A Great Leap for Women?
By LisaB on September 12, 2008 at 5:00 PM in Current Affairs
“It took Nixon to go to China.” Will it take Republicans to elect a woman?
A lot of current thinking on the nature of change, progress, and/or evolution centers around the idea that major steps forward are often accomplished in leaps. The notion of incremental progress that’s slow, deliberate and inexorable is losing ground in many sciences.
Perhaps we’d better add political science to that list. The Democrats have long been the party promising women that their concerns were the party’s concerns. The party also, by saying it supported women more than the Republicans, held out the carrot that women would rise within the party to a national ticket when one was sufficiently experienced and electable.
Read the rest ->
Well, we know how that worked out. Whether Obama actually beat Clinton is arguable, due to all the questionable rulz, caucus shenanigans, delegate shopping and scorched earth race-baiting. What is not arguable is the utter misogyny on display throughout the primaries and now oozing into the GE.
So, what if the party that just jumps right in and elects the first woman on a national ticket is actually the Republican party? What if it’s the Republicans who make the leap and actually move us forward in how we see women in office??????
Would it really be ironic if the first female on a presidential ticket is a Republican or does it ultimately make more sense?
Camille Paglia, not a Republican by any stretch of the word, has an article at Salon detailing her reaction to the Sarah Palin choice and what it means for feminism. Very interesting stuff and worth the read.
After that extravaganza [Democratic convention, "Greek night"], marking the 40th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s epochal civil rights speech on the Washington Mall, I felt calmly confident that the Obama campaign was going to roll like a gorgeous juggernaut right over the puny, fossilized McCain. The next morning, it was as if the election were already over. No need to fret about American politics anymore this year. I had already turned with relief to other matters.
Pow! Wham! The Republicans unleashed a doozy — one of the most stunning surprises that I have ever witnessed in my adult life. By lunchtime, Obama’s triumph of the night before had been wiped right off the national radar screen. In a bold move I would never have thought him capable of, McCain introduced Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska as his pick for vice president. I had heard vaguely about Palin but had never heard her speak. I nearly fell out of my chair. It was like watching a boxing match or a quarter of hard-hitting football — or one of the great light-saber duels in “Star Wars.” . . . This woman turned out to be a tough, scrappy fighter with a mischievous sense of humor.
Conservative though she may be, I felt that Palin represented an explosion of a brand new style of muscular American feminism. At her startling debut on that day, she was combining male and female qualities in ways that I have never seen before. And she was somehow able to seem simultaneously reassuringly traditional and gung-ho futurist. In terms of redefining the persona for female authority and leadership, Palin has made the biggest step forward in feminism since Madonna channeled the dominatrix persona of high-glam Marlene Dietrich and rammed pro-sex, pro-beauty feminism down the throats of the prissy, victim-mongering, philistine feminist establishment.
——————–Over the Labor Day weekend, with most of the big enchiladas of the major media on vacation, the vacuum was filled with a hallucinatory hurricane in the leftist blogosphere, which unleashed a grotesquely lurid series of allegations, fantasies, half-truths and outright lies about Palin. What a tacky low in American politics — which has already caused a backlash that could damage Obama’s campaign. When liberals come off as childish, raving loonies, the right wing gains. I am still waiting for substantive evidence that Sarah Palin is a dangerous extremist. I am perfectly willing to be convinced, but right now, she seems to be merely an optimistic pragmatist like Ronald Reagan, someone who pays lip service to religious piety without being in the least wedded to it. I don’t see her arrival as portending the end of civil liberties or life as we know it.
———————-The witch-trial hysteria of the past two incendiary weeks unfortunately reveals a disturbing trend in the Democratic Party, which has worsened over the past decade. Democrats are quick to attack the religiosity of Republicans, but Democratic ideology itself seems to have become a secular substitute religion. Since when did Democrats become so judgmental and intolerant? Conservatives are demonized, with the universe polarized into a Manichaean battle of us versus them, good versus evil. Democrats are clinging to pat group opinions as if they were inflexible moral absolutes. The party is in peril if it cannot observe and listen and adapt to changing social circumstances.
I’ve gotten many emails and seen many articles and blogs about how “Palin is bad for women.” But I just don’t see it that way. Agree or disagree with her on issues, but I don’t see that she is BAD for women. How can Democrats, who had the chance to nominate a qualified woman and chose not to, say that Palin is “bad” for women? And could she really mess up things so badly that no other woman would EVER be elected? Really? I don’t buy that. Despite all their mess-ups, we keep electing men.
In an interview with Bill Moyers (see NQ article: Anybody Want a Stuffed Unity Jackass, Anybody?), Andrew Bacevich, author of The Limits of Power: The End of American Exceptionalism, said this:
. . . one of the great lies about American politics is that Democrats genuinely subscribe to a set of core convictions that make Democrats different from Republicans.
I think we’re finding out that the so-called Democratic values regarding the worth of women weren’t worth the water they were written on. Even if Hillary was not to be the nominee, the tactics used to attack her were completely retrograde and reflected deep-seated issues within the party about women in power. And the party is still trying to convince voters that Hillary was the problem and that Democrats would, in a heartbeat, nominate a woman (if one were readily available, but not this year and not even for VP).
If you believe that Democratic values around women are opposite those of Republicans, then Republicans would never nominate a woman or care what women think. Not being a Republican, I can’t say with authority what that party thinks about all women’s issues. But I can say that I think the Democratic positions were essentially lies. If it is true that neither party actually has a set of core values, then it’s only about power.
But it’s the Republicans who have a woman on the ticket.
If you’d like a brief run-down of media misogyny, here’s a NQ piece listing many media personalities saying things about a woman that would get them fired if said about an AA.
If you’d like a brief run-down of Democrats and misogyny, here’s another NQ piece by Rabble Rousing Rev Amy to read.
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The way THIS election campaign is going it sure as shit looks like it.
Women and the Republican Party
“Republican Senator A. A. Sargent of California pioneered the 19th Amendment to the U. S. Constitution in 1878. Encouraged by Susan B. Anthony, Sargent’s amendment was also called the Susan B. Anthony Amendment. Unfortunately, a Democrat controlled senate defeated the passage of the amendment four times.”
The rest is here:
http://us-parties.suite101.com/article.cfm/women_and_the_republican_party
I registered as a Libertarian 30 years ago when there was not any ‘decline to state’ option because I had issues with both Republicans and Democrat parties and refused to be associated with either of them.
But what I observe is that Republicans through their more conservative construct of the Constitution and strict construction read equal rights and equal protection in their exact meaning. Thus, Eisenhower is the one that sends troops to Little Rock to enforce the decision in Brown v. Board of Education. authored by Eisenhower appointee, Earl Warren, which held unconstituional any law under the previous ’separate but equal doctrine pf Plessey v. ferguson, unconstitutional under the 14th Amendment guaranteeing equal rights and equal protection. It was Republicans that declared segregation unconstitutional.
