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TO ALL BLOGGERS: Policy, NOT Misogyny
If you are using misogyny to advance your arguments against John McCain's choice of running mates, you are giving disaffected women every reason to withhold their votes or use them for McCain/Palin.
DON'T do it.
Write about Sarah Palin's lack of foreign policy expertise and how badly that reflects on McCain's judgment, NOT how "babelicious" she is.
Feel free to blog about Palin's abuse of power as Alaska governor, but NOT while using the acronyms MILF, VPILF or similar demeaning terms.
Have a blast blasting her coziness to oil interests, but do NOT suggest she is "in bed" with said interests.
It's fine to discuss Palin's rabid anti-abortion views, but do NOT discuss her children — ANY of them. Attacking a candidate's family is off limits for all but the most wretched political slimers.
Belittle Palin's qualifications, NOT her achievements.
Treat Palin as you would any candidate, NOT as a woman candidate.
Let McCain's own misogyny inform voters, NOT yours.
Focus your blogging on McCain, NOT fascination with his odd choice of Palin. His brash choice is meant to distract our attention to her and keep the public and press from using the microscope where it is needed most: on McCain.
Comments (121)
Heartily rec'd, even though I've been guilty of writing a few things that make me look like a cartoon character with eyeballs-on-springs.
The boundary here is subtle and complex, but it's one that it behoves us to learn.
Personally, I think it's ok to observe that she has a compelling life story, and sharp glasses. Barack is pretty hot too. But I agree that it's *not* okay to use that kind of observation to demean, and I also agree that we're wasting our time, in general, by dwelling on Palin.
August 30, 2008 8:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
What is this compelling life story? I'm being serious.
August 30, 2008 8:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Mooseburgers. Gravel mines. PTA. Shooting moose. Pics in Vogue. Nicknamed "Barracuda." Shooting automatic rifles. Shooting wolves. Wearing fur. Being Pentecostal. Husband races snowmobiles. Flies home to have baby in Alaska.
Sorry. It's compelling.
August 30, 2008 9:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
a) Cashing in on looks to bootstrap her way into a college education.
b) Taking on her own party in terms of ethics violations and resigning to make her point.
c) Despite being able to go the abortion route, taking a child with disabilities to term -- AND still being able to carry out the duties of the Governor of Alaska: she is super-mom!
d) Making it into the Governors office as a woman - without having familial political connection.
e) Really being able to hunt and fish -- rather than just for photo-ops.
You'd think you people haven't learned this game by now!
August 30, 2008 10:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'd like to know that too, Jonze. There is no mystery here: She is pretty and it's not that hard to get elected in Alaska. Do we really need more evidence of their low standars beyond Young and Stevens? She is a novelty, pure and simple.
And Ripper, I'll make an issue out of her family any time she does. If she insists on continuing to present herself as righteous and morally pure because she chose not to abort when her fetus tested positive for Downs (thereby insulting every woman who has made a different choice), I will point out that three days after giving birth she went back to work. I will point out that this is beyond abberrant. I am a mom of three, I know this is not normal. I will point out that it spells danger for how she views maternity leave, and the FMLA, in general. I will point out that it suggests she will appoint supreme court judges who will always side with the employer in an FMLA or pregnancy discrimination act suit.
She is the one who made her family an issue. She did it after the birth of her child, and she did it when she touted herself as a hockey mom in her speech. She is using her family, and they are now fair game. If Michelle Obama is fair game, so is her family. If Hillary Clinton's choices as a wife and a mother were fair game, so are hers.
Please stop with this kid glove bullshit. It insults me as a woman. Did Hillary Clinton get kid gloves? No. Does Nancy Pelosi (another mother of five, and a grandmother) get kid gloves from the Republicans and the media? No. So this woman doesn't get them either. Sorry.
August 31, 2008 3:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
CFMA!
August 31, 2008 2:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Unless of course you are GOP operatives who want to then make a stink "Look at what left-wing blogs are talking about..."
She's a far right fundamentalist, one and a half years of legitimate experience and a troopergate scandal to pick at.
August 30, 2008 8:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ripper- My thoughts exactly. The potential for backfire is enormous on any of these issues. Unfortunately I can see that the pregnancy coverup rumor is already a recommended post.
August 30, 2008 8:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good heads up. The GOP want to sow division and recrimination by playing the victim card. (Hypocrisy alert -- the same GOP which have been telling women and minorities for decades to stop "whining" about discrimination/harassment etc.)
