January 12, 2011 2:58 PM

Analysis: Palin Plays the Victim Card

By
Dan Farber
Topics
In The News
(Credit: CBS/AP)

It's becoming increasingly clear that Jared Lee Loughner is mentally unstable. Sarah Palin's bullseye on Arizona Democratic Rep. Gabrielle Giffords did not direct Loughner to shoot Giffords point-blank in the head on January 8, 2011.

Did the vitriol in political discourse, crosshairs and phrases like "Don't retreat, reload" (by Sarah Palin) or "If they bring a knife to the fight, we bring a gun" (by President Obama) influence Loughner's state of mind?

Perhaps in an idiosyncratic way, according to Dr. Jeffrey Lieberman, chairman of psychiatry at Columbia University. "Political rhetoric provided some of the context for his thinking, the pretext for his actions, but the core reasons for his actions were his psychosis," Lieberman told National Journal.

Special Section: Tragedy in Tucson

Regardless of what motivated Loughner to pull the trigger, the tragedy in Tucson has put the tone of political discourse, and those who tend to inflame more than inform, in the spotlight.

Campaigning has often been rough and tumble and full of venom and half-truths since the founding of the country, but as Giffords told MSNBC on March 25, 2010, after her campaign headquarters in Tucson was vandalized, "In the years that some of my colleagues have served -- 20 to 30 years -- they've never seen it like this."

In reference to her district being targeted with the image of a crosshairs gun sight by Sarah Palin, Giffords said, "We're on Sarah Palin's targeted list, but the thing is, the way she has it depicted, it has the crosshairs of a gun sight over our district. When people do that they have to realize that there are consequences to that action." (watch at left)

But Palin doesn't seem to think that there are any negative consequences associated with her campaign words and images.

Like the rest of the country, she was shocked by what happened to Giffords and others killed or wounded in Loughner's rampage. Following the Saturday shooting rampage, she issued a statement, offering her "sincere condolences" to the families. At the same time, Palin's sighting of Giffords in the crosshairs stirred up the press and pundits regarding the overall tone of political discourse and the former Alaska governor's campaign rhetoric.

Palin surfaced again on Wednesday with an eight-minute video on her Facebook page, in which she said, "There is a bittersweet irony that the strength of the American spirit shines brightest in times of tragedy," and used the anti-Semitic term "blood libel " in an accusation aimed at journalists and pundits. (watch left left)

"If you don't like a person's vision for the country, you're free to debate that vision. If you don't like their ideas, you're free to propose better ideas. But, especially within hours of a tragedy unfolding, journalists and pundits should not manufacture a blood libel that serves only to incite the very hatred and violence they purport to condemn. That is reprehensible," Palin said.

Blood libel is the false accusation, perhaps originating in the 12th century, that Jews murder children to use their blood for religious rituals and holidays. Palin appears to be appropriating the term to indicate that she is a victim, as a result of some groups and individuals claiming that her political rhetoric contributed to the actions of the deranged, lone gunman.

"Blood Libel" Remark from Palin Sparks Controversy
Marc Ambinder: Palin Was "Presidential-Esque"

But the real victims are Rep. Giffords and the others who were wounded or killed, not Palin, who appears to be tone deaf to Giffords statement that there are consequences to actions. The consequences of Palin's crosshairs may not be directly related to the shooting rampage in Tucson and assassination attempt, but they are related to the level of divisiveness in the country.

"Community leaders, not just political leaders, need to stand back when things get too fired up," Giffords said during her MSNBC appearance in March 2010.

The likely presidential aspirant doesn't seem to take any responsibility for ratcheting up the political dialog  or believe that there is any need to moderate the tone of political discourse in America.

At left, Washington Unplugged with analysis on Palin and Obama from CBS News' Marc Ambinder, plus interviews with Pima County Arizona GOP chairman Brian Miller and Brady Center President Paul Helmke.

In her video, Palin said, "And we will not be stopped from celebrating the greatness of our country and our foundational freedoms by those who mock its greatness by being intolerant of differing opinion and seeking to muzzle dissent with shrill cries of imagined insults."

In responding to the crosshairs image from the Palin camp, Giffords wasn't advocating for intolerance to differing opinions or muzzling dissent. She was calling for more civility in the democratic process.

"Our democracy is a light, a beacon really around the world. Change is affected change at the ballot box...and not because of these outbursts of violence in certain cases and the yelling," she told MSNBC.

It's time for Palin and others engaged in the democratic process to stand back and consider the full impact of their words and images.

A Different White House Emerges After Tucson Tragedy
John Dickerson: Can Obama Find the Right Words?
Poll: 45% Say Politics Motivated Jared Loughner

6 Photos

Arizona Shooting Victims

View the Full Gallery »


Daniel Farber is editor-in-chief of CBSNews.com. You can read more of his posts in Hotsheet here. You can also follow him on Twitter.