In the early 1960’s, it was Senator Dirksen (R-IL) who authored and championed the Civil Rights legislation signed into law by Johnson. I give Johnon credit for going against his own party at that time as it was democrats like Wallace who were still fighting for segregation a decade after it was ruled unconstitutional. Even JFK had his segregationist streak in him.
In more recent times,it has been reagan appointed members to the Supreme Court (O’Connor and Roberts) who wrote the opinions re-affirming Roe v. Wade and holding unconstitutional laws that prohibited gay sexual conduct in private residences and laws that denied to gays equality of employer benefits.
What the Democrats are so good at is saying that they champion these causes but instead of taking the hard actions of the Republicans. Instead, the Democrats turn the disaffected minority into a permanent class of ‘victim’ for whom government largess must always be bestowed upon, thus buying a steady supply of votes for every election. This is at the heart of the Democratic far left feminist response to Sarah Palen, she is a women that has family and career, and difficulties in both, but does not play permanent victim. Sarah Palen represents a collapse of the far left feminist as permanent victim class, and thus is the wrong role model for their daughters to follow.
amen
good points all…
Don’t forget that Teddy Roosevelt supported Womens’ Suffrage!
Aaaaand Teddy Roosevelt…A REPUBLICAN….Founded the Modern Porssive Movement in America….Aaaand by doing so Pissed off his own Party so much he became an INDEPNDENT….He is McCain’s HERO….I can live with that….
meant to say progressive movement….keyboard in open rebellion…chuckle…
Actually, TR’s Republican Party was a wee bit different than the current bodel, built to fight the railroad and timber barons (ie really big business…Tr joined Fightin’ Bob La Follette (of Wisconsin’s Progressive Party and if memory serves me right, TR ran as a Progressive for the office after he had already served. It’s a surprising and very interesting story for political history buffs. Since Mac is supposed to be a huge reader, especially of history, I take great comfort in hearing TR is one of his heros. Mine, too.
I thought the diary about Obama underpaying his female staffers spoke volumes about the guy.
Just like Biden’s tax returns may speak volumes about him? http://taxprof.typepad.com/taxprof_blog/2008/09/biden-releases.html
He gives next to nothing in charitable contributions. Perhaps he believes in government doing all the social welfare work.
$2 a week on average. Let me guess, Joe and his wife each put a buck in the collection plate.
It will be your tax money paying for all this charity, not his. Trust.
OMG, I gave more to charity than Joe Biden. I earn $32,000/yr.
Great post LisaB.
I’ve never been a fan of Paglia, but from what you quoted of her article here, I am FINALLY agreeing with the woman. Wow. Again, up is down.
The Dems have proven to me that they have been paying us women nothing but lip service;) I have a hunch they are finally realizing their gaffe with regard to the girls.
Here are the Trooper-gate investigators!Yes – some are Obamabots!
http://iusbvision.wordpress.com/2008/09/12/a-picture-is-worth-1000-words-here-are-your-troopergate-investigators/
I normally sort of poo-poo the whole accusations of racism, sexism, etc. But when you look at the complete list from Hillary to Sarah of Obama’s ridiculous comments, it looks a lot like it to me.
As for whether it takes the Republicans to bring the change, I love the thought that that’s true, but I don’t think we can take too much credit. I think it’s more down to Sarah Palin than it is to our party. And John McCain for seeing her for what she is. I’m loving it.
You can vote for what you think of Sarah Palin’s performance in the ABC Cleveland market …. It is in the mid right hand corner called net 5 poll …
http://www.newsnet5.com/index.html
Thanks – it’s currently TIED at 39%.
22% didn’t watch the interview.
Outstanding piece.
The hate directed at Sarah has made me donate money to 527’s defending her rights.
Keep up informing us with the truth!
I will go to a McCain fund raiser Monday in Miami and write a check.
Time for change. Real change!
The one here in Jacksonville started out as a pancake breakfast. There were so many calls that they changed that. It is now a 7:00 am rally with last count 6500 tickets. Will try and get some video. Who knows as excited as people in Florida are about McCain and Palin we may fill the Gator Bowl.
Well…Well..Well…Revealing….INDEED….
Good Article…NQ Rocks….Just what I needed to keep from obsessing over IKE….
“The Republicans unleashed a doozy — one of the most stunning surprises that I have ever witnessed in my adult life.”
This from Camile Paglia. To me this is a very unexpected comment from a women who has always struck me as very blase and cynical (and not at all nice to Hillary).
But I do agree with her. And I would hope that this surprise from John McCain is a promising indication of the way he would govern. I can easily picture him actually trying to carry out some of the reforms he has talked about for so many years and doing it with a bipartisan administration. He just has to stay away from the lunatic military advisors and Phil Gramm-type economic advisors. Maybe he can talk Bill and his friend, Hillary, into serving in his administration.
No more disrespect.
No more.
I think what a lot of people don’t realize is that if Palin had been male, we would still be excited. Fresh, new, former city council, mayor, Governor, 85% approval rating, taxed the oil companies and gave the people a rebate, oh yeah! We’d be cheering on McCain for having the guts and the good judgement to choose that guy.
The fact that she’s female is only icing on the cake. It just boosts the excitment up even more. And also my admiration for John McCain who promised to appoint more women to his cabinet. I think he’s pretty much hit that promise out of the ballpark.
I think you have to look at Palin as the anti- Hillary , maybe you don’t have to agree with her (Palin) but as a women. who is trying to move in a different direction and thou some women don’t like that direction She is steal a strong woman trying to get the job done.
I don’t get the “anti-Hillary” thing?
————————————————
“maybe you don’t have to agree with her (Palin) but as a women. who is trying to move in a different direction and thou some women don’t like that direction She is steal a strong woman trying to get the job done.”
—————————————————
Couldn’t you say the same thing about Hillary? You know being a steel strong woman trying to get the job done, whether you agree with her or not?
I did say positive things about Hillary, when I said anti- Hillary, I just meant differences between them because they are still woman both strong with different ideas. It not a bad thing.
I guess “Anti” came across as negative.
No problems.
The truth is that the DNC and most of the “democrats”has not been telling the truth about Obama’s record, and are not willing to ask Sen. Obama any though question. How come?
Democrats has not been able to respect women amongst them. Please prove me wrong.
We the people are going to elect the next President.
We the people are watching both sides.
Records and speeches.
We love the Clintons, but the Clintons are not on the ticket, likewise we may hate the Bushs, but again President Bush is not on the ticket. That is the truth.
Not only is Bush not on the ticket, but where does BO have any credibility when he calls someone a Bush clone? Obama voted for FISA, the 2005 Energy Bill, the Patriot Act, he supports preemptive war – or the Bush doctrine. His calling people Bush in a dress and Bush wearing wearing lipstick is just absurd.
Camille Paglia? Amazing.
