Fri, Aug 29, 2008 2:57pm ET

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With morning announcement of Palin pick comes morning sexism on cable news

Summary: With reports that Sen. John McCain had picked Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to be his running mate, sexist commentary on cable news followed. On CNN, John Roberts raised the question of whether as vice president, Palin would be able to devote the time necessary to care for her baby with Down syndrome, and on MSNBC, Andrea Mitchell and Chuck Todd suggested that Sen. Joe Biden bears the burden of having to adjust his behavior in a vice-presidential debate because of Palin's sex.
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Posted by tommy

Wow, and I thought sexist comments were just directed at Democratic women? 

Posted by DAWUSS in reply to tommy

It's amazing how now all the tables are turning. All the things said in Clinton's favor are now being echoed by the Republicans, and all the things said against Clinton's favor are being echoed by the Democratics.

Posted by Governor in reply to DAWUSS

By "Democratics" do you mean CNN?

Posted by tommy in reply to DAWUSS

It can't be.  Politicians never talk out of both sides of their mouths and are always consistent in their standards and criticism.  This is disappointing to the core.  

Posted by Governor in reply to tommy

What the heck are you two talking about?

Posted by DAWUSS in reply to Governor

The Republican base was irritated over "all the Clinton supporters" who were supporting Clinton "only because she is a woman", which I think was a minor Democratic talking point.

 

Now the Republicans are turning Palin's gender into a talking point, and the Democratics are getting irritated over "all the McCain-Palin supporters" who will be supporting McCain "only because his VP is a woman".

Posted by wookie in reply to DAWUSS

I suspect that we will be hearing the "Biden is being mean" angle alot.

Posted by DAWUSS in reply to wookie

From people like Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity. Too bad no one will be calling them out on it...

Posted by RABBITLUVR in reply to DAWUSS

Yeah, and that's really gonna pump up their credibility after the way they've trashed Hillary.

Posted by HughG in reply to wookie

I trust Biden will be safe from the "He's being mean" criticism, as long as his wife doesn't pull a Barbara Bush, with her famed "rhymes with witch"(http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Barbara_Bush) comment.

Remember what Tricky Dick reportedly said about that lady: "She really knows how to hate." And he would know!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-slansky-/contempterinchief-the-_b_67875.html

Posted by MissDee in reply to wookie

Ha!  You're talking about a woman who hunts moose in her spare time. Biden may be better off taking on an Alaskan Grizzly bear in the debates!

 

Posted by open_mind in reply to MissDee

I'd be more impressed if the moose was packin' too.  Anyone can kill something with a gun.  I never was impressed with hunters, but whatever floats her boat.

Posted by Col. Harlan Sanders in reply to open_mind

Maybe MissDee means Biden would be better off debating a moose.I'm not sure what that means, Palin is smarter than a moose?

Posted by carlileb5935 in reply to DAWUSS

MMFA is completely wrong about this. It's a valid issue to bring up.

They have few women on their staff, so they don't realize that many, many women (that I've heard from) today wonder just how it is that a candidate who is being exalted as a "mom" by Republicans will in fact raise her Downs Syndrome child-- 

In absentia? That's some mom.

It's a valid issue-- MMFA, get out and talk to women about this, not just the guys. 

Posted by Graydogs in reply to carlileb5935

No, MMFA is completely right.

 What the media is doing is insulating her from criticism such as you have been hearing.....and I'm guessing that thousands of others wonder what kind of mom can divide her time between being a VP, and a husband, and a family of 5 children including a Downs syndrome baby.

The media brings up the issue of can she handle this with a Downs Syndrome baby, and then answers the question for us, by talking about what a wonderful, amazing woman she is.....wife, mother of 5, hockey mom, mother of a military son, first Alaskan female governor, mother of a DS baby...and at the same time she's a "Maverick", "Tenacious",  "a go getter", "brave" and a "fighter". Sort of sounds like a super hero doesn't it.

The "sexism" is the media asking if Biden can be tough on a woman. Throwing out the "mom of a Downs Syndrome baby", and "can she handle both rolls", is to bring it up before others do, and assure voters and gather more support for her selection..

Posted by carlileb5935 in reply to Graydogs

I think you've misread MMFA here. There's two issues.

CNN brought up the very first point-- but MMFA belittles it as sexist. 

The Biden issue is different-- MMFA is correct here, to reference Biden like this is an attempt to insulate her. But the Down Syndrome child is valid issue, that is catching fire with many women:

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/
 

This isn't an uncommon response, either. Older women will think Palin is cretinous in her neglect. I'm glad it's being mentioned.

Posted by Graydogs in reply to carlileb5935

Yes, both are aboviously sexist....it's just that they are using sexism is to achieve different results....one angle is to head off concerns about her having a DS baby... by talking about what they fear people are already thinking...can she be a mom to a DS baby and a VP as well, and to form an image of her.

No matter how you read the angles of this, it is a shameful use of a woman politician. She is clearly not qualified for the office of VP. They chose her so they could reach their voting groups, and are dumb enough to think Hillary supporters might vote for her just because she is a woman. They are saying she is a mom that can handle the job of VP, but then say, oh...do you think Biden can/should be tough on this little lady? 

