Sarah is one of us

All day today the talk was this is Sarah's night. This morning I spoke with a woman from Minnesota. She said, everyone around here knows someone like Sarah, and like Sarah's family. And yes, that makes her success all the more remarkable. Yesterday I met a woman from New Hampshire, she said even the Hillary supporters she knows are enthused about Sarah, and independent women like her style--a mom, a professional and someone who doesn't put up with bullying.

Another said she was really steamed at the media double standard--so now working moms are to be despised, now that they're Republicans? So now, women candidates are asked personal questions about how they care for their family no one would ever dare ask a man? For my part, I don't go looking for sexism but this is it. We women can't stand for this, no matter what our political beliefs. Sadly, some women in the media are the worst offenders.

As recently as the fall of 2007 Newsweek ran a very complimentary profile on Sarah, so let's look at what they said unclouded by all the current partisanship as exemplified above. (Um, isn't the media supposed to be objective? Just asking.) The article lauds women executives and approvingly pairs her with Democrat Governor Janet Napolitano of Arizona. Now if Gov. Napolitano had been chosen the Dem nominee, does anyone think the media would be suggesting she was unqualified for the job? Newsweek led with Palin as a superstar, a superwoman. But now she's just the mayor of a small town, as the Obama campaign first referred to her. And had Barack Obama chosen Virginia Governor Tim Kaine as his Vice President, who also has been governor for two years, does anyone think he would be portrayed as unqualified for the job? Has anyone asked Barack Obama whether he shouldn't be at home taking care of his young girls?

What else did Newsweek say?:

New research shows that voters give female governors significantly higher marks than their male counterparts on such qualities as honesty, cooperation and caring—as well as toughness. And at a time when the national debate has become poisonously partisan, governors like Napolitano, 49, and Palin, 43, are making their mark with a pragmatic, postpartisan approach to solving problems, a style that works especially well with the large numbers of independent voters in their respective states.

So how about some honesty from the press? How about some minimal standards of fairness and decency? Newsweek in 2007:

It's no coincidence that two of the nation's most popular women governors come from frontier states (Arizona and Alaska were the 48th and 49th, respectively, to join the Union) without established social
orders that tend to block women from power.

"When voters perceive things are bad, they expect a woman candidate to come in and create change," says Debbie Walsh of the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University. "Voters give them license not to fit the mold."

How about letting Sarah Palin speak for herself? And let the American people decide.

Sarah is one of us.

Submitted by BackyardConservative (view blog

) on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 20:08

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Awww

Anne- you again are a great champion for someone you believe in - but why do you keep going to the Sarah is one of us thing when you know how many women here don't feel that way? I just don't get that.

Anyway - what I wanted to comment on was this:

You wrote:

"Another said she was really steamed at the media double standard - so now working moms are to be despised, now that they're Republicans? So now women candidates are asked personal questions about how they care for their family no one would dare ask a man?...We women can't stand for this..."

Actually - Joe Biden and Barack Obama had exposed a lot of themselves as far as being parents - so maybe this isn't the race anyone wants to hold up as the one where there was a wall and then only for the GOP candidate did it get breached.

But also, if a candidate comes out and presents himself or herself as an average working hockey mom, it is disingenuous to say no one can ask "how DOES she do it all" - judge her, you are right - judging must be withheld. I know I've not been great at that - not here so much as other places - but that piece is true.

However - the questions are totally legit and again, it's hypocritical to hold out this image of working mom and then say uh uh! that's off limits. There's nothing sexist about it if the candidate makes an issue of it - and Gov Palin most certainly has.

JillWrites Like She Talks

Submitted by Jill Miller Zimon on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 17:49

I would never vote for Palin, but...

I don't think there's anything odd about Anne addressing her audience on BlogHer. If they are outnumbered, perhaps posts like this will help them feel like they do have a place to express themselves here.

Liz Rizzo

I blog at Everyday Goddess.

Submitted by Liz Rizzo on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 19:39

As in Stepford one of Us?

What does that mean. This mess makes women look crazy. This mess makes women look pathetic and sad. Don't you get that they are pimping her and not for the greater good either. She is NOT qualified to be the VP. I don't care how many babies she has raised. I have raised 4! Oh right and I ran for local office and won TWICE! That shit is hard! Hard to to do with kids! Unless she gets a Nannie... you know, some poor Jamaican/West Indaian/Mexican woman with kids of her own to support to help her. Oh right we don't want women doing that because that looks too

You know what I am the fool here.

