Palin- Offensive to Women

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-04-2008
Palin- Offensive to Women
Sat, 10-04-2008 - 3:22pm
I'm an independent female voter and have been on a rollercoaster throughout this whole election cycle. I think the media circus surrounding politics is sickening. Regardless of your political position, feelings on having a female in the white house or belief in the media's part in elections, I implore you to look at Governor Palin's comments and comments about her as objectively as possible. The republican party used her nomination for shock value and with the hope that they could soak up moderate Senator Clinton votes that were left hanging in the balance with Senator Obama's nomination. Their usage of Palin in this respect is deplorable at best and plain exploitation. But her comments linking her to women and seeking their support because of a commonality in gender is a joke and everyone regardless of their political opinion should be highly offended. The media is full of sexism and this case is no exception, but I have to wonder if perhaps in this case she is benefiting from this sexism. She gets media exposure because of looks and politicians comments on it. She gets held to lower expectations in her debate and speaking skills because of her lack of proficiency in the previous month and is allowed to be 'folksy' at best. Her continued reference to being a 'hockey mom' is a desperate grappling to make a connection with the American public. If I was her I would be outraged and never allow anyone to use my gender to fuel their mission for a win; and if she's honest with herself that's why she got the nomination. As someone else pointed out she looks scared and was obviously not ready for this position at the time of her nomination. I sincerely hope that she wouldn't be content with obtaining that position by any means necessary even if it meant by gender.  I'm not seeking to influence anyones voting decision; however I am asking that people take a closer look at what is really going on and the distasteful and (I hope) wrong assumption that we women will be duped into voting for someone because they are of the same gender. When making the choice for a candidate it should be because they will do the best job, because we have faith or trust in their abilities, not because we see likeness in their race, gender, looks or other ridiculous criteria.

Chatte


You can't own a cat. The best you can do is be partners. - Sir Harry Swanson

Chatte

You can't own a cat. The best you can do is be partners. - Sir Harry Swanson