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Sarah Palin: A Sleight of Gender?
"Not again!" I thought to myself this morning, as news trickled out that John McCain was set to pick Alaska governor Sarah Palin as his running mate. Not again, because too often women are promoted for the wrong reasons, and then blamed when things don't go right.
Don't get me wrong: what I know of Palin (which admittedly isn't much), I kind of like. I don't agree with her politics. But in her two years in Alaska's state house, she's shown herself to be a scrappy reformer, a no-nonsense manager, and a consistent conservative. She's also a mother of five, which in my book is a sterling test of leadership.
Since there are only eight women among our nation's fifty governor's, and only three of them are Republicans, she was certainly someone to watch, a potential comer on the national stage. At 44, she's young, a fresh face, and wildly popular in Alaska. And it was easy to see her appeal during today's Ohio rally, where McCain introduced her as his running mate. She showed herself to be an utterly down-to-earth hockey mom with an independent (one might say maverick) streak. And her shout-outs to Geraldine Ferraro and Hillary Clinton for their path-breaking campaigns added a genuine note of grace.
But is she ready to be commander-in-chief?
Unlike Barack Obama, whom McCain has so emphatically condemned as not-ready, Palin hasn't run for or served in the Senate. Nor has she run for president, which would have required her to think through and take positions on critical issues from the war in Iraq to the war on terror, from Iran's nuclear ambitions to the Russian incursion into Georgia, from the emerging power of China to the march of globalization. She hasn't debated tough opponents a dozen or so times or faced aggressive, often downright hostile reporters on a daily basis. Talk about untested. Her slim record undermines one of McCain's most effective arguments against Obama.
Clearly, McCain thinks Palin will help him among women, particularly those disaffected Hillary Clinton supporters who are having so much trouble "getting over it." It just shows how clueless the McCain camp actually is. Unlike Clinton and Ferraro, Palin hasn't been a strong national voice on women's issues. She hasn't been at the barricades, fighting for women's health, equal pay, economic security. And she certainly hasn't had anything to say about the national-security issues that are also important to women across the political spectrum. Does the McCain camp really expect pro-choice Democratic and independent women to be swayed by a sleight-of-gender?
McCain made the decision to double down on his credentials as a take-no-prisoners reformer. But he did so at the expense of the more important qualifications for a running mate.
It's not political to say that John McCain turns 72 today. That he's a cancer survivor. That he spent six years being tortured and abused in a Vietnamese prison camp. Those are the physical realities of his life, and pure and simple, they demanded that he chose a running mate who is ready, really ready. That he put country first. Today, he failed that test.
Worse, when Sarah Palin falls short--and I hope I'm wrong but I think in important ways, such as her debate with Joe Biden, she will--some people will conclude that women can't cut it. That's unfair to Sarah Palin--and it's certainly unfair to the rest of us.
This post originally appeared on vanityfair.com
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Let's examine the few things we don't know yet about Palin: 1. Why did she elope with her husband instead of having a wedding? She claims it was to spare her family this expense. But I would like to see the date on her marriage certificate and compare that to the birth of their first child. 2. Why did her husband's snowmobile business fold after only three years? 3. How did she fare in the other jobs she held before becoming Gov. of AK? 4. What has her husband been able to accomplish on his own and how successful has he been? 5. Why did her son join the Army instead of go to college? 6. Why did they acquire a HUD house? 7. Why has her approval rating as Governor been dropping and not going up? 8. What else don't we know yet about "Troopergate" and her involvement in this?
RJ Crane, topplebush.com
"...And her shout-outs to Geraldine Ferraro and Hillary Clinton for their path-breaking campaigns added a genuine note of grace."! Really! I suggest you - and all those swooning about this "historic" choice - read an article published in the Anchorage Daily news circa January 2008 :
http://www.adn.com/opinion/comment/story/295464.html
The article decribes Mrs. Palin as cracking up, laughing and "having a grand old time" as Anchorage DJ Bob Lester Calls State Senate President Lyda Green, a cancer survivour no less, a "cancer" (twice!) and a "B***h!" (while also making fun of her weight and accusing her of being jealous and hateful). According to the article, she was "clearly enjoying every second of Lester's vicious attack on her political rival." And if that's not enough for you to question her "feminist" bonafides, how about her complaining about Hillarys "whining" about sexism in the campaign?
http://www.newsweek.com/id/156190/output/print
Please!!!