McCain puny? Obama a juggernaut? She must have her glasses on backwards. If Obama was a fish, you’d have to throw him back. Whatever you think of McCain’s politics, he has given more to this country in service than Obama will in several lifetimes. Whatever you thought of the VietNam war, you can’t overlook the sacrifice he made for this country. You can say he’s a lousy senator and he’d make a lousy President, but you can’t say he’s puny.
McCain did nothing over the summer. He barely campaigned, he barely said anything, he had the smell of Dole – the senator given the nod to run for president by his party out of respect for his long service but with no chance of winning. All the big money was going to Obama. Well, now we know what he was up to. He was laying low, saving his money and planning his attack.
You sure can’t. Oblahblah is a runt by way of comparison. And the more Oblahblah talks, the smaller he gets.
Great line!
“if Obama was a fish you’d have to throw him back”
that about sums it up in as few words as possible.
Hurricane could shift Obama’s SNL plans
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0908/13408.html
Maybe they can call Rev. Wright to substitute for him. He might be comfortable with the date.
I’m surprised Obama hasn’t already gone down there and ordered the hurricane back into the sea.
Or Bill Ayers……
Barry has an ad running in Florida saying that McCain has 7 lobbists on his campaign. Then they ask how many will be with him in the White House.
McCain should do one showing Wright, Ayers, Rezko and the rest of Barry’s motley crew asking the same question of Obama.
What a savvy politician!Sarah, I love you!
About on par with shooting a moose, watching the bullet go though and kill the caribou behind it and having the ricochet waste some pesky wolf from behind.
Palin’s Ultimate TrickShot HatTrick
I am really warming up to her too, for those same reasons! I think she rocks Women’s Rights, and I also think she is speaking and fighting a little for Hillary too, who seems to have been throttled and gagged by her Democratic Party. Sarah, open up that can o’ whoop ass on that gaggle of misogynists and haters and oppressors!!!
I am still a Dem though, and staying that way until I know without a doubt this Party is Dead On Arrival, because we all just might be performing CPR on it for all we know. Time will tell.
Will there perhaps be RePUMAcrat Party? Former Democrats, Independents and Republicans for Hillary and Sarah, Bill of Rights, Human Rights, National Security, and Political Reform.
Inderepumacat kind of sums me up after this year of contradictions.
But how seriously can we take someone who was impressed by Obama’s Greek columns?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyrMS6MBuSg
Gee Perry…..I thought the Greeks invented Styrofoam….chuckle….
This post is right on the money, excellent.
I think what we have witnessed from all the bullshit on the Dem side and the refreshing new McCain is that no one should define themselves by a political party name. There is way too much stock put in labels. Yes, McCain and Palin call them Republicans but as a past post said, Bush being a poor President does not make all Republicans bad. I don’t like Karl Rove, Dick Cheney or Donald Rumsfield. I think they are a bunch of low life scum. But many Dem’s want to punish a good man and a good woman who are quite capable of leading our country back to it’s rightful place of dignity and justice because of George Bush and they are Republicans too. They already crucified Hillary Clinton, an astounding, scary smart and extremely qualified person to lead our country. She won the popular vote yet Obama did not select her to be VP. What does that tell you about the Democratic party? The whole point is, don’t box yourself into a little corner and refuse to come out because that is how you have always believed. No political party is everything you want it to be. Look at both sides and every angle in between.
You are 100% correct and it’s precisely why the accusations of “McBush” and “McSame” haven’t gained any real traction. The Democrats have based their entire campaign on the idea that voting Republican is the same as voting for 4 more years of Bush/Cheney. But most voters aren’t buying it and are making a distinction between Bush and McCain.
Correct. I was griping about this months ago. Bush ain’t running, and in fact, most Republicans think about as much of him as I do, which is to say the worst President in history (they just don’t talk about so much on blogs). Nevertheless, the GOP, whoever won out in the end, would have been and would have run on a Not Bush Let’s Clean Up His Mess platform because we all live in the same country and they don’t want it screwed up any more than we do.
The GOP did not split the party– that credit goes to Kennedy, Brazille, Dean, et. al. You know, the Liberal Elite aka the Urban Idiots Association.
You are so right wodiej. I used to be a Democrat but changed to “unaffiliated” about two years ago. I have decided to vote for the person not the party. My belief system is a little bit all over the place, and doesn’t fit completely with either party.
Bill Clinton’s x y comparison voting of the future!
I like Plain, and agree that “..Bush being a poor President does not make all Republicans bad…” ~ but it also means Rove’s won, even before the GE.
In one creative stroke Rove has rehabilitated the Republican brand and significantly damaged the Democrat’s, all achieved via the willing hands of Donna Brazille et al, that power-hungry mob, blinded by their egos.
My edit from tominpaine
Commissar Donna Brazeal…..is a Rove plant….& I don’t give 2 shits if I’m told to take off my tin foil hat….Surf’s UP in Galveston and even Perry is stunning us with COMPETENCE thus far….So the upsidedown makes perfect sense bout now…Hmmmm….
The only thing off in your post is that the TX leg meets EVERY OTHER YEAR, not twice a year.
This year is the first year that my political beliefs have really reshuffled.
I see “feminism” differently as well.
sigh.
You’re not alone kat in your hat. I’m a Republican and most of us are furious with our party as well- they had years controlling Congress and spending went higher and higher and we are fed up too!
But- one thing has happened- the curtain of hate between the right and left has gone through some amazing changes. Some of s on BOTH sides are looking at one another and our views with more respect- while the far-left and the media are digging in their heels against freedom and the people of America…
thank you Deb, I agree. I typically vote Democrat but have voted Republican before. I recently wrote a letter to the editor of our local newspaper and basically said this is not about being a Republican or Democrat, it’s about being an American.
Bush could not have been all that popular of a choice w Republicans or he would not have barely won and apparently cheated to do so.
Of course I want women to have equal rights but I think alot of women have boxed themselves into what a woman is “supposed” to be because we have allowed society to define that for us. Hell no, let us define ourselves! This is more bullshit from the sexist male who simply feels inferior and cannot handle a confident, ambitious and highly qualified woman. I say, be who you want to be and don’t let anyone tell you it’s wrong. Sarah Palin is a perfect example. She’s a Mom and wife but she also likes to do things that are typically considered “manly”, “masculine”. She says so what?? I like it and I’m going to do it. I love it!
nicely stated Deb!
“But- one thing has happened- the curtain of hate between the right and left has gone through some amazing changes. Some of us on BOTH sides are looking at one another and our views with more respect.”
Amen. I’m a liberal who now has more in common with moderates and even some (non-Movement) conservatives than the so-called progressives.
Once again, I’ll preach: moderate GOPers and moderate Dems need to get together and form their own Commen Sense Moderate Party– civil rights for all, fiscal responsibility for all, and a strong defense for all.
i agree, and just remember that all these dem leaders at in on the obama scheme, gore is well connected to soros, and so is pelosi, reid, biden is well connected and has been for a long time to resko..they all are in on it, they are not for this country they are their pockets and agenda..this is why they lie about offshore drilling and let russia drill, this is why they lie about global warming while 30 scientists say its a farce the earth is actually cooling, this is why they are in on the mtg scandal, dodd, conrad, the fha vetter johnsont for obama, and acorn,,,dont forget just what they are up to…it isnt for america
I agree, Kat. I have had a complete conversion this election cycle. Never again will I vote for “party first.” Never again, will I take for granted that the women’s movement represents ALL WOMEN because clearly it does not.
