John McCain's Choice of Sarah Palin Telegraphs His Misogyny

I've always believed that George Herbert Walker Bush's appointment of Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court was an example of white supremacy. Here's my reasoning: the venerable Thurgood Marshall had dedicated his life to advancing the cause of African-American civil rights in this country, (serving as the lead attorney for the NAACP in the landmark 1954 ruling, Brown v. Board of Education, that marked the beginning of the end of racial segregation in the South). Later, President John F. Kennedy had to face down the southern wing of his own party to appoint Marshall to the federal bench, and in 1965 President Lyndon Johnson elevated him to the Supreme Court, the first African American in history to serve on our highest court. When Marshall retired Poppy Bush told the civil rights community: "Oh, you people want a black man in that seat? Well, here's Clarence Thomas for ya!" He chose an unqualified, inexperienced, right-wing hack who stood for everything that Thurgood Marshall was against. When Marshall was on his way out he said: "A black snake can bite you just as bad as a white snake." Since he joined the Court, Justice Thomas has consistently ruled against the interests of African Americans thereby undoing much of the legacy that Marshall had worked so hard to create. In my view, that is an act of white supremacy -- using a black face to undo black social gains.

John McCain's choice of Sarah Palin to be his Vice Presidential running mate I see in similar terms. This is misogyny -- using a female face to undermine feminist gains. McCain saw how the gender gap was widening and witnessed the Hillary phenomenon and declared: "Oh, you people want a woman on the ticket? Well, here's Sarah Palin for ya!" Palin is an unqualified, inexperienced, right-wing hack who stands against everything for which the women's movement in this country has fought for over the past 40 years. She is a Christian fundamentalist who is anti-choice, anti-stem cell research, anti-environment, and wants a Constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage.

With Palin's choice as his running mate, John McCain is telling America's women that he'll sacrifice their reproductive rights with a smile and a nod and the assistance of a "professional" woman who is a fur-wearing former beauty queen. Now THAT'S misogyny!

Comments

[NotMcCain]

Absolutely! He is cynically using an unqualified woman to undermine female gains (and probably to have someone else to blame when he loses).

Beyond that, he clearly disrespects women. He had several top-notch Republican women to choose from--experienced, articulate, conservative, and proven on the national stage for many years.

But he didn't want a woman who expected to be his equal. Instead he chose an unknown, inexperienced, untutored 20-month governor from a small (population) state far removed from experience in either domestic or foreign policy issues.

He didn't want an equal, an adviser, a partner in governing like Obama did.

McCain wanted tokenism, a stunt to try and get PUMA votes. In doing so he showed not only contempt for women, poor judgment, but also complete disregard for the safety and economic well being of all Americans.

Misogynistic and oh-so cynical.

[Alkelly340]

When i first saw McCains choice for VP (the second that barack obama had finished his speech) i was curiously confused. Was he narrowly thinking that he just needed the hillary supporters, without a thought to anything else. Or was it a combination of that and an attempt to have a young face cause he can see the electricity on the obama side. Much after looking into her record and what i can get from picking through the shallow media stories i am gratful for his pick. This woman will run his campaign and what momentum he has into the ground in the next few months, GOOD JOB McCain! Come debate time, if people can see through what ever thin facade she puts up during debates and ,whatever sounds too good to be true garbage she spews out, then Obama-Biden are a sure thing.

[Joseph A. Palermo - Huffpost Blogger]

Thank you for the comments! I see this as the ultimate act of misogyny because she promises to build up a case for appointing Supreme Court Justices who will over turn Roe -- probably another woman or maybe Palin herself on the high court -- and it that happens tens of thousands of working class women are going to die because of botched back ally abortions in the 30 or so states that immediately outlaw abortion after Roe is toast -- Killing Me Softly -- so ultimately, this "Woman" VP is just another step toward pushing women's reproductive rights back to the 19th century. What irony to do this so close to Hillary Clinton's accomplishment. Cynicism beyond belief.

[gman1232]

Very good analysis here. I thought it was an insult 2 women everywhere when she said, " Hillary but 18 million cracks in the glass ceiling...and you know what? We're not finished yet".

Who was she referring to as "we"...

[Bobzmcishl]

Palin's track record as governor of Alaska is also suspect. It' s hard to believe she was properly vetted by McCain, especially in light of the revelation he had only met her once and made the decision on her on Friday. She is starting to sound like a female version of Dick Cheney in terms of her management style. When she takes office, she fires everyone in sight and replaces them with her friends. Some of that may have been necessary but it's a disturbing management style that sounds like "my way or the highway". Also why would McCain pick someone under a cloud of suspicion for possible abuse of the powers of her office. He can't afford any more embarrassing revelations like that. This just doesn't make sense.

[blaqntelligence]

Mr. Palermo, you got to the root of what I'm feeling.
When you cut through all the chatter, that is what it boils down to.
Offering this token with his creepy smile.
Disgusting.

[filo]

The first words out my wife's mouth re: Sarah Palin were: "This is an insult."

[DLSprague]

As always, impressive insight and I think I'm seeing a trend here.

[KiwisCanFly]

I am simply flabbergasted by McCain"s VP choice.

"Palin has cited her mayoral work as a central part of her qualification to serve as governor. But at the beginning of her term, asked by the local newspaper how she would run the city without experienced department heads, she made the job sound like no big deal: "It's not rocket science. It's $6 million and 53 employees." Oct 23 2006.

Read more if u want: http://dwb.adn.com/news/politics/story/8334949p-8231037c.html

In my opinion this is not a bold choice, it is an unwise choice.

[NotMcCain]

I was student body president of a high school that was only slightly smaller than the town she was mayor of.

The Republicans spin of this is just astounding to watch. You absolutely know they would have been saying the EXACT OPPOSITE if Obama had made a similar choice.

[Zuzette]

Mr Palermo, my thoughts exactly! This is the height of disrespect for all that women have achieved. Hillary's followers are smart enough to see through it.

[speeddeeps]

McCane is a cunning and calculating man, who saw white women anger and try to capitalize it, never,NEVER, underestimate the stupidity of the amer!can electorate.


BTW my female (white) women relatives are voting for 0

[AnnieinOR]

I agree with you... 8 years of booshco... we have some really stupid people that think this is a game, not a matter of lives on the line.

[YellerDawg]

Mr. Palermo, you sliced and diced her. I'm exhausted. I need a cigarette.