Oh forget it.

May God continue to bless you and the other women like you.

Submitted by Lovebabz on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 17:51

Stepford

I heard that comparison often this weekend--Stepford wives or robots--while spending time with family due to the Gustav evacuation. Spooky.

I've also talked about aspects of pimping. *shakes head*

I don't let people bully me either, but I don't identify with Palin except that we're of the same gender and both have children. Beyond that ... ugh. This whole blacks will vote for blacks and women will vote women, regardless of ideology, is a thread that's been running through this election year and something that makes us look like a nation of idiots. But you know, if America falls for it this time, then maybe we deserve that label.

Nordette is a Contributing Editor with BlogHer.com whose personal blog is hosted on another site at this link.

Submitted by Nordette on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 21:34

Ii find the comments about

Ii find the comments about the double standard against Palin to be a little strange coming from the mouths of Republicans who said much worse things about Hillary Clinton. However, I totally understand the frustrations of regular voters who really want to evaluate her on her own merits.

The problem is when people scream out that it is biased to legitimately critcize her. She may very well be a rising star for the party but that doesn't mean that voters don't have a right to hear about her background and judge for themselves. If McCain is comfortable with his vetting than he shouldn't be upset that her background is being discussed.

I am frustrated that the discussion of her record, which I do find appalling, is somehow considered out of bounds because she is a woman. It is an insult to all of us to suggest that being a mom of five and working on the PTA qualifies you to be the VP (both things suggested by the GOP this week). She may very well be a good candidate, but we have to be able to talk about her in a real way without throwing the bias card.

Anyabeth

If you can't say anything nice, come sit next to me. Tact free since 2003.

http://tantrumwarehouse.blogspot.com

Submitted by Anyabeth on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 19:11

Not like me

When my mom found out my sister was pregnant at 17 she turned down a job that would cause scrutiny to befall my sister. Not Sarah Palin She then realized her birth control gives you permision to have sex thought process was totally flawed. She then let us know that we were raised with certain values but if we chose to make different choices then we had to protect ourselves. Not Like Sarah Palin When I got pregnant with a child I was not prepared to have after a bad relationship she said you are my child I cannot and will not tell you what to do but this is your choice. Not Sarah Palin My mom stood by us and put us first always. Yes we screwed up sometimes bigg but even into our 30s she protected us whenever and wherever she could. Would I be in her shoes I could possibly be would I sacrafice my child hell no. My life would be squarely centered on my family. Not Sarah Palin

The only way She is like me is that we look good in a skirt, can both shoot a gun, birth children and we are the same gender. Wait, I look much better in skirt!

Michelle

My last Post: Dealing with my addiction

Submitted by Southerngirl on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 19:13

We don't need regular people

Now, as much as ever, this country needs extraordinary leadership not pit-bulls, not trash-talkers, not someone who's only left the country once (and not because she couldn't afford it).

Give me a break. Sarah Palin - no, no, no! (title of my latest entry)blog.candelariasilva.com

Good and plenty!

Submitted by Candelaria Silva on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 20:21

Oh, well, I'm sorry if

you don't identify with Sarah.

I have no objections to discussion of her record, but there is a double standard on the questions asked--not by Republicans, but by the MEDIA--they are supposed to be unbiased.

And beating up on her personal life and her family is just way over the line--vicious and poisonous.

Sarah seems quite extraordinary to me.

Submitted by BackyardConservative on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 20:43

Here is the thing

You can't keep saying all this stuff is off limits. If she is going to keep putting it out there. I saw pictures of her her dauther and the boyfriend greeting McCain's plane today. WTF?? Haven't these children been put through enough? Tonight Her baby is in her husband's arms. He is 5 months old put him to bed! We remember the beating Chelsa Clinton took, somehow her kids are off limits? In whose universe are you living? She offered us no insight into what she thought in her speech tonight so the conversation will go back to conjucture tommorrow. Oh and now the talk is of a sermon in her church a few weeks ago. We all know how bad that can be.