Never again, will I assume that a political message or slant represents me or my family or my particular history. You disrespect my roots, you disrespect me. You disrespect my gender, you disrespect all.
Never again. From now on, I vote for the man or woman who walks to the plate.
Never again.
This year is the first year that my political beliefs have really reshuffled.
I see “feminism” differently as well.
sigh.
Me too. I love the word McCain uses “Disrespect.”
I embrace that word. I’m tired of people telling me that “misogyny” is the word to use. Even “sexism” is deemed too pallid a word to use.
Thank you, Republican party for giving us an inclusive word – Disrespect.
Women and the LGBT community can all get behind the mighty Aretha:
R-E-S-P-E-C-T.
We demand it.
Maybe my ears were opened to hearing the message from John McCain after hearing the nonsense that passed for “progressive” come out of the left. What I heard was there is no one right answer. I am good with that. And I just heard Sarah Palin speak passionately of her personal beliefs not as though they are the end all and be all, but simply her beliefs. I don’t hear anything like that coming from my former party.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B Anthony campaigned for and supported Republicans. Alice Paul got so fed up with Democrats, she started the National Women’s Party.
Things shuffle all thru history. Democrats used to be the ones viewed as blocking womens sufferage and again as blocking civil rights. Sen Robert Byrd was once a Klan member.
Harry Reid, Dem Senate Majority Leader is more pro-life then Palin. He also voted to uphold the ban on providing contraception to military personel and he voted to allow pharmacists to not fill prescriptions.
LOL, my point being that things are really complicated.
That quote Lisa B put up sure makes sense:
” one of the great lies about American politics is that Democrats genuinely subscribe to a set of core convictions that make Democrats different from Republicans.”
I’m from NC, and the Dems here and throughout the south were known as “Dixiecrats.” Just flip the party ideologies completely with some racism and sexism mixed in and you get a Dixiecrat.
Terrific piece- thank you!
I know everyone will see this shortly- but check this out:
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=5791068&page=1
Gov. Sarah Palin says Sen. Barack Obama just might regret not picking Sen. Hillary Clinton as his vice presidential running mate.
“I think he’s regretting not picking her now, I do. What, what determination, and grit, and even grace through some tough shots that were fired her way — she handled those well,” the Alaska governor told Charles Gibson in her third and final exclusive interview with ABC News.
Sarah Palin is no dummy. She’s stroking all of the former Hillary supporters that are out there while at the same time ensuring that Obama can’t dump Biden and put her on the ticket because it would look like he was letting the GOP dictate his campaign.
LMFAO!!! :-0
And what the heck is wrong with that? Compared with the ongoing woman-bashing the dems seem to thrive on, that just shows her basic civility and sense as a functioning woman!
I like Sarah Palin more and more every day. I think it’s great that she said that.
Deb, I really liked your comment about the curtain of hate falling between the left and the right. For those of us in the middle who might lean a little bit right or left – the far extremes are getting to be more and more disgusting.
I really wasn’t able to see that before.
http://onegoodmove.org/1gm/1gmarchive/2008/09/crossing_the_ma_1.html
Here’s what I’d tell Hillary, Jill.
Hillary, here’s how simple it is. We don’t want to waste your 18 million cracks in the glass ceiling. It’s now or never (make that never in my lifetime). I want to see Sarah’s stilleto heels blast right through it. I’m the same age as you are. Would either of us live long enough to see a woman as Pres. or VP in coming elections? At this point I have confidence the down ticket Dems. will keep the house and senate to balance out anything too conservative that McCain and Palin put out there. It’s just very important to get that ceiling broken THIS YEAR.
Here comes hurricane Ike and what is Obama doing……Laughing it up on SNL.
No Democrats opining that God is on their side?
Great article again, LisaB, thank you.
On your point about republicans making bold moves, this could be true…Nixon also signed the “indian self determination act” in 1973 that paved the way for the resurgence of Tribal government…
I think that is the excitement this year–break that glass ceiling. It is truly more hopeful than being depressed and guilt-tripped into voting obama when he obvriously hates many of us!!!
Senator Biden to quit due to imminent medical emergency. Negotiations ongoing between Obama and Bill to replace Biden with Hillary.
http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/4978
Hmmm. I have no idea about the reliability of this article, but it is interesting.
You know why this article is bogus? Because if HRC was going to replace Biden the negotiations would be between Obama and HRC, not Obama and Bill.
HRC runs her own affairs.
Obama looked like shit after that meeting with Bill. Bill didn’t look at Obama when he spoke. Obama would never put HRC on the ticket, and Bill probably took him to the woodshed over lunch.
Bill probably took him to the woodshed over lunch.
That image made my day. Thanks.
From other articles I’ve read today, it seems that the negotiations being referenced are supposedly regarding whether or not Bill will release donor information for his foundation in order for Hillary to be “properly” vetted.
The whole thing makes me laugh. I think these rumors are nothing more than the Obama campaign testing the winds to see what voter opinion is.
But it is interesting to see them squirm knowing that Biden is going to have to actually address the issues in his debate with Palin rather than be seen as attacking a woman.
obama would only want his donor list for donors, not HRC. HRC told obama in june if she was not going to be considered seriously, then to not vet her at all. Obama didn’t. End of story.
He is not vetting her now, he wants Bills donor’s list because he is out of money and wants to grab onto bill’s coatails for funding and recognition.
Bill should tell him to F off.
My bet is that Bill told Obama that Hillary would not step in for Biden. I wouldn’t be surprised if Obama had tried to play cutesy and ask Bill to “talk to Hillary” about it before Big Bill gave him the smack down on it.
I bet Obama was ready to puke after Bill got through with him.
I hope (rather uncharitably, I’m afraid) that President Clinton basically told Senator Obama what a loser the candidate is in colorful, Arkansas redneck terms during their meeting.
Then, with his rage finally vented, Bill could put on his Democrat Party face and mildly campaign for Obama so he and Senator Clinton can’t be later accused of failing to support him.
If true…It would be a collossal BLUNDER….Nothin can save Barky…NOTHIN…
well if it is true it’s too late for me and I imagine for many others. I have heard many say they would be lucky to vote for a Clinton/Obama ticket w her at President and him VP. Her VP under that fraud and phoney? No way. After the shitty way they treated her, if I was her I’d say screw you. This would make the Obama campaign look further weakened. We’ll see if it is true or not. Wouldn’t suprise me. I think they’re desperate.
