Really Living 03 Sep 2008 11:01 am
Is Sarah Palin just political eye candy?
I didn’t like the way I felt when I saw McCain’s choice. I felt manipulated. I felt like this choice on his part was objectifying women….it feels like she was chosen for her appearance and gender because I doubt a man of comparable credentials would be chosen for the position. I don’t like the way she got here because she was plucked by an old politician instead of having time to get to know her. I don’t like what I hear…like her elected offices are mayoral and very short-term gubernatorial (18 months? Is that right?) in an area where “small town” issues preside, or like how she has an infant with special needs that must be getting precious little attention from her right now. I feel insulted that it’s suggested women should vote for her for the “soccer mom” parallels. I feel uncertain in her ability should Old-Man McCain die. I feel unconvinced that the position of vice-president would really be very influential in matters of war and policy. I remember being impressed with the Cheney-Lieberman debates and thinking we had great VP candidates but feel now that it’s just a distraction in the race. I feel hesitant to engage in political conversation again because this choice polarizes somehow. I feel like she’s sheep’s clothing for a wolf. If she participated in continuing a war that could extend long enough to take my children, I’d feel her betrayal as a fellow mother.
I know little of her and distrust the amount of time given to learn her. It may have been more respectful to the intelligence of the country to choose someone we knew better…as it stands, I trust him too little to trust his choice. Maybe it takes more than a (vagina) pretty face to persuade. Maybe this political year is about change and true content and if something feels like hot air, it probably is. Maybe he means well, maybe she’s fabulous. Maybe she’d be the voice of reason to his poor choices but…well, that suggestion begs the question of him again. If he needs that, I’d rather not have him in charge of much.
When I see McCain, and now McCain/Palin, I hear the Alka Seltzer song… “Plop, Plop, fizz, fizz….”. The country has indigestion of the ulcerative kind and a quick and sparkling remedy will soon fall flat, leaving the same issues and problems to churn and gurgle.
Life moves on. This choice does not excite me towards change.
on 03 Sep 2008 at 12:25 pm 1.gina said …
I have been feeling the same way. What bothers me is the fact that she just had a baby a few weeks ago and accepted this position. I personally am questioning her morals. This baby will see very little of his mother if they are elected. As much as I disliked Romney, he’d of been a better choice for VP. I have also thought of the fact that if something happens to 70 year old McCain and the fact that she is so green, I can’t see her running the United States. But I don’t know much about her either- hopefully she proves me wrong.
on 03 Sep 2008 at 1:24 pm 2.Mark Salinas said …
Politics is all pandering…isn’t it? I am not so sure what I think about this one, but politics is confusing. Nice post!
on 03 Sep 2008 at 5:36 pm 3.Beth said …
I LOVE her. Sorry to be difficult.
She’s the only one who is making me care again about the race.
Still love ya. Just gotta go with my gal Sarah!
on 03 Sep 2008 at 5:41 pm 4.Tia Graham said …
LOL Beth…. care to expound? What do you like best about her?
on 03 Sep 2008 at 8:31 pm 5.Alabama Tracks » Palin-dromes and Obamarama said …
[…] really got me going, though, was this post which seems to typify the Obama side of this election. I’m truly starting to think that some […]
on 03 Sep 2008 at 9:15 pm 6.gina said …
More to my comment from earlier. I watched an interview with Cindy McCain today and she was asked this very question- with such a young family, a new baby with special needs- can she really handle this job? Cindy was so defensive saying that if it was a man, we’d not be asking that question. So I asked, am I being sexist? No- I thought the exact same thing when I saw Obama’s young girls- they would not see much of their father if he’s elected- and that makes me sad no matter male or female.
on 03 Sep 2008 at 10:35 pm 7.Jett said …
I wish this campaign stuck to the issues instead of putting spin on an unexpected choice for running mate.
