The Problem of Sarah...

It's been awhile since I've blogged and boy has the world gone to hell. I will reserve my comments for the financial crisis to another blog because I feel it needs time to shake out.

The Problem of Sarah

I am at a loss, honestly. As a woman, I really do want to support female politicians, but I refuse to support one that is basically inept. (Not to mention the few opinions she seems to have seem to be a bit to anti-woman for my tastes). The people of Alaska should consider a recall when this election is over. I am appalled at the McCain campaign for being so blatant in their pandering to us "womenfolk" and I'm disgusted that Sarah Palin would actually have the delusion that she is somehow qualified for this job. Beyond the fact that I feel like this is politics at its basest form it worries me for the messages it sends. Once again a half-way pretty chick gets passes from the media and politicians, even though she's a dilettante at best when it comes to national politics.

The conservatives come out swinging, "Don't you be mean to our girl Sarah!" Well, your girl Sarah has decided to insert herself into perhaps the most important election in my lifetime, not to mention put forth the idea that she is somehow qualified to be the 2nd most powerful person in the World.

As a woman, I am offended at these types of actions. Pundits saying that Joe Biden has to use kid gloves with her during the debate, because the American people could perceive him as mean and condescending. Please....she put herself out there and if she says something idiotic or rambles like she did with Couric - she deserves what she gets. She's not running for Vice President of the PTA, she's running for the Vice Presidency of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA! The woman barely grasps simple economics, she can't name a SCOTUS case beyond Roe...all she can do is regurgitate talking points. Would anyone be letting this go if Mitt would have gotten the call? Hell No. She looks good on a poster....wow, we've come so far. It's sad to me that a good portion of the comments surrounded Mrs. Palin is of the "I'd do her" variety. Have we really regressed so far in our society that THIS is the level of discourse in this country? Now I realize there is a real constituency to made out of the citizens of this nation that want Sarah to "show us her shit" and then go shoot a moose with her, but I'd like to think we are capable of more.

The damage that this candidacy has done to women politicians remains to be seen, but I have to think that in circles where the idea of a female President makes them uneasy...this doesn't help. I have to wonder if that was a consideration when picking her. After the success that Hillary Clinton had, did the boys get together and decide that the best way to deal with the possibility of more women running for office would be to completely destroy one? The religious conservatives in particular have always had issues with women who worked outside of the home and left the kids to be raised by daycares and nannies, yet this woman is getting a pass from those same groups...why? Is it because she's Pro-Life and attends church? Or is it because if she quits the race they all get to say "See I told you women shouldn't be in power!"? I hate to get all tin-foil hat on this, but the thought has crossed my mind...with all the truly gifted women politicians out there..why this one? I realize the appeal of the outside of the Beltway idea, but I'm sure there was someone who would have at least known what she was talking about, beyond some snarky retort.

The basic point is she is running for the second highest office in our country. She deserves to be treated just like any other candidate. That's what true feminists believe, that in instances where true equality is possible, women should be treated no differently.

***********************************
By the way, if anyone is looking for information on Sarah Palin live from Alaska, I highly recommend www.themudflats.net