Not so long ago, writing on one’s hand was frowned upon in the political arena. In 2010, revelations that Sarah Palin had scribbled crib notes onto the palm of her hand ahead of a Tea Party convention Q&A session resulted in derision and mockery.
Even President Obama’s then-White House press secretary, Robert Gibbs, took a jab at Palin during a briefing as he displayed a grocery list written on his hands and joked, “I wrote down ‘eggs,’ ‘milk,’ and ‘bread’… then I wrote down ‘hope’ and ‘change’ just in case I forgot.” Reporters shared knowing laughter.
Photo by Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images.
Since then, Obama staffers have evidently reversed course on the issue of writing on one’s hand. Last week, Stephanie Cutter, President Obama’s deputy campaign manager, made hand-writing an official White-House-endorsed action, encouraging Obama supporters to wear their support on their flesh. She wrote in her morning tweet: “There’s a new way to say you’re voting for @BarackObama. Post a photo with #ForAll to join in & commit to vote.”
Democratic politicians followed suit.
David Axelrod, former senior adviser to President Barack Obama.
Twitpic via @davidaxelrod.
Jim Messina, campaign manager for President Obama
Twitpic via @Messina2012.
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida, Democratic National Committee chairwoman
Twitpic via @DWStweets.
@OFA_PA
Twitpic via @OFA_PA
But the hand is not a surface to be dominated by Democrats! Republicans countered with hand messages of their own.
Rick Perry, governor of Texas
Twitpic via @GovernorPerry.
@_TJThompson
Twitpic via @_TJThompson.
Now that writing on one’s hands has crossed party lines, Sarah Palin no longer has to commit campaign catchphrases to memory. She can take all the crib notes she needs.