They have brought up the fact that she has a DS baby repeatedly ...and that tells you that there is a reason for this. All I heard when she was announced was Sarah Palin, mother of a DS baby.

They are going to have to do some fancy footwork to convice people what a dedicated mom she is, AND a fully dedicated politician. They are aware that this will collide with some of the Christian right opinions of what a mother should be, and do, but they will herald her as an example of those who did not choose to abort DS babies.

The questions of whether or not Biden can be tough on a woman is sexist and hypocritical in that the right has no problem attacking Democratic women. They are forming the image of a women who is mom and politician and appears to do everything, and the Downs Syndrome mention will draw a suport group around her. It will humanize her, and draw sympathy is someone picks on her....as well as be someone the pro-life group can point to, as an example of a woman who knew she had a DS baby and didn't choose abortion....and we all know from reading these articles, that being pro-life erases anything else that they do.

I think all the MSM angles conflict with each other, because they are trying to sell her as everything, to everyone at once. Smart voters will see through all this. 

 

Posted by Graydogs in reply to Graydogs

No idea why one section of my post came out in micro font, but here it is again:

No matter how you read the angles of this, it is a shameful use of a woman politician. She is clearly not qualified for the office of VP. They chose her so they could reach their voting groups, and are dumb enough to think Hillary supporters might vote for her just because she is a woman. They are saying she is a mom that can handle the job of VP, but then say, oh...do you think Biden can/should be tough on this little lady?  They have brought up the fact that she has a DS

Posted by nerzog in reply to DAWUSS

Which Democrats have made sexist remarks about Palin?

Posted by tommy in reply to nerzog

Nerzog, I think Dawuss' comments went to the talk of inexperience,  Rep's accused Obama of it, and now the Dem's are accusing Palin of the same thing.  His point, I believe, went to how each party selectively selects their arrows, and how sometimes they are just mirror opposites of each other.

Posted by DAWUSS in reply to tommy

Bingo.

Posted by magnolialover in reply to DAWUSS

No, we're not talking about her experience. We're talking about how much more hypocritical can McCain be. Yapping about Obama's in-experience, and how that was bad, and then he turns around and picks someone as his #2 who has less experience than Obama. That's the story. I don't care about her so inexperience. She's going to get mopped up and tossed away anyway.

Posted by webelibtards in reply to magnolialover

No, we're not talking about her experience. We're talking about how much more hypocritical can McCain be. Yapping about Obama's in-experience, and how that was bad, and then he turns around and picks someone as his #2 who has less experience than Obama. That's the story. I don't care about her so inexperience. She's going to get mopped up and tossed away anyway.

How does she have less experience than Obama?  A Governer of a state, a former mayor, an ethics commissioner, a proven leader who worked towards energy independence.  Not to mention her speech this morning that had more substance in 5 minutes than Barak and Hillary combined.

You liberals are just seething with hatred over McCains pick.  It was the grandslam that shut Obama's campaign down.  He'll never recover.

Posted by Governor in reply to webelibtards

Wow, I'm impressed in a way with his choice but you're REALLY overstating things.

Posted by carlileb5935 in reply to webelibtards

You liberals are just seething with hatred over McCains pick.

yes, we are so very very jealous. Damn! Why couldn't we have somebody that good-- and what a looker! 

Posted by skipp2989 in reply to webelibtards

Please think about changing your screen name.  Whether Liberal or Conservative the term "tard" is offensive and does nothing to add to your credibility. 

Posted by philib in reply to skipp2989

   And your name is better? How?

Posted by skipp2989 in reply to philib

I'm making the assumption that "Weblib" is using "tard" as short for "retard".  Retard is an insult based on "retarded" which is part of the the label "Mentally Retarded", a term that has been replaced in recent years with "Developmentally Delayed", "Developmentally Disabled", or "Developmentally Challenged".

Considering this article refers to Ms. Palin's child with Downs Syndrome, a chomosonal disorder that often results in developmental delays, the term "tard" is at best unfortunate.

BTW, my parents named me "skipp2989".  You got a problem with that.

Posted by philib in reply to skipp2989

   It reminds people of peepee, which could be construed as weewee, which would lead to discrimination for lack thereof. Quit your whining about names!

Posted by skipp2989 in reply to philib

Wow, Thanks for the advise, Phil. I bow to your superior intellect and sensitivity.  Are you Dr. Phil?

 

Posted by donaldmaddog5642 in reply to webelibtards

WEBELIBTARDS (or whatever): You gets what you're lookin' for, I guess.

Posted by Col. Harlan Sanders in reply to webelibtards

her speech this morning that had more substance in 5 minutes than Barak and Hillary combined.( Weebiltard)

What do you consider the most substantive part of her speech?

Thanks in advance.

Posted by philib in reply to Col. Harlan Sanders

"What do you consider the most substantive part of her speech?"

  Taking ALL reports and highlights of the O'bama speech off the air! What a genious, McCain is, for announcing the following morning. And the choice is, well, far superior to O'bama's choice of Biden. Or, should I say Soro's choice for O'bama. ( http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/4666 )  Looks like O'bama is already doing what he's told to do. How far do you think that act will carry him during this election?