I don't think it's appropriate to get personal. McCain is the one who made the bad decision here, not her. And her politics are nasty -- nutso rightwing fanaticism.
I say, let her dig her own grave with her mouth. She's already flipflopping. I say she's a ticking timebomb. Not ready for prime time, under enormous pressure in the national media shark tank. She will screw this up -- guaranteed.
August 30, 2008 9:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ah Dad, can't I say she's McCains Running, er, mate?
Just kidding Ripper, you know I think she's a joke, and thus, should be an object of some ridicule, but I agree there is no need to be demeaning or vulgar.
(It's hard not to be, though.)
Thanks for the reminder to behave. Rec'd.
August 30, 2008 9:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Tell that to Sarah Palin - when she laughs off mysogynistic language and I am sure thinks feminists are whiners (just like Hillary) when they complain about sexist pigs.
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/2008/08/sarah-palin-has-hot-librarian.php
Please see my comment following the above linked post.
August 30, 2008 9:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Exactly. Check out the politics front page on HuffPo. Apparently this queen bee thinks its funny when others laugh at an older woman (a cancer survivor) by calling her a bitch, calling her fat, and calling her a cancer. Is this a presidential race or a Lindsey Lohan movie?
Everything about this woman is fair game, just as it was for Hillary and just as it is for every other Democratic woman in politics. I can't believe this kid glove bullshit I'm reading. If she isn't tough enough to handle this, she'll do great with Al-Maliki.
When the rethugs stop calling Hillary a bitch and a "lesbo," and stop calling Pelosi a bitch, I'll consider holding my tongue about the prom queen from the University of Idaho (which, at time she went there, required about an 800 on your SATs and a D average).
August 31, 2008 3:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, as a female, I gotta agree.
Everyone is so spooked by Palin's femininity. If one is critical of her accomplishments, her record, her inexperience, her apparent ignorance of both American civics (what does the VP do?) and geopolitical issues, then it is perfectly reasonable to conclude--out loud--that she was selected because she is a woman and to decry the selection. It is perfectly reasonable to state that her selection is offensive on multiple levels, including the fact that she is clearly selected because of her sex.
August 31, 2008 7:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ripper you are exactly right.
But I would go even further than this:
(1) From Ace:
"I would add that Obama does not need to be arguing how important experience is. Let me also add that when Tim Kaine, who has exactly the same experience as Palin, was treated by the Media and the Dems as a serious and acceptable potential pick, it opens up charges of a double standard."
(2) From Instapundit: Why is a genius move?
It will complete the alienation of the rest of the Hillary supporters from the Obama camp. How? That’s easy — the Obamabots will do it themselves. Go read the Washington Post blog or anywhere online where the Palin pick is being discussed, and you’ll see the trademark Obama misogyny already out in full force. She’s been on the ticket for two seconds and already the Obamabots are saying she “looks like a porn star,” they’re making rude remarks about her childbearing, they’re ridiculing her intelligence.
Keep it up, possums. Keep it up. Just when some Hillary supporters were trying to forget what misogynist freaks you all are, now you’re going to remind us all over again.
(3) On babelicious
http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2008/08/compare_and_contrast.asp
August 30, 2008 9:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks Ripper. Rec'd.
August 30, 2008 10:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
One would hope that this would simply be common sense, but the Internet has never fostered good behavior.
August 30, 2008 10:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ripper,
I couldn't agree more -- in fact, I said so in my blog of yesterday.
So what brought about this seeming change of heart from yesterday? viz.
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/2008/08/palin-some-thoughtful-analysis.php#comment-3060520
I'm not trying to bait you, but just noticing a difference in tone... or intent.
August 30, 2008 10:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think McCain is using her as a trophy wife — a status that reflects on him, not her. However, I beleive that terminology, while accurate, is ultimately counterproductive and offensive to some who miss its implications about McCain.
August 30, 2008 11:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
While I wholeheartedly agree with you, Ripper, the fact is that I am LIVID over this joke McCain is trying to pull. This woman isn't qualified to be mayor of Chicago, LA or NYC, let alone VPOTUS and after all the Paris, Brittany, Moses, tire gauge bullshit, this is just another in-your-face to every single American. And I am PISSED.
