Who in the world is Sarah Palin? For a man who has staunchly criticized the experience of Barack Obama, McCain's selection of a small potatoes governor with only two years in office is truly bizarre.
I only know what little I've heard on the news or read here and there. But from what I gather, the former pageant queen has an 80 percent approval rating in her home state of Alaska. But as an attractive Alaska native, it's not hard to see why. Her husband, who is part Eskimo, is an oil-worker and a statewide snowmobile champ. She was runner-up in the 1984 Miss Alaska pageant and is an accomplished angler. How much more “Mr. & Mrs. Alaska” could they possibly be?
But will her appeal translate nationwide? I'm doubtful.
In choosing Joe Biden as his running mate, Obama undoubtedly hoped to dispel concerns about his political inexperience, particularly in foreign affairs. In choosing Palin as his running mate, McCain is obviously trying to bring some youth to his campaign. At 44, Palin is even a few years younger than Obama. But certainly, there are young, female faces within the Republican Party with more clout and experience. Right?
Obviously McCain had to bring something historic to his campaign. As the first African American to earn the party nomination, Obama will have a notable impact on U.S. history even if he loses. It has been said from the very beginning that McCain would need a female veep to counter the historic significance of Obama's candidacy.
But to select a relative unknown suggests that when it comes to capable women in the Republican Party, pickin's are slim. I could rattle off the names of 50 male politicians right now, but when it comes to notable female politicians, I could give you three names (not including Palin). In fact, if you really want to get your hands dirty, try naming 10 politicians who aren't white. Mind you, the word “politician” makes for a pretty broad list and it's still hard to do.
If nothing else, perhaps this election year will inspire women and ethnic minorities to get involved.
Because if gender and age are valid criteria for public office, checkout girls from the GOP might be more qualified than a few of our token leaders.
Estabrook's column appears Mondays and she can be reached at estabrookcarole@yahoo.com
But will her appeal translate nationwide? I'm doubtful.
In choosing Joe Biden as his running mate, Obama undoubtedly hoped to dispel concerns about his political inexperience, particularly in foreign affairs. In choosing Palin as his running mate, McCain is obviously trying to bring some youth to his campaign. At 44, Palin is even a few years younger than Obama. But certainly, there are young, female faces within the Republican Party with more clout and experience. Right?
Obviously McCain had to bring something historic to his campaign. As the first African American to earn the party nomination, Obama will have a notable impact on U.S. history even if he loses. It has been said from the very beginning that McCain would need a female veep to counter the historic significance of Obama's candidacy.
But to select a relative unknown suggests that when it comes to capable women in the Republican Party, pickin's are slim. I could rattle off the names of 50 male politicians right now, but when it comes to notable female politicians, I could give you three names (not including Palin). In fact, if you really want to get your hands dirty, try naming 10 politicians who aren't white. Mind you, the word “politician” makes for a pretty broad list and it's still hard to do.
If nothing else, perhaps this election year will inspire women and ethnic minorities to get involved.
Because if gender and age are valid criteria for public office, checkout girls from the GOP might be more qualified than a few of our token leaders.
Estabrook's column appears Mondays and she can be reached at estabrookcarole@yahoo.com
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Post your comment - click hereThere are 14 comment(s)
movedsouth wrote on Sep 7, 2008 5:59 PM:
movedsouth wrote on Sep 7, 2008 4:54 PM:
AJ wrote on Sep 7, 2008 12:48 PM:
AJ wrote on Sep 7, 2008 12:43 PM:
I wonder how they're going to spin this, especially after all the flak they gave Obama because of Rev Wright. Should be interesting. Except, knowing the hypocrites that they are, well, you know. "
former resident of auburn wrote on Sep 7, 2008 10:54 AM:
You are a bit over-descriptive of Palin, but you are right about her and the Republiscum party. They are willing to do Anything to win this nomination.
What I don't like is that they are keeping Palin underwraps, so that she doesn't have to talk to the Main Stream Media. They want us to know 'just enough' info about her, and if anyone questions this, they say 'sexism'. I don't want to think that this woman can become President if something (God forbid) should happen to McCain. You are probably right, though. She would be taken out of the picture and someone else (maybe the 'great and powerful Wizard of Pigs' Karl Rove? and as his V.P. 'radio' Rush Limbaugh?) will take over this country.
Haven't the Republicans done enough to all of us over the past 8 years? Why would anyone want 4 more years of the same??? "
karl again... wrote on Sep 7, 2008 9:40 AM:
"It's telling that you can't make a point, no matter if it's valid or not, without resorting to insults, thinly veiled or otherwise."---WHAT A PERFECT DESCRIPTION OF SARAH PALIN'S SPEECH AT THE RNC!!!
