Sarah Palin, Miss Congeniality
Image by Getty Images via Daylife You know, I stay out of politics, for the most part, but this pick of McCain‘s for his running mate has me scratching my head.
I’m all for more estrogen in the white house, Amen Amen. And I’ve often said, if you want to clean that place up, put in a woman. I still think that way.
What scares me about Sarah Palin is 1) she doesn’t have much experience, and with McCain’s health in question (the guy is 72 with melanoma, for the love of jayzus) it’s a strong possibility she may have to step into the Big Shoes. She’s publicly stated she doesn’t know what the VP job entails, and she has no foreign policy. Two stints as mayor of a small town and one as a governor (and not even a full term yet) does not qualify you to lead this country, I’m sorry. I’m all for putting someone in there that’s not caught up in the cesspool of Washington politics, but you have to know SOMETHING of what’s going on, or they’re going to eat you.
2) She is pro-life. She has received big kudos for recently giving birth to a Down’s syndrome baby. First, why the kudos? Millions of women do this every day. And some choose not to. I don’t want to see that choice taken away from anyone.
Speaking of that, she has five children, one of them a special needs child. Hey, I know all about the Superwoman Syndrome, but can she really help to run the country and spend the time she needs with her family? What’s her priority? And if the job is her priority, what does that say about how she considers her family? Don’t get me wrong — there’s no doubt in my mind she’s sharp, and that she can multi-task, or that she can do the job as well as a man with the same education, background and experience, can you dig it. But the reality of taking care of a family, especially one with unique challenges, is a lot to bite off.
3) She’s pro-creationism. I have a problem with this. It’s a personal problem. I believe there is WAY too much church in the state already, and narrow-minded Christians scare me. This is a subject for a whole ‘nother blog post, probably too hot button for here, so I’ll just leave it at that, for now.
4) She has a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism, with a minor in political science. That means she knows how to spin a story, and she has just enough political knowledge to make her dangerous. She won “Miss Congeniality” in a Miss Wasilla pageant, which means she is charming. I’m not sure what that adds up to, but I don’t like odor it emanates.
5) She has also publicly stated she doesn’t believe that global warming is “man-made,” and yet announced plans to create a committee to address climate change and a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in Alaska. If global warming is not man-made, then why bother? Logically, this bothers me.
6) She is a proponent of oil resource development in Alaska. I don’t believe environmental concerns are any kind of an issue for her, because she also instituted a bounty on hunting Alaskan wolves and objected to putting polar bears on the endangered species list, afraid it would interfere with her oil resource development. This is not a good thing, I’m thinking.
So, the Republicans are over the moon at McCain’s pick, for the most part, and the Democrats are as well. For very different reasons.
If this is an attempt to capture women’s votes by appointing a woman, I’m afraid it’s going to fail — you have to pick the *right* woman. I don’t think Sarah Palin’s it, at least from my perspective. Upon further reading and discussion, it seems that some people think this was a calculated and meticulous choice, merely for the eye candy appeal, since McCain doesn’t have any of his own. Sadly enough, there are a lot of people out there who will vote for Miss Congeniality, and ignore the very real issues facing a Vice-President of this country – especially with a running mate as old as McCain.
Sure did shake up the process, though, and maybe that’s a good thing. McCain has essentially made this a race vs. gender competition, but he may have miscalculated. We can only wait and see what the Electoral College decides. But that’s a hot rant for another post.
What do you think? Is it Miss Congeniality that we need for this country? What does this mean to the female gender?
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Let’s face it this is a scary astute pick. I don’t think as much for picking up Hilary voters but for exciting the base with a story as compelling as Obama. Bush won with with voters by bringing that base to the polls. Palin might do the same and swing those on the fence in the process. I for one am sincerely surprised and impressed with her accomplishments. yikes!
I agree, a scary astute pick. It makes me think a little harder about McCain, to be honest. I don’t believe Palin will pick up the Hilary voters, either — their veiws are worlds apart. I am also impressed with Palin’s accomplishments, but *she may very well have to take office!* McCain’s health is definitely a big question mark, but is Palin the right candidate?
Lots of food for thought. Thanks for stopping by, Noel.
So then is
Biden the right candidate? I would have to say Hilary would have been the BETTER one. Honestly, can we truthfully say that Obama has more experience? In less than 24 hours I know more about Palin’s experience, and can give a better argument for “executive” experience than Obama. I still constantly find myself stammering to reconcile his experience with what I had traditionally would have wanted from a president. Let’s cut through this BS that we level against our opposition. Dems did a real job on Hilary. If it weren’t for a couple of social issues I would be on board with this woman. Palin is the right candidate because she gives MCain a better chance of winning. She is attractive on so many levels. I won’t be voting MCain/Palin, but others will give them a second look.
I will be totally honest with you and tell you I don’t know as much about Biden as I do Palin, and Obama’s “experience” (or lack thereof) has always made me nervous. I agree that Hilary would have been a much better choice from what I know of her, and I am disappointed the Dems felt it necessary to throw her under the bus. I guess you can tell I’m not a Republican…and my opinion is another four years of Republican rule will crush this country. We’re already in such a mess I don’t think *anyone* is going to bail our asses out soon, but I do feel we have a better chance with the Dems.
The choices of candidates is pathetic. But really, would *you* want the job? If McCain and Palin become elected, I sincerely hope she makes a liar out of me, I truly do.
What do I think? I LOVE what you say and agree 800%. I was frankly too mad to write anything on my blog about this yet
The “but she’s a woman, isn’t that what you gals wanted” thang is sooo offensive to me. She does not support any of the positions I as a woman, a feminist, a democrat or… a thinking person support.