Michelle

My last post: Dealing with my addiction

Submitted by Southerngirl on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 21:00

BYC...You are so right. I

BYC...You are so right.

I find it a shame in that the Obama family is OFF-LIMITS to ANY kind of scrutiny, yet, it is all alright to relentlessly try to strip Sarah Palin of her accomplishments, which no one can actually do. What does Obama have to hide that he feels he's and his family are above scrutiny? And WHY doesn't this fall on so many deaf ears and blind eyes?

Has anyone on this blog ever read Michelle Obama's Harvard Thesis? You will be surprised as to her and Barack's REAL focus.

What is really extraordinary, is to see all the negative responses about Sarah coming from a "Women's blog". However, if one woman cannot observe another woman's accomplishments without bias, or the without the lack of knowledge of one's accomplishments, then just WHAT do women expect to do for each other as a gender? *rolling eyes*

It IS vicious and poisonous...to berate her for having five children...for having a child with DS (Had God not thought her CAPABLE, He would not have blessed her with that beautiful little boy)...or for that matter, to condemn her to not be capable of juggling family life AND a career. Her accomplishments are not imaginary, but are proven by record of actual experience.

Why is it, that the fact of her having a seventeen year old daughter who is pregnant, a thing that many people have made seem as though it is the first time this has ever happened in the world? Moreover, this is not the fault of the mother, but the fault of the daughter and boyfriend for not protecting themselves. To think a teenager would be strong enough to yield from temptation when it comes to sexual intimacy is one, ludacris for any WISE individual to think, and two, so very contrary to what goes on in this world today when it comes to this. So for people to act so surprised at this, or to harp on this as they do, shows they are not concerned with REAL issues.

And Yes, I DO wonder just how many of these women bloggers who are so quick to JUDGE, had the very same fate befall THEM. The media has become very successful at their jobs in asfar as misleading and creating an energy powerful enough to dissolve the common-sense right out of people. Touche` to the Media. A job well done.

Since when did women become so cold and insensitive to their own gender? Of course, many on this blog will surely rebut that this is not what they portray, but it certainly seems so. The "Glass House Syndrome" is very present here on this blog.

Sarah IS extraordinary for these times. And any woman who is like her, needs to step up to the plate of leadership and authority, as well, and aspire to acheive accomplishments of their own to be proud of.

Obama is a WindBag. Plain & Simple. And for the lack of a more (REALLY rolling eyes) "politically correct" way to say it; You can only blow sunshine up people's arse so far.

Again, good post, BYC

PEACE TO ALL

Submitted by US CITIZEN on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 23:09

feel the need to answer

US Citizen

As I have said before. Women and men in politics have had so answer some very personal questions. I wrote Why can't I ask to talk about just that. John Edwards Bill Clinton and Barack Obama have had to answer questions of their judgement. Barack has even said Rev Wright was a fair issue Redzko and Ayers both were fair issues. But we cannot question her judgement based on what we know and love. As a mom I worry about and pray for all of the kids involved in the election. I pray that none of them have to go through what happened to Chelsea. Her son and daughter get my heart melting because I have friends and have had family in both situations and her choices astound me. I just for the life of me cannot get her. Her kids are off limits but she takes that little girl with her boyfriend to the airport to meet John McCain? That was a pure photo-op moment. I get having your family in the audience but that baby needed to be asleep last night during her speech. Too many people, too much stimulation. I don't get what either of these parents are thinking. This is her judgement on display? I get to ask these questions just as you get to ask about Barack's Thesis or Rev Wright. She wants to make decisions concerning my children when I really don't see a shinning example of her or for that matter John McCain's parenting. By the way no one has answered this question yet. But is the vagina-uterus rally only reserved for white women? Because I do not understand why it is Michelle's Thesis you bring up and not Barack's

Michelle

Submitted by Southerngirl on Thu, 09/04/2008 - 02:54

That baby needed to be asleep

I don't understand the attacks Palin has gotten regarding the baby being at events when Senator Obama has not been slammed for bringing his young daughters to events.

Babies sleep all of the time, in fact they sleep off and on for most of the day and night. They don't generally have, at four months of age, a set bed time. All of my babies were wide awake at 10pm. All three of them. They were also sound asleep at 10am. All three of them.

