The Evolving Strategy

The purpose of this study is to examine how autobiography functions as image restoration for a political candidate through the analysis of Sarah Palin‟s memoir, Going Rogue: An American Life. In particular, the study will identify and evaluate specific restoration strategies implemented by Palin in order to repair her image in the public and political limelight. When first introduced to the public, Palin received promising support with her nomination speech at the National Republican Convention. Her popularity remained high until mid-September when her credibility began to deteriorate with revelations of her inexperience in public office and amateurish responses during televised interviews. After the 2008 presidential defeat, Palin‟s reputation continued to be scrutinized. In an effort to salvage her political reputation, Palin published a memoir and became a speaker at numerous conservative Republican events. With the November 2009 release of her autobiographical best seller, Going Rogue: An American Life, Palin addressed accusations made against her and explained the reasoning behind each claim. In order to examine autobiography as self-defense, this study incorporates William Benoit‟s theor