The more that is learned about her, the more it is becoming clear that this woman embodies the WORST of what a politicain can be!
Stubborn, abrasive behind closed doors, unwilling to compromise--the same, sad lack-of-leadership style which has led to such divisive politics in Washington for the last 8-12 years!
She is under investigation for abuse-of-Power issues in Alaska--more SOS for sure!
She is a radical Fundamentalist who believes in theocratic principles of rule and Law--MORE SOS!!
She was picked for two reasons--to lure gullible female voters, and to lure equally gullible religious voters!
Amusingly, Palin is being USED by the Republiscum Party--if you think that the Neocon puppet masters behind the RNC would let this harlot run the country if and when McCain kicks the bucket, you are sadly mistaken! A "mysterious crash" of Air Force One would spell the end for her is my prediction, and we'd be stuck with whatever other unknown McCain would have appointed beneath her.
The "Change" crap that McCain is trying to push is just LAUGHABLE!
GOBAMA! "
quest wrote on Sep 6, 2008 12:07 PM:
Exactly how is Barak going to help the economy in a capitalistic society where the laws of supply and demand set the prices and dictate employee levels?
This is not France where the government controls business and other aspects of peoples lives! I want the government to stay out of my life and my pocket as well. Didn't we fight the revolutionary war for such reasons? "
rayz wrote on Sep 6, 2008 8:41 AM:
rayz wrote on Sep 6, 2008 8:37 AM:
mmanning wrote on Sep 5, 2008 7:38 AM:
And by the way, a.mom, I am youthful, like Ms. Estabrook and I am also the working mother of a young child. But I can certainly tell you that just because I am those two things, it doesn't mean that I am voting for Sarah Palin. When her candacy was announced, the men in my office (yes, I am an executive too!) asked me what I thought of her. As as a feminist (oh yeah, I'm a feminist too!) I said that I was insulted that I should be expected to vote for someone just because she is a woman. The Vice President is an understudy for the Presidency in case they die (not a hard stretch for McCain being past 70). Sarah Palin doesn't have enough experience outside of the delivery room to lead a country. And also, considering her 5 month old, should she really be going on a grueling campagn trail while her son needs such special care and attention? I don't think you. You wouldn't do it and neither would I. Sarah Palin may have gotten to where she is "on her own, with her energy, her conviction and her brains" but I'm sure that being pagent pretty and looking like a Lens Crafter model didn't hurt.
And I certainly won't be telling my daughter delightful tales of the female nominee, Sarah Palin. Apparantly her daughter knows the doors are open to her. Especially being a wonderful statistic of 17, unwed and pregnant. At least Hilary and Chelsea were better than that. "
a.mom wrote on Sep 4, 2008 6:02 PM:
To demean her accomplishments by focusing on her turn in the beauty pageant world is petty and, dare I say, very anti-feminist of you. This is a woman who embodies the very best of this fine country we call America. A woman without the proper credentials (Ivy league education), without the proper pedigree (using the words of your candidate), without the connections or money, who saw a job that needed doing, first in her local PTA, then her small city, then on the ethics commission for energy in Alaska, and finally at the top level of state government itself. She got there on her own, with her energy, her conviction and her brains.
She is someone that mothers all across the country will tell our daughters about when we tell them that every door is open to them. "
former resident of auburn wrote on Sep 4, 2008 4:05 PM:
My husband said "SOS" (same old stuff) and went to bed.
Nothing new, nothing fresh, nothing different. Just the same old 'bash' Barack Obama and Joe Biden. No talk about WHEN our troops will come home (only that they have to win), no talk about McCain's dream of bombing Iran, no talk of total outlaw of abortion.
It really was "SOS"... "
LuvRetirement wrote on Sep 4, 2008 12:15 PM:
When will these hardcore liberal media nuts ever come to their senses and learn that the vast majority of our country won't subscribe to their left-wing philosophy? And, better yet, the country will not be swayed by their assinine columns! "
scottgrimshaw wrote on Sep 4, 2008 10:07 AM:
It's telling that you can't make a point, no matter if it's valid or not, without resorting to insults, thinly veiled or otherwise. Sarah Palin is akin to a checkout girl at the GOP? So being governor of a state is over rated, while your hero Obama lists being a "community organizer" as one of his great credentials.
What are your qualifications Carole? I mean other than being bitter in 90% of your columns? "