Now my 6 year olds and 8 year olds, they were always in bed by 9pm, I tried for 8pm but it didn't work. Oh, except for Michelle who could not easily fall asleep - sometimes she was still awake at 10pm.

Senator Obama's girls were in Denver, long past what I would assume would be their normal bedtimes (since they live in Chicago, don't they function on CST?)

Governor Palin's kids were in St Paul and generally live on whatever time zone Alaska is on so I would assume that what was 10:30 for some people was significantly earlier in the evening for Governor Palin and her children.

What I'm getting at is that we either need to ask both campaigns about choices they make regarding their children or we need to ask none of the candidates. None of the questions you're asking have been asked of Senator Obama (and please, if they have - point them out to me!)

I'd prefer it if we left all questions about parenting, regardless of gender, at the door. I don't want people questioning my decisions regarding childrearing, do you?

~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager

Flamingo House Happenings

Submitted by Denise on Thu, 09/04/2008 - 03:56

Agree to disagree

Denise,

I think this is like the breast feeding issue. We are not talking about the same things. I do not think her youngest daughter needed to be in bed but I do think that of the baby. Its like I think you have a perfect right to breast feed covered(do not force others to have conversations with their children they are not ready to have) wherever you want but when I spend good money to come to a restaurant and get a sitter I do not think your child should be in that setting breastfeeding or not. My point is at 5 mos old too much noise too much stimulation. We really need to stop talking about questioning parenting decisions, because yes you get to make the decisions but another point of view might help you see things differently. Children do not come with a manual. That's how we learn to parent from advice reading and gut instincts. I welcome my friends and family's viewpoints. I am a mom I mean her children no harm. I am still trying to figure out how my sister gets her 8 and 10 year-old boys to keep a clean room without her help!

Michelle

Submitted by Southerngirl on Thu, 09/04/2008 - 06:05

Agree w/you Michelle

There is no having it both ways - no finessing who is running for which office, and no accepting and lauding the performance of ANYONE who does things we wouldn't be caught dead saying or holding up to our kids as the way to debate.

If my child - adult or otherwise - brought me that speech in draft? There'd be an awful lot of red.

A few people have seen the bullying I've been subjected to - from allegedly friendly fire - on the Ohio political blogs. I do not name call - I just, don't, do it. In private emails, off the record, in my kitchen - another story. :)

Maybe this is part of my education and experience in law but the weakest arguments tend to be the ones that take it personal. Stick to the objective. When you go personal, that's showing some weakness.

However, I would never omit from a debate the very aspects of a candidate's life that the candidate himself or herself puts before us.

It seems a lot of the debate here has to do with the extent to which the personal is before us - just how "in front of us" does it have to be before it's okay to raise it?

I do not know how anyone can argue with a straight face that bringing in the teen fiance of your unwed pregnant teen daughter, when you clearly have a choice not to, AND after you said it was a family affair that you want people to see as private, does not put her judgement about such things in play. How does it now put that in play? To say that it's not in play as a debate point is absolutely disingenuous.

I'm not sure why people are so enamored of the tit for tat, eye for eye - if she does this, we do that.

You argue what is the strongest argument, and preferably the least personal. If the candidate however is bringing in the personal, then they have to be prepared.

Saying that anyone can have it both ways (by parading and touting average hockey mom status but then saying that the medie and others cannot write about it) is baiting, to say the least.

Jill
Writes Like She Talks

Submitted by Jill Miller Zimon on Thu, 09/04/2008 - 04:24

Having it both ways...

Palin is in a lose/lose situation, that's how she is having it both ways.

If she does not bring her children - she is hiding them and ashamed. If she brings them she is a bad mother who is using her children. STOP IT. As a mother if I were making an unprecedented historical speech I'd want my children there. I'd want my children to be a part of it. My 8 year old daughter stayed up with my husband, my 17 year old and I to watch Michael Phelps (my 3 year old tried, but fell asleep on the couch). This was history - shouldn't her children be there? Yes, even the baby, no he won't remember, but when his mom's speech is written about, played in political retrospectives, receives accolades from women's groups he will see that he was there, and that he has been a part of of the family from his birth.