 

Posted by open_mind in reply to philib

I love their analogy:

“Media outlets reported allegations Biden plagiarized Kinnock, but not that he had previously credited him,” says the Media Matters headline. This is like saying that a convicted shoplifter paid for some items before and after he was caught stealing." --philib's fishwrapping

The correct analogy would be more properly that an alleged shoplifter paid for every item before he was caught "stealing" (the actual items he just paid for).  Can you steal something you already paid for?  Hmmmm... Got to love those ridiculous analogies conservatives come up with.

Posted by TadekKorn in reply to webelibtards

How does she have less experience than Obama?  (A rhetorical question that requires no response.)  A Governer (spelling) of a state (whose penguin population is probably larger than its human population), a former mayor (of a town of less than 9000 souls a number of whom are less than impressed by her having been chosen), an ethics commissioner (whose actions are currently under investigation), a proven leader who worked towards energy independence (you must be joking).  Not to mention her speech this morning that had more substance in 5 minutes than Barak and Hillary combined (you're overdue for a check-up with an audiologist as well as with a therapist.  This is a symptom of highly selective hearing).

You liberals are just seething with hatred over McCains pick (Wrong again.  Most Obama supporters welcome McCain's choice.  We can all agree with McCain that she's very pretty--he has a good eye for women.  Seeing as his Barbie Doll, Cindy of the plagiarized recipes, might not cut it as a running mate, he chose the almost spitting image of Wonderwoman).  It was the grandslam that shut Obama's campaign down (Strange metaphor.  A grandslam results in four runs.  What four funs did McCain score with this selection?  Did I miss something?).  He'll never recover (You're probably right about this one.  More likely than not, with this choice, McCain has signed his political obituary).

Posted by open_mind in reply to DAWUSS

I think if Obama's experience was on the table - which I have always claimed was legitimate, why isn't this woman what's-her-name?

She was apparently mayor of a town of 7,000 people and the governor of the extremely sparsely populated state of Alaska for almost 2 years.  Why would anyone think that is a not valid subject of debate?

This looks like a terrible choice for McCain.  I am seriously reconsidering voting for him at this point.  There were much better choices available - some of them women.  Christine Todd-Whitman would have been a great choice, IMO.

Posted by tommy in reply to tommy

I guess I was incorrect about Dawuss' point, he clarified what he meant above, my apologies.

Posted by Governor in reply to tommy

Maybe you two can take this growing confusion off-line.

Posted by tommy in reply to Governor

Coming from the most confused poster clogging up these boards with the most inane questions imaginable, that's quite a directive, Gov.....LOL!!

Posted by Governor in reply to tommy

Well, unlike you, I'm well aware that sexism can be directed by the media at a Republican.  And I think it's you and Dawuss doing the clogging here.  That you two don't even know what the heck you're talking about is a hoot though.  Cheers.

Posted by Governor in reply to tommy

You're right that he's off topic but wrong about how (look up).

Posted by nerzog in reply to tommy

There is no question that both parties are guilty of selective hypocrisy. It's just that I most often agree with Democratic hypocrisy.

Posted by tommy in reply to nerzog

We have a winnah!.  Best post of the day.....well done, Nerzog

Posted by Graydogs in reply to tommy

Two things points here.......every thirty seconds on MSNBC they have mentioned that Palin is a mother of a Down Syndrome baby... word must have come down the RNC pipeline to mention it ad-nasium.....she must be amazing to be a mom of five, let alone an governor and mother of a Down Syndrome child.

Second, MSNBC has been asking if  the Democrats can be tough on Palin, a woman......yet apparently it's okay to attack Hillary from all angles. (not to mention ANY Democratic female politician) This shows the media hypocracy.

They seem to be setting Palin up like they set up McCain as a prisoner of war.....or Bush as they said you shouldn't attack a president in the time of war...... this woman has proven that she can and has done everything, and she's gosh, she's bearing a heavy load being a governor,  mom of a Down Syndrome baby, and mom with a son going off to Iraq....so anyone who plans to give her tough time, be forewarned!

They can attack Kerry for his service, but McCain is off limits.

Children and wives of Republicans are supposed to be off limits, but they made fun of Mrs. Edward's cancer, and Chelsey Clinton's appearance, and on and on. There are two sets of rules.

 

 


 

Posted by Graydogs in reply to Graydogs

(Two points here.....meant to delete "things)

Posted by nerzog in reply to Graydogs

Interesting observation. I noticed that they also threw in the angle about her knowing that the baby had Down Syndrome before it was born. Obviously a sop to the Anti-Abortion hordes. Looks like they're trying to immunize Whatshername from any and all criticism, just like they've done with Grampy using the POW issue. They also attempted to do the same thing with President Numbnuts by arguing that it's treason to criticize the Commander in Chief when we are at war.