She's a fluffy choice with the cred of a high school principal. Keeping it civil is not easy. Not easy at all.
August 30, 2008 11:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Understandable, MsJoanne. The pick was McCaine's. Please see my Strawberries post.
August 30, 2008 11:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Michel Martin of NPR (hardly a shill for the GOP) made the point repeatedly on Bill Maher last night that Palin has been Governor of Alaska as long as an earlier guest, Tim Kaine, has been Governor of Virginia.
She is not a light-weight, she has (and is) serving as Governor of a US State.
I suggest watching
http://utube.smashits.com/video/kDqfcRDVT28/Real-Time-Panel-Discussion-Part-2-8-29-08.html
starting at 2:50.
Deal with some of the reality of the issue, don't be so partisan: it blinds you.
August 30, 2008 11:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
PS Kaine was on Obama's short list.
August 30, 2008 11:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Kaine was in office almost a year longer in the a state significantly larger than AK. Wanna bet VA has a full time legislature? AK doesn't. Rove said Kaine was not qualified for the size of his state, this woman is?? Not according to Rove, Krypthammer and other righties. He had several major accomplishments and isn't under an ethics investigation. She has a deposition for that little ethics problem the day before the GE for crying out loud. Her judgement is suspicious for the whole troopergate thing.
I am completely missing your point. You're full of shit.
August 30, 2008 11:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
And, my PS.. I bet that Tysons Corner, VA has more people than the whole of AK!
August 30, 2008 11:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ms. Joanne, the entire population of Alaska would fit in Central Park in NYC, and has, in fact, fit in Central Park. For concerts.
The entire population is less than a third of the population of Brooklyn, and she's only been a governor for 18 months of this barely populated state.
Previously, her experience in governance as a mayor is about the equivalent of governing Lake George Village.
August 31, 2008 12:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
Brian Schweitzer was also a dark horse VP candidate for Obama - governor of MT for 3 years. Population not that much bigger than Alaska. Prior to that he held no local or statewide office.
August 31, 2008 12:18 AM | Reply | Permalink
Notice, dijamo, that he ISN'T Obama's
VP. Hope you can recognize the difference.
August 31, 2008 12:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks I can see the difference just fine. Actually after seeing him at the convention, I wouldn't have minded Schweitzer. He's a character. The point is if Palin is so wholly unacceptable, why would Obama even consider folks as inexperienced on his shortlist? McCain is going to argue he has his experience at the top of the ticket and Obma has his on the bottom. It's a stupid move to carry out the experience argument.
A smarter tactic is to challenge on policies and the economic populist message which is what Obama and Biden did today. Not super secret Desperate Housewives mother baughter baby swapping. Or that she won a beauty pageant. Or that she she's a first term governor. Real issues. Translation: Obama is smarter than you are. Please try and catch up!
August 31, 2008 2:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
Well, written dijama. Apparently a supple mind is not in evidence with many here!
August 31, 2008 3:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
You can "consider" people to raise profiles in the party, to create powerful new voices, to court a state, and increase popularity with a demographic. In most cases, it ends with consideration, not an asinine selection.
August 31, 2008 1:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Where is your evidence that Schweitzer was being considered? I read the same news you do, and never once did I read that Schweitzer was being considered. The blogosphere was certainly considering him/pulling for him, but Obama wasn't. This is another example of rumor being touted as fact. And it's a weak argument for McCain's choice.
August 31, 2008 3:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
And when this was being bandied about in the blogosphere, anna am was one of those advocating Schweitzer. Now she's completely switched and is aghast at Palin being nominated. As CT noted above, Kaine was a top contender and he's a first term governor as well. Kind of hypocritical don't you think? Are there different standards being applied because Palin's a woman or because she's a Republican? Hard to tell.
But let me emphasize why the experience is such a losing argument. By attacking her leadership positions in small town America, you are attacking small town America. By attacking her for going from PTA mom to governor to VP candidate, you'll rally the support of PTA moms who identify with her. Again, focus on policies where we have them on the run. Why do you want to refocus debate on experience which only highlights one of Obama's weakness n the minds of many
August 31, 2008 4:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nonsense. The woman is a joke. Have you seen any of her public speaking? Her little tit-for-tat scandals, her opportunistic flip-flopping? My cat would have done a better job as governor.
Have you read what her home state is saying?