Well, as an Independent voter, I voted for Hillary in the Ohio primaries. But should she get on the ticket with Obama, I would not ever vote for her. I voted for her because she was more experienced than Obama and I didn’t like how she was being portrayed. However, should she decide to jump on that ticket, I would lose respect for her. I’m not a party line person for either side. I gave up the dem name years ago when I worked as a union rep and saw first hand how they treated women, even in the union. So no, having Clinton on the ticket would not get my vote.
“According to a an exclusive source close to the Northeast Intelligence Network”?
I think we can safely file this one under “Bullshit”.
For one thing, I can’t believe that Hillary would actually accept the VP spot. She wants to be president, not VP.
What they should really do is have Obama have to step down for medical reasons, namely,
Bergissuingmyassitis
LMAO!!!!!
I would say that the Democrats failed miserably in their empty words about supporting women. All I wanted was a fair fight for Hillary – not even special consideration – just a fair fight. It wasn’t. And I’m pissed about that.
The Democrats changed the rules in the primary – experience and competence do not matter. Star power is all that matters. Well… now there’s a new star.
And I’m rooting for her.
if i weren’t sick on my sofa i would have jumped into the air yelling and screaming in agreement (ok, ok… IF i were about 30 years younger AND not sick on my sofa. jeez. details, details…), instead a meek little “right on” came out as my fist kinda lift toward the ceiling. lol. i’ve been saying that for YEARS.
mccain/palin ‘08
puma
I read a comment on another blog-a comment by a woman-”Maybe we ought to vote for breasts; We’ve been voting for boobs long enough.” I’m a woman, but I have to say it did make me laugh
Maybe the women on the right simply look at Palin, the way the women on the left looked at Hillary? same thing, different choices, new reality. You don’t have to agree, but admire the strength of both women.
Great post. I have been comparing this Republican pick of Palin to Nixon and China, too.
There’s a mother I know through my daughter’s high school here in Marin County, which is big Obama country, who writes for the NYT. She told me during the primary how much she detested Hillary.
When I saw her today at a meeting she asked if I’d switched to BO and I said “no”. Then she asked what I thought of Palin–I told her that I like her. She said she is offended by Palin, that she’s no Hillary! She has no experience! They picked her because she’s sexy! I reminded her that she is a GOVERNOR of an interesting state! And has had an interesting life. I don’t agree with all her beliefs but I haven’t seen any evidence that affects how she governs.
I can’t tell you how many elitist (like me), latte-drinkin’, prius-drivin’ friends told me they hated Hillary this year, totally in the tank for Barry, who have never been able to tell me WHY he’s qualified to be President.
I am hoping McCain/Palin can win–it’s going to be close. I never thought I would agree with Paglia….
Yeah I never thought you would agree with her either.
Please go back and research Paglia’s articles from the past decade. She’s just a shock jock wannabe with testicle envy.
Who cares what you think.
Was that a belch from one of the unwashed? Gasex.
I sooo understand what you are saying bayareavoter. I’m in the Los angeles area and ran into sooooo many progressives who said the same shit about hating Hillary and when I ask them to detail why they hate her, they never could. They could never name any of barky’s accomplishments either. Bunch of idiots.
I am so glad they have to deal with another strong woman, their hatred toward these two women exemplifies their hypocrisy.
elitist (like me), latte-drinkin’, prius-drivin’ friends …hey I resemble that remark and I’m not voting BO!
if he replaced Biden it would be very fitting in his attempt to recreate the landslide of 72 when eagleton was replaced.
It is to late, there is a month and a half left. Biden, thankfully is there to stay.
Biden is awesome as vp. It is like he does not even exist.
Well, except when he says he wasn’t the best pick and when he asks a guy in a wheelchair to stand up!
Let me see: Are we talking about Camille Paglia who once wrote an article to express her laughter over men finding gang rape a hoot?
Camille is dreadful. Her comments about Palin are positive only because it suits her to say them. She is a contrarian and is about as interested in women as a mouse is in climbing a tree.
Beebop,
Thank you. I appreciate your honesty on Paglia.
You know, it’s good to listen to people you disagree with on occasion. You learn things.
I think it’s very interesting that Paglia says this. Doesn’t mean I agree with other things she says. But it’s certainly curious that I can so agree with her here.
And it doesn’t mean I have to agree with her later. I own my vote AND my positions.
Camile Paglia is insane. And that’s putting it mildly. When I first saw her, I thought she was an amazingly funny comic. Then I realized she was being serious. lord in heaven. flush that one away.
oh, please, let this rumor about Hillary as VP be just that, a rumor.
I couldn’t stand it if she agreed to be that slime’s VP to save his ass.
Off topic – working woman still trying to catch up with all the threads.
Saw this, loved it, and had to link it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1ajJYkMd74
Loved this. LOL. Thank you karen for Clinton (sigh, McPalin now)!!!!
Captures the mood, perfectly!
Terrific! Hey, I’d send money to give that national exposure on November 5th. Anybody else?
Thanks LisaB!
Women that are angry about Sarah Palin surprise me.
Watching the you tube video of The View with McCain today, I was embarrassed for those women. They were behaving in ways that are stereotypically bad for women, IMO they were catty and shrill in their obvious bias for Obama. Some of their comments were unbelievable. Where was reasoned intelligence?
IMO, The Veiw is BAD for women.
Anyone who believes in intelligent design and watched those women is rethinking that position imho.
They’re just brainwashed disciples of The Messiah. Pity them.
I really doubt Baba WaWa will ever get an interview with McCain or Palin once they are in the White House. I don’t watch that stupid show. I saw the clip on Fox. Walters looked like she was disgusted to have to sit next to McCain. The others reminded me of jackals waiting their turn at the prey.
I totally agree, and now, the cat is out of the bag!
i have been watching her on ABC again. She was much better today. Totally relaxed, confident, she didn’t answer questions she didn’t want to answer. He didn’t pull any punches: abortion, homosexuality, stem cells, working mom. She answered honestly, and made distinctions between her own personal opinions and beliefs and the fact that they are her personal values, perhaps not policy issues.
She also gave props to Hillary, saying that the Obaminator is probably “regretting that he didn’t pick her,” and how she showed grace under pressure and withstood a lot of attacks.
I like that Palin is honoring Senator Clinton in the interview. First, it’s classy and makes the governor look good. Second, Clinton can approach this as another legitimate reason *not* to attack Palin. Americans believe in fair play, and for Clinton to come out attacking Gov. Palin after she has said positive things would be a political mistake. Sure, Mrs. Clinton as a Democratic Senator can talk about the many differences in ideas and policies between McCain/Palin and Obama/Biden, but it doesn’t help her now or later to make any personal hits against Palin.
yes, i think the interview on whole was very good.
Also, to the pro-choice crowd, she reached out her hand and said in a McCain/Palin admin she would work with the other side to lessen the amount of abortions and provide care and adoption and better help for women so they can make these desicions.
A culture of life. I like that.
Peggy Sue, good for you!!!
That is the way it should be. Not sides pitted against each other but a country working with each other.