Posted by doggone-ga in reply to nerzog

"I noticed that they also threw in the angle about her knowing that the baby had Down Syndrome before it was born. Obviously a sop to the Anti-Abortion hordes. Looks like they're trying to immunize Whatshername from any and all criticism"

If you're correct, it would be intereseting to know just WHAT criticism they expect to be thrown at her?  As I see it - as a proponent of choice - she exercised her RIGHT TO CHOOSE and chose to have the child.  Why would I, for instance, criticise that?

Posted by Graydogs in reply to doggone-ga

Nerzog didn't say anyone would criticize her for keeping a Downs Syndrome child...he said they mention the for the anti-abortion crowd, and I argee.

Nerzog was agreeing  that they are mentioning her DS baby to insulate her from criticism...much like a candidate with a disease, or a wife or child who is ill, or McCain the POW, and Bush the war time president.

 The right has no problem attacking Democratic candidates who have had illnesses, or spouses who are ill, or children who are not attractive, etc., but heaven forbid should you get tough on a right wing politician who they had identifyed as "out of bounds" for criticism.

Posted by doggone-ga in reply to Graydogs

"Nerzog was agreeing  that they are mentioning her DS baby to insulate her from criticism"

I don't get it.  WHAT criticism do you expect there to be?  Why would anyone, pro-choice or not, CRITICISE her decision to keep her pregnancy and to raise the child?  Abortion foe or pro-choice, she made her CHOICE.  Good for her.  Pro-choice DOES mean a woman CAN choose to carry her pregnancey to term.

Do tell what criticisms you think we might hear?

Posted by BottleBlonde in reply to Graydogs

She was criticized on a talk show this evening by James Carville for her lack of experience, and some McCain apologist woman said that it would irritate women that she was being attacked for being a woman! She wasn't being attacked for being a woman. She was being attacked for a dearth of experience.  1 1/2 years as a Governor of a lightly populated, pretty homogeneous and fairly rich state doesn't give one much experience. Being Mayor of a tiny town after being a City Council member and a PTA board member doesn't give one much experience. Contrast that with Obama's experience as a community leader and organizer in the nation's 3rd largest city, followed by 7 years in the State Senate in a diverse, very large state, while teaching about the US Constitution for 12 years! Then he's been in the US Senate for 3 1/2 years. There is no comparison between his experience and hers - she's out of her league in this race, and it was reckless of McCain!!!!!

Posted by philib in reply to BottleBlonde

" [Palin] 1 1/2 years as a Governor.... Mayor of a tiny town.....City Council member and a PTA board member..... Obama's experience.... community leader and organizer... followed by 7 years in the State Senate ....teaching..... US Senate for 3 1/2 years."

  Let's do the comparison a different way:

O'bama: Community leader   Palin: Mayor

O'bama: US Senator     Palin: Governor US State

 O'bama 3 1/2 years US Senate, Dan Quayle 8 years US Senate / 4 years US Congress  ( Did you like the Quayle selection, at the time? )

   And, let's not forget. O'bama is running for President! Palin is only the VP. Of course, if you'd prefered, I'll bet McCain could have picked an old white guy, like O'bama did. What? There weren't any qualified minorities or women in the democratic party? Or have you already got your 'token' player on the ticket?

Posted by open_mind in reply to philib

Thanks for the wingnut view.  I think you guys want to downplay the scale involved here.  8 years ago what's-her-name was mayor of Wasilla, AK population 5,000 or so at the time.  Alaska is an insignificant state as far as population.  

I am scared to death that something would happen to McCain - whom I was leaning towards before this whole mess.  This what's-her-name is not fit to be McCain's chief of staff - let alone a heart-beat away from the Presidency.  I can't believe he would put the country in danger like this after only one or two meetings.

Posted by Graydogs in reply to BottleBlonde

And now the MSM is telling us she already has more military experience than Sen. Obama, because as a governor she is the Commander of the Alaskan National Guard. Oh, please.........

Posted by TadekKorn in reply to Graydogs

Weren't you reassured by pictures of Palin looking through the scope of her rifle?  Doesn't that give you the confidence that she can protect us from the hordes of Russkies coming at us from Vorkuta or Archangelsk?  Anyone that has the stomach to skin a caribou certainly has the moxie to stand up against our enemies!  This lady not only looks like Linda Carter, she may also have the cohones of her alter-ego!

Posted by shaggles

Kudos to Media Matters for putting this up even though the BS is directed at a conservative.  These comments remind me of the kind of bs hurled at john Edwards when he decidied to continue with his campaign after learning that his wifes cancer had come back.

Posted by carlileb5935 in reply to shaggles

Eaxctly how is Palin going to care for her Downs Syndrome baby?

It's a good question-- the Repubs can't have it both ways, exalting her as a  mother --who is absent at the same time!

This will turn off a lot of women-- MMFA is wrong here, and I'm wondering how many women they have on staff who will disagree with my point here? (none ever write regularly.... a serious omission, guys.)

MMFA is, in fact, being a little male-centric about this.

Posted by tommy in reply to carlileb5935

She's not going from being a stay at home Mom to being the VP, she is the Governor of Alaska now.  So I would imagine with the help of her husband and family, she is managing fine. 

Posted by doggone-ga in reply to carlileb5935

"Eaxctly how is Palin going to care for her Downs Syndrome baby?"

