Rarely does someone burst onto the political scene with such energy, such vigor, such a capacity for being mocked. But in Sarah Palin, we have a perfect storm of ineptitude, corruption and rabid wingnuttery wrapped in a package of Jed Clampett meets Annie Oakley. She almost doesn’t seem real—she’s like a cartoon character. So as a predictable result of her being the focus of such public attention, she has garnered numerous nicknames.
Herein, we shall determine the best, the most appropriate, the definitive Sarah Palin nickname to be used forevermore. Or at least have a few yuks late at night.
See below for the list of nominees. Vote in the poll or enter your own name in the comments. I have tried to identify the origins where they are known.
The Nominees:
Sarah Barracuda. Actually Palin’s nickname from high school. Apparently based on her viciousness.
Caribou Barbie. Probably the most oft-used now; I believe it originated with the Stephanie Miller Show.
Moose-o-lini, alternatively Moose O’lini. Origin unknown.
Palin-Drone. Not 100% sure of the origin, but there’s actually a website by that name
Chick Cheney. This nickname appears to have actually originated as a generic nickname before Palin was chosen (and actually not a nickname for Palin, but a joke about Dick Cheney keeping the position), but based on what we know about Palin, it seems to fit her very appropriately.
Half-Baked Alaska. The phrase has been around for a while before Palin was selected (once actually being used in a discussion about McCain’s fading prospects to win the state of Alaska) but it appears to have come into wide use as a nickname for Sarah Palin around September 1st.
Blunder Woman. A common nickname that has been around for years (perhaps decades) based on its play on the name of the popular comic book character. Began being used as a nickname for Sarah Palin here as early as September 2nd.
Snowjob Squareglasses. First coined by New York Times op-ed columnist Charles M. Blow on September 19th in this column.
The Killa from Wasilla. Appears to have come into wide use on September 4th. There is also a website by that name.
Snark Shark. Coined by satirist Barry Crimmins on September 4th in this column.