Making fun of Palin because she's a joke isn't disrespecting anyone. It's being truthful. What I dislike is this bending over backwards to make her into something she's not, the potential leader of the free world. YOU are elevating her.
Does she have potential? Nope, none that I can see. She's an opportunist that got lucky, and Alaskans are beginning to realize they may have have made a big mistake. I'll join with them in their bewilderment, and leave the spin to the GOP.
It's their bed, they can suffer the ridicule for it.
In the meantime, I think it's an insult to Hillary Clinton to even give this choice a passing interest, and frankly, I'm surprised at you Dijamo.
August 31, 2008 4:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Bwaky - she wasn't chosen to appeal to my type of Hillary supporter which is the vast majority of HRC folks. She was chosen to appeal to the Reagan Dems that Hillary was mocked for trying to appeal to because Hillary was not one of them. Hillary seemed inauthentic to some in the guns and god crowd because the Crown Royale and stories of hunting with her grandfather seemed a little forced. Quite frankly Palin IS one of them. Obama mocked Hillary as a fake Annie Oakley and McCain went out and got himself a real one. She's going to have an audience. That type of Hillary supporter chose Hillary because she spoke to them on an economic level. Obama and Biden will try to do the same. But when I went to PA to canvass for Hillary I met an awful lot of Democrats that were not enthused by Obama or Hillary. Granted that was back in March, but some of those voters may be moved by Palin.
She is not on the level of a Hillary Clinton in terms of experience or policy, but I think we underestimate her at our own risk. Much of the criticism about foreign policy experience etc. was said about Obama in the primary and he overcame those doubts. No reason to think Palin won't be able to do the same.
August 31, 2008 6:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
So typical of you MsJ. Contradict yourself, much?
First you say you don't get it (and I agree). But then you say because you don't get it I am full of it. How can you say the latter if you don't even know what I am saying?
Are your sure you haven't worked in the Office of the VP the last 8 years? Your technique (and eloquence) is rather similar.
August 31, 2008 3:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
Try this on your little mind.
I missed your point but understood what you were trying to accomplish. And that was where the You Are Full Of Shit came in.
Was that clear enough?
If not, I will try it again with monosyllabic words.
August 31, 2008 11:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
Unless you claim to be a psychic (which comes with it's own special set of jaw-dropping disconnects from reality), then if you missed my point then you can't tell what I was trying to accomplish.
Your statement is more a commentary on your post than I could possibly make.
August 31, 2008 12:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Let's try this, maybe you can wrap that little mind around it.
Your post was pointless, but I got what you were trying to accomplish. And that is where you are full of shit.
Got it now? If not, I can try to put it in monosyllabic terms for you.
August 31, 2008 12:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Clearthinker has been touting this woman for two days. I don't get it either. This is insulting to women, but only women seem to be able to comprehend that. This is tantamount to McCain calling every one of us cunts. His misogyny was never more apparent than when he made this pick.
I live in a town of 7,000. The idea that our figure-head mayor (she was a figure-head mayor too) is qualified to be VP is laughable.
And don't give me any bullshit about her 18 months as governor. It's Alaska, for god's sake. Her state has fewer residents than every legislative district in California. Being Governor of Alaska is like being mayor of Tacoma, Washington, but far less impressive.
August 31, 2008 3:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
You mean women like Hillary Clinton and Geraldine Ferrarro? Or Michel Matin on Bill Maher the other night?
Yes, only women can see the truth here. Uh huh.
I have yet to tout Palin. Only pointing out how many of the so-called "arguments" against her don't hold water.
Interestly, we've heard more about being a Governor of AK as laughable (even in your post!) rather than
a) her support of creationism
b) her alleged abuse of power
In other words, it would be nice to move this conversation up from the playground level and more into a strategy meeting.
August 31, 2008 6:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Barely 20 months as governor of our most sparsely populated state, Alaska, the third smallest in total population, with a petro-economy that fuels 80 percent of all state revenue is hardly a reasonable equivalent to three years as governor of Virginia, whose population is several magnitudes over Alaska's and whose economy bears far more resemblance to the Lower 48. While Palin may be titular head of the 1,800-person Alaska National Guard, she remains unqualified as commander-in-chief in comparison to Biden OR Obama. Don't let whatever's blinding you keep you from indulging in a little reality.
August 30, 2008 11:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
P.S. I lived in Alaska. I know what I'm talking about.