Presumably by using the same sort of resources available to the parents of any handicapped child.  She's not the only working mother in the world with a DS child, after all.

Posted by bettybrown in reply to

so, every working father who doesn't take leave from work after the birth of a disabled child is a jerk, too?  right? 

priorities.  ha!  as a woman, i'm pretty g.d. tired of being told what my priorities are, and in what order they should be.  if men have the freedom to have a career, have a family, and continue their career without interruption - why can't women?  are you implying that because women carry & give birth to children, we are ALWAYS the ones who should "want" to stay home after the birth?  define yourself and your priorities, not a woman you don't know personally, nor do you know her husband and what he does at home, as far as child-rearing.

 

Posted by spooky3 in reply to

Exactly which men who have run for high office have young children or children with special needs? How did they arrange for high quality care?

If you can't answer these questions thoroughly and quickly, then you should understand why your questions are sexist.

It is no one's business how the Palin family plans to care for their children, any more than it was anyone's business whether the Edwards family was making the right decision to campaign with their young children, or to continue when Elizabeth Edwards received her negative diagnosis.

The Palin family likely have paid assistance now, in addition to family members who can help. But whether they do or not is not my concern. My reasons for considering Ms. Palin as entirely unqualified for the VP office have to do with her ridiculous views on many public issues, and not on her personal decisions. There may be a lot of men and women who are concerned about her personal child care, but that is simply evidence of problems in this society with sexism and/or subjecting public figures to evaluation on matters that have nothing to do with their job performance.

Posted by spooky3 in reply to spooky3

I might add that any private sector employer covered by the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that raised these questions and decided against hiring a woman based on how the employer felt they ought to be answered would be breaking the law.

Posted by wolf kotenberg

Well, Cheney seems to have a lot of time on his hands to engineer nepharious plans to dismantle provisions in constitutional law ! trust me, bringing these children into the federal government payroll  will provide VP Palin with plenty of medical insurance and children care. Palin will have plenty of help in caring for her children.

Posted by GlennJericho

[awkward pause of shocked disbelief]

MMFA defending Palin...that won't last long.  I tip my hat to you, nonetheless.  =)

Posted by DAWUSS in reply to GlennJericho

Look at the issue and look who reported it ;)

 

.... did I just make a sexist statement with that? If I did I apologize. I intended irony. 

Posted by eweston8542983

Its a bit early in the game to have figured all the possible angles, their play, and the stickyness of the talking points.

Putin better be nice too....or else.

Posted by jjamele2880

Coming next: "Mr Palin is accustomed to having waffles with this coffee and morning paper; will Sarah Palin be able to continue to serve these and also run for Vice President?"

What is this, 1956?  The five children that Sarah Palin has also have a FATHER.  Maybe it makes your head explode, Mr. Roberts, but it's just possible that the DAD will play a key role in taking  care of HIS KIDS.

You never hear this when a father of small children runs for high office.  What a moron.

Posted by jeter2 in reply to jjamele2880

BRAVO! Excellent post!

Posted by DAWUSS in reply to

All Johnnie Mac needs to do is have a photo op with Cindy and Sarah. He'll probably look as fitting as Roger Moore during his 007 stint in the mid '80s...

Posted by HughG in reply to DAWUSS

DaWuss: "All Johnnie Mac needs to do is have a photo op with Cindy and Sarah. He'll probably look as fitting as Roger Moore during his 007 stint in the mid '80s..."

Yes! And he should add to the picture: Carol (his first wife) and Dixie L. Burd and Kathleen Hensely Portalski, Cindy's forgotten half-sisters. Then he'll look great, expecially if they're all standing on an aircraft carrier with a "Mission Accomplished" banner behind them!

McCain/Palin '08:

"It's time we demanded to be pandered to!"

Posted by Col. Harlan Sanders in reply to HughG

"It's time we demanded to be pandered to!"

Har! Nice, and in a nutshell, Mr. Rection !

Posted by TadekKorn in reply to

To: WATERSHED: Re: "One short look at the almost maniacal pro-life stance she holds should hopefully turn off any PUMA's looking for solace. I truly hope that none of them are THAT stupid. Are they?"

Let's not get too sexist here.  It's most likely that like all statistical distributions, there are a number of PUMAs who are are THAT stupid.  Women are not uniformly smart.  They're not all like Ann Coulter!

Posted by Graydogs in reply to jjamele2880

But you see, when they ask questions like this, they are giving listeners the "image" of an ideal mom that CAN and HAS done all of this. She IS the 1950s mom that can do it all, and family comes first...blah blah blah.

Simply asking the questions if she can handle it all, gives them the opportunity to talk endlessly about how much she does already as governor/mom/wife, etc.

And as I bought up in an earlier post, it helps them form a shield around her, to protect her from tough questions. After all, the Democratic meanies might not understand understand the load that she bears. 

They have portrayed many Democratic female politicians as bitches....as tough, anti-mom , anti-family, and they set no limits attacking them. 

If the Palin "image" is cultivated well, moms and dads who have disabled children, sons/daughters in the military, far right Christian, or pro-life will stand up and fight for her, if the press or Democrats "give her a hard time". Wonderful set up don't you think!

