A recent article portrayed Sarah Palin in a far more positive light than is usual, giving her credit for being the so-called “star” in the Republican party, bringing in both money and, of course, attention.
As a vice presidential hopeful two years ago, Sarah Palin drew passion and loyalty from the Republican base even before there was a Tea Party movement.
Palin is the party’s biggest star. She draws audiences who pay $50 and $100 to see her speak. And her facile monikers like “mama grizzlies” and “pink elephants” go viral within hours.
“She has morphed from this very controversial vice presidential candidate who most people thought hurt McCain into this phenom,” said Larry Sabato, a political science professor at the University of Virginia. “She’s everywhere, doing everything. All the media interviews. The $100,000 speeches.”
Perhaps most interesting, though, is the article’s direct addressing of Palin in terms of moving women onto an equal playing field.
In the past several weeks, she also has taken to boosting conservative women to office — a role many observers say the Republican Party desperately needs.
“It’s certainly been the weakness in the Republican Party, they haven’t done that well among women,” said Gary Jacobson, a political-science professor at the University of California, San Diego. “It’s a niche that hasn’t been filled by anyone else.”
Speaking at a lunch last week, Palin touted Carly Fiorina for California’s U.S. Senate seat, Nikki Haley for South Carolina governor and Colorado U.S. Senate hopeful Jane Norton.
Norton says she is proud to be mentioned in a speech but doesn’t expect an official endorsement from Palin.
“I think Sarah Palin plays an indispensable role in the 2010 elections because she challenges the good ol’ boys,” Norton said. “Just like me.”
All right, I’m no hypocrite. I’m on pretty solid public record in terms of my disdain for Sarah Palin as a so-called feminist, as a mother, and as a human being. That being said, though, I have to give credit where it is due—Palin is unquestionably giving women, particularly conservative women, an opportunity in politics that was not previously available to them.
She’s crass, she’s easy to make fun of, and she is rife with contradiction, but she has somehow given women with conservative views a voice they never seemed able to find prior to her arrival on the national scene. Palin’s strange rise to super-stardom has had a permanent impact on the Republican party.
Though Palin’s future may not include presidential politics, political scientists say her star status will be a boon to Republicans for years to come.
“She’s avant-garde. She’s a feminist. She cuts a dashing figure. There aren’t that many leading Republicans that do that,” Sabato said.
“Think Mitch McConnell or John Boehner. When you see them coming on, you know it’s nap time. Whether you love her or you hate her, you don’t go to sleep when Sarah Palin comes on.”
And perhaps that’s the positive I can find to the enigma that is Sarah Palin. Whatever else she may be, she is interesting. Whether you’re laughing at the stupid things she says, jumping on the Palin moosewagon, or enjoying the eye candy she’s provided to magazine covers, the woman gets attention. Like, big-time attention.
Is it the type of attention I would want? Hell, no … but it has given both motivation and support to an increasing number of women who very well might not have chosen to put themselves out there politically if Palin hadn’t, in her own way, broken down many of the metaphorical path’s weeds and branches.
There. I just wrote a complimentary piece about Sarah Palin. And now it is your turn … what are some positives about this woman that I many people love to hate?
Remember when politicians used to earn praise for doing their jobs?
Now they earn praise for quiting their jobs and bringing money and attention to the political party they’re affiliated with.
Am I the only person who wishes the aliens would fucking blow up Congress already?!?
I hate to say it but the system is broken. We’re controlled by lobbyists and corporate money. I’m trying not to be doom and gloom,but it isn’t getting easy.
I feel ya. The situation is very frustrating.
I feel like Sarah Palin is “good” for women the same way Anne Coulter is “good” for them. Being a woman is a place of power and influence is moot if you are using that influence in a decidedly anti-feminist way.
Much as I detest Sarah Palin, I don’t think she could ever equal the deep-seated hatred I feel for Anne Coulter. At least Palin acts nice sometimes.
Anne has one good character,she likes the Grateful Dead.
Can you elaborate on the “decidedly anti-feminist” statement? I find a woman who packs her own heat (as written in her book) is not exactly anti-feminist.
As for Ann Coulter, she is incredibly bright and has an acerbic wit that I find amusing. She’s confident, exudes power, and can win nearly any argument – she’s just a tough cookie! I wish I knew more women like her. You may not agree with her, but bad for women she is not.
