Skeptical and suspicious, but not insulted
Sarah Palin.
Who?
As I told Kristen that morning, my money would’ve been on Ridge.
I’d heard other female vice-presidential possibilities tossed around – Kay Bailey Hutchinson and Olympia Snowe, for example – but I didn’t take such speculation seriously. I didn’t expect McCain to choose a woman, let alone a woman that the vast majority of people in this country don’t know.
I’ve done some reading, and it seems that I disagree strongly with Gov. Palin’s positions on many social issues, so her addition to the ticket hasn’t influenced me positively toward the Republicans. I’ve not yet decided whether her nomination will entice me further toward the Democrats; I need to learn more about her and watch the upcoming debates, both between her and Sen. Biden and between Sens. McCain and Obama.
In other words, I’m not toeing either party line. By changing my registration earlier this year, I made it official: I’m not in agreement with every plank of either party’s platform.
The statement by Hillary Clinton, and Rachel Maddow’s words on MSNBC Friday afternoon, were generous in spirit, and I greatly appreciated how magnanimous they were, despite their fundamental disagreement with Gov. Palin and her party.
Empirically speaking, it’s wonderful to see a GOP Presidential candidate select a female running mate. I’ve been the lone woman in a sea of men – at the Pentagon, natch – and I’ve actually taken 3am phone calls on a STU-III at my home. It’s exciting to me to see women reach new heights in areas heretofore largely dominated by men.
Even though it’s obvious pandering on the part of McCain and the Republican party.
The pundits have called it, and I agree with them. Gov. Palin was carefully selected to appeal to the party’s base (staunch social conservative) and to Sen. Clinton’s supporters who are still unsure about transferring their loyalty to Obama.
Sen. Clinton was right in her speech at the DNC when she asked, “Were you in this campaign just for me?” If women supported her simply because she was a woman, then perhaps they’ll turn to the Republican ticket simply because it includes a woman.
But I don’t see any reason to be insulted by such a tactic.
If there’s anyone who ought to be suspicious of the motives behind the selection of Gov. Palin, it ought to be Gov. Palin herself. My initial feeling is that she’s being used. Willingly, but used nonetheless.
It’s women like me who aren’t solidly in one camp or the other that the Republicans believe they’re courting with a female Vice-Presidential nominee. Die-hard female Republicans had already pledged their votes to McCain, and female Democrats who are party loyalists had already made the move from Clinton to Obama. McCain’s choice is directed at those of us who are still torn between candidates.
Frankly, being insulted – no matter whether you’re a party loyalist on either side or an Independent like me – is an emotional reaction. Getting our collective knickers in a knot plays into that tired old female stereotype I hate.
To be blunt, I don’t give a damn whether McCain selected Palin solely to appeal to women. His motivation has no bearing on my vote.
Does his motivation have any bearing on other women’s votes? Probably.
But I don’t believe it’s my business to tell anyone what they ought to think, or whether or not they ought to be insulted by the pandering. Let them cast their votes as they choose.
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Want to learn more (sadly, not much more – official statements are still scarce) about Gov. Palin’s political positions? Go here.
Want to discuss the suspicious pregnancy pregnancies? Go here.
September 2nd, 2008 at 7:10 am
Frankly, I am insulted. I am insulted that the GOP believes that women – or any voter – can be won simply based on gender. I am insulted, but I am also understanding. It is a smart tactical maneuver. They would not have made it if they did not believe it might work. It is a big gamble. Will it ultimately work? We will learn in six weeks.
Insofar as it being an emotional reaction – that is true.
September 2nd, 2008 at 8:27 am
I am more insulted by the GOP’s policies towards women then by Palin’s nomination. And as for the speculation that he chose her to appeal to women voters, I feel like I need a t-shirt that says, “I have a vagina, not a lobotomy.”
Marinkas last blog post..A Wonderful Man
September 2nd, 2008 at 9:58 am
I’m not insulted, but really really surprised. Maybe it’s my wishful thinking, but I can’t understand how Palin would at all replace Clinton in anyone’s mind. Yes, they both have uteruses (uteri?), but other than that, they seem so completely different. I’m surprised that anyone who was going to vote for Clinton would now vote for Palin.
I am excited at the prospect of a woman vice president, even if it came from the Republicans. But I would never vote for someone simply because of gender or race if I didn’t believe in their position on issues.
Wow, this was an eye-opener to write. I was asked prior to the democratic primaries if I was voting for Clinton simply because she was a woman. I hesitated in my answer. Now I know for sure that I voted for her for other reason and the gender was a bonus. Thanks for providing me the opportunity to realize that about myself.
caramamas last blog post..Question of the Week: Phobias
September 2nd, 2008 at 10:18 am
I don’t know why anyone is surprised or offended. Historically the choice of a running mate has had far less to do with how good of a leader they are and more about what they bring to the ticket, ie votes. As far as I can tell, the only people who are offended by the selection are the Dems. Maybe because now they don’t have the market cornered on a history making election choice.
