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Lindsay Allison/Guest Blogger The woman I was with after the news broke that Sarah Palin was announced as McCain’s running mate responded, “She can’t do that. Who’s going to take care of her kids?” “Would you say that if she were a man?” I asked. “Of course not. But she’s a mother.” Unfortunately, this woman’s thoughts are clearly widespread in a campaign where Sarah Palin’s gender has become an important issue. In fact, Palin has made such a splash in the media that she has arguably overshadowed her running mate. And rather than focus on the glass ceiling she is breaking by stepping onto the national stage and campaigning for vice president, people have been coming out en masse and attacking her. Shall we begin with the “Abort Sarah Palin” bumper stickers? The jabs at her breast-feeding? Her teenage daughter’s pregnancy? The question of whether she is abandoning her down-syndrome infant by campaigning for office? Shortly after Palin was announced as the vice presidential nominee, videos began to surface of her when she was a beauty pageant contestant in 1984. The question that was being raised about Palin with these videos seemed to be this: can a former beauty pageant contestant really run our country? The answer every woman in America should be giving is: hell yes. In a country where women balance demanding jobs, families, and manicures, the question of whether or not brains and beauty can co-exist should be archaic and irrelevant. Women have worked long and hard to prove that they are more than pretty faces. And although there are certainly more than a few dumb beauty pageant contestants, categorizing Sarah Palin as unqualified simply because she competed in Miss America is stereotypical and sexist. One only has to look as far as Katie Couric, Barbara Walters, or Megyn Kelly to know there are more than a few women who are beautiful and brainy. Ms. Palin has been heavily criticized for her pro-life stance. Many women have branded her as a traitor to their gender for this alone. No matter your thoughts on abortion, no woman should be criticized for making the choice to keep her child. Questioning why Palin didn’t have testing in order to determine whether or not to keep her down-syndrome child is a terrible suggestion of genetic selection. She should be commended for agreeing to the challenges and joys of a special needs child. In leaving this special needs child, along with her other children, in the care of her husband, another question has come to the surfaced: how could she abandon her children? This question has not been asked of Obama, McCain, or Biden. When a male is running for office, everyone assumes the children will be taken care of. When it is a female, she is accused of abandoning her children. Must women either be unmarried (i.e. Condoleezza Rice) or have grown children (i.e. Hillary Clinton) to run for a prestigious office? Is it still assumed that childcare falls on the mother? If so, our society is not as far along in women’s rights as I thought we were. Much has been made of Ms. Palin’s teenage daughter’s pregnancy. Seventy-four percent of teenager girls in the U.S. claim to be sexually active. Thirty-four percent of girls under twenty say they have been pregnant at least once. We live in a society where most teens are having sex, and one of the consequences of sex is pregnancy. Bristol Palin is not unusual nor are her actions her mother’s fault. Although most people want to fight against teenage pregnancy, Bristol Palin is seventeen not thirteen, and there is a big difference in those few years. As any mother of a seventeen year-old (or anyone who has ever been seventeen) knows, seventeen year-olds make their own decisions. Judging Palin for her daughter’s actions seems unfair. Again, I doubt if Bill Clinton would have come under as much scrutiny if Chelsea had gotten pregnant during his campaigns or time in office. And now the worst sexism of all has surfaced. Larry Flynt is making a Hustler porn called “Nailin Paylin.” That’s right; a look-alike of the vice-presidential nominee is starring in a new porn where a group of drunk Russians have their tank break down in front of Ms. Paylin’s house. And if it isn’t bad enough to be jesting about Palin in a porn, there is a reported three-way sex scene between Palin, Condoleezza Rice, and Hillary Clinton. This is shocking. Anyone for Ridin Biden starring Biden, McCain, and Obama? I didn’t think so. This movie is clearly starring these three women only because they are women. We should be disgusted and outraged at this. Agree with their politics or not, Palin, Rice, and Clinton have made leaps and bounds for women in the political sphere. They are women who should be respected not degraded and objectified. Whether or not we elect Obama, everyone should respect the steps he has made for the black community by running such a tight race for president. And whether or not we elect with Palin, everyone should respect the steps she has made for women by getting this close to the White House. Comments (16)
Well finally Daily Cents turns to the middle
written by Tracee, October 23, 2008
I am pleased that the Daily Cents finally let someone write something that is not totally to the left. A clearly thought out,logical article. I never thought I'd see the day. You need to let guest writers do this more often.
To all of you liberals, who I know will beat this to death, as this article states about Bristol Palin, at 17 you can't be with children every minute, especially when they can drive. I'm guessing the back seat of a car is still a place where babies can be conceived? Bristol knows her parents stand on abstinence, most of my friends and family were raised that way and they were all having sex at 14,15,16... and that was 30 years ago. And to the comment about if one of Obama's daughters were pregnant; How would we know? He's already stated that he would not want them to be punished with a baby for making "a mistake". For all of you mothers out there, do you feel as if you have been punished for having a child? As this article states anyone who has sex knows this is a possibility. Bristol made this choice not Sarah. Whether or not you agree with Sarah's beliefs, she is a sister and I am tired of listening to women beat her up because she is a strong woman trying to make a difference. Good article!
applause applause
written by Chel, October 23, 2008
Loved the blog, Lindsay - sensible points made with a cool head. However, Sarah Palin will not get my vote because she is GROSSLY unqualified to lead our country. That doesn't keep me from feeling our sistership and wishing her well.