Folks, this must go VIRAL.
After Obama’s ad mocking McCain for not using a computer or checking e-mail, look at this pearl from 2000:
From the Boston Globe (March 4, 2000):
http://graphics.boston.com/news/politics/campaign2000/news/McCain_character_loyal_to_a_fault+.shtml
McCain gets emotional at the mention of military families needing food stamps or veterans lacking health care. The outrage comes from inside: McCain’s severe war injuries prevent him from combing his hair, typing on a keyboard, or tying his shoes.
Heh.
Funny how their oppo team doesn’t even bother to do any research before they shoot off their big fat mouths!
oy… what a GEM of find!
many thanks! viral INDEED!
Oh my stars!
Leave it to the hapless Democrats to poke fun at someone’s disability. First Biden tells a man in a wheel chair and now zeromama runs an ad making fun of McCain’s computer skills and John can’t type on a keyboard. What asses.
This should be on the air wherever he is running his lame email ad. He is an elitist.
I sent it to Hannity!
I also sent it to the 527 group our country deserves better!!!
I sent it to The Drudge Report. Great find and thanks for giving it to us.
See Charlie Gibons gaffe and how interview may backfire.
http://www.upi.com/news/issueoftheday/2008/09/12/ABCs_Gibson_grilled_Palin_hard_but_it_may_backfire/UPI-81241221234472/
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/12/AR2008091202457_pf.html
Ain’t that dissertation a BLUEPRINT OF THE TRUTH!
It’s the reason why so many lifelong, diehard Dems like myself have just turned away in disgust. It’s rather like finding out a favorite relative or teacher or other role model is a disgusting pervert.
We’re gutted. Disappointed. Brutally let down.
As BO says “This is not the Democratic Party that I thought I knew.”
And I’m not missing them, either. I was, at first, but their behavior is making it so easy for me to separate from them. After that early angst, there comes a feeling of RELIEF–a sure knowledge that I don’t have to defend them when they act like pompous asses….a freedom to sort out the good and the bad and the mediocre, and call it like it actually is.
No more talking points! How wonderful!
Thank you karen for Clinton–good video.
yes spread that article to everyone. Again, a dumbocrat attacking someon elses misfortune.
How low and despicable.
does that make you proud FF and the rest of you Obama goons?
I thought she was MUCH stronger tonight- and while I agree with her on most issues- I didn’t feel as though she is the enemy of those who disagree with her.
She is grounded and sane- willing to listen and clearly strong enough to admit she disagrees with McCain on some things.
Now- completely off topic- but if any of you were a little sqeamish and startled that MCCain doesn’t use a computer- please inform Barry about this little tidbit:
Wondering No More [Jonah Goldberg]
Yep. The day after 9/11, as part of its “get tough” makeover, the Obama campaign is mocking John McCain for not using a computer, without caring why he doesn’t use a computer. From the AP story about the computer illiterate ad:
“Our economy wouldn’t survive without the Internet, and cyber-security continues to represent one our most serious national security threats,” [Obama spokesman Dan] Pfeiffer said. “It’s extraordinary that someone who wants to be our president and our commander in chief doesn’t know how to send an e-mail.”
Well, I guess it depends on what you mean by “extraordinary.” The reason he doesn’t send email is that he can’t use a keyboard because of the relentless beatings he received from the Viet Cong in service to our country. From the Boston Globe (March 4, 2000):
McCain gets emotional at the mention of military families needing food stamps or veterans lacking health care. The outrage comes from inside: McCain’s severe war injuries prevent him from combing his hair, typing on a keyboard, or tying his shoes. Friends marvel at McCain’s encyclopedic knowledge of sports. He’s an avid fan – Ted Williams is his hero – but he can’t raise his arm above his shoulder to throw a baseball.
In a similar vein I guess it’s an outrage that the blind governor of New York David Patterson doesn’t know how to drive a car. After all, transportation issues are pretty important. How dare he serve as governor while being ignorant of what it’s like to navigate New York’s highways.
09/12 06:42 PM
http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=OTliMTNiZjg5ZDEwZWNiZDYwZWFjN2JlNjNjNjkxZmM=
excellent comparison. spot on!!
mccain/palin ‘08
puma / lipstick republican
Hi Lisa
Great post.
I liked the one with the John and Yoko song too.
During the primaries I was among a small group of local Hillary supporters who met up with a group of four of Hillary’s long-time friends and associates in a cafe in Raleigh.
Kim Gandy, president of NOW was there, as was Hillary’s friend from childhood, Betsy Ebeling.
Betsy said to us that she told her friend, “This is not just about you.” So true.
See pics of Betsy at the meet up here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/daisy365
HT: Ed Morrissey – The reason McCain can’t email was explained by the Boston Globe in 2000.
McCain gets emotional at the mention of military families needing food stamps or veterans lacking health care. The outrage comes from inside: McCain’s severe war injuries prevent him from combing his hair, typing on a keyboard, or tying his shoes. Friends marvel at McCain’s encyclopedic knowledge of sports. He’s an avid fan – Ted Williams is his hero – but he can’t raise his arm above his shoulder to throw a baseball.
After Vietnam, McCain had Ann Lawrence, a physical therapist, help him regain flexibility in his leg, which had been frozen in an extended position by a shattered knee. It was the only way he could hope to resume his career as a Navy flier, but Lawrence said the treatment, taken twice a week for six months, was excruciatingly painful.
”He endured it, he wouldn’t settle for less,” said Lawrence, who rejoiced with McCain when he passed the Navy physical. ”I have never seen such toughness and resolve.”
http://graphics.boston.com/news/politics/campaign2000/news/McCain_character_loyal_to_a_fault+.shtml
Great move, Barry. Making fun of a Hero’s injuries. But we expect no less from a group of misogynistic chumps.
This thread is why I believe McCain/Palin will win in Nov…and why I will vote for them.
I used to love Camille Paglia and haven’t been terribly impressed recently but this piece was the Camille I’ve always admired…..great piece
and Oy wrote:
McCain gets emotional at the mention of military families needing food stamps or veterans lacking health care. The outrage comes from inside: McCain’s severe war injuries prevent him from combing his hair, typing on a keyboard, or tying his shoes.
thanks for this, I didn’t know this, just that the cheetoh dust covered comment by OBarky about the computer was stupid and snivelly…and now I know, ignorant, cruel and more of the same from the Democratic uber schmuk
I’m happy to see that this site has finally come around to endorsing the McCain/Palin ticket! This is a crucial election for women, and Sarah Palin has a good chance at breaking that glass ceiling. This election transcends the ideological differences between Palin and Clinton. It’s about sexism and the ability for a woman to make history. Ignore the cries from the left that accuses McCain of thinking women are stupid and will vote for a woman solely based on gender. Make no mistake about it, this is about gender. This is about the democrats throwing Hillary under the bus.
Once McCain/Palin are elected into office, than 2012 has the potential to make history in a Palin vs. Clinton election. I’ll be honest, I don’t for a second think McCain will run for a second term.