August 31, 2008 12:00 AM | Reply | Permalink
Ripper,
First, please take note of my reply to dijamo above.
Second, let's take your idea to it's logical conclusion. I'm from CA... we have the 8th largest economy in the WORLD and 1 out of every 8 Americans is a Californian.
Therefore, you puny states should bend to our mighty might. You exist to serve CA... all your politicians are provincial hacks (I mean are they dealing with the EIGHTH LARGEST economy in the WORLD on a daily basis??) My GOD: the mayor of Los Angeles alone is better equipped to deal with governing than most of the Western States given the population of LA County!
Clearly all Executive politicians should be coming from California -- they already nearly represent the whole damned country!
If you take state size as the key issue here, be prepared for the consequences. It's a dumb metric pure and simple.
And by the way, nothing is blinding me: it is you that is blinded. I bet you are another in the long line of Democrats laughing at the GOP strategy that has served so well over the past 30+ years:
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/2008/08/voting-bbq.php#comment-3062367
And PS: I've done business in AK, so I know what I'm talking about too. ;-)
August 31, 2008 3:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
Logical conclusion? No a straw man:
Thanks for the repetitive insults. Sarah Palin is unqualified and that is the consensus opinion of some very "supple minds."
August 31, 2008 9:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
Please go back and re-read my post. For a guy who used to be a journalist you have a very thin skin and are quick to see insults when it's clear the over-the-top rhetoric is to make a point.
And then go back and see that I have yet to argue about her qualifications. I am just reminding people that she is Governor of AK -- and on a thread where you are allegedly making pleas to attack her on the (easy) substantial issues rather than throwing an insult at her.
August 31, 2008 10:10 AM | Reply | Permalink
Please go back and re-read my post. For a guy who used to be a journalist you have a very thin skin and are quick to see insults when it's clear the over-the-top rhetoric is to make a point.
And then go back and see that I have yet to argue about her qualifications. I am just reminding people that she is Governor of AK -- and on a thread where you are allegedly making pleas to attack her on the (easy) substantial issues rather than throwing an insult at her.
August 31, 2008 10:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
Your over-the-top comments seem a little elitist, that's all. Maybe you should reconsider the way you make a point since it doesn't seem very effective.
August 31, 2008 10:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
Agreed. In two short days Clearthinker has lost any semblance of credibility. You can articulate why McCain picked her without suggesting that she is qualified to be president. Even the McCain camp acknowledges today he wanted Lieberman but caved like a puss to the religious right.
August 31, 2008 3:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Challenge for you libgirl: show me where I stated she is qualified for POTUS.
Please. I'd really like to know.
August 31, 2008 6:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe you should reconsider how you make a point, because elitism isn't much of an argument:
Really?
August 31, 2008 10:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yes? Your point is?
I don't argue her qualifications as President because just being a Governor, in an of itself doesn't qualify you. However, she is not a light-weight because she is a Governor, an elected position, the highest executive position in a state. Many people here want to paint her as a merely a Chairwoman of the Local Neighborhood Watch which is just as inaccurate.
My statements are internally consistent.
Which I guess brings us back to supple minds...
August 31, 2008 12:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Palin served four years on the Wasilla City Council, 6 years as Wasilla's mayor, 1 year on the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission and 20 months as governor.
Relative to being qualified assuming the duties of president of the United States on a moment's notice, yes, she is most definitely a lightweight.
August 31, 2008 2:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
You know, you are one stubborn guy.
You can't handle the fact that she is not a light-weight politician, despite maybe not being qualified for the POTUS.
I suggest you tell me if the current Governor of MT is a light-weight. That was his first public job.
In a thread where you plead for careful arguing, you undermine yourself!
Consider: at the start of this campaign, opponents tried to paint Obama as a light-weight because he had years of community service (nice, but relevant?), years in the state Senate where we heard the same stupid arguments about how long they were in session, and then only a few years on the national scene.
Do you see how these arguments are just as compelling as yours? Apply the same standard all the way around. (Now, I happen to think they are *not* compelling -- all the way around.)
You remind me of a GOPer I was talking to the other day. We talked of Hillary's speech at the convention. I said I was particularly impressed with Hillary's invocation of Tubman. The reply? "I just didn't get that? I mean what do dogs and torches have to do anything."
No, I didn't just make this up. And I said, it was about "Go forward"... and she said: "All I heard was dogs and torches. The underground railroad was a weird thing to bring up."