I want to know how we’re getting out of Iraq, what we’re doing to become independent of foreign oil, and building the infrastructure that can power our future (solar, wind and other renewables).
on 04 Sep 2008 at 7:03 am 8.Tia Graham said …
In response to Alabama tracks:
If you wanted to find a pro-Obama post to cross link to, there are millions out there other than point-by-point dismantling a family member’s. My post wasn’t pro-Obama…it was a statement about how Palin makes me *feel*. Those are my legit feelings about an issue, independently spoken and not in direct response to any one thing.
on 04 Sep 2008 at 1:07 pm 9.Kristen M said …
Hi Tia,
I love Sarah Palin, too. I can’t really stomach McCain at all, but I think Palin is the bomb.
I’ve written about it in a couple of posts at my blog. Check them out so I don’t have to be repetitive.
As to the charge of what kind of mother she can be to her special needs baby, I can only say this. She’s an ardent breastfeeding momma who wears her new baby in a sling for hours a day while performing her gubernatorial duties. It’s not just for photo shoots, either. She’s also a former homeschooling mom. And, when her kids went to public school she got really involved in the PTA. If her past actions are any clue, we have every reason to think she’s capable of being there for her kids while still working in public office.
on 05 Sep 2008 at 1:14 am 10.Queenofthehill said …
Wow, Tia — you articulated my initial feelings about McCain’s Veep nominee perfectly.
I was actually quite disappointed about Obama’s VP pick, too. I would have liked to see Hillary on the ticket, but I know it may not have been great for her strategically.
After the disaster of our recent local elections, I’m really afraid to hope for any change. Almost ripped up my voter registration!
on 06 Sep 2008 at 7:51 am 11.Joy said …
Tia,
You hit my thoughts and feeling about Palin pretty spot on. It is unfortunate to see this blatant pandering to the soccer moms for her woman/motherhood and to men for her as the tom-boy, tough yet feminine former beauty queen.
She may be doing marvelous things in Alaska, but hasn’t been at it long enough for me to see it translating to holding her own in Washington.
I never intended to vote for McCain, and the addition of Palin will not sway me. Obama is not likely to get my vote, either.
This may be one presidential election where I leave the top of the ticket completely blank, and vote for the local, state, and federal congressional candidates who are actually going to have a substantive effect on our current situation.
on 08 Sep 2008 at 11:29 am 12.Tim Richardson said …
I can’t stand the establishment which is what McCain would have had had he chose someone more “VP-ish”. I think the shake up is good for America. Gina’s response on your blog about Obama and how no one spoke of his young children (one of my first thoughts). Why then is this now an issue? And why now are woman who supported Clinton now saying Palin should be home with her children. If Palin’s husband is capable and able to take care of the children, (though I don’t know that this is the case)why shouldn’t she have every chance to be elected? I am NOT crazy about McCain but whether political or not, I think he made a brilliant choice that energized voters (on both sides). He surprised everyone (including Palin’s own family). Had Obama not had so much conflict with Clinton, he would have chosen her for some of the same reasons McCain MAY have chosen Palin.
This is a historic election and I am all for what it is bringing - change. I am excited there is an electable woman and an electable Africian American. When I watched Obama and Michelle I remember thinking what great hope it gives for all Americans that they are in a legitimate position to occupy the White House. This election is getting people excited on both sides and after years of apathy and historic low voter turnout, I’m glad all these discussions are happening. What if we had two “traditional” candidates and “seasoned” VP’s? None of us would be writing here and it would be the same ole same ole. I say, “bring it on and more of it”.
I do hope whoever is elected will continue bringing in those who haven’t been warped by Washington.
BTW, was Dan Qualye chosen for his superior intellect and extensive experience? I think not! You say (spell) potatoe, I say (spell) potato…
on 09 Sep 2008 at 7:46 pm 13.gina said …
An important point I heard today- our next president should be able to pass a FBI background check. Anybody else hear about the fact that Obama can’t pass this check because of his affiliation with William Herr(sp?)-from what I understand, this terrorist guy and his wife plotted and carried out a bombing on the capitol in the 60’s. He was also quoted referring to the 9/11 attack, that we should have gotten it worse. Um, yeah- he’s Obama’s buddy- Obama kicked off his presidential campaign party at the guy’s house! Not something mainstream media will let out apparently. Kind of scary if you ask me.