Add a Comment See all 1478 Comments
by grzthewash January 17, 2011 1:44 PM EST
According to the latest news, the shooter was a "Bush hater." Does that impact your "analysis," Mr. Farber, that Palin's cross-hairs caused the shooting in at least an "idiosyncratic" way? Or are the facts completely irrelevant to your analysis?
Reply to this comment
by ChiefEOD January 17, 2011 4:58 PM EST
The more info comes out the more Loughner and the liberal/progressive hate purveyors here seem to be suffering from the same disorder.
by ProsperityBeginsIn2012 January 16, 2011 2:36 AM EST
Palin was victimized by the bias media and liberal lefties.
They targeted Palin and then cry about her being the victim. What a bunch of dumb@55.
Reply to this comment
by hamsterattack January 16, 2011 3:29 PM EST
funny you should say "targeted" because that's all palin can do is target others until they get shot.
by ProsperityBeginsIn2012 January 17, 2011 11:09 PM EST
hamsterattack, funny that you say Palin targets others until they get shot.
If you really believe it then that would explains alot.....
by David_Chowes January 16, 2011 12:03 AM EST
Death Palin?
Whining about Katie Couruc asking her what she reads. Do want a whiner in the White House?
Not coming straigh out and denying the validity of the'birther movement.
Suppoting Sharon Engle who any sane person would label as close psychotic.
Afraid to go on what she calls the "lamestream" media. No man could get way with that.
As McCann didn't vet her, she joins FOX only because they'll ask questions which will help her........>
Reply to this comment
by ChiefEOD January 15, 2011 10:12 PM EST
A lot of hate here from the liberal/progressives. Some of you should be taken in for psyche evals or you will be the next Loughner.
Reply to this comment
by Birdman04 January 15, 2011 11:03 PM EST
A lot of hate from both sides, trust me. Your post says it all.
by ChiefEOD January 16, 2011 8:08 AM EST
Birdman04 - Your's is the same response and attitude that allowed Loughner to roam free. If you can't understand the difference from pointing that out and others foaming at the mouth hatred of all who don't prescribe to their hatred of Palin and their view of reality, well nothing else can be said then can it.
by OldsterStillLearning January 15, 2011 7:34 PM EST
In your search for the truth in all political matters, I urge everyone to use these two impartial websites: PolitiFact and FactCheck (you'll need an "org" instead of a "com" for FactCheck). Both websites do their best to sort out the facts from the noise on both sides. After you read the information on those websites, if you think they are not telling the truth, then it's time for you to seriously consider the possibility that you are not interested in what is true.

There is so much garbage out there on both sides. Please don't feast on a diet of news garbage. If you do, you will end up with a warped sense of reality. Allow both FactCheck and PolitiFact.org to help you throw out the trash. Come on, people, the truth really IS out there! We all need to seek it out from legitimate and trusted sources like FactCheck and PolitiFact.org
Reply to this comment
by obwan222 January 15, 2011 8:23 PM EST
"There is so much garbage out there on both sides."

Politicians lie. It's a fact of life. The best you can do is hope that the lies are from being too optimistic (painting a rosy picture) and not because they are calculating and venal (smearing others or conning the voters).