Now before you say this person is just dumb, she is an executive that pulls in north of $200K/year.
So the only conclusion is that, this person is stuck in a mindset.
Your comments remind me of this story because you can't seem to state anything neutrally about Palin.
As others (and you!) have pointed out, there are real issues like abuse of power, creationism, abortion, etc. we can be talking about. But dissing her as a new Governor of a small population state doesn't stand up to anything more than partisan talk.
You ain't gonna win the election THAT way!
August 31, 2008 3:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't belittle her achievements, but they have in no way prepared her for the office of the presidency. If you think her 20 months of gubernatorial experience are anything CLOSE to Obama's national experience as a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs; the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs; and the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, you are just being absurd. Again.
August 31, 2008 6:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
You are correct, the two aren't comparable, because the jobs are fundamentally different.
However, as a Governor, she has to know how to deal with a State Legislature, etc., in other words *executive* experience.
Of course, I wouldn't want to see her at POTUS, but she does come with some experience and as Dijamo points out, the Governor of MT, and as Michel Matin pointed out, the Governor of VA, are both equally new at their jobs -- and they were on Obama's list.
Yes, yes, yes, he didn't pick them... but if these issues we talk about were so fundamentally important, they wouldn't have been on Obama's list as all.
August 31, 2008 6:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe you should reconsider how you make a point, because elitism isn't much of an argument:
Really?
August 31, 2008 10:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe you should reconsider how you make a point, because elitism isn't much of an argument:
Really?
August 31, 2008 10:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
What the fuck is with this server?
August 31, 2008 10:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
The people I know from and in Alaska are virulently anti-government. They don't want a strong state government.
They want strong federal reps, so they can keep getting that federal money. But the feds better leave Alaskans alone.
Within the state, they don't want to be told what to do and not do. Palin seems to fit that bill pretty well.
August 31, 2008 3:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
I also recommend going up to the state of Alaska gov site I posted elsewhere and just rummaging through what she has said and advocated over the last two years.
She obviously is not incompetent as a governor. She understands the energy/public welfare equation of Alaska well enough. She is not flailing about.
We still have this naive view that executives rise and fall on their own individual talents/experience/resumes.
Not so. They rise and fall on the strengths (or lack of same) of the management teams they assemble. A strong enough team can make a successful governorship for anyone short of a raving lunatic.
Presidents and Vice Presidents are not like pilots of jets, that we the voters throw into the cockpit and demand they know have the know-how ("experience") to fly the government solo. They bring with them small armies of advisors and staffers that operate the controls. I tend to discount, as irrelevant, attacks on Palin's (or Obama's) lack of experience as being disqualifying.
August 30, 2008 11:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Two thoughts as someone who lived in Alaska for six years and through two pregnancies.
First, MANY women in Alaska fly in late stage pregnancy. Anchorage is the only real city (not counting Fairbanks). Due to the lack of physicians of any kind, some women actually use OBGYN's in Seattle, which is a three hour flight away. You don't drive to other cities (unless you call Wasilla a city!) My parents are from Dallas and that is a 7 - 9 hour flight to Anchorage. I don't think many people can understand how isolating living in Alaska can be. I believe physicians are much more laid back about flying during pregnancy in AK than other states .....and besides you would get far better care in Dallas or Seattle if you had the baby early....trust me on that one.
Second, I have already read and heard many refer to Gov. Palin as someone who "cut taxes". That would be an amazing acomplishment since AK has no state tax, Anchorage has no sales tax, and the state actually pays its residence annually to live there based not one cent of what the Gov. decides. There is a fund committee that determines the Alaska state fund.
August 31, 2008 12:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
"I believe physicians are much more laid back about flying during pregnancy in AK than other states .....and besides you would get far better care in Dallas or Seattle if you had the baby early....trust me on that one."
Then why did she fly back to Alaska to have the baby, Wimoma? I'm confused by what you're saying here.
August 31, 2008 12:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
This is exactly the relevant point on the baby issue - poor judgment in endangering the baby's life. The hopsital it was born in does not even have a NICU and she drove right past the 2 hospitals that had one from the airport after she got home.
I know you westerners are tough but this borders on ...insanity.
In Dallas all could have been handled safely and responsibly.....
August 31, 2008 7:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
This argument will go nowhere but badly for those who advance it.
