'Pit Bulls in Pearls': Narrative Analysis of Newsweek Coverage of Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin in the 2008 Primary and National Elections

• In Event: To Lead or Not to Lead ...Palin, Ferraro, Clinton

Abstract

This project examined the metanarrative within the "Newsweek" coverage of Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin in the 2008 primary and national elections. Narrative analysis indicated media coverage in "Newsweek" reinforced a master narrative of women attempting to gain access to male domains of existence primarily through two themes: "pitbulls in pearls" and "playing a gentleman’s game." Implications included examining representations of gendered identity in political campaigns across, as well as audience reaction to those messages.

Author

• Sara Holmes, Univ of New Mexico