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There's a low rumble coming from the belly of the Republican party.
The promoted stereotype of conservative women is that they only come in one
model. Were I to write an advertisement the commonly regarded cliche, it would read something like this:
No need to worry about this lo-fi model getting hooked on "Desperate Housewives!" The Happy Housewife is well aware of her place in the home and lives to rear children, serve her husband, and knead bread all day long - when she's not in the pew or telling sinners all the different paths to hell, that is!
I'm being facetious, of course, but the stereotypes are funny because there's a bit of truth to them - I know many people who feel this way. Of course the premise that all conservative, Christian women are unintelligent dorks who can see Russia from their houses (completely false quote),superfluously repent after every sip of wine, or are genetic off-shoots of Hatfield/McCoy is silly - yet it is an encouraged stereotype, encouraged because what better way to neutralize a perceivable threat than by rendering it culturally "out-of-touch?"
Lizzi of The Bitten Word echoed my sentiments in a small graph not long ago:
We Christian ladies get a pretty bad rap, especially around the blogosphere. We're too submissive (*snort!*), too perky, too happy. And yes, my faith brings me joy.
It's sad that may conservative women have done nothing to counteract these narrow-minded views; half of them are terrified of confrontation (I guess they skimmed over Romans 14:16, thump, thump); however, since Sarah Palin's arrival on the scene (and one of our perennial favorite idols, Dr. Condoleezza Rice), my inbox has been slammed with women who are fired up like never before. Many of them sound like Dena of BlackNRight:
"Sarah Palin did more than just revitalize the conservative base of the
Republican party who after years of dealing with RINOs had someone just like them running for the second highest post in the nation. Sarah Palin gave women like me a voice and a role model to emulate. Someone who had the same concerns, desires and goals for not only America but for family as we did. Someone who didn’t act like they swallowed a Roget’s Thesaurus and put on airs of superiority."
Conservative women have started a new movement within the GOP - "Pink Elephants" aside - and are both demanding a place at the table and scouting for other like-minded conservative females behind whom they can rally. They've started conservative blog networks like Smart Girl Politics, Red State Feminists, and the Read My Lipstick Network.
These women are the newest netroots movement, something that female conservative candidates can utilize. I just hope that Palin's star doesn't overshadow some other equally qualified ladies who are eager to represent us - true conservative women, not the women who try to emulate the Democratic party's platform, not RINOs.
Women like:
Michelle Bachmann is an impressive homeschooling, hardcore conservative, public servant. She has a strong record on gun rights, promoting smaller government, and supporting measures that won't raise taxes. This woman can and will give Sarah Palin a run for her money. I like women who are unapologetically conservative and Bachmann is one that will prevent the GOP from copping the DNC's moves.
Dr. Gina Loudon is an up-and-coming political force here in Missouri. Loudon (married to Sen. John Loudon of Chesterfield) mirrors Palin is certain ways; aside from a career of public service, charity work, and activism, Loudon is a homeschooler, she and her husband have five children, one of whom is adopted. When Loudon ran for her husband's seat she was attacked - many attacks came from within the party - for being a mother and told, verbatim in many cases to "stay home with her kids." The Missouri Republican party will need youthful members like Loudon - and Shamed Dogan - in order to survive and remain relevant.
Lisa Murkowski was, according to Free Republic, rated the sixth most liberal Republican by the National Journal. I can easily