I involve my children in my work, so they know what I do when I am away from them. Guess what my 17 year old is indepedent, confident, and is ready to tackle his senior year and prepare for college without needing mommy to hold his hand. He needs mommy to act as a sounding board, and to encourage him. My 8 year old will discuss environmental issues with us, and takes action to work with her new teacher to begin a recycling program, even my 3 year old gave me a hug and kiss, told me to behave myself at work before walking into his first day pf preschool. When you allow your children to see what mommy's work is and why mommy does it they become your biggest cheerleaders.

Leave her mothering choices alone - seriously who questioned Bill Clintons fathering skills after his actions with Monica? What about how Obama's political career and his travel and time away from his family has affected his daughters? Daughters need their fathers right? strong male role models are vital in a girls life. Why does Obama get to "Have it both ways"?

I still don't know who I will vote for, but as a mother of 3 I am impressed by what she has accomplished while raising a family.

Submitted by kimberleyanne on Thu, 09/04/2008 - 06:49

I'm not a fan of talking

I'm not a fan of talking about Palin's motherhood and pregnant daughter, because it keeps us from examining her record and the issues closely.

But Palin supporters LOVE to keep bringing it up! I have yet to see a blog entry on here from a Republican that DOESN'T use the words "mom!", "motherhood", "sexism".

You want us to talk about issues and exclude that talk about motherhood/parenting. Yet, you won't stop talking about motherhood and parenting.

Can you see where they might make women who WANT to talk about Sarah Palin's issues a bit frustrated?

I'm going to challenge the bloggers on here (both sides of the aisle). I'm going to challenge you to 24 hours of ONLY talking about Palin's record.

That's it. Just 24 measly hours. We've got lots of conversations already going with the words "mom", "motherhood", "sexism" and (no really? Did someone actually post this?) "catfight".

Can you do it?

Submitted by miteegirl on Thu, 09/04/2008 - 07:00

I'll bite

I like Sarah because I agree with her positions. She's a free market capitalist that believes in personal responsibility and small government. She's run a business, a city, and a state. She is inimately familiar with the ins and outs of drilling for oil and believes that we can do it responsibly. She knows drilling is not the only answer but will not stand by while our enemies enslave us by our own appetite for it. She authored major ethics reform and balanced Alaska's budget. And she doesn't walk the partyline either.

How's that?

Submitted by JuniperLimb on Thu, 09/04/2008 - 10:57

Thank you, JuniperLimb!

Thank you, JuniperLimb! Anyone else?

Submitted by miteegirl on Thu, 09/04/2008 - 11:03

Michelle

You have the right to talk about anything you would like.

As far as this vagina-uterus rally that you speak of? Ha-ha...WHO is going to answer such a question? I myself, have no knowledge of what THAT is all about. Nor do I hardly think it possibl to be a "white women' issue if it were such a thing.

My only interest in J. Wright is that he lets God into his life, and lets God heal him from his hardened heart. He is a VERY embittered man.

The Tony Rezko scheme was a real thing that happened. The only 'fair' thing about it is Barack's willingness to be questioned about it.

John and Bill? How much respect do you REALLY have for these adulterous men? Neither deserve my keystrokes.

As far as Michelle's Thesis? Well....read it, and you WILL understand.

Hmmm....I suppose you never kept your own children up past their bedtime before? Ever? If you noticed, that baby was sleeping for most of the entire show. Awww, Come on...this is getting crazy.

Gosh....This is not a political website. It is a bantering room. *rolling eyes*

PEACE & LOVE TO ALL

Submitted by US CITIZEN on Thu, 09/04/2008 - 21:14

OK

Us Citizen

This whole thing pissed me off so much I had to stay away. But I feel sane enough to reply to you now. If we are to protect Sarah Palin because she is a woman then we should protect Michelle Obama as well. She is the wife not the canidate. Sarah Palin has not sat down for any substanative interveiws and not to be snarky but there is no thesis for us to examine. How then do we examine her judgement? By what we see. She claims to be an average hockey mom. Well the mom part doesen't look so good to me.

As for Rev Wright. I hope others are praying for him besides you.

As for my parenting I am not and have never professed to be the best parent ever. I am a single parent who does the best I can and pray a LOT!!! Sarah Palin has choices and resources I do not. She fired the Gov. Chef what about a nanny because she and her husband were working full time. Have I made bad parenting decisions HELL YES! Luckily for my children I have sisters and girlfriends who call me to task for doing the stupid. I am just wondering where are all the adults in this situation?

