Sarah Palin IS Qualified To Be President
December 16, 2009
by Contributor
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Hey—–Earth to the Republican boy’s club—–Sarah Palin IS qualified to be President of the United States!
A disturbing meme is developing among the Republican male establishment (and some women too, I’m sad to say) that Sarah Palin is charismatic and fantastic, she’d make an incredibly successful talk show host, but of course, she’s not qualified to be POTUS. Say what?
One more day, one more exercise regimen for me, and one more eye-popping example of sexism. This particular example is of the subtle variety that is hard to define. But here we go:
I hopped on my elliptical last Sunday to start my training routine. I’m in my winter training mode which means I’m working to build even more strength for the triathlons up ahead in 2010. So I turned on Fox and Friends and there’s Senator Al D’Amato saying that yes, Sarah Palin is a huge asset to the party, she’s so charismatic, what a great talk or radio show host she’d be—-but of course she’s not qualified to be president. Huh? As I cruised into phase two of the workout, on comes an interview with Newt Gingrich where he talks about two prominent Republicans that morning already having the exact same talking points as Al D’Amato. Oy—-I started getting hot under the collar.
Let’s be real here—-there are enough guys vying for the chance to be the Republican nominee for POTUS, that it was just a matter of time before this kind of attack would begin against Palin. I’m also afraid that we haven’t seen anything yet. She’s going to be sliced and diced by these ambitious men.
The insidious thing about this particular attack is that studies have shown that one of the main reasons that women don’t run for office is that they don’t feel that they are qualified. Men rarely feel that way, but it is a constant thing for women to feel that way. By calling Palin “unqualified” some Republicans and D’Amato are cleverly feeding into this cultural undercurrent. All they have to do is say that Palin isn’t qualified, and they’ve started convincing women (and men) that Palin’s only a woman and of course she’s not qualified. It’s as simple as that. You know, the same ugliness was spread about Hillary Clinton as well—-remember that? That she lied about her foreign policy experience? And people bought into it because after all—-she’s only a woman, only a First Lady. The same thing said against a man didn’t even register. How much foreign policy experience did our current president have—-or even Bill Clinton or George W. Bush? Not much!!
So, this dismissive undercurrent is definitely an example of that subtle sexism we have a hard time explaining. And no—we’re NOT too sensitive either!!
Let’s look at the facts—-Palin has been a mayor and a governor. Why is it that her experience in these offices makes her unqualified? Because Alaska’s population is——-small? Arkansas is small too—but Gov. Bill Clinton was considered qualified because of his experience. Gov. George W. Bush claimed Texas proximity to and dealings with Mexico as foreign policy experience. And yet Palin is mocked when she claimed the same for Alaska with Russia’s proximity, as well as the international nature of the commercial fishing industry.
If you don’t like Palin’s positions, say so. But don’t throw around these subliminal sexist messages. They’re only good for one thing—-and that’s giving me an adrenaline rush of anger to get a better workout. These types of attacks will backfire. Man up, Republican men and fight fair!!!!!
Great piece Cynthia.
We always said that the easy part would be whacking the weeds of sexism that were overt – now the real challenge begins – getting at the roots. Thanks for helping us to understand what the roots are going to look like.
Right ON! I always thought the GOP had the most hard core sexists. I’m so glad the true conservatives are splitting from them. It’s obvious the DEMS are crumbling under their OWN lies and fraud. Poor Hillary stuck in the middle. Well perhaps Sarah will pick her for VP in 2012! LOL! Regardless, Sarah will be POTUS! You Bettcha! Especially with defenders like you and Amy! Thanks!
Ladydawnelle
Proud Mother, Veteran & PUMA(now INDIE) 4PALIN
And why should we listen to either of these fools of the GOP when D’Amato lost his seat to that worm Shumer and Gingrich bet on the wrong horse in NY’s 23rd district race and hasnt been a sterling example of conservatism at any rate so I take thier opinions like I would of Obama’s I dont. Sarah is the only one I will vote for in ‘12 period even if I have to write her in myself on the ballot.
Her resume alone does not make her qualified. i could like her positions on many issues and still not find her qualified. She isn’t. And comparing her to Hillary Clinton is a joke. There are many female republicans with whom I disagree on many issues that are qualified, but so far Palin is not one of them. I like her, and I respect her, and I might even vote for her if she were to run against Obama, but to say she’s qualified because she’s been a gov. is more than just a reach. It was very sad to see you guys publish this article.
OK Jess—how do you define qualified?
Excellent piece, Cynthia.
