The selection of Palin as Republican VP nominee pulled me in several directions. As a Democrat, I was thrilled. (An inexperienced Alaskan governor known for ethical reform who is currently under investigation in an illegal firing? Are you serious?) McCain’s pick of someone whom he proudly proclaimed as an unknown within the Beltway completely discredited his criticism of his opponent as inexperienced. The idea of a Biden-Palin debate gave me a maniacal laugh and a Mr. Burns-esque proclamation of, "Eeeeex-cellent."
But as a feminist, the selection of Palin left me angered and embarrassed. It didn’t anger me so much for her socially conservative views; although they are far from my own, they make sense for McCain’s running mate. The selection of Palin angered me because she is so ill-prepared for the job. This 44-year-old former beauty queen with a BS in journalism became a television sports reporter upon graduation. She began in the city council of Wasilla, a town of 6,000, and worked her way up to mayor, where she was two years ago. She’s now spent a year and a half as governor of Alaska. Good for her. A good start to a political career. But good enough to be president?
This unknown and largely untested woman with not a day of foreign policy experience would serve as VP under a man in his 70s with recurrent cancer. She'd be a heartbeat away from leading a country mired in economic recession and two wars (perhaps three or four, if McCain gets elected). McCain would rather pander for the female vote than to select someone who would effectively manage this country upon his death. It speaks volumes about his judgment.
And it speaks volumes about his views on women. He seems to believe that women will support a candidate not based upon record, but upon the ever-important issue of who has a hoo-hoo or a wee-wee. McCain seems to bank upon we Clinton supporters bailing Obama to support the new potential hoo-hoo in office -- never mind that her meager record stands in opposition to the core values Clinton represents. Having my rights taken away by a woman leaves me no more empowered.
Talking heads ponder how a Republican female nominee will affect the feminist vote. I’ll fill you in on a secret: we feminists don’t meet in secret weekly meetings to determine the choices we will make en masse. This will be largely made up of individual decisions across the country, and this is my own.
As a feminist, I’m embarrassed that the first Republican female name on the presidential ballot will be an utterly inexperienced candidate who was chosen for her gender, not her record.
As a feminist, I’ll stick with the candidate promoting universal healthcare, reproductive rights, equal pay, increased funding to education, and an end to the Iraq War – issues that impact women’s public and private roles.
As a feminist, the past few days have left me wanting to take a long nap.
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4 comments:
I don't define myself as a republican or a democrat. I'm liberal and contrarian by nature.
My main man was Gore -ha always been. My favorite candidate was Edwards. It is a shame that his personal actions (as bad as they may seem) cast a shadow on his voice against poverty. 2nd choice was Clinton, but we all know what happened there. Obama did not play nice.
How can we attack McCain over selecting such an inexperienced candidate when Obama has the same qualifications? Obama is just as inexperienced as this woman. His speeches show it. "Yes, we can" -We can what? Solve the energy crisis by giving away $1k to the people so that they can justify keeping their suvs? In the meantime we all pay for it! Obama is to most liberals what Reagan was to most conservatives. We can't help but get inspired by their hollow ideas.
The only good "thing" that Obama has is Biden.
And his plans are laughable at best. Particularly his environmental plan (my own main issue). Energy speculation? Please! I'm an active trader and there is NO energy speculation in the machiavellic sense most people subscribe to. Oil is high because we agree to pay $4 a gallon every time we pump. No one can push prices in a 3trill/day market. No one. If you don't believe me, look at a chart of oil futures: down 40%, why? Because we cannot longer afford it. But give people 1k to spend at the pump and see what happens to oil prices. You cannot argue with a price chart. No one can, not even the Saudis themselves.
Electric cars? Sounds nice. But where does the electricity come? OIL. Oil is NOT the problem -it would be nice to get rid of it, but we can't now. The root of the problems are cows -laugh all you want, but 80% of the emissions come from cows. And ethanol is part of the problem not the solution.
Rebates? We already have a budget deficit and he wants to give the money away? Who's going to pay for this. I know I sound like a republican, but you cannot operate when you do not have cash.
"yes we can" should be replaced by "yes, we could", should Obama have some foresight and an actual plan.
Obama is not better qualified than Pail. Ask yourself the following: what has he accomplished?
I think we should all ask ourselves some important questions. Could Obama or Biden win a snowmobile race? What do they know about moose? How do they feel about my right to bear bear spray?
Knowledge of Alaska is like foreign experience. And, if we are headed back into a Cold War with Russia, it may be the next front. You gotta know how to survive in the wilderness. You treat Putin like a Musk Ox and you're okay.
fem chick!
Your e mail invite must have been lost. We're meeting next week in my basement to discuss these issues. Don't be late. You know where.
I'll be there, bringing my official feminist membership card and ready with the secret handshake and decoder ring.
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