Is Sarah Sanders Believing or Just Doing Her Job?

Is Sarah Sanders truly convinced of the polished narratives she delivers from the White House, or is she simply performing a role in the intricate dance of political spin? The question traverses a complex landscape of media, politics, and the effectiveness of public relations in contemporary times.

Spotting a Liar

One might argue that Sarah Sanders' performance is akin to that of a public figure who parrots the opinions of others without real conviction. However, as time has worn on, the line between conviction and narrative management has become blurred.

Conversely, one might deflect from conviction to the notion that she's merely doing what she's paid to do: spinning the White House. Yet, the public's ability to discern the truth from fiction remains a critical ability in our information-saturated era. The ability to spot a liar has become not just a social skill but a necessary survival tool in a world where falsehoods are broadcast with equal fervor as truth.

Does Conviction Matter?

The nature of the position defines whether conviction matters. Unlike Hillary Clinton, who exuded a witty and self-assured brand of dishonesty, Sanders often seems to speak without thinking. Her role as a White House spokesperson is to produce and maintain a public narrative, rather than to hold beliefs.

Through the adversarial atmosphere of the Trump White House press conferences, it’s evident that the effectiveness of political communication has shifted. The press conferences are no longer seen as a place of mutual understanding or dialogue, but as an arena where the dominant goal is to disprove the opposition. This environment suggests a greater focus on the narrative than on substantive policy discussion.

The Role of Media

The mainstream media’s role has also changed. No longer are they neutral arbiters of facts, but instead, partisan forces pushing agendas. The Media Research Center (MRC) reports that over 91% of evaluative statements about President Trump on major nightly news broadcasts were negative, as opposed to only 9% that were positive. This stark contrast indicates that the media is not focused on factual reporting but on influencing public perception.

Harvard University’s Shorenstein Center similarly found that negative Trump coverage dominated positive coverage in the early days of his presidency. This trend suggests a persistent bias against the president in the media landscape, something critical to understanding the context of Sarah Sanders' role.

Public Perception and Approval Ratings

Despite the negative media coverage, public opinion polls provide a more nuanced picture. According to the NBC/Wall Street Journal poll, President Trump’s approval rating has reached 47%, the highest since the poll was taken. This compares favorably to President Obama’s approval rating of 45% during the midterms in 2010. Such numbers indicate that half of the American public believes things are on the right track, contrary to the negative narratives promoted by the mainstream press.

The Rasmussen Reports' Right Track/Wrong Track poll shows that the percentage of Americans who believe things are headed in the right direction improved from 28% at the start of Trump’s presidency to 43% as of the most recent survey. This indicates a growing sentiment of optimism and contentment among the American populace.

Conclusion

While critics may argue that the negative media coverage is justified by the actions of the Trump administration, the reality is more complex. Sarah Sanders, as a spokesperson and mouthpiece, operates within a system where the goal is not to present a balanced picture but to manage public perception.

The effectiveness of this spin machine can be seen in the approval ratings, which demonstrate a disconnect between the media’s narrative and public sentiment. As we navigate this landscape, it becomes clear that the role of Sarah Sanders is not solely about belief but about the strategic management of public relations in the highly polarized political environment of the Trump era.