But all politicians lie.
by Grizzleebare January 15, 2011 2:28 PM EST
Mollydtt
#1 NAME ONE THING Fox News or Sarah Palin have SAID that ARE NOT TRUE! JUST ONE!
#2 Aside from that if she bothered you from the START you obviously had made up your mind BEFORE she even had a chance.
#3 you again have (obviously) NOT been listening to Sarah who has provided MANY POSITIVE VISIONS for our Country. Let's just star with a (comprehensive) and safe energy program that WOULD PROTECT our national interest. Unless of course you LIKE paying over $3.00 a gal for gas and Utility Bills that are (part and parcel) cause for Middle class families loosing their homes and making the poor poorer. If you have to CHOOSE keeping the HEAT ON or paying the mortgage payment what do YOU think they will pay? OBAMA STOPED 77 PERMIITS to Drill Oil in UTAH and 66 in MONTANA HIS FIRST YEAR IN OFFICE. In the Gulf spill scandal that HIS ADMINISTRATION BOTCHED from the beginning set in motion the CLOSING of EVERY OILD RIG in the GULF and The EASTERN SEABOARD Just recently OBAMA denied NEW PERMITS TO MINE COAL in West Virginia and REVOKED or DENIED Permits to coal burning (UTILITY) PLANTS IN KANSAS MICHIGAN and ELSEWHERE EFFECTIVLY CAUSING THE HUGE INCREASES WE HAVE NOW! Not to mention NOW WE ARE NEARLY COMPLETELY DEPENDENT ON FOREIGN OIL and INCREASINGLY ON FOREIGN COAL! TELL me Mollydtt how does THIS (PROTECT OUR NATIONAL SECURITY?) Obama SAID he would BANCRUPT the coal and oil industry and he's doing a damn good job of it! But at the EXPENSE OF US (WE THE PEOPLE) WE PAY THE PRICE FOR HIS AGENDA! IN THE END OBAMA NOT ONLY BANCRUPTS THEM HE BANCRUPTS US!
#4 Do we need assault rifles to protect us from the government? What do you think SOCIALISTS SUPPORTERS would use IF THEY ROSE UP IN ARMS AGAINST (WE THE PEOPLE) PEA SHOOTERS? NOT TO MENTION I read (last week) a post by a Socialist Huff and Puffer on the Huffington Post that he thought "all the people that prepare for Emergencies with food, water, fuel, non electrical lamps, Heating, and generators etc. etc. etc. were nothing but BECKER HEADS! And HIS BARTERING TOOL would be HIS 12 GAGE SHOOTGUN!" Frankly I WANT A BETTER GUN THEN HIS RENDERING HIS FAR LESS EFFECTIVE! When Socialist like HIM and the HUNDREDS that have TREATENED SARAH PALINS life WISHING HER DEAD and even SOLICITATING HER ASSAINATION! I WANT.. No (I NEED) my ASSULT RIFLE! WHEN people that PROPOSE PEACE like YOU DO also CONDEM THEM then (MAYBE) YOU HAVE A CASE until THEN you are blowing smoke up your own ars.



MOLLYDTT SAID:

I welcome free speech. I welcome a dissenting opinion. No yelling, just discussion.
Sarah Palin has bothered me from the beginning, because she (and some of her friends on the Fox Republican Channel) tend to say things that are not true, geared toward scaring people, and hoping they won't check any facts.
Oddly enough, after the events in Tucson, most people thought there was enough blame for everyone to take a look at themselves before speaking, but Sarah Palin was too paranoid.
I'd love for her to speak frequently about her positive plans for the future, instead of vilifying the whole government. Do we really need assault rifles in our homes to protect us from the people that we have voted into office?
Give me a reason to vote for someone and I will. But don't make threats against people that are trying to work for a better future for this country.
Reply to this comment
by obwan222 January 15, 2011 4:58 PM EST
"#1 NAME ONE THING Fox News or Sarah Palin have SAID that ARE NOT TRUE! JUST ONE!"

Check out "The Twelve Lies Of Sarah Palin" on Andrew Sullivan's Daily Dish page, they includes links to proof of her lies.

OR "The 10 Most Ridiculous Fox News Lies, Creative Edits, and Half-Truths" on the Spiteful Critics webpage.
by nomossonmyrocks January 15, 2011 1:04 PM EST
Shame on CBS for continuing to run this piece. Not constructive at all.
Reply to this comment
by JV1970 January 16, 2011 4:16 AM EST
That's why they're running it! They don't want to be constructive!They've been trying for two years to bring about her downfall!
by mollydtt January 15, 2011 12:29 PM EST
I welcome free speech. I welcome a dissenting opinion. No yelling, just discussion.
Sarah Palin has bothered me from the beginning, because she (and some of her friends on the Fox Republican Channel) tend to say things that are not true, geared toward scaring people, and hoping they won't check any facts.
Oddly enough, after the events in Tucson, most people thought there was enough blame for everyone to take a look at themselves before speaking, but Sarah Palin was too paranoid.
I'd love for her to speak frequently about her positive plans for the future, instead of vilifying the whole government. Do we really need assault rifles in our homes to protect us from the people that we have voted into office?
Give me a reason to vote for someone and I will. But don't make threats against people that are trying to work for a better future for this country.
Reply to this comment
by WindyDal January 15, 2011 11:47 AM EST
Can't add anything except: Excellent post using honor and dignity! Thanks!
Reply to this comment
by JRC_903 January 15, 2011 11:41 AM EST
The Media and Sarah Palin? Take away one or the other, Sarah Palin would vanish from the national stage. In this respect, the right-wing folks are right--- the media is the blame. Quite-frankly---if cbsnews and others never said another thing about her-- (while I might go into withdrawal for a few days) I would survive.
Reply to this comment
See all 1478 Comments
.
Latest CBS News Headlines Popular CBS News Stories
on Facebook Most Discussed Stories
on CBS News

Follow Political Hotsheet

Scroll Left
Scroll Right More »
CBS News on Facebook
  • Building You a Better Morning

  • CBS This Morning

    "CBS This Morning," anchored by Charlie Rose, Gayle King and Erica Hill, airs weekdays from 7 to 9 a.m. ET and at the same time in other time zones.
    Learn more...