It’s one thing if people love her (or mccain’s ideas) – I can agree to disagree but the “this’ll show obama” kind of vitriol I’ve been hearing and reading is scary and disappointing. And mostly I’m disappointed in my fellow women who seem to be doing exactly what Mccain bet they would – supporting someone blindly, mistakenly buying the hype that this is a feminist’s move.
I could go on… you said it all though. thanks.
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Speaking of that, she has five children, one of them a special needs child. Hey, I know all about the Superwoman Syndrome, but can she really help to run the country and spend the time she needs with her family? What’s her priority? And if the job is her priority, what does that say about how she considers her family? Don’t get me wrong — there’s no doubt in my mind she’s sharp, and that she can multi-task, or that she can do the job as well as a man with the same education, background and experience, can you dig it. But the reality of taking care of a family, especially one with unique challenges, is a lot to bite off.
I get the point that you are trying to make but this is not a question we would even consider if she were a man. The kids have a father and his role will be child rearing.
Other than that point I agree 100% with your analysis of the situation. I would go a wee bit further though and classify Palin as what I term a collduer. She has clearly internalized patriarchal values and is more than willing to through women under the bus to achieve power.
Renees last blog post..Sex Trade Workers Are Prey For Serial Killer In California
Well said. Don’t forget that she wants creationism taught in science classes along with evolution. Hmm, nice. So much for separation of church and state there.
At least Obama has held office for more than 18-20 months and has a degree and education that kind of makes sense. I dunno. I am not saying that he is a highly experienced candidate. but compared to Palin….
Renee, I understand what you’re saying, as well. But it’s not that simple! There are some times that a child, special needs or not, *just needs their mother*. I’m not saying it to be sexist, I’m saying it because as the mother of three, that’s the reality.
I raised three kids as a single mother, sometimes working two or three jobs to support them. I know I was stretched as thin as you can get, and I also know how much it sucks not to be there for your kids at times. I’m just wondering how this will affect her, because the job she’s going for is a lot bigger than just supporting her family.
Your life, and the lives of your children are likely to be in this woman’s hands someday. Think about it.
It’s so sad. I feel like women are flocking to her bandwagon just to get a female in the White House — but hellfire, she’s not ready! If she’s not ready, she’ll fall flat on that beauty-queen ass of hers, and make all of us look bad.
Terrible choice. What a wasted opportunity.
Thanks for all your comments — I really love discussing this stuff, even if it does make my blood pressure rise. Heh.
I dunno, I have a several friends who live in Alaska~ Dems and Repbulicans~ and they ALL like her.
These people have actually watched her running a government (something none of the other three candidates have done AT ALL, btw) and they all agree that she was a great choice by McCain, even if they still aren’t planning to vote for him. My Dem friends did disagree with her stand on some issues and are still voting Obama, but none of them expressed to me that they were concerned about her ability to handle the job.
To be honest, I could care less that she’s a woman~ the Republicans need a good kick up the backside, that I don’t think even loosing in 2008 would do…but I think Sarah Palin just might be able to give it to them, win OR lose:).
I think McCain is being too clever by half.It’s as though he is saying,oooh, look at me , I am a modern thinking man.There are many reasons I would not vote for her,all listed in previous comments. But are there others who find her high pitched voice just a tad grating??? May sound petty, Iknow,but it just another reason she gets up my nose.
Heh, sparrow — I know exactly what you mean.
I think the crux of the matter is not that she’s a woman, but that she’s the wrong woman. There has to be a woman out there that is more qualified than Palin — she wasn’t even vetted properly. I have a feeling McCain’s camp may have approached their “A” list and had to settle for Palin.
Interesting to see how it plays out.
Thanks for stopping and commenting.
Something like this affects all women, and we might be more judgmental because we who are over forty know what it’s like to juggle kids, careers, and all that comes with it.
She said as early as March, if I’m not mistaken, that she would not give up her governor’s job — I wonder what made her change her mind.
Well, I don’t know what other Republican woman would be appropriate–with the exception of Condoleeza Rice and she won’t run (and she is Bush administration any way which makes her unacceptable to many). Palin is a GOVERNOR (as was Bill Clinton and many other Presidential candidates). At least she spent her time as governor, governing, unlike Obama who spent most of his time in the Senate, campaigning. No, I don’t agree with her on several important issues, but at the moment, I believe those issues may not even be raised and what impact does the VP have on social issues, anyway? Men have made a mess of the country; we need a woman to straighten things out and Sarah Palin may be just the woman to do it.
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Very well said, Goddess. I would also add that her experience in Alaska, dealt less with extremely crowded urban areas as with the lower 48. I don’t know for sure, but aren’t there more people packed into the District of Columbia than the entire (huge) state of Alaska? The phrase ‘executive experience’ carries a little less weight once this is considered.
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I think the VP selections and the media soundbytes have us all a little distracted from what really matters: the proposed direction each presidential candidate will likely take our country. I am reading The Audacity of Hope to better understand Obama the person…and will seek out some equivalent reading on McCain (any suggestions folks?)…the problems our country faces are much too complex to be decided on impressions related to gender/race/length of experience…it’s the vision and direction I seek to understand…a fully informed vote is what we Americans should cast.
[...] John McCain scares me more than Sarah Palin. The guy is plainly several French fries short of a happy meal, and it frightens me to think his [...]
There are critics of Sarah Palin but in my opinion she is also a very good politician and she also did some good projects in Alaska.
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