Caras last blog post..Evacuation
September 2nd, 2008 at 10:39 am
Ditto Marinka!
mayberrys last blog post..Grade 1, Day 1
September 2nd, 2008 at 11:34 am
Let me begin this by saying I’m not a strong fan of either McCain or Obama. I was a Hillary supporter and am fairly confused right now.
It’s clear to me that they snagged Palin to grab the Religious/Conservative Right since McCain is fairly moderate.
Unfortunately, they didn’t do their research. Yes, she’s a social conservative but the whole notion that her daughter is pregnant and she’s promoting abstinence education just slays me.
Motherhood Uncensoreds last blog post..Twatter – The Vagina Monologues (In 100 Characters or Less)
September 2nd, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Great post (as usual). And as we talked about this yesterday, I *do* admit I am insulted on several counts.
I am insulted that McCain would think women to be so easily fooled. (But you were right, if they are, I guess they are dipshits, and they deserve what they get).
I am insulted that he clearly has a bad taste in his mouth – with comments like “she’ll never be told to sit down,” as like being told to sit down should even be an option, or especially when he called her his “soulmate.” Like he would have ever called a male running mate that. If you pick a woman for your VP, treat her like any other person you would pick for VP, ok dude?
And also, I am insulted that he would take so little time and effort in choosing the person who could be POTUS. Even though I clearly won’t vote for this party, ONE of the two groups will win, and I don’t appreciate such a monumental decision being taken so lightly.
Or maybe everyone else turned him down???
Aimee Greeblemonkeys last blog post..September Greeblemix Contest
September 2nd, 2008 at 1:09 pm
I don’t at all think it’s “obvious pandering”. I really believe that he chose her because she’s a reformer and went against her own party & won. Sure she’s female, but that’s bonus in my opinion. If you want to talk about pandering, Obama chose Biden, a 35 year insider of Washington, to lend more experience to his ticket . . . Yeah, more of the same insider bull, that’s what we need. McCain doesn’t need to choose for experience – I think he chose for the qualities he wanted.
I don’t agree with all her positions, but I think she rocks. She doesn’t just talk about reform & change, she has actually made it happen. There’s some hope & change I can get behind.
September 2nd, 2008 at 1:29 pm
I agree with you completely!
Initially, I was insulted, but remembered that his motivations have no bearing on my vote. I’m strictly for the key issues that Republican party disagrees with me on, and in November – that’s all the really matters.
In essence, not voting for McCain because you feel he is using Palin or courting undecided women is the same as not voting for Obama because you’re still in a tizzy over Hilary not getting the nomination. Personal feelings shouldn’t come before political stances.
September 2nd, 2008 at 1:45 pm
I heard a theory today that might explain it. McCain chose her to get the Clinton voters because if Obama wins, Hilary obviously would not get the party nomination in 2012 as Obama would run for another term. But if McCain wins, then Clinton has a shot at getting the nomination after McCain’s 4 year run. And wouldn’t that be “interesting” if it’s Clinton vs. Palin in 2012?
MPPs Moms last blog post..The End of Summer
September 2nd, 2008 at 1:58 pm
I’m not insulted, but I am confused and also a tad terrified that she could be President.
The list of problems seems to grow every day:
* Firing the supervisor who refused to fire her former brother-in-law
* Invoking executive privilege and refusing to answer questions to legislative investigators about the firing of the supervisor (which sounds way too similar to Bush tactics for my taste)
* Firing a librarian while she was mayor because the librarian refused to ban books from the public library
* Taking millions in federal funds for her very small town as mayor, asking for even more as governor, and then claiming to be a reformer
* Running up an enormous debt for her very small town as mayor
* Publicly stating that god supports the war in Iraq and that god wants the Alaskan pipeline
* Chairing Indicted Senator Stevens fundraising committee
* Arguing that she has foreign relations experience because of the proximity of Russia and Canada to the Alaskan borders. Bullshit. Do we honestly think that if Russia invaded Alaska that she would be in charge of the troops? Has she ever actually had contact with either? No way in hell.
There’s more, none of it has to do with the fact that she’s a woman. All of it has to do with the fact that she’s not qualified to lead the country.
McCain never had my vote, but my husband and mother-in-law were both undecided. After watching Obama’s speech and then following the news surrounding the Palin decision, they’ve made their choices and I’m happy to report that both of those life-long Republicans/Libertarians will be voting for a Democrat for President for the first time.