August 31, 2008 9:14 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks Rip, excellent advice.
It's the judgment stupid.
Seems right & true? You think?
August 31, 2008 4:26 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think AdAbsurdum pointed it out first, but do not go for her "inexperience." Go for her unpreparedness (if needed after assailing McCain's horrible judgment in picking someone he knew nothing about, and who he had only spoken to twice ever. Seriously? Who can make such a grave decision having spoken to the person for an hour at most? This is not McDonald's.)
She has done nothing to prepare for being a president; in fact, she has done nothing to prepare for having any role in foreign policy at all. And that is fine for a governor, (although there are other governors who have chosen differently.) But it is not OK for someone who is certain to become president if McCain is elected.
She does not know what it is that a VP does.
She has "no opinion" on Iraq.
She has "no recorded position" on foreign policy.
August 31, 2008 6:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
Two words:
BIN-GO!
August 31, 2008 10:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
Ignore Palin until she gets herself in trouble by saying something that highlights her complete lack of qualifications for the job. In the meantime, attack McCain's lack of judgment. Is a guy who'd make this pick after just two phone calls really fit to lead? That's the question Americans need to ask.
August 31, 2008 2:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't think the focus on her inexperience is very useful. The right will make a false-equivalence to Obama--even though he was vetted by the American people, has demonstrated his insight and knowledge and wisdom, and has proven himself on a national and global stage.
It makes much more sense to emphasize the fact that McCain appears to have picked her on a whim, without fully vetting her, because Karl Rove wouldn't let him pick who he wanted. We all know he wanted Lieberman or Ridge. Why didn't he go with one of the people HE believed would make a good vice president? Why did he let the religious right push him around?
Right now, as hurricane Gustav prepares to slam New Orleans again, what the Dems should be emphasizing is how much this proves McCain really has embraced Bush-Rove: She is a global warming denier; she thinks creationism is science; she does not believe in abortion even in cases of rape and incest. That means we will continue to have our science and our education system and our medical care influenced by the particular religious tenets (in her case Pentecostal) of the people at the very tip top of government. That's not just that NASA and EPA and FDA reports get edited. It has real consequences. It means four more years, potentially eight, of nothing being done to combat global warming. Will we be able to get birth control anymore? Or will the FDA suddenly announce that condoms aren't safe?
The Troopergate scandal is also very reminiscent of Bush. She used her power to enact a personal vendetta. She used her power to get rid of someone who refused to abet her in doing something illegal. Then she lied about it. When caught, she lied again. She removed associations with Stevens from her website and edited her own wikipedia page. These are not the actions of a "reformer" or one who believes in transparent government.
The experience argument is a waste of time and goes against Obama's argument that judgment is what matters. This pick revealed that McCain makes his most important decision on whim or pandering or buckling under pressure, not gathering all the facts and using sound judgment.
I loved Kerry's speech: How pathetic that McCain would embrace the people who smeared him. How disgusting that he would abandon his principles.
August 31, 2008 1:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't think the focus on her inexperience is very useful. The right will make a false-equivalence to Obama--even though he was vetted by the American people, has demonstrated his insight and knowledge and wisdom, and has proven himself on a national and global stage.
It makes much more sense to emphasize the fact that McCain appears to have picked her on a whim, without fully vetting her, because Karl Rove wouldn't let him pick who he wanted. We all know he wanted Lieberman or Ridge. Why didn't he go with one of the people HE believed would make a good vice president? Why did he let the religious right push him around?
Right now, as hurricane Gustav prepares to slam New Orleans again, what the Dems should be emphasizing is how much this proves McCain really has embraced Bush-Rove: She is a global warming denier; she thinks creationism is science; she does not believe in abortion even in cases of rape and incest. That means we will continue to have our science and our education system and our medical care influenced by the particular religious tenets (in her case Pentecostal) of the people at the very tip top of government. That's not just that NASA and EPA and FDA reports get edited. It has real consequences. It means four more years, potentially eight, of nothing being done to combat global warming. Will we be able to get birth control anymore? Or will the FDA suddenly announce that condoms aren't safe?
The Troopergate scandal is also very reminiscent of Bush. She used her power to enact a personal vendetta. She used her power to get rid of someone who refused to abet her in doing something illegal. Then she lied about it. When caught, she lied again. She removed associations with Stevens from her website and edited her own wikipedia page. These are not the actions of a "reformer" or one who believes in transparent government.
