Hillary Clinton invoked the Saturday Night Live Debate skit in the Cleveland match-up, punctuated it by an appearance on the program, and successfully shifted the media narrative to media frenzy of self-flagellation.
The debate moment could easily have been interpreted as an extended "whine," an oddity in an otherwise serious encounter, but such was not the case. Why?
Attacking the Media:
The media often protests their independence and "balance" but when these "standards" are questioned they seem unable resist the vortex of reflection, self-incrimination, and "over" compensation. The common-wisdom argues that attacking the media is dangerous yet in the Cleveland instance it seems that wrapping the attack in humor and popular culture worked. (Stay tuned, however, as the jury is still out--the media has `some' memory.)
As Politicoobserved the essence of SNL "Pillow talk" was the media's neutrality.
One sure way to scoop the Cleveland Debate Skit (predicted in my last two blogs-see below) is to join the show. The New York Times Political Caucus reports that Hillary Clinton will appear on SLN tonight.
Will they rewrite the script? Will she appear as herself in a debate skit? Will the news cycle of national security be dislodged?
Debates continue to interact with campaigns and entertainment. More to follow. . .
Saturday Night Live has a strong record of lampooning of presidential election debates, but Hillary Clinton's use of SNL to score political points in a debate may be a first.
In what the Washington Post referred to as Clinton's "postmodern touch" she took the opportunity in the Ohio debate to scold the media for their favorable treatment of Barack Obama, offering: "Maybe we should ask Barack if he's comfortable or needs another pillow."
The injection of SNL into the debate discourse may have opened Pandora's Box; the use of "satire-as-evidence" in a formal debate is likely to spiral in unanticipated ways. David Bauder's AP article--"SNL Writer Surprised By Clinton Remark, Ordered To Write More"--makes clear, that this "pillow talk" is far from over.
Saturday Night Live has a long tradition of successfully framing presidential debates. SNL's post-strike-return lead with their version of the CNN/Univision Texas debate last Tuesday.
The "debate" instantly became part of the political discussion when on Sunday, Hillary urged donors to watch the latest episode of Saturday Night Live. Campaign talking points also encouraged viewing of the SNL segment.
In another reference, Clinton campaign spokesman Phil Singer chided journalists for their "woefully inadequate" coverage of Obama. "A point," he stated that "has been certainly backed up by the 'Saturday Night Live' skit that opened the show this past Saturday evening, which I would refer you all to."
They have a point as the skit's humor works because we understand how the campaign is playing out. What is less clear is the reason for the media tilt; left unexamined by the Clinton spokespersons is how much of this is created by the campaigns' respective strategy and message.