Posted by darkmass in reply to

"Eureka! Grampy has nominated June Cleaver!" - Nerzog

Well, maybe June Cleaver as played by Tina Fey!

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/detail?blogid=24&entry_id=29640

 

Posted by kjkretsc1008 in reply to Graydogs

you nailed it.  mccains not my favorite but politically a genius move.  democrats just spent a week honoring how close hillary was to the nomination.  day after, this squeaky clean super mom is nominated.  game over.

Posted by carlileb5935 in reply to jjamele2880

You never hear this when a father of small children runs for high office.  What a moron.

You're wrong. 

Big difference-- you rarely hear men being heralded as super dads as somehow this qualifying them to be president.

So if the Republicans are going to champion her as a "mom," then she's going to have to be one with her Downs Syndrome child, and not pawn it off in absentia to someone else.

They can't have it both ways. Women know this-- so why don't you men? 

It is a very, very valid issue. And it goes to their general hypocrisy and dishonesty.

Posted by jjamele2880 in reply to carlileb5935

Um, you never hear men promoted as "Super Dads" because the media focuses on their political accomplishments.  They are allowed to showcase their families because it's assumed that mommy does the parenting.  Nobody ever asks if male candidates will be able to juggle fatherhood and a political career.  It's just assumed that the wife will pick up the slack.

So why can't Sarah Palin be promoted as a successful politician and mom who, like male politicians, has a loving partner who will carry his share of the burden in raising the family?

Posted by spooky3 in reply to carlileb5935

No, it's not. The appropriate response to anyone who touts her being a "mommy" as somehow making her a strong candidate is to ask what one's personal life - whether they have zero children or 10, whether they like golf better than tennis, whether they are vegans or beef eaters, etc., could POSSIBLY have to do with their ability to perform the job of Vice President. Then answer it, "nothing."

Posted by raejeanowl3049 in reply to jjamele2880

This is a very good point. Gov. Palin would be doing this the same way any other high-achieving female in public office would...and sometimes the logistics include the husband and father being the primary care parent, sometimes they don't and other family or staff comprise an extended family network.

Men have always been empowered to "have it all" according to their abilities and inclinations. It's about damn time the world realized it works both ways.

And the first time Biden or anyone else does something hard-hitting or blatantly mean, I'm sure Palin will be able to take care of herself in a way that emphatically ends the rest of the condescending discussion about the unfair advantage of gender-biased kid gloves.

Then everyone can happily get out the warmed-over "She's a bitch" and "She must really be a man" digs left over from the H. Clinton campaign.

Posted by eweston8542983

Karl will sprinkle some sugar on her to help her evilific content develop and flourish.

Posted by wolf kotenberg in reply to eweston8542983

Karl " traitor " Rove's quest for a one party system will not come to an end if MCain is president. All the bushies will still innoculate themselves into a McCain executive branch. Palin was talking " change " this morning. Change to what ?

Posted by nerzog in reply to wolf kotenberg

Good point. Chances are that McGrampy would have essentially the same team. They would just swap the Puddinhead George sock puppet for the McGrampy sock puppet. That would be the only "change".

Posted by Col. Harlan Sanders in reply to eweston8542983

She is an unrepentant hockey mom. Hockey is played in a strange foreign country where people speak French. If they don't speak French, they say "aboot". They wear toques and use serviettes. And Palin's "state" shares a border with them !!

How much do we really know about Sarah Palin ?

Posted by annes10 in reply to Col. Harlan Sanders

Adding more cred to her international experience, eh?

Posted by Col. Harlan Sanders in reply to annes10

No spin here, Anne. Just informing "The Folks" of her exotic background.

Posted by captfoster2

Since the corporate rightwing is not a big fan of Grampy, but yet have little choice but to back him.........

The media is going to tie itself into such a tight pretzel that by the time Election Day comes..... most of them will not make it to the voting booth?

Let the games begin........ place your bets on which 'news' station or rightwing personality sinks to the bottom the quickest or fastest as it pertains to the latent racism and sexism that will rear its ugly head?

I bet on FoxNoise (as a whole)..... for they collectively don't know their ass from their hole!

Rush will be the first to the bottom in my opinion as for personalities

Posted by nerzog in reply to captfoster2

All kinds of conspiracy theories possible here. Maybe the corporate media whores are doing this to piss off those floating Hillary voters, so that they'll vote for Grampy and Whatshername out of empathy.

Anything is possible.

Posted by carlileb5935 in reply to nerzog

That's not conspiracy. That's what's happening:

Obama = untried and a risky choice

Palin = an outsider and a fresh face! 

Posted by ButteryPat

Yeah, I know it's time for our old pals the Liberal Alarmists to yell "But they're saying the same things about her that they defend about Obama! Hypocrisy!" But Palin's lack of experience is an actual issue. She's got 2 years as governor of Alaska, hardly a cross-section of the American population. She's got a bachelor's in journalism, which gives her a less impressive resume not only than Obama, but less impressive than any candidate on a major ticket in history. There's nothing stupider than comparing a woman who was a Sports columnist, TV personality and Mayor of a city of 8000 to a man with a Harvard Law degree and a background in Constitutional Law.