Oy, this from Mark Steyn: “It’s extraordinary that someone who wants to be our president and our commander in chief knows how to send an e-mail …but not how to do a five-minute Google search.”
Mark Steyn is a Canadian national treasure, and yet his writing is banned there.
The shrews on The View lost it today. McCains were on and they tried very hard to get a gotcha moment from John.
A new low in broadcasting was achieved when, while discussing Supreme Court justices should stick to Constitutional law, Whoopee asked John if she needed to worry about becoming a slave “again.”
This to a man who was a POW for 5 1/2 years! It wasn’t funny, it wasn’t a joke, and it deteriorated from there, when Barbara blurted out, “don’t worry we white women will take care of you.” As if he would want slavery to be legal, or that Whoopee was EVER a slave. Wow!
I and others are writing the show and their sponsors, and boycotting them.
We have a list on GretaWire http://gretawire.foxnews.com/2008/09/12/the-mccains-on-the-viewrough-talk-boos-from-the-audience/ of sponsors and some email addresses are being added.
I agree. It was a disgusting spectacle.
Boycott.
I agree. It was a disgusting spectacle.
Boycott.
I agree. It was a disgusting spectacle.
Boycott!
Wow, whoopee said that? I hate that, here’s why…
She has to be referring to the bit that says Blacks are only considered a fraction of a person, I assume.
Ironically, the Anti-slavery north was trying to get it to ZERO persons, while the pro-slavery South was trying to get it to a FULL person. The South simply wanted the Black slaves to count as bodies for the sake of determining representation in the House of Representatives. Of course, the slaves wouldn’t be allowed to vote. But the ‘Fraction of a Person’ clause is always used as ammo for why our Constitution is racist, because it didn’t count Blacks as FULL persons.
I live in the Land of Lincoln, and I should know those things, but I wasn’t aware of that. Interesting.
I don’t know what crawled up her butt. I have a guess she gets her information from Joy, and that’s like getting no information at all.
I’m sure you all know of Obama’s ad mocking McCain for not being able to use a computer. Well read this. This makes Obama’s campaign look just sick and cruel.
Wondering No More [Jonah Goldberg]
Yep. The day after 9/11, as part of its “get tough” makeover, the Obama campaign is mocking John McCain for not using a computer, without caring why he doesn’t use a computer. From the AP story about the computer illiterate ad:
“Our economy wouldn’t survive without the Internet, and cyber-security continues to represent one our most serious national security threats,” [Obama spokesman Dan] Pfeiffer said. “It’s extraordinary that someone who wants to be our president and our commander in chief doesn’t know how to send an e-mail.”
Well, I guess it depends on what you mean by “extraordinary.” The reason he doesn’t send email is that he can’t use a keyboard because of the relentless beatings he received from the Viet Cong in service to our country. From the Boston Globe (March 4, 2000):
McCain gets emotional at the mention of military families needing food stamps or veterans lacking health care. The outrage comes from inside: McCain’s severe war injuries prevent him from combing his hair, typing on a keyboard, or tying his shoes. Friends marvel at McCain’s encyclopedic knowledge of sports. He’s an avid fan – Ted Williams is his hero – but he can’t raise his arm above his shoulder to throw a baseball.
In a similar vein I guess it’s an outrage that the blind governor of New York David Patterson doesn’t know how to drive a car. After all, transportation issues are pretty important. How dare he serve as governor while being ignorant of what it’s like to navigate New York’s highways.
09/12 06:42 PM
That was from the National Review by the way.
http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=OTliMTNiZjg5ZDEwZWNiZDYwZWFjN2JlNjNjNjkxZmM=
thanks for this context – my husband & i are LOL at the David Patterson analogy…
as if these monkey-level skills are really so cruial to being a good leader…
thank god McCain does NOT have an ipod!
Wow. That’s pretty low even for them…the sellers of Trig, the black baby daddy of Bristol’s child (apparently all gynecologists working for Obama now).
Didn’t Obama say ENOUGH the other day?
lol…he has no idea the sheatstorm he’s about to weather
“sheatstorm”
At least you didn’t say ’sheet’storm, as in the KKK! LOL
BTW, I haven’t heard a peep out of the KKK for this whole election cycle. Does that mean we can put the whole “Amerikkka” stuff behind us? Are they finally all dead?
Oh shoot, glad I chose sheat and not sheet for shit.
Is it usual for KKK to show up during elections?
I haven’t heard anything about them for possibly years.
Another gang who couldn’t shoot straight.
I have a special needs child who CAN’T talk. He was at a play ground and there was a bunch of little kids there, around the age of 4 or 5. One of the little girls, who’s parents were sitting right there, asked my daughter why he makes these “strange” noises. She explained to them that he can’t talk. Then all the kids were going up and down the slide. The little girl who questioned my daughter, said to my grandson, who was 4 yrs old, that he couldn’t go down the slide because he couldn’t SAY the password. The part that was worse than her being so rude and so mean, was that her parents heard it all and let their young child treat a special needs child this way. If one of my children would of EVER treated a person that was different from them in any way in a mean spirit, they still wouldn’t be able to sit. He always gets treated differently. Most kids who have just met him quickly distance themselves from him. Brings tears to my eyes.
Reading the blogs about the disgusting remarks about Sarah’s baby, outrages me. Our country doesn’t need a President who has supporters like this, supporters who are so full of hate, supporters who have said the most vile things about Hillary, Palin and her family, and John McCain, an honorable war hero who has sacrificed so much for our country.
The Democrats seemed absolutely indignant that the Republicans would have the NERVE to nominate a woman. After all, that is supposed to be their territory. Oh wait a minute, they rejected that notion.
I always felt that McCain would ultimately pick a woman if Hillary didn’t get the nod — seemed like the logical thing. I heard a few weeks before that his VP choice would be a “surprise” — and indeed it was for the clueless Dem party. [New Palin T-shirt declares "Puck Obama". Of all the ones out there, that's my favorite.]
P.S. Read Paglia’s article a few days ago — you never know what that woman is going to say but she is spot on in this instance.
Ann Althouse makes these valid points on her blog.
“Blah! I’m sick of the lipstick thing, but please. The fact that there is an old expression isn’t enough. What if Obama opponents took to saying “pot calling the kettle black” or “call a spade a spade.” There would be no end to the outrage… and rightly so. I don’t what to hear the “old expression” argument from anyone who won’t say they’d make the same argument if the tables were turned.”
I don’t know how many of you watched all of the primaries- I did..and there was one message,from Mike Huckabee,that I found made me extremely hopeful in uniting the people of America…he talked about VERTICAL politics..not governing from the left,or the right,but for all people,about lifting them up,not letting them down.