As an woman in my 60's who had 2 children I really have to question her decision making. After reading the following in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram I'm not sure that she would be a wise decision maker:
"Palin, the 44-year-old former beauty contestant and mother of five, drew attention in North Texas this year. She was eight months pregnant when she traveled to Grapevine in April for a Republican Governors Association forum. Before she spoke, she felt her water break. She gave a half-hour speech before hopping on a plane back to Alaska. There, several hours later, she had her baby — Trig Paxson Van Palin." (Fort Worth Star Telegram, Aug. 30, 2008)
Remember she was giving birth prematurely to a child with a known birth problem. I think most women would have cancelled the speech and headed to the nearest hospital. So this decision makes me really question her ability to make good-wise decisions.
This is an excellent point about her decision-making skills So let's add this one too: What kind of judgment does it display that she chose to have more children in her mid-40's? The likelihood of having birth defects and other problems increases by a lot as one gets older and past the "normal" child bearing years. Even from the husband's side. And if what I heard is true that she wants more children, what does that say about her judgment? Downs Syndrome is a genetic disease so either she or her husband or both carry this gene. If having a working uterus is the main qualification for women Veeps, than most women qualify. I would like to think that most women know how to manage their uterus much better than she has done.
RJ Crane, topplebush.com
When the phrase "Hockey Mom" is used as a qualification for president I have to think to myself that I am far more qualified to serve as VP since I've got 4 kids in many more sports that just hockey.
I actually have to drive places that don't have a rink that's covered? In the Pacific Northwest we stand out in the rain watching our kids! Take that Northern Exposure!
So with that I'm running for 2016 right after Obama's first two terms!
Sadly she has more experience than Obama and so we are left with no good choice are we. Obama can't match her experience in any way. So what are left to do?
Based on this I think I'm in for 2016 as well.
According to the Bush administration guidelines on torture, none of what was done to McC was torture, just stern interrogation methods.
YES, McCain probably does. But after asking women ALL DAY yesterday if they could vote for this Republican Bigot, the answer was no way. For me personally, IF I HAVE TO CRAWL TO THE POLLS IN NOVEMBER TO VOTE AGAINST HER AND MCCAIN AND BUSH AND CHENEY AND ALL THE REST THAT THAT EVIL PARTY STANDS FOR, I WILL VOTE!
Re: Sen. McCain's choice of Ms. Palin for Vice President.............. I can say only the following:
Had I been given 1,000 chances........I NEVER would have been able to predict that I would learn that Sen. John McCain (JOHN MCCAIN!) believes:
That the qualifications of a person very likely to end up as President of The United States..... DO NOT MATTER......so long as they are Republican....female.........and fit in with the demands of the most extreme elements of his party........and might attract the votes of some of those much-discussed Independent Clinton supporters (of which I am one).
Just over 24 hours ago.....I could be seen nodding my head while I listened to Sen. Obama suggest that Sen. McCain "loves this country as much as you or I do"
I no longer believe that.......I honestly do not
I'd like very much to see a Democrat Inaugurated next January, and unless the American people are MUCH stupider than I thought ........(they've surprised me before in this regard)........Sen. McCain has just ensured that.
I cannot share in my fellow lefties glee at that prospect right now.
I'm still SHOCKED, APALLED, and ultimately saddened to learn that Sen. McCain (JOHN MCCAIN!!) turns out to not care one whit about this country or what happens to it.
I find that VERY sad
Regards
tm
You have to be more careful and not imbibe too much of the Republican propaganda Dee Dee.
She is not a "reformer" or "wildly popular".
She is a staunch ally of Ted Stevens, her husband works for an oil company, and she is a fierce advocate for drilling in Alaska and massive state and federal subsidization ($20 billion) or that effort by the oil companies.
Her approval rating has fallen 20 points in the last 6 months because of an ethics investigation by the Alaskan State Legislature. Already 30% of the extremely conservative population of Alaska believes the evidence is overwhelmingly against her and that she is guilty.
She is a gun toting Anita Bryant.
Last night a friend and I fell out about this pick.