If more women had the sense that Palin and Coulter have, the world would be much better off. Seriously. How many young women do you know who’ve made incredibly stupid choices that have gone on to shape their lives in a not-so-desirable way? I’ve had friends who’ve had to claim bankruptcy in their 20s from too much partying and living beyond their means. I’ve friends who’ve had to suffer abortions after choosing to sleep with men who possess zero integrity or morality. And I can’t tell you how many friends I have – both male and female – who’ve had several STDs from sleeping around. Both of these women promote the concepts of self-respect, morality, self-reliance, and assuming responsibility. Like I said, the world would be a much better place if more people followed their example.
So when Ann Coulter calls swing voters dumber than toasters because they don’t conform to her radical ideals and hates/calls an idiot anyone who dares to disagree with her clearly superior intellect, it’s really just her “acerbic wit?”
Nope, it’s because she’s an attention whore and an egotistical asshole.
Glad that I could clear that up :)
She’s a politician who quite halfway through her term for no good reason. Therefore, I have no use for her.
I don’t much go for the ‘pathbreaking woman’ thing. I figure anyone who wants to do it can, and I think that a female (former) politician who gets most of the commentary on anything except her political record is meaningless.
I think Angela Merkel is awesome. She is a female politician who has taken to it with a seriousness that allows her to be viewed first as a politician, and only second as a woman. She got degrees in the hard sciences, then worked her way up the political ranks, and has been chancellor of Germany and chair of the G8. She does her job, and doesn’t bother bringing up her gender as a relevant point. She does some side work on women’s issues, but doesn’t make her sex a part of her political campaigning.
That’s who I look to as a female politician laying ground for other women. Someone who’s a real politician – not a has-been on the celebrity circuit.
She said that her quitting had to with the numerous ethics probes that were taking up all her time,therefore she couldn’t give the citizens of Alaska the governor they paid for. Insiders say she was deeply disturbed by the attacks towards her children. I personally think she wanted to set the stage for her presidency run,and I’m not sold yet. Yet,I say yet!!! If she were the only viable alternative to Obama,I’ll vote for her.
Like I said, no good reason.
I would not vote someone for president who couldn’t finish her term as governor. If it really was to make a presidential push, it was the stupidest thing she could have done.
If you were nearing bankruptcy because some idiots who wanted to ruin your reputation kept bringing countless frivolous lawsuits against you, you’d quit your job too. I know I would, especially if I had a house full of kids to support. I don’t blame Palin for giving up her seat and doing a book deal to pay off the legal bills.
As for her not being a feminist, I disagree. She worked hard, put herself through college, worked her way up the political ladder, leads a respectable life, is a leader, role model, and a responsible individual. I know some like to argue that true feminism supports the pro-choice movement, but the real test for strength of character is finding yourself in a tough position and choosing the hard road anyway. I’d rather be lost in the woods with Palin than Pelosi. Pelosi would whine and cry, while Palin would not only be resourceful enough to find and make dinner, but she’d make you laugh too. Give me Palin over that poor excuse for a leader, Pelosi, any day!
I question your claims, but it’s not really the relevant point. If she wants any future political career, quitting midstream is an incredibly poor choice. If she’s done with politics, it doesn’t really matter, though I’m still unimpressed with her commitment.
I’m not going to change the mind of anyone right now and I’m too tired to try, but I’m going on record as supporting Sarah Palin.
I don’t agree with her on every single issue, but I would vote for her if given the opportunity.
No, I don’t support her because she’s a woman; I would vote for a dirty sock before I’d vote for Hillary Clinton. Sarah Palin’s views are mostly in line with my own.
I hope she’s successful.
She wants a less restrictive Federal government,heavy on states rights. If you read the Federalist Papers,you’ll see thats the way it was intended to be. I find that a positive for her.
Agreed.
That’s the way this country is supposed to work.
Federal government should be weak.
States rights should be strong.
Right, because then we end up with people who are legally married in about 4 of the 50 states.
Agreed.
I never said that we don’t need some central powers with reciprocity. You do have to be careful though,a government big enough to control all aspects of your life is too big and becomes expensive. Were 13 trillion in the ditch now.
@Katie,I would like to ask you to be my fourth wife?
I’m totally digging that lost in the woods juxtaposition.
I think Sarah is good for “feminism” as I have seen it defined here most of the time (the definition shifts like a epileptic at the wheel of a bumper car). She is leading woman down into the corridors of power, to what end and for what reason I won’t comment.
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