trial in 1998. Is it possible that Rupert Murdoch and the Newscorp/FOX folks planted the seed of Obama's candidacy through a TV show to put the final nail in the Clinton political coffin? In this business of politics, stranger things have happened...this is one of those things that make you go hmmm...”
Oh yes, I should get back to today’s point of my column. If Barack Obama is David Palmer, then that makes Michelle Obama – you guessed it, Sherry Palmer. Sherry Palmer, played by actress Penny Johnson Jerald, is one of the main characters in the first three seasons of “24”. By the end of season three, Sherry had lied, extorted, blackmailed, and even killed to protect the political career of her husband.
It is common knowledge that one of the few tools available to the Republican Party in derailing an Obama victory is attacking Michelle Obama. Some of Mrs. Obama’s public statements have been questioned and that is no different than any other spouse on the campaign trail. However, perception is as important in politics as reality, while an Obama / David Palmer-esque presidency may be more acceptable to the American people because of a fictional television series; a Sherry Palmer portrayal of Michelle Obama may be very damaging to her husband’s chances in November.
We will see if the Republicans will play nice…recent history tells me that the smart money will not be on that bet.
Comment
RSS
Email
Print
