Joe Biden did more for the equality of the sexes with his honest display of paternal emotion during the vice presidential debate than Sarah Palin's presence on the executive ticket has or will ever do.
Biden visibly teared up when he rebutted the idea that "just because I am a man" he didn't understand what it was like to wonder whether or not a child would "make it" in recovering from a life-threatening medical situation. At the time, he was likely recalling the tragic automobile accident that killed his wife and daughter and severely injured his two sons. It was an authentic, moving and powerful moment. It was, in fact, the strongest expression of real paternal love we have seen from a public official in recent memory and maybe ever.
By bringing that reality to a national political stage, Biden demonstrated that -- for all of us, not just feminists -- the personal is political, that women alone do not have the sole responsibility for caring about the future of our children and that the concern of fathers is a largely untapped pool of political energy. In his acceptance speech, Barack Obama paved the way for this when he talked about fighting for equal pay for equal work because he wants "my daughters to have the same opportunities as your sons" -- and said this while looking with protective ferocity straight into the camera. He has continued this message on the campaign trail with great impact.
Political equality for women will not come from the minimization or idealization of motherhood -- but rather from recognizing fatherhood as a significant factor in our culture and politics.
Thank you, Joe, for bringing us to the next level and keeping it real.
Read more reactions to the Biden-Palin Vice Presidential debate from HuffPost bloggers
To me being a feminist is all about the woman fighting for equality out of a sense of justice. But the true strides are made when men fight for equality too out of love. There's something very powerful about that. And I suspect that will be the way in which sexism is truly defeated.
I think the same could be said for racism too between whites, blacks and anyone else. Which is why I think the Obama/Biden ticket is so laden with hope. Especially when I see rally after rally of Whites all cheering their hearts out for Barak. And it's not BECAUSE he's Black, but because they think he is genuinely the best man for the job and want to see him succeed. It doesn't get any better than that!!
It's stark contrast to McCain (who won't even fight for veterans benefits or even vote for his own anti-torture bill) or Palin (who won't even fight for women's rights). It's almost like hope and encouragement vs. betrayal and denigration. Betrayal is a strong word, but in this case, I think it's pretty accurate judging from their actions.
Interesting times we live in.
it was appalling and ...stunning...
Indeed, he is one of those anonymous, ordinary heroes -- and outstrips McSame in every detail of that.
And, thank you DE for Joe Biden!
Is it because she is a woman or because she is a Republican? OR should I say, is it because he is a man or because he is a Democrat? Either way, it's inconsistent.
Oh sorry -- you're a Republican so facts don't matter.
Joe Biden is a total class act and I am proud that two men like Obama and Biden will be the role models for our American boys and also will be "representing" America to the rest of the world. THESE men hold the true American values that I was taught, anyway...
That Palin didn't even acknowledge Biden's loss, jumping instead straight into a lame talking point about McCain, is pretty disturbing.
Her smile is as fake as her comments. The woman is a construct, a kind of Frankenstein created by Republican PR agents. She doesn't actually exist.
Yes, but it's not just disturbing. It is a window into who this woman really is. It was unbelievable that she could hear Biden express that kind of emotion and continue on, without batting an eye, with her plastic smile pasted on her face, blabbering and going on with her nonsensical talking points.
It was creepy, it was ugly. It revealed her for the robotic, artificial, narcissistic personality that she is. Narcissists are incapable of empathy. Anyone with a heart would have had to stop in their tracks and respond. Nope. She is heartless and we all saw that.
I was emotionally touched before he even got to his "moment." My husband, whose first wife died 22 years ago, was crying. My 16-year-old daughter was, as well.
I asked her how she would have reacted to that if she were in SP's place on the stage. She said she wasn't sure, but would have been touched enough that probably that fact alone would be all the response needed. I agree completely. When ice water flows in someone's veins, there is no hope of health care, looking after our natural world, avoiding armed conflict in other nations.
Acknowledging Biden's truths is not a political risk. It would have cemented SP's claims of family relationships and human life mattering. And even if it did cost politically, if it were I in her place (and I know Eye am not qualified) I'd sooner forfeit an election than betray myself and the rest of humanity by ignoring what was happening beside me.
Such people as SP (and JMcC) have no business occupying the top levels of government.