Sarah Palin
written by AO, October 23, 2008
What a great article to read through and thank you Daily Cents for publishing it. The media has made such a mockery of the candidates this year, especially when it comes to Sarah Palin. It just goes to show what this world has come to. I'm trying to raise two beautiful girls in a world with vanishing morals. Empathy and compassion is a rare treasure to find in people, although I'm trying hard to instill these traits in my children, it's tough to find any sort of outside role model anymore. Sarah Palin, to me, is a role model, for so many different reasons. Do I think she's the best pick to back up McCain, I don't know. Although she does seem to be just as qualified as Obama is, but no one seems to recognize that little fact. Sarah is a beautiful woman on the inside and on the out, and I am proud to make her my choice!
GREAT ARTICLE!
written by McCainPalin08, October 23, 2008
Let's face it- if Sarah Palin was a Democrat, she would be more popular than Hillary Clinton. But since she is a strong Conservative woman, she is dragged through the mud at every chance. It's OK if you do not like Sarah because she is a Conservative woman; I am no fan of Liberal elitists Obama and Biden. You vote your way and I will vote mine. That is what makes this country great! But it's interesting to hear the Left start bringing up 'competence'. Sarah is being judged on competence? I don't think so. Why isn't Obama being judged on that? He lacks it more than any other candidate ever to run for the office of the Presidency. If you say he is competent enough to hold the highest office in this country, please list for me three things he has done for this country. Not "change", not what he says he will do, what he has actually done. This does not include community organization. Tell me what he has done as a senator. I've searched and searched and can't find anything he's accomplished for the American people. So, maybe those of you that are enamored by his 'competence' can tell me what he has accomplished for the American people....
Well done!
written by Christa, October 23, 2008
Nicely said Lindsay! To those of you who say she is unqualified so you won't vote for McCain to be President, have you looked at the candidate running for President on the other side? Obama has the same level of qualifications as Palin if not less. So your argument really makes no sense. You won't vote for a VP with limited experience, but you will vote for a President with limited experience. That doesn't sound like a well thought out argument to me.
Honest and true.
written by Monica, October 23, 2008
Lindsay, I loved your article. Although many of the comments written by obvious Obama supporters got off the trail, you made excellent points about Sarah as a strong female, now in an even greater authoritative position, and women should be excited about that. I know I am. We need more women who can stand their ground against such constant scrutinty that she has been faced with ever since McCain choose her.
And a personal jab at those Obama/Biden supporters out there...she's unqualified? Really? I love that the Republican's VICE PRESIDENTIAL candidate you deem to be unqualified, when your PRESIDENTIAL candidate has been in the senate less days than it takes a box of cereal to go stale. And yet you believe he can bring an end to a war, solve America's entire economic situation, bring health care to every legal and illegal citizen, and should have the right to divvy up hard-earned tax dollars and give it to those HE thinks should get it. But, as they say, ignorance is bliss....
How did we get here?
written by Audshoe, October 23, 2008
I was a teenager during the late 60's & early 70's. I agreed that there were many issues about women's rights that needed to be changed. I have seen some issues get better, and others still need improvement. I just wonder at all the hostility towards a woman who is making an inroad where all the liberals want inroads made. But it must be made only on their terms? Their beliefs? Though I don't have the strong conviction on right to life, as Sarah Palin, I "GET" her spirit of honesty, hardwork and determination. I see her as someone who believes in stating her opinion and values, but not to the point of being hostile to others who do not share her opinions. I truly believe that this election is the first in my voting history that has turned women against another woman with such vehement passion and ill will. This is not going to improve any cause for women, and will only serve to show how devious and vidictive we can be to one of our own. There are better ways to solve issues, rather than trying to destroy another person through character assassination. Whether you are for the McCain/Palin ticket or Obama/Biden ticket you must "SEE" behind the rhetoric and make a judgement on the basis of the character in truth and judgement, based on the actions and experience.
Passion
written by DS, October 24, 2008
Many use important ideals (respect for and equality of women) to support a political or personal agenda. No so with this author! Lindsay clearly has a passion for the ideals she discusses. The political context is simply an example of how those ideals should apply across the board. Well-written and excellent addition to the Daily Cents. Great job Lindsay!
Sarah Palin as a girlfriend "great". Sarah Palin as the leader of our country "never'.
written by Judy Kanengeiser, March 11, 2010
Sarah Palin lacks the confidence that, Hilary Clinton and Condoleeza Rice, have. Her persona screams VUNERABLE. Her political views and family issues are both secondary concerns to me. I do not think Sarah Palin is a strong person. She certainly is a fast talker, and the longer she talks, the higher her voice gets. I would never vote for her.
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Whilst her choice to keep her child is indeed commendable, I don't agree with her stance of no abortion in cases of rape or incest. And great for Bristol--but let's not forget that Sarah is the one who preaches abstinence as birth control.
Last but not least, let's not ignore the hypocrisy here. If one of Obama's daughters were in Bristol's place, the outcry from the right would be overwhelming, and I doubt that he would be in the running.