The experience argument is a waste of time and goes against Obama's argument that judgment is what matters. This pick revealed that McCain makes his most important decision on whim or pandering or buckling under pressure, not gathering all the facts and using sound judgment.
August 31, 2008 1:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Agree, agree agree! This is a really smart point that I hope gets spread around. As others have said, if experience is the thing, the right will try (ad nauseam) to argue that she and Obama are equally inexperienced. But if the argument is about preparedness, it's a whole other contest, and there's NO contest. Obama has thought about all the issues, has opinions and ideas about all the issues. The magnitude of difference between them is so great, it's crazy we even have to discuss it.
August 31, 2008 2:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
I was replying to roo_P's point above.
August 31, 2008 2:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
We need to focus on her abhorent views -- no abortion even in rape and incest cases (yikes!), and no contraception even for married couples, and on and on -- and total lack of experience. But she and the media will do this job for us: the gaffes will come. She's simply not ready to go swimming in the shark tank that is the presidential race. It will show. Palin will make that case herself.
One more thing: The inappropriate comments/reaction to her is not coming from progressives but from the rightwing. Rush Limbaugh called her a "babe" and I'm sure the mental-adolescents in the GOP will be slobbering over pictures of this rightwing zealot with a gun (don't even want to consider the freudian implications...)
I think this shows something very important: The GOP view of women, which is either as 1)b*tch or 2)eye-candy. Neither is particularly respectful. And I think it shows. Their "female VP" pick is 24 years after the Democrats made history doing this. And unlike the Democrats, which came 2% from President Hillary, the GOP wouldn't dream of picking a female at the top of the ticket. She's alright as a loyal "sidekick" that lets manly McCain call the shots. I'm sure she'll never be offended by his inappropriate humor and off-color sexual remarks.
I think sooner or later, women will sense this, the disrespect. This was a deeply disrespectful move by McCain, is clearly looking down on women.
Democrats should let the GOP dig their own hole on this.
August 31, 2008 9:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
I LOVE your last two paragraphs. For me it comes very close to a winning argument. My only problem is I've been long enough on this blog to remember what you wrote before. So as much as I want to believe you, I just can't.
August 31, 2008 11:20 AM | Reply | Permalink
That's fine, I've not been a fan of your positions either. But whatever we felt about Hillary or Obama personally or policywise, I'm *damn* proud of my party this year. Instead of taking the safe and easy road, we kicked ass and made history times two. We pushed America to the point where a black or female was conceivable as CinC, not as a "sidekick".
August 31, 2008 1:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
It is nice to see someone in the nomination that is not a Ivy League or other establishment just-getting-their-due person.
And I guess for most fo the readers here, reading about someone who has a life that goes beyond the corner club or bagel shop is a challenge to your reality.
Having grown up mostly in Alaska and before that in Idaho myself, she sounds quite normal.
BTW, the general post is quite cute. I'm not sure if the Dear Leader's cult is trainable, but better late than never. But first, can you admit to the error of your ways during the past year or are you still in denial?
August 31, 2008 9:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
Matthew, who the fuck cares about her "story?" This is about selecting a President, not a new Lifetime screenplay.
John McCain's recklessness and political ambition caused him to fail the most basic of tasks, making sure his VP can do the job when he croaks. And by all signs, she has in no way prepared herself for the job.
August 31, 2008 12:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ummm... roo?
Be careful here:
a) Joe Biden overcame stuttering, took the oath of Office for Senator at the bedside of his injured son, etc.
b) Barack Obama raised by a single mother, met his father only one month, etc.
Touchy-feely life histories are part of political campaigns since, forever.
August 31, 2008 12:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
I will avoid a discussion of emotion-based voters and merely point out that Matthew is presenting it as a qualification. It is not.
August 31, 2008 3:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe you should reconsider how you make a point, because elitism isn't much of an argument:
August 31, 2008 10:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
Geeze, Ripper... now you are going to try to tag me as "elitist"? Have you run dry on any rational sort of arguments already?
August 31, 2008 12:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
clearthinker, I'm no more trying to tag you as elitist than you're trying to tag me as a thin-skinned ex-journalist. Get the point?
As far as running out of ideas, no. I'm just thinking clearly about electing Obama-Biden. This kind of divisiveness won't help. Agreed? Can we let bygones be bygones?