Sexism and Sarah Palin—It Exists, But It's Overblown
I agree with my colleague Michael Barone that Sarah Palin gave a great speech—she's not quite at Sen. Barack Obama's level as a rhetorician, but certainly highly skilled and with an uncanny ability to charm while being combative. She will be a much tougher debate opponent than anyone has given her credit for to this point.
She's also fomented arguments about sexist treatment in the media, prompting a liberal pro-Clinton group to issue a statement that media discussion about Palin's capabilities as a mother are sexist:
A women's group that hosted Hillary Rodham Clinton during an event at the Democratic convention last week is expressing outrage 'against misogynist smears' directed at Sarah Palin. WomenCount, a nonprofit organization focused on women's issues, released a statement on Tuesday titled 'Sexism and Sarah Palin.' 'We will defend Sarah Palin against misogynist smears not because we like her or support her, but because that's how feminism works,' the group's statement reads."
Has Palin been smeared by sexism? Of course, but not yet to the degree Clinton endured (to my knowledge, no one has called her a "*itch," nor a "she-goat.") But I disagree with WomenCount about whether discussion of Palin's parenting abilities and whether someone can be a good parent while running for or being vice president while raising four children (one is out of the house) including a special needs infant, is necessarily sexist. It all depends on how it's handled. As long as her husband's included in the equation, and if the topic is handled from the perspective of how it might impact her position on public policies, it's fair game.
What is decidedly sexist is an image making its way around the Internet showing Palin in a red, white, and blue bikini sporting a rifle. It's a fabricated image, from which the real model's head has been excised and Gov. Palin's face pasted in. Now that's inexcusable sexism!
Tags: parenting | sexism | Sarah Palin
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Sarah Palin talking through her ass
It's hard to understand why governor Palin is not followed around by a McCain staff member who's only purpose in life until after this election is to apply industrial strength duct tape to Sarah's lips. If any person comes off as a complete idiot it is the uninformed Ms. Palin. She talks thru her ass without ever considering the consequences. It's laughable to think that a comedic rendition of the governor could actually make her look better than her rediculous statements on a daily/ hourly basis. Her I.Q. may be high, but her common sense must be nil.
To make the comment she did today about Mr. Obama being an associate to a known terrorist almost is as relevant as Senator McCain mentioning his being a war veteran/prisoner of war. Who cares? and why don't the networks screen these comments before airing them? Sure, there's not enough humor to be found in this world, but having a political party's candidates being the butt of every joke to be had is rediculous if not pathetic. I'm only glad that after all the abuse that Ms. Palin has created for her party, that after she and Mr. McCain lose this election in a few weeks, because surely they will, that the Democrats can put the country on a track toward making it great again like it used to be. If the other should(and please take me Lord if it does) happen then we had better make this fine nation into the largest comedy store that we can, because no one else will ever take us seriously again.
This article
All I can say as it least this article is somewhat objective - I definitely think the charges of sexism regarding Palin are overblown - I sincerely believe that she was picked so as to prevent Obama from legitimately challenging her on key issues.
Sarah Palin, the pit bull with spit bubbles
She sends a shudder down my spine. She approves of censorship! She would fire a librarian because they did not believe in censorship. I think she is utterly ignorant of the world outside her own dazzling state--she probably has never looked a New Yorker in the eye and muttered her anti-woman, pro-gun, anti-gay, homphobic, and utterly unread views. Please let us defeat her at the polls. we don't believe in dirty tricks--just a clean thoughtful election will sweep the barracuda out of the waters.
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