“Going out there and winning this would mean a lot. It would be like a big middle finger to all the people out there that hate my mom and hate me.
—Bristol Palin, Sarah Palin’s daughter and blatantly undeserving finalist in ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars,” on the show’s finale Tuesday’s night, prior to the revelation of the results of the audience voting. (She lost.)
Winning wouldn’t mean a lot as the reward of a battle hard fought, nor the fruit of hours of practice and pain, nor as the earned product of diligence, determination and pain. It wouldn’t mean a lot as a humbling expression of the loyalty of her fans, nor as a source of inspiration for underdogs and longshots everywhere, nor as an honor to excel in the presence of so many skilled professionals.
No, Bristol Palin said she wanted to win out of pure spite, and to give a big symbolic “fuck you” to millions of Americans and fans of the show by making a mockery of the competition.
She is as graceless off the dance floor as she is on it, a petty and deluded young woman who is as deficient in character she is in performing ability.
Ethics Alarms 
After reading how many exhorbitant times some people had voted for Bristol, I thought all was lost! At first I thought I wouldn’t watch Tuesday’s show but decided I would miss Jennifer’s performance and funny Kyle’s fandango. To be fair, unlike some people we all know, I even watch Bristol’s dance to be sure MY politics is not coloring my vote and to understand how she is staying on the show. I’m about to say some words the Right thinks only they speak, “Praise God for a right result.”
I certainly agree that the result was the correct one (and, ironically, one that anyone could have predicted after the very first episode). Can’t really criticize anyone for voting too many times in a format that encourages it. It’s not cheating, and it measures passion. But this wasn’t a primary, and shouldn’t have been treated like one.
Oh, darn! I missed my chance! Coulda put her over the top if I’d just had AT&T to text with.
And that’s why it’s so important that everyone votes. Those erroneous votes for Buchanan also hurt.
Apparently a lot of people waste their time watching this crap. Too many celebrities, I understand from my husband (who maintains he needs to “stay in touch with popular culture”), non-dancers aplenty, have appeared on this show and made it through a number of cuts, even though their dancing was akin to Frankenstein singing/dancing to “Putting on the Ritz.” Clearly because of their celebrity status and some unwarranted “warm” feeling on the part of the moronic judges. This from a non-viewer, I admit.
With second-hand information, however, I can only say that Bristol is just one more family member who has managed to embarrass her mother rather than support her. Citing “the big middle finger” is hardly civil discourse, and not what one would expect from the family of any political figure of any ilk.
I don’t think Sarah Palin has a snowball’s chance in hell of getting the presidential nomination: only part of the reason is Palin herself; the rest will ride on the low-life, uncivil, coarse family no American would want as a First Family.
I agree with you, but now I’m more confused than ever. Do Bristol’s speaking engagements and retainer fee not denote success? Is she not a cultural phenomena, despite the millions of people voting for her (someone with no talent whatsoever) to win a dance contest?
Hers is passive accomplishment, like Chelsea Clinton or Billy Carter. She has exhibited no ability to do anything, except have a child with an idiot. People weren’t even voting for her, but for her mother, one step removed. She may do something worthy of respect (beyond the basic respect owed everyone), but she hasn’t yet “Going along for the ride” doesn’t count.
Hey, a distinction! I’ll grant that point, but then you lose the VP nomination for Ms. Palin.
I’ll concede that…a VP nomination is always a passive ride of sorts, and even if it helps (and I would argue that Palin was the only reason McCain had any support from the GOP Right at all), it is name-driven. Yes—naming Palin VP candidate is like Bristol being put on DWTS. Buzz, promotion without substance.