My Take On HBO’s “Game Change”

HBO’s highly anticipated movie, “Game Change,” finally aired a few weeks ago. A dramatized look at the Republican campaign for President in 2008, it focused on the GOP’s choice of Governor Sarah Palin as their Vice Presidential candidate, and the attempt to make her a “game changer” in the uphill campaign against then Senator Barrack Obama.

Knowing that just the name “Sarah Palin” generates bitter controversy in political circles, I wasn’t sure what to expect from the movie. The one thing I did know, is that the Left would hope it painted her as the blundering, unintelligent soccer mom they saw her to be… woefully inadequate as a national political figure, and scary as someone who might end up being just a heartbeat from the Presidency. The other thing I knew for sure, is that the Right would want her to be portrayed as a charismatic political prodigy who was unfairly defamed and caricatured by not only progressives, but rendered unelectable by a partisan liberal media. The one thing I didn’t know, is in which political direction the movie might tilt.

In truth, I don’t believe either side was fully satisfied with how the Palin story was told. That’s because, at least in my opinion, the presentation seemed reasonably objective in its characterization of the Governor. As such, both sides got only some of what they wanted. For Democrats, the movie made clear that Sarah Palin was a political neophyte, a “not ready for prime time” candidate with a rather shallow understanding of national and world politics. It also made clear, that at that moment in time, she was more a soccer mom holding elected office than a seasoned political figure ready and capable of dealing with the rigors and complexities of running for national office.

On the other hand, the movie portrayed her as having a charismatic connection with the conservative wing of the Republican party unlike anyone since perhaps Ronald Reagan. It showed she had the potential qualities to become a political star, being verbally quick on matters she knew, and believable as a “maverick” who would help shake up the Washington establishment. And while it’s true her unraveling did begin as she interacted with the national media, it was mainly due to her lack of experience and preparation, not intelligence.

That said, I came away with two major thoughts about the movie, “Game Change.” The first was that the Republicans showed great ineptitude in selecting Sarah Palin as their Vice Presidential candidate. Had they been more thorough in their vetting of the Governor, they would have seen she was the right choice, but at the wrong time. By acting impulsively and almost in desperation, they not only ended up losing the election, but cut short the political career of one who might have someday shined on the national political stage.

My other impression was sad, but not unexpected. The movie reinforced my strong belief that politics, not prostitution, is still the world’s oldest and dirtiest profession. Campaigns are all about WINNING, and have little if anything to do, with finding political leaders who are the best for this country and the American people. It’s not about a Sarah Palin or any other candidate. Political campaigns do whatever they must to seize power, and they do it by running anyone they think can win those annual popularity contests known as “elections.” Unfortunately, the result for us all , is reflected in that phrase which originated in the early days of computer technology: (In a political sense), “Garbage in, garbage out.”