Newsweek is facing some heat after deciding to run a cover picture of Sarah Palin that is highly zoomed and apparently was not retouched. Common practice is for magazines to smooth out wrinkles, hide pores and hair, and generally make a person look better than they do in real life.
Some are saying Newsweek intentionally left the photo untouched as a slap in the face to make their headline of She’s One of The Folks (And that’s the problem) have more punch. Newsweek issued a statement that backed up their reasons behind this image selection.
““Nigel Parry’s portrait of Governor Palin was shot and cropped so we could see clearly into her eye and be engaged by (have access to) her smile.”

{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
One more comment….. Remember when everyone was jumping down the medias throat for OVER AIRBRUSHING EVERY PICTURE and giving teenage girls an unrealistic and unobtainable view of what “beauty” is. Now these credulous softheads are bitchin about this photo??? STFU!!!
This is Fauxntroversy. There is nothing wrong with the pic, thats how people look, unless you go to a plastic surgeon and get the chemical peels, the Hoetox or collagen injections, spray tan, etc… She is definately MILFish, but that doesn’t change the fact that she is dumber that a ball or earwax. Yes she’s folksy and spry and seemingly down to earth, but I wouldnt want her in charge of this country. I wouldnt want her in charge of my dvd collection.
The point is, Newsweek purposely blew up an unflattering image of a Republican candidate, after printing cover after cover of absolutely glowing portraits of Obama. If Newsweek doesn’t mind being blatantly biases, so be it. But shouldn’t they stick to attacking her policies, record, and lack of experience. Not her large pores and facial hair.
I don’t understand why so many dislike Sarah Palin, she is well-spoken and smart. We should all be so lucky to have half of her presence. And unlike Barack, I think she really does care about the American people and where our country is going. She never gives the fluff of, “I wanna do this, I wanna do that” she always says, “This is how I want to do this…” I know she isn’t running for President, but I feel better with her being in office nonetheless.
Sam S. and adolf olverrnipple – If it weren’t for people like Cliff, you would be speaking German right now, remember that. If you have been a civilian all your life you wouldn’t understand what it takes to be a soldier and the amount of commitment and sacrifice involved. Think about how you’re supporting a man who has never served a day in the military. You want him to be commander in chief of EVERY SINGLE troop? Sounds like letting someone who’s not a surgeon perform a triple bypass….
The McCain campaign bristles and cries foul when subjected to any criticism or analysis that doesn’t candycoat and serve up their version of reality. We are now living with the results of buying that conservative version of reality for 8 years. Every single facet of this country is in the crapper and our grandkids and great-grandkids will still be sorting out the mess when we’re long gone. Conservatives had their shot for 8 long years. It’s time for them to step aside and time for the country to try a new approach. What we’ve been doing hasn’t worked.
First of all, just for the sake of honesty, yes, I am an Obama supporter. And Yes, I expect to be torn down for that fact, but I hope that you will surprise me. Reading these comments all I have seen is name calling and offensive behavior. I can understand being adamant in your belief but this is just hurtful. adolf olverrnipple, what you said is hurtful to someone else. What can you gain from this? Does is make you feel better? Maybe Cliff chose a different life than you would have, and maybe his opinions differ from yours but it’s one of those great things about America: we have the right to our own opinions! Now I love a good debate now and then, but that’s now what this is, this is mud-slinging. This is dirty, and it’s mean. Would you say this in person to someone else? I don’t think so, the internet provides us with the means to insult and hurt others, without really being responsible for our words, and who wants to be a person like that.
Cliff, I respect what you had to say, and I thank you for serving our country.
Sam S. I also respect what you had to say, you two men are both standing up for yourselves, and your words may be a bit harsh, but by all means not as bad as others I’ve seen on this page.
I cannot believe so much is being made of this in one direction or the other! I can’t see ANYTHING wrong, horrid, ugly or otherwise in this photo. If anyone can honestly judge this photo of Sarah Palin as being ANY of the above, then none of you has had a serious photo of yourselves taken. She looks great (sure wish her politics were as good). Any of us “average” people could never get away looking this good in an untouched photo, so quit acting as if there’s anything wrong here. My God, people are shallow. No wonder so many are getting swayed by this woman.
adolf olverrnipple…. you are what is wrong with America! “If you would have went to college instead of joining the marines you would see what you peddle is horse sh%t.” What the hell does going to college have to do with knowing how to be selfless and patriotic? Nothing! What you learned in your liberal ultra-left University is why you have such a closed mind to the real word as real people see it. By saying that someone messed up by joining the marines to protect your right to be an ass you have validated his reasons for doing it.
