Comments on: does anyone else wonder if the kids called her “palindrome” in junior high?

By: erin

erin — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 02:56:37 +0000

coming late to the party, here.

I have two major beefs with Palin: Beef One is her stance on just about everything, and Beef Two is the fact that she is getting away with saying “I’m a mother! I’m a mother first, and that’s what qualifies me!” and then turning around and saying, “but please don’t talk about my family!” She can’t have it both ways. If you consider your family life to be a prerequisite for leading the nation, fine, but I’m going to judge you on same. It’s no more or less fair than Kerry relying on his military record four years ago . . . and then being judged on his military record.

If McCain had picked a male as his running mate and this person had a teenage daughter was knocked up, would he be feeling this much pressure? No. I don’t think he would. And in that sense, it’s unfair to Palin. But Mythic Republican Male would also not go around talking about his fatherhood and parenting all the time – nor, I suspect, would he have been picked as a running mate to appeal to fathers, like Sarah Palin has so obviously been chosen to appeal to mothers.

In short, the second she stops throwing around the phrase “hockey mom,” the second I’ll stop judging the events of her family and forming opinions about her based on those events.

But, like John and Olivia have wisely pointed out, all this is doing is shoring up the Republican base and causing the Democrats to run around with their panties bunched. I think it was Randy’s interview way back when in which he said something like “The Republicans didn’t win the election; the Democrats lost it.” Randy and I don’t share political views, but he ain’t wrong. Democrats have managed to screw themselves out of better candidates for the last two presidential elections, and I fear this one will go much the same way.

By: J. Beaman

J. Beaman — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 23:04:50 +0000

best said from jezebel:

“The thing that’s been bugging me about this whole Bristol Palin pregnancy issue is that I think that the Republicans are right: It’s a private matter and the pundits and the politicians should stay out of it. In fact, the pundits and the politicians should stay out of all issues concerning any woman’s uterus. Too bad the Republicans are unable, or unwilling, to see the irony in this.”

By: olivia

olivia — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 10:10:40 +0000

Can I just say, on a more flippant note to address the title of this post, that I would prefer to call her PalindroNe. I know people really liked her speech, but her way of talking drives me crazy. I think it’s because it reminds me of my friend’s mom.

By: Angela

Angela — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 05:26:44 +0000

I’m pretty firmly in the middle and really dislike that there are only two parties to choose from that have any chance at winning, especially since I don’t fully agree with either side. That said, I try to avoid political debate because everyone has an opinion and I’d rather gather my information as unbiasedly and unobtrusively as possible.

So…that Christian Bale/Kermit thing was freaking awesome!

By: Sarah's Dad

Sarah's Dad — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 21:20:38 +0000

I try not to comment on Sarah’s blog as I feel that intrusion by some one of my generation may not be appropriate plus all of you are much more literate than I. But because of the interest and passion this subject has generated I must make an exception and comment.
It is good to see discussion that this subject generated. This is a most interesting presidential election in some time. I respect the candidates of both parties. In my opinion every one of these candidates are some exceptional individuals and are totally committed to leading the U.S. to what they believe is the best path in the next four years. All have to recover from some disappointment or tragedy in their lives. Obama’s achievements, when considering his early life are remarkable. What an example for African American men. Joe Biden, who lost a wife and child, has had a long and respective political career. We all know the POW story of John McCain, who is considered a maverick by his own party because he is willing to work across the aisle. And finally we have Sarah Palin, with her unmarried daughter’s pregnancy and Down syndrome baby, who became the governor of her state starting with the PTA.
All these individuals have some issues in their past, which the media will examine during the course of the next 60 days. So from now till Election Day, do your home work and to use an X-files cliché “Trust No One”, especially the media, confirm all the stories and promises looking for acts not emotions. Be of open mind. Also remember that the Congress has most of the clout these days.
And finally, please vote. Your generation is usually the lowest percentage of voters. If you are passionate about a candidate get involved in some way in their campaign. Remember many Americans (some of your relations and peer group) have given their lives to defend your right to disagree and vote.

By: Jen K.

Jen K. — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 21:04:19 +0000

I listened to Palin’s speech last night so I can make an informed decision. I am avoiding pro-democrat and pro-republican media articles to avoid either party picking apart the agenda they want to highlight from the speech while leaving the rest on the table (so I don’t get swayed).

I liked her speech and delivery. It was actually pretty impressive.

As for the family issues, even Obama has said that family is off limits. And it should be.

By: John

John — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:28:43 +0000

Hear hear Amber!! I know I said I was done posting but Amber said exactly what I was trying to say.

By: Amber

Amber — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:26:23 +0000

I am watching this from across the pond with horror. Because the more we talk about the drama surrounding Palin, the more Republicans are going to start defending her.

Did anyone see Biden talk to Matt Lauer this morning? I watched the video and thought, uh yeah, that is the ONLY approach. Basically Biden downplayed everything about Palin except her Republican-ness. As in: remember the last 8 years? They sucked. I didn’t hear her say anything last night about how she planned to turn the ship around. Barack and I are going to focus about how we’re going to change course. I hope she and McCain have a plan, but if they do, they’re not talking about it.

That’s the only way to undercut this hyper-emotional Republican bandwagon…with calm, clear logic and a proactive, positive agenda. And a reminder or two about how we got to where we are, and who brought us here.

Anyway, Barack made $30 off me today. I had to do something!!

By: John

John — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:08:55 +0000

So Henri, her daughter being pregnant means she “fucked up” in raising her own family? Are you implying that teen pregnancy automatically means the parents fucked up?

And if you’re just echoing Palin’s own beliefs, that’s fine, but it comes across like you’re saying that she can’t be a VP because she isn’t a ’successful’ mother.

McCain picked her to energise those elements of the Republican party that weren’t sold on him. In this regard he has been successful. A nice bonus for him is that he’s discovered a new George Bush: a hate figure for Democrats to lose their mind over and come across as being irrational atheist pinky commie flip-flop wearing flip-floppers and so on. Why does anybody care? Just don’t vote for her. If I was American (so convenient for me I can do this) any inclination I had to vote for McCain disappeared when he chose her as his VP candidate. If the Democrats accentuate what they will do well and stay the course, they should still win. Don’t get sidetracked by the fear of returning to the last eight years.

Incidentally, and finally, because I’ll stop posting, her commitment to drill in the Alaskan wilderness is a joke. Even Pat Robertson this morning inadvertently pointed out how ridiculous her approach is; it’s fine if you don’t believe global warming is caused by man, but do you really think tearing a ton of trees down and destroying wildlife is a good thing? Really?

By: Brian

Brian — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:27:15 +0000

Crap. I meant to take off that last paragraph. I was editing while I wrote and meant to not go there. I wish I could go back and delete it. It’s a nascent and undeveloped thought. I’m sorry!