Another Reason Why I Love Gloria Steinem

Alaska Governor and GOP VP candidate Sarah Palin has the "big mo'." At least she seemed to have it in the St. Paul convention hall where she made the official transformation from "hockey mom" to party attack dog.

The Republican party faithful loved her. They cheered her on as she adopted the talking points John McCain's people gave her, gleefully mocking Barack Obama and the Democrats. She outlined her life story, which, in the abstract, is compelling.

And compelling is what the Republicans are hoping for -- a working mother of five, from PTA to one of 50 governors in only 14 years and on the verge of becoming the most powerful GOP woman in America (sorry, Carly).

Someone who has juggled the demands of motherhood and career, and has developed a political path for herself along the way, championing the right-wing values they need to secure if they want to win the White House in November.

Fortunately, on the heels of the adoring crowds last night, comes the progressive voice of reason, Gloria Steinem, with her op-ed in the L.A. Times, Wrong Woman, Wrong Message:

Palin's value to those patriarchs is clear: She opposes just about every issue that women support by a majority or plurality. She believes that creationism should be taught in public schools but disbelieves global warming; she opposes gun control but supports government control of the women's wombs; she opposes stem cell research but approves "abstinence-only" programs, which increase unwanted births, sexually transmitted diseases and abortions; she tried to use taxpayers' millions for a state program to shoot wolves from the air but didn't spend enough money to fix a state school system with the lowest high-school graduation rate in the nation; she runs with a candidate who opposes the Fair Pay Act but supports $500 million in subsidies for a natural gas pipeline across Alaska; she supports drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Reserve, though even McCain has opted for the lesser evil of offshore drilling. She is Phyllis Schlafly, only younger.

I have no doubt that the McCain's people (read: Karl Rove) know that the choice of Sarah Palin would not appeal to most Hillary Clinton supporters. But I don't think that's what they were after -- they're hoping to galvanize a different voting block, not the NOW women, but the NEW women.

As a young political science major in college, I had two ideological enemies -- Marabel Morgan and Phyllis Schlafly. It was beyond me that any woman could look up to either one of them and think they represented a way of life that seemed like a good choice.

While I am still confounded, I now have a couple more decades under my belt and can see, though not agree, how someone like Palin is appealing -- political women are passionate about their ideals, regardless of whether they are right, left, or in the middle. And McCain's people believe if they can tap into that passion, they've got it made.

That's why I'm hoping that as many women as possible will read Steinem's op-ed and focus on what we stand to lose and what it really means for the future if Palin becomes the next vice-president, not just for progressive women, but for all women -- and their daughters.

Read more analysis from HuffPost bloggers on Sarah Palin

Comments

[twohearts]

I agree with this post, and have already read Steinem's editorial. The people - esp. women - Democrats want to reach will never read the LA Times or Huffpo.

She is popular because of her perky personality and her life as a "normal" mom with 5 kids and a big job. For many women who don't consider the actual legal meaning of her politics, she looks great! But she isn't - I don't think she's even for equal pay for women.

First the Dems have to go after McCain and his lack of knowledge or insight about the economy, taxes, and many other Real Issues. What a mess of distractions so much of this campaign has become. This year we need a lot more!

[tompoe]

not so gender specific, but the topic/question of preparedness should be considered. Palin says she hasn't thought much about the Iraq war. Palin has been in a position of leadership, representing Alaskans for several months. Doesn't she owe it to them to think about the Iraq war, and how that war impacts on her state? If the invasion/occupation of Iraq is illegal, as the United Nations concluded, shouldn't she be prepared to discuss this with those citizens of her state that want to know what to do under such circumstances? Is she increasing her liability exposure by acting in concert with war criminals?

[grendl]

I want to know.

What happens when a 17 year old atheist girl gets raped.

She doesn't believe in the will of god, because she doesn't believe in god. Why should she have to give birth to the spawn of her rapist. It is anti-thetical to the whole right to life liberty and the pursuit of happiness line our forefathers posited as self evidenciary and inalienable.

This is a free country. It welcomes Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus as well as Christians, atheists, agnostics, druids, animists, and every other faith on the planet. So why is it the rules of a Christian god must be followed.

Sarah Palin thinks so. And she's wrong. And Barack is wrong too, and Oprah Winfrey for that matter if they think the rules of their preferred deity take precedence over all others. Wrong. Barack.

You may think you've chosen the right deity, but that doesn't give you the right to tell everyone else to adhere to tenets and dictates of your chosen religions architects.

Free country means free goddamn it.

[jenny42]

If we were in church, I would say pass around the offering plate and pull you in some duckies because you have preached a sermon! I say AMEN!!!! I am a christian woman who believes that Jesus was so radical, he would not have forced anyone to do anything that they did not want to do. ABORTION IS A MORAL DECISION and I truly don't believe MEN should have a say in what women do with their bodies!!!!
The scriptures say that every person must give an account of their own soul's salvation. The gospels also says, "What shall seperate us from the love of Christ?" Nothing, was the answer.

Sarah Palin's church also tries to "change" gay people. How ridiculous? Jesus didn't say you have to be heterosexual to follow him, he specifically said, "WHOSOEVER" That sounds inclusive to me.
The scriptures futher says, " The kingdom of God is neither male nor female"

Enough of what the goodbook says, the Truth is that Atheist females as well as all women have the authority of what happens to them.

I hate to bring this up, but Sarah is in no position to control what we do as women when she cannot even control what happens in her own house. Sweep around your own Back Door Sarah Palin before you try Sweepin around mine!