Let me first say that I’ve never commented on something like this before, but I feel compelled to do so. I googled this image out of curiousity after hearing about the recent criticism. Honestly, I don’t see what the problem here is. The photo reflects Palin as she truly is, no worse or better… and honestly, I think she looks fine, and I’m not even a fan of hers. She is a vice presidential candidate, not a model positioned for marketing a good, and so why is anyone even concerned about what she looks like? Is anyone more likely to vote for a candidate because they’re better looking than another? Unfortunately, that was a bit or a rhetorical question, as the simple fact that this conversation is taking place answers that question. I’ve heard more commentary on her being attractive than I have on her being qualified… and I’m not commenting either way as to whether or not she is, just stating that more focus has been on superficial things like her looks than the depth of her character or the viability of her candidacy. Lastly, I guess I’ve never understood why debates about which candidate to support rarely involve give and take as to where each candidate’s strengths are, and instead more frequently involve personal attacks on both the candidates and each other… as is evident by this comment stream… and as I’ll predict with continue to be evident by someone lashing out at this comment.
Cliff, that is the problem. If you would have went to college instead of joining the marines you would see what you peddle is horse sh%t.
Obama is clearly the one ready to help the middle class get out of this recession. John McWar just wants to invade Iran.
THERE ARE A MILLION OTHER BEAUTIFUL WOMEN ACROSS THIS GREAT COUNTRY, WHO GET NO RECOGNITION WHATSOEVER….WHAT IS SHE A ROCK STAR NOW???!?!?
sam s do you hear yourself talking? I am a conservative and I joined the Marine Corps when I was 17 and still in highschool. You think that is self centerd and caring for no one but my self? What about all the conservative military men and women that are protecting your a.. right now? You think they are only conserned with themselves? I would be glad to put Obama in office if I thought he was the best option for our country. There is an economic war being waged on our country right now and Osama Binladen said he would use our own system to take this country down. You and everyone else better wake up before it’s too late!
She is absolutely georgious in that Newsweek picture! I can’t wait to see her as Vice President and as far as Newsweek and every other source of media in this country are conserned to me they are all the scum of the earth for their complete lack of unfair and biased reporting. Obama has not received 1/4th of the scrutiny that Sarah has.
Sarah Palin is classically beautiful. Even in an unretouched photo, she looks beautiful. How many overrrated actresses and models can say the same?
Sam S, you are a racist and hateful person. Democrats want everyone to have an even chance to get rich? You mean better chance than anyone White. You are disgusting.
Come on, Patsy Coffee, you sound like a broken McCain record. Who cares what the image looks like. Fact is, Palin is a pretty woman…even with the untouched photo…that, by no means, makes her a qualified VP candidate. Why are you disappointed with Meecham’s article…because you don’t agree with it???
I LIKE THT PIECE OF CRAP IN HER TOOTH
Come on Patsy Coffee. I don’t see a single thing wrong with the picture and I don’t believe you do either. The biggest problem with conservatives is that they think they have cornered the market on loving america the most. I have news for you. YOU DON’T!! We all love this country. The difference between our beliefs is that conservatives only want white people to prosper and liberals want everyone to have an even chance. THAT’S THE DIFFERENCE. CONSERVATIVES ARE FOR THEMSELVES ONLY AND LIBERALS LOVE HUMAN BEINGS AS A WHOLE.
Newsweek has really overstepped the boundaries of fair and unbiased reporting as well as ethical journalistic standards.
The Obama cover was all grace and “walks on water” laudatory reporting. The liberal media does not represent “us,” United States citizens who are patriotic, love our country and are not ready to give over our democracy to the socialism and earmarks that Obama represents. Enough – Work on ethics and fairness – you may win over some new subscribers.
I’m disappointed in Jon Meacham who has done some really nice writing in the past.
She is beautiful even super close up!
{ 1 trackback }