Be careful of the eys rolling thing.

Michelle

Submitted by Southerngirl on Mon, 09/08/2008 - 12:52

It isn't half bad

Um...I've actually read part of Michelle's thesis, and it isn't bad. It's a sociological study, nothing more, nothing less.

Janet + http://fuzzypinkslippers.com = love

http://urban-sunrise.net - a blog for 18-25 year olds

Submitted by Janers0217 on Wed, 09/10/2008 - 18:03

Cold and Insensitive?

Since when did women become so cold and insensitive to their own
gender? Of course, many on this blog will surely rebut that this is not
what they portray, but it certainly seems so. The "Glass House
Syndrome" is very present here on this blog.

I think you're mistaking something very important here. We're not being "cold and insenstive" to our own gender, we are scrutinizing the person who will hold the second in command post. The person who will cover for John McCain if he's elected and can't lead.

There's the potential for plenty of sexism and yeah, it's ugly and I'm worried about it. But the candidate shouldn't be given some kind of cuddly group hug BECAUSE she's a woman either. Both candidates should have to answer the SAME questions.

I'm not going to offer a pass to anyone who's in line to run our country. I don't care what's in their pants.

Nerd's Eye View

Submitted by Pam on Thu, 09/04/2008 - 07:00

Republicans should tread

Republicans should tread very, very carefully when talking about glass houses, FYI.

If I am to treat women as equal to men, they are going to get the same very critical, thorough vetting as I would give to any man who could potentially be one of the most powerful people on the planet and hold the lives/welfare of my family in his or her hands.

Anything less is insulting to the equality of women.

Submitted by miteegirl on Thu, 09/04/2008 - 07:04

Yes, Cold & Insensitive

Well Pam, I don't think that I'm mistaking anything much, really. If she is going to be scrutinized, it should be for the right reasons. Like her ability to lead, for example, which she has a proven track record for. It doesn't matter what "post" one represents, except that of their ABILITY to lead and manage effectively. Merely putting her under the microscope when it comes to her family far detracts from real issues. And it is truly an insult to any Working-Class Career Mother.

It seems that the Alaskans feel she's very capable. And do you know
why? Because they have seen the "proof in the pudding" for themselves
as to what she's capable of. Who am I to object this? Why is it right for the Obama family to
be off-limits to this type of scrutiny? We have seen this so far, through the entire pres. race.

And your right, Pam. They SHOULD both have to answer
to the SAME questions. But sadly, they are not.

Tell me something....When was the last time anyone on this blog visited the 13th District of Chicago? If so, do you call that severely broken-down and dismal place, progress toward the future? Is THIS the type of leadership that the Obama supporters depend upon? Not even one bit of progress has been made there toward making that community a better place to live since he's been a community organizer there.

However, it is obvious that this sad place filled with squalor didn't happen overnight, as with any socio-economically deprived community. But he has had enough time to make at least ONE change that looks promising. He has not. That is not the fault of the people, his ideology of "change" As you know, change can go in either direction. If that is what Obama supporters want, then well...I don't really want to try and project the future...but...our future is well projected already, if we make a choice such as this.

Futhermore, I don't at all feel any kind of "cuddly group hug" is in order for Sarah Palin either, that's for certain. Personally, I think they are childish. But I do think it IS cold and insensitive of those who post comments on here that represent disdain toward the woman for having a family that many feel she will no longer be able to raise if she beomes VP. She will I'm sure, continue to raise her children as she has done right along while in office in her past, as leader.

I am neither an elephant nor a jackass, but a Free-Thinking individual who has stood outside of this political box of rotgut because I have always felt that two opposing parties who must cohabitate within the same geographical boundries is a futile attempt at harmony. This is a menagerie that we can live without. Rather than coming to a 'united front' when it comes to what needs to be done to keep this nation great, the two parties bicker back and forth like a bunch of wayward schoolyard children. And until we form a United Front on ALL IMPORTANT issues, ALL TOGETHER on the same existential page...it's difficult to imagine anything better than what we already have.

PEACE & LOVE TO ALL

Submitted by US CITIZEN on Thu, 09/04/2008 - 19:52

The media

has not been unbiased for a long time. They seem to be more into sound bites than anythng else.