My question: Why, on God's green earth, would it ever be OK for someone who is under investigation to be considered for the second most highest position in our country, if not the world?
His answer: "She's not been convicted". I was floored.
And this is no so-called redneck, illiterate, uninformed individual either. College educated, middle class, self identified Independent and PRO CHOICE. (Now y'all, this is REALLY interesting, because I personally tend to lean toward the right on that issue, but respect the right of anyone that has to make that very hard decision).
He even went on to insinuate that perhaps she was being PERSECUTED by the legislature. OMG.
And he loved that she's a life long member of the NRA (my friend is a weapons enthusiast, so this was the only part of his endorsement of this person that actually made sense).
Since I know that he is usually not this forgiving of political transgressions (he still won't talk about Bill Clinton-says he was through with him with all the Lewinsky stuff, and that was 10 years ago), the only thing I can think of is that this person I thought I knew so well is caught up in the fact that this very attractive young woman is running for VP. Apparently, that's all he needs to know.
I would say I'm disappointed, but honestly, I am just sad for our country today....
"Don't get me wrong: what I know of Palin (which admittedly isn't much), I kind of like."
Dee Dee, I get it. There is something likeable about a tough, yet still feminine woman. It speaks to the idealistic image that many Americans hold. But this isn't a contest for Miss Congeniality.
I like the article but you are way too soft on Palin's lack of support, or understanding of women's issues. Politically, she is the anti-woman
Re: Palin announcement. NBC is dour and reserved. Fox News is frankly excited. (Kind of like MSNBC "reporters" were after Mr. Obama's speech the other night...holy cow, I thought Chris Matthews was going to need a cold shower.)
Where has the news journalism objectivity and neutrality gone? Do I have to just turn to C-Span and leave it there?
Fox is the most balanced. They more liberals and conservatives than any other network. People say they are conservative all the time, but that only because its impossible to not be to the right of MSNBC. Who do they have defending the right there? Pat B. Is he the only one?? Fox has a ton of people from both sides, its just been so long since anyway has seen balanced media they don't recognize it anymore.
Obviously McCain is trying to make a statement and that it is lost on everyone but me. McCain has enough judgement and experience for two people. Therefore, you can conclude that he doesn't even need an experienced running mate. Also, he's going to live forever.
The liberal women who think that McCain made this decision just to win their votes need to get off their high horses. As a conservative woman, I feel that his choice was a briliant and strategic move made more to reach out to the entire Republican following and engage them. Particularly Republican women who may have been lukewarm to this Presidential race up to this point. I am inspired and rejuvinated by McCain's pick of a young mother who has obviously found a way to successfully balance a GOOD marriage, family, and career in which she has made some major reforms on behalf of the state of Alaska. Before you scoff at her, read her credentials and her track record of making things happen and not just making empty promises. Talk is cheap; action takes much much more.
This is not a knock on HRC; she is obviously more than qualified to participate in a Presidential race and she proved that in the primaries, and for that she is to be commended. But please do not discount this woman. I think people will be surprised in the coming months at how she is able to keep pace with these men, all the while caring for her young family. Those of you who are mothers should at the very least appreciate what that takes. She will win the hearts and votes of people more than most woud like to give her credit for.
Great great great post.
This is a good one. The left hated Palin because she was a women. I don't McCain picked her because she was woman. I personally don't like McCain very much. I think he picked her because he I hoped I liked her enough to tolerate him.
On HRC, she was the right choice but her number didn't come up and the Dems are left a guy wet behind the ears that has less experience than Palin. Republicans have continued to promote woman to higher positions than ever before, to push the glass ceiling up and Democrats have continue, as with Hillary, to keep women down. HRC should have been on the ticket.
It is amazing how many people think that they have Sarah Palin pegged. You have so underestimated Sarah Palin. Just wait......
don't you mean misunderestimated her?
Most likely the back side of this choice is simple: IF McCain were to actually win this election - having done so by hook, crook, or this choice of VP - how easy will it be for Gov. Palin to regretfully withdraw from her future office and bring McCain into office with the wonderful opportunity to CHOOSE a new Vice President.
True, the Senate would have to tippy-toe through confirmation hearings, but hey whoever it is won't be vetted by the entire country on election day, will they?
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