I wasn’t a real big McCain fan in the beginning..but after I listened to Sarah Palin’s speech at the RNC,and then McCain’s..I realized hey..these are the ones who will LIFT this country UP..lift the PEOPLE UP.It was obvious to me,that McCain listened to what WE want/need.I saw a rebel streak in him,and that hit close to home for me.I believe he WILL stand up for us!I believe Sarah WILL stand up for us..we have to stand with them,stand up..stand up and fight!I also believe that he has a special place in Washington lined up for Hillary.I just hope Obama doesn’t mess things up for us all.
No Way,No How,No Obama EVER!!
Recently, I’ve come to the conclusion that Democrats talk the talk, but Republicans walk the walk. I don’t care for most of the Republican policies and worldview, but at least I know what to expect from them.
Hell yes. If the Republicans say there are WMDs, you can be sure there are WMDs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyrMS6MBuSg
What an interesting, helpful discussion!
I just wanted to share a letter I just sent to the producers at THE VIEW.
This saddens me to write this email. I always thought that if I no longer wanted to watch a program, I would just change the channel; remove it from my TIVO schedule. But after being a faithful viewer since the beginning, I find that I cannot just walk away with letting you know why. I guess it seems like since we have had a long relationship and because it was something that meant a lot to me, that I owe it to you to tell you why.
To tell you a little about myself, I am an independent voter who usually votes Democratic but sometimes Republican. I base my vote on the person and not the party. I tend to lean liberal on some issues and conservative on others. Sometimes I am just in the middle. This being said, I have always loved the concept of the show.
I will be honest and say that I usually took the opposite view of Elizabeth Hasselbeck and quite often found her to be sometimes irritating in her seemingly blind loyalty to Republican/Conservative issues. That being said, I realized that her input was vital to this roundtable of women and had often wondered why there was not another conservative or moderate voice at the table. I appreciated the addition of Sherry Shepard to the view as I saw in her a person who seems to have some liberal views as well as some conservative views. I have always loved Barbara, Joy, Whoopi as well as Meredith, Lisa and Rosie.
But now, with this election season, I am feeling something I have not felt before as a viewer. Disrespect. I know we all have our own personal reasons why we support either the Democratic nominee for president, Barack Obama or the Republican nominee for president, John McCain. But while I have always tuned in to The View, knowing that I may or may not agree with any one of the ladies, at any time, depending on the what the “hot topics of the day” were; I always felt that I benefited by being exposed to the views of others. I might possibly learn something that might have me alter my view (I guess that would be considered a flip-flop in todays culture) or find that the discussion just reinforces the view I already had. One thing was certain, I always respected the views of those I did not agree with.
Back to the issue at hand. As I watched the show yesterday, as well as for these past few weeks since the announcement of Governor Palin as the vp nominee on the Republican ticket; I am continually disturbed at the outright contempt some of the co-hosts appear to have for her. I respect their their choice of the presidential candidates as well as their concerns about the suitability of Sarah Palin as his running mate. But I am disturbed at the level of contempt for Sarah Palin as a candidate because of her conservative views.
Yes, we need to learn more about her; we want to learn more about her. I have learned a lot by researching on the internet. Whenever I have heard conflicting information (bridge to nowhere, funding cut for social services for pregnant teens, troopergate etc), where possible I searched for information on the internet, credible information. There is a video available on CSPAN of one of the debates she participated in when she ran for governor of Alaska. She ran against two male opponents. The video is about an hour and a half long. I watched it and learned a lot Sarah Palin.
Have the producers at The View tried to book Kaylene Johnson, the author of the book, “Sarah – How a hockey mom turned Alaska’s Political Establishment on it’s ear!” I think she would be a great guest to have on. I guess she may not make a good guest because it seems to me that the media (and some of the view ladies), just want to find information to confirm how horrible Palin is or how bad she would be for women.
I am so disappointed in yesterday’s show (9/12/08) with Senator John McCain and his wife Cindy. I feel that some of the co-hosts did not treat their appearance with the professionalism that one would expect from the “Ladies of The View”, nor did they treat Senator McCain with the respect that he should have had; not because he is a war veteran, a U.S. Senator or because he is running for president, but just because he was a GUEST on their show.
I was surprised at times when Barbara seemed to avoid making eye contact with John McCain when she was asking him questions. It just seemed so unlike the Barbara Walters that I have admired for so long. Quite often, Whoopie seemed to be rolling her eyes at the ceiling. For whatever the reason, it appeared very disrespectful. And while I have always enjoyed Joy’s wit and her take on issues, I am feeling myself getting tired of being made to feel that I must be some kind of disappointment to womanhood because I hold different opinions than she does on some issues. I just love Sherri Shepherd. I see a lot of me in her. I took to her right away because she seemed like a woman who had, on some issues, a definite view or belief, while on other things, she was open about not really understanding the issues but showed her desire to learn, to understand. Now I come to Elizabeth Hasselbeck. I cannot believe that she has come to be my favorite co-host! I used to find her very irritating at times! But now, I have so much respect for her and her place at that table. To continue at that table when she knows that oftentimes, in heated issues, she is on her own. Even when I disagree with her, I feel bad for her when it seems like she is being ganged up on!
So, I guess this is goodbye. I no longer feel at home at The View; to often I feel like an unwanted guest.
“I’ve gotten many emails and seen many articles and blogs about how “Palin is bad for women.””
I don’t think Governor Palin is bad for women. I don’t choose a candidate to vote for based on whether or not they’ll be good or bad for one demographic.
I don’t agree with Governor Palin’s policies, she’s too conservative for me. I prefer moderate candidates because I think they’re better for the majority of the country. I don’t see how Governor Palin is necessarily bad for women because she’s conservative. Unless of course, she goes moose hunting at the Supreme Court to coerce the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Which is unlikely. We have a Congress and a Supreme Court to keep the Executive branch in line and if she ends up as president, I don’t think women are going to end up pregnant and barefoot, chained to their microwaves. She’s unlikely to champion the causes of more liberal women and since she’s economically conservative too, there’s not going to be an equal pay bill pushed through Congress supported by her. That doesn’t make her bad for women, just not a champion of more liberal policies.
I see the Governor Palin is bad for women as just another scare tactic. Along with all the other ones we’ve heard this election season. Don’t vote for McCain, you’re sexist. Don’t vote for Obama and you’re racist and risking Roe v. Wade.
What happened to choosing one’s vote based on the issues and one’s political ideology? My ideology is moderate and independent. Senator Obama’s ideas are a nice utopia, but from my experience, they don’t work. His background concerns me, there’s been no explanations to my questions that I find acceptable, just doublespeak, threats and dodges. Senator McCain, while I disagree with much of his platform, has a history of being a moderate. I’m more comfortable with that and will vote for him unless I think Governor Palin’s conservativeness will have a major role in his administration. If she will, third party or write-in Senator Clinton here I come.
[...] A Great Leap for Women? [...]
[...] other former Hillary supporters in your state. We are voting McCain, and please stop whining about Palin ’cause she is sealing the deal!’ And she may even finish shattering that “glass [...]
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jim dietrich…
I found your post interesting and share most of your views, but just dont get your second point….