Posted by zamfir273114

Bottom line is that sexism and racism are not necessarily Democratic or Republican in nature. The only thing I can say about Gov. Palin at this point is that I find her a hell of a lot better looking than McCain's wife!! DOH! I just did it, see, I made a somewhat sexist remark about a very powerful woman.
As a female, I am insulted and incensed that someone would think that I would vote for someone simply because of her sex. The ONLY thing that Governor Palin and I share is that we both have a uterus! and there the similarity ends........

Posted by zamfir273114 in reply to yellow dog democrat

Then why do polls show that 90% of African American's are voting for Obama?

Posted by friedbergboy1422 in reply to zamfir273114

Zam,

Kerry received 88% of the African-American vote in 2004.  If Obama is "only" around 90% that's not a huge swing.

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/pages/results/states/US/P/00/epolls.0.html

Posted by zamfir273114 in reply to friedbergboy1422

I didn't know that. Wow. That is impressive.

Posted by spooky3 in reply to zamfir273114

Uh -gee- maybe because Obama supports positions that most African Americans also favor?

Posted by nerzog

Does anyone else see an eerie parallel to the Harriet Myers debacle...?

Posted by magnolialover in reply to nerzog

I was thinking about that earlier today. Except, McCain can't take back Palin as his VP pick now.

Posted by nerzog in reply to magnolialover

They could always pull an Eagleton. I'm sure Karl Rove could arrange that...

Posted by spooky3 in reply to nerzog

More like the Clarence Thomas nomination.

Posted by right-winger

I LOVE LOOKING AT THE LOVE FOR PALIN FROM CHUCK, CHRIS,PAT, JOE,ANDREA AND THE REST OF THE MSNBC WHO LOVED  TELLING AMERICANS TO BE AFFRAID VERY AFFRAID OF OBAMA BUT ARE JUST DRINKING UP THE COOL-AID CHUCK TODDS FAMOUSE WORDS ABOUT PEOPLE WHO LIKE OBAMA SPEECH LAST NIGHT. I LOVE HOW THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT HOW SHE HAS A DOWN SYNDROME BABY, SHOWING THE FAMILY PICTURE, SHOWING HER NEW BORN BABY BUT THAT WAS NO WHERE TO BE SEEN WHEN IT CAME TOO OBAMA AND HIS FAMILY.  

Posted by DAWUSS

RUSH:  She's not going to remind anybody of their ex-wife, she's going to remind men, "Gee, I wish she was single."

Can that be construed as sexist?

Posted by tabascoman77

Ah yes...all this "sexism" crap...because they're trying to cover up for Palin being investigated for the firing of a State Trooper.

Man, the ironic hypocrisy...

I've said it for months: Obama will win in 2009. Palin just sealed it.

Is it me or do the Neo-Cons just LOVE scandal so much that they've actually resorted to just chasing after it with fork and spoon with their tongues hanging out?

It may be about a fired cop...but it's REALLY stupid to pick somebody who has some ongoing "investigation" of any type. McCain just gave the Democrats a loaded RPG with which to blow his campaign to bits. It calls into question her character.

Posted by Easy to refute wingnuts in reply to tabascoman77

I've said it for months: Obama will win in 2009.

With no help from you, apparently. The election is in 2008.

Posted by RINO Hunter in reply to Easy to refute wingnuts

Didn't you get the memo? The Republicans are supposed to vote in November. The Democrats are supposed to vote in January.

Posted by tabascoman77 in reply to RINO Hunter

Whoops. :) Sorry...being up since 5:00 AM will make one punchy.

I meant Obama will be President in 2009.

But...I noticed...no comments about The Palin Abuse of Power Scandal.

Neat.

Posted by Col. Harlan Sanders in reply to RINO Hunter

Good try, RH. If that worked, Grampy might have a landslide.A decent platform and some common sense would have been a more practical approach.

Just kidding, I know he's a Republican!

Posted by RINO Hunter

Wow. Is this Media Matters or the Media Research Center?

Posted by Easy to refute wingnuts in reply to RINO Hunter

If you don't know the difference, why do you care?

Posted by RINO Hunter in reply to Easy to refute wingnuts

My point was that I've never seen Media Matters defend a Republican before. I was just shocked.

Posted by carlileb5935 in reply to RINO Hunter

It seems that a lot of people have lost their minds today.

Let's see how many repubs defend Dems next week. 

Posted by BottleBlonde in reply to RINO Hunter

The problem is the way you look at what they do.

They report conservative misinformation in the media that forwards the conservative agenda.

It's not like it's something new for them. It's what they do every day with every posting.

How can you be a regular here and not know that? Oh, that's right. You're a moron.

Posted by RINO Hunter in reply to BottleBlonde

Sue,

You really need to stop the baseless personal attacks before you get banned again. I'm just tellimg you that for your own good.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted by Col. Harlan Sanders in reply to RINO Hunter

In BB's defense, that wasn't baseless by any stretch of the imagination.