I think Sarah has made notable achievements as a woman but I don't think those achievements are enough for her to be VP and potentially President, but hey, George Bush didn't have appropriate credentials to me either,

blog.candelariasilva.com

Good and plenty!

Submitted by Candelaria Silva on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 20:50

We have plenty of rights to if she is to be
our VP

we have no right to attack her family.

We do have the right (in the case where a political candidate has an extreme view or ideology regarding policy, which in this case is abstinence only, no sex ed in schools), to know how it works for the candidate.

We see it doesn't work for her, someone who believes in it. We can only assume then that it doesn't matter to her because her family is strong and close. What I want to know is does she not understand that not all women a have a strong close supporting family, or a mother with a shotgun? Does she not care that by her policy and ideology on sex education she affects those she governs? By supporting a policy which didn't even work for her it clearly gives us the right to question her and to use her family as an example on this, yes it does.

cooper

Submitted by cooper on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 21:02

"How about letting Sarah Palin speak for
herself?"

"How about letting Sarah Palin speak for herself?"

Her speech was written by Matthew Scully, former Bush speechwriter.

Does the RNC value women's voices? No.

Submitted by fluffthebunny on Thu, 09/04/2008 - 05:24

Speech Writers

Correct me if I'm wrong dear, but don't all politicians have speech writers? It doesn't mean they don't read it and make chages, etc.

Barbara

http://www.twitter.com/BarbaraBoser

Submitted by BarbaraBoser on Thu, 09/04/2008 - 06:18

Most do. And some write

Most do. And some write their own speeches at some times and not at others.

It's unfortunate that, to understand a candidiate's character, we frequently have to rely on their interactions that aren't clouded by speechwriters or teleprompters. But there it is.

Submitted by miteegirl on Thu, 09/04/2008 - 06:25

speechwriter

He did not write her speech he was one of many editors who contributed to the substance of her speech

Submitted by kimberleyanne on Thu, 09/04/2008 - 06:51

Absolutely NOT one of US where I sit.

I just want to state, with absolute clarity, that Sarah is not "one of us" for anyone I know.

To say that she's "one of us" invalidates vast swaths of the population where I live. I don't indentify with her, nor does anyone I know.

I think you need to define who, exactly, you mean by "us" when you make this statement.

Nerd's Eye View

Submitted by Pam on Thu, 09/04/2008 - 06:51

Who is this "us" of which

Who is this "us" of which you are speaking?

This Sarah Palin...she has a uterus?

Submitted by miteegirl on Thu, 09/04/2008 - 07:01

As a 40 something Conservative wife &
mother...

Sarah IS one of me! I related strongly to her and stand by her nomination. I am thrilled she is running.

Sue Cramer

www.praiseandcoffee.com

Submitted by Praise and Coffee on Thu, 09/04/2008 - 07:04

Ah, it begins to dawn on

Ah, it begins to dawn on me.

How silly I've been.

You know, when I look at electing public officials, any public official, I try to think of who is going to do the most good for the most people. Because not everyone on my street looks like me. Not the Mexican-American family next door who brings me fresh vegetables, nor the blue collar worker living on the other side of me who builds hospitals, nor the Orthodox Jewish family four houses down who homeschools, nor the Korean-American family across the alley who cares for their disabled daughter.

Many things that the politicians I elect may not affect me directly and that's okay. Because I believe that if the Yee's are able to afford healthcare for their child, or the Nordstrom's can keep jobs that don't force them to live from paycheck to paycheck, and no one is painting swastikas on the doors of the Leyb's house, that the whole country will be stronger for it. I want my child to get a good education and I want the same for theirs. In fact, many of the things that I want for my family, I would wish for their families.

You see, I didn't realize that I should only be sticking with someone who was "one of me".

I am so very naive.

Submitted by miteegirl on Thu, 09/04/2008 - 07:15

I thought that voting for

I thought that voting for someone only like oneself was a dangerous thing to do, but apparently, like you, I'm naive, too.