September 2nd, 2008 at 3:04 pm
Joansy succintly stated exactly what my thoughts have been.
September 2nd, 2008 at 5:07 pm
I have to say that I believe personal feelings and political stances should be one and the same. My personal feelings inform the way I look at the world, and I believe that NOT applying one’s personal feelings to our politics gets us in messes like McCain is in right now.
Had McCain’s personal feelings been considered, given his ad campaign and record, he would not have chosen an inexperienced, “Vogue”-posing, ANWR-drilling person who believes that global warming is not a man-made problem and who has been quoted as saying that she hasn’t really paid much attention to Iraq.
He certainly wouldn’t have chosen a male running mate with those ideas.
Heathers last blog post..If She Were A Man…
September 2nd, 2008 at 6:50 pm
I wanted Hillary to be in the running not because she’s a woman but because she’s already been in the big house. Anyway, sigh I just hope this will bowl over cause the candidates need to deal with the real issues and the media has to pay attention to them!
Mrs Moguls last blog post..It happened in Cairo!
September 2nd, 2008 at 6:52 pm
Tree – w/r/t voting based solely on gender, I remember hearing online rumblings of disbelief that female Democrats could possibly support a candidate other than HRC.
Marinka – Exactly why I’m unable to disregard her socially conservative views.
Caramama – They *are* completely different. But politicians count on women to vote based on feeeeelings, not policy.
Cara – Heh. I think McCain’s VP choice was more of a concern than usual for a few reasons, a big one being his age and the fear that his VP might really have to take over the office.
MU – Totally. That’s one of those reasons I referenced above – not just shoring up votes, but convincing the base of his position.
Greeble – Lots of questions being asked and things being said that would never be if she were a man, that’s for sure.
Chickia – I honestly don’t mean to put you on the defensive, but why does she rock? What reform and change has she instigated? I did some reading for my Parental is Political column, and didn’t find much beyond energy policy.
Maria – No bearing – exactly!
MPPs Mom – I hadn’t even thought that far. Now I have to factor in the 2012 variable…
Joansy – You illustrated another of my concerns, that she’s not fiscally conservative.
Heather – I think you make a good point that our personal feelings lead us to our political positions. What I understand Maria’s point to be is that we shouldn’t vote out of spite.
September 2nd, 2008 at 8:54 pm
I agree that spite shouldn’t be a reason to vote…I’m just not sure that Maria’s two points equate. I am personally totally turned off by folks who declare they’ll vote for McCain because Hillary didn’t get the nomination.
But the fact is that McCain was not just trying to target women–he was trying to target a specific kind of woman; one of those “18 million cracks” that Palin has mentioned in her speeches. By using that phrase, Palin was tapping Hillary’s supporters. It is insulting, in my mind, that McCain assumed that those 18 million Hillary voters would get behind a candidate that is such an antithesis to their own. (It’s even more insulting to think that McCain might have been counting on those 18 million women to be spiteful, but I try not to think that way.)
Look, the VP has traditionally sort of been the “bonus.” Plenty of candidates have filled in their “gaps” with a VP nominee–I believe Obama did it with Biden. However, the difference here is that if McCain truly was trying to deliver what 18 million voters wanted while staying true to his party line, there were plenty of more experienced women in his party to step up to the plate.
BTW, hi. Came here via a long and twisty road of mamas who are fired up about this election. Thanks for offering a balanced view and a place for intelligent debate.
Heathers last blog post..If She Were A Man…
September 2nd, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Yeah, I’m still kind of undecided.
mom101s last blog post..Can’t we all just get along? Maybe in ‘09?
September 3rd, 2008 at 4:52 am
At first I was worried that Sen Clinton supporters would flock to Gov Palin b/c she’s a woman. But her beliefs are so at odds with many things Sen Clinton upheld, I can’t see that happening.
Fairly Odd Mothers last blog post..Nightly Postscript
September 3rd, 2008 at 12:47 pm
It is SUCH a breath of fresh air to find another undecided blogger. It seems everywhere I go, people have already chosen their side. Do you find it difficult to find impartial information on issues, and not just petty sniping of Obama/McCain? I do.
September 5th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
You know, when I first saw his pick, I was suspicious too. But, as I told my progressive supervisor, they (the progressives) are really barking up the wrong tree when they think that the reason for choosing Palin was because she would get Hillary voters. Perhaps the non-thinking ones, and I suspect they would be few in number. Nope. She is there to pull the Republican women back into the fold, and she is there because her values speak to the conservative base. At least that’s what I’ve concluded in the last week.
midlife mommys last blog post..One Less Thing We Share
September 7th, 2008 at 4:45 am
All I know is that I’m ready to move to Mongolia.
Ruth Dynamites last blog post..Music to my Ears?