Posted by eweston8542983

Definitly dere Media Reserge Central, and I never said that.

!-l

Posted by moracity4951

You'd expect news people to be more intelligent. Children with Down syndrome need the same amount of attention as any other kid - especially at this age. Maybe having a VP that is a DS parent will raise more awareness that kids with Down syndrome are more like typical kids than different. As the parent of a 20-month old child with DS, the biggest surprise has been how normal it is. She's just a kid, like any other. In the absence of any health issues, nothing is different.

Palin has more executive experience than Obama and Biden combined, so that argument is dead in the water. The abortion argument is dead. If Democrats had their way, her son wouldn't have been allowed to be born. Her husband is a blue-collar union worker in the oil industry. She knows how it actually works and isn't afraid to go up against big oil. She is a regular person, not some fat-cat, never had a real job politician trying to tell us what is best for us.

It's definitely going to make for an interesting election. Kudos to McCain for a bold move. Too bad Obama didn't follow suit. Biden is a weak choice and certainly not interested in change. Now, we'll see how Democrats really view women. Let the bashing begin.

Posted by Craig

The McLaughlin Group tonight opened the Palin story with John shouting:

"IT'S A GIRL!"

Ugh.

Posted by balanceofpower

While I think it is admirable for MMFA to defend Sarah Palin, I do think it's a bit of a stretch.

It is a false dichotomy to suggest that questioning her ability to care for a DS baby is somehow sexist because it would "never be posed to a male candidate." Find me a male candidate from either party that has ever run for high office that had a special needs child in which this question was overlooked.

Moreover, correct me if I am wrong, but wasn't there a question of John Edward's ability to run for office in regards to his wife's cancer in 2004? Didn't he and his wife address this issue publically?

While a slightly different situation, this example does demonstrate that the media does ask questions of this nature to both genders.

Posted by truthseeker77

Kudos to Media Matters for putting the defense of women in front of partisanship. 

Posted by donaldmaddog5642

Palin is a perfect pick! She is, after all, a "fox".

Posted by tlou33

What a bunch of hypocrites the Republican are. All those years and I mean a lot of years they criticised feminists for wanting to work and not be stay at home moms. Now they have a woman with a 4 month old special needs child and want her to be the vice president pick. Sorry, you can't have it both ways. The VP office is a much more demanding job than governor of Alaska requring long hours and a considerable amount of travel. And I not even touching the "experience" issue which is pretty obvious. 

Posted by ikez785377

Thanks for being on top of this media matters.

Posted by congero6189599

Joe Conason had this to say which takes the words right out of my mouth, thanks Joe : http://www.salon.com/opinion/conason/2008/08/30/palin/?source=newsletter

Posted by martine

As a Hillary supporter, I had stopped watching MSM many weeks ago.  Their bias was so undeniable and vicious.  Yet, I  HAD to tune in yesterday to gauge their response to McCain's selection.  Thank you Media Matters for highlighting these sexist attacks against Gov. Palin.  We deserve fair coverage for ALL candidates---not just the ones we like.  I was appalled at the raw contempt demonstrated  by the MSM yesterday.  Don't they realize how foolish they appear?  Campbell Brown seemed obsulutely livid.  Obermann and film-maker MIchael Moore spoke in tight voices rippling with anger.  Even Bill Maher seemed ticked.  The left needs to get over itself.  The fact is, they have painted themselves in a corner and can't go too far down the "experience" path.  Unlike Obama, Palin HAS governing experience and has actually accomplished something.  So, I suspect we will have more of the same--who will baby-sit, she was only chosen because she was a woman, etc.  Sexism lives and has been one of Obama's most effective tools.   Sadly, Sen. McCain is about to let the so-called liberal set show (again) what hypocrites and bigots they really  are.

Posted by open_mind in reply to martine

I wonder if the media will highlight what's-her-name's obvious lack of experience (especially at the Federal level) like they did on Obama - even though Obama has much more experience than the Republican.  It is pretty funny to see conservatives claim she has more experience - despite all evidence to the contrary.  Hogwash.  Open your eyes.

Your post also looks like a pretty lazy plant, btw.  I find it hard to believe a real Clinton supporter would ever be so apparently easily duped by the Republicans after the Republicans went out of their way to trash her (much of it in a sexist manner) over the last decade and a half!

Posted by minni19436780

Nobody has to go to the trouble of trying to define Sarah Palin she has already define herself  and she has done 100% better doing it than Obama or Joe Biden. CNN anchor John Roberts believer in SEXISM  is totally wrong and you probably will not realize it until she becomes your VICE PRESIDENT. Andrea Mitchell and Todd Chuck  Sarah Palin is a big girl she is tough, Biden does not have to worry about any adjustment on his behavior as long as he does not get any help from his son in DELAWARE. Delaware will always be known and remembered as a place for a political prisoner.  I believe that the tears that BIDEN SHED WERE FAKE when he accepted the NOMINATION FOR V.P. and if they were real then he is the wrong person for V.P.   HOW IN THE WORLD IS HE GOING TO DEBATE A TOUGH WOMAN LIKE SARAH PALIN.