Janet + http://fuzzypinkslippers.com = love

http://urban-sunrise.net - a blog for 18-25 year olds

Submitted by Janers0217 on Wed, 09/10/2008 - 18:07

not me

Well, I'm a bit older - 50 something. In some ways, you could call me conservative...I'm a Christian, a church elder, believe in fiscal responsibility and personal responsibility. Wife? yes. Mother? check. Some things you didn't mention - I'm educated, and a professional. And I am white..(this is not a racism rant, but I didn't see much color on the RNC floor)

I'm not thrilled that she is running. Had the Republicans chosen a truly qualified woman (they are out there) to show that she would truly be a running mate that would be groomed to take the presidency after McCain rather than eye candy (Coldest State, Hottest Governor), I'd be more exicted. I still wouldn't vote for her - too many ideological differences - but I wouldn't be as angry and insulted by McCain's choice.

Submitted by tallgal on Thu, 09/04/2008 - 17:51

Nice to read these voices

Thank you for expressing these thoughts. Just nice to read.

Jill
Writes Like She Talks

Submitted by Jill Miller Zimon on Wed, 09/10/2008 - 18:21

Fair Game

Gosh, I remember Hillary Clinton being crucified on the campaign trail, and all aspects of each candidate's life and experience being open to scrutiny. It may not be palatable and your cup of tea, but it seems to be our way here in the US, where people make decisions based on their own criteria and motivations.

Personally I thought Sarah Palin was a blood thirsty, rabid attack "pit bull". How does this help our country?

I can not get my head around how she wants to continue the same old divisive politics of creating fear, uncertainty and doubt, not address the real issues that affect all of our lives.

Most americans are much more tolerant than Sarah Palin. She's intolerant and wants to continue the Us versus Them.

Did anyone else notice the We're over here, and you're over there, and don't cross this line, or we'll force feed you our views.

It felt like Mob mentality.

Submitted by Mom to Gio on Thu, 09/04/2008 - 07:36

I noticed. Her whole

I noticed. Her whole speech was full of hate-filled remarks. It was shocking of someone who wants to gain votes of people who might have voted for someone a bit more liberal than her.

Janet + http://fuzzypinkslippers.com = love

http://urban-sunrise.net - a blog for 18-25 year olds

Submitted by Janers0217 on Wed, 09/10/2008 - 18:09

The problem is that Sarah

The problem is that Sarah Palin does not speak for herself. Not so far. If they threw open the doors and said, "Hey folks, go ahead, ask her questions and find out why she's so fabulous!" you would get a very different response.

But she's being hidden from the press, and speaking tired talking points. And it doesn't help that she's lying so much.

One of us? Not that I can see.

--media girl

Submitted by media girl on Wed, 09/10/2008 - 18:30

I know, she's doing now what

I know, she's doing now what Obama used to do, saying the same stuff over and over again until it's completely tiring and makes you want to gag. Of course, if she opened her mouth about issues and spoke her mind, that might make me want to gag, too, since I haven't found anything I agree with her on.

Janet + http://fuzzypinkslippers.com = love

http://urban-sunrise.net - a blog for 18-25 year olds

Submitted by Janers0217 on Wed, 09/10/2008 - 18:33

Sarah IS one of me

I am a 34-year-old, non-white, working mother of two, who stayed at home for more than five years before finally re-entering the workforce. I am the primary breadwinner in my family, by a long shot, and when I have client functions it's my husband who takes care of the kids. I care more about the state of the economy, national securtity and education in public schools than whether or not someone has to drive to Canada to abort a baby. Every day I have to balance doing my job, which I am phenomenal at, and raising my kids. Sarah Palin represents me more than all the liberal women journalists, leaders of feminist organizations and the Hilary Clintons of the world combined. And I bet I'm not the only one.

Submitted by erivera on Thu, 09/11/2008 - 12:24

Do you appoint friends?

Do you appoint your friends to positions of power because they're qualified? I bet you do. I don't think Sarah did.

Sarah appointed several people from her high school for key positions in Alaska. One, who's a realtor, was appointed to a 120K + per year job, for a top level agricultural position because, get this.... she liked cows.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/14/us/politics/14palin.html?hp=&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1221343324-tGxa66AkDRYq1tsNYpjoIw&pagewanted=all

One friend who was appointed admitted to having no experience managing people but was confident that he's learn along the way.

Submitted by Soccer Swim Mom on Sat, 09/13/2008 - 17:14