I totally agree. I can’t understand the claim Palin isn’t qualified. It’s like people’s brains can’t process that a beautiful woman can also be a serious contender. In dismissing Palin as a “talk show host” wannabe, they display mind-boggling neanderthalism.
Palin managed a state budget six times larger than Bill Clinton’s Arkansas budget. She had higher national security clearances than most governors because of the Missile Defense base in Alaska. There are more people in Alaska than Vermont, but population wasn’t a deal-breaker for Howard Dean’s candidacy.
Palin was a city manager and mayor for six years in addition to her 2 1/2 years as governor. Alaska has the 4th most powerful governorship in the U.S., according to the Wall Street Journal, largely because of its line-item veto authority. Palin had more direct impact on the state budget of Alaska than most governor’s do in their states.
What does one have to do to become “qualified”? Certainly longevity doesn’t matter as Obama proved, defeating a six-term Senator. And while Obama is certainly not an example to be praised, he shows that the electorate does not hold inexperience against a candidate. He was less than two years removed from a part-time job as a state legislator when he declared his intention to run for president.
Furthermore, time in office cannot adequately substitute for actual “accomplishments” in office. Many in Alaska believe Sarah Palin accomplished more in 2 1/2 years as governor than some of her predecessors did in two terms. She got stuff done that had eluded every administration before her, and she did so in stunning bi-partisan fashion that earned her an 88% approval rating in a largely independent state.
To top it all off, Sarah Palin has real-world private sector experience running a highly successful salmon fishing business with her husband.
I guess people in the GOP are waiting for the perfect dark horse candidate to reveal himself, someone with: executive experience, foreign policy bonafides, longevity, freshness, charisma, conservative record, with the potential to appeal to independents and moderates and the base.
Good luck waiting for that perfect person, GOP. Many of us already believe the best candidate is Sarah Palin, the gal who just sold more books in a month than her competitors will in a lifetime.
I often marvel at how people IGNORE all of Sarah Palin’s accomplishments. They act like she has none and is popular for no particular reason other then people identify with her. Please share these FACTS.
1. Sarah took on corruption in her own party and risked her career in politics doing it. Name one politician who has done this that is currently serving. By the way, has Obama asked Charlie Rangel to step aside? NO, they are in the same party after all.
2. Sarah cut the budget in the Alaska which is unheard of. She saved money when the oil money was flowing in so now when the oil price dropped they are not cutting police or education or raising taxes to balance the budget. How are New York and California doing by the way on their budgets? How is Obama doing with his deficit projections? 9 trillion right?
3. Sarah TOOK ON THE MOST POWERFUL COMPANIES IN THE WORLD, the big oil companies to make sure Alaskans were getting a fair shake and SHE WON. Has Obama bucked the big labor unions in a similar fashion? Or the trial lawyers?
4. Sarah negotiated a natural gas pipeline deal that will result in the largest construction project in North America which will produce REAL JOBS and will provide CLEAN energy to the lower 48. Has Obama ever…oh never mind, its obvious he has not done anything like this and neither has anyone else who currently serves.
Although I have been a Palinist since the beginning of the campaign last year, the issue is broader then Gov Palin per se; it is to create parity with men in office. If there is ever to be equality between the genders, it will arise only when you have parity in government with men. That means voting for women against men all the time, even if at times you need Mary Poppins’ spoonful of sugar to make the medicine go down. Palin 2012 yeah
They’d damn well better nominate her, because if they don’t run a woman in their ticket, I’m not even going to bother dragging my ass to the polls. PERIOD. I’ve fucking HAD IT.
The problem with my party (as well with the Dems) is that there are all of these guys who have been standing in line for years waiting for “their turn”. Like the presidency is granted to those who finish the scavenger hunt and have checked off all of their perceived presidential actions. I can just see their list:
Slept with a woman who was not my wife while married – CHECK.
Called a threatening woman a bitch on MSNBC, CNN, or FOX – CHECK.
Thanked my Mommy for being a strong woman and making me who I am today – CHECK.
Had to pretend I liked on television – CHECK.
Didn’t get noticed for having a best friend who is a crook – CHECK.
Got away with not paying my taxes – CHECK.
Only support abortion when I get my mistress pregnant – CHECK.
These men feel like anyone who cuts ahead of them in line, especially a woman, should be drawn and quartered. They believe in their process and women just put a wrench in it; therefore the women have got to go one way or another.
That should have been:
Pretended I liked “insert politician name here” on television – CHECK.
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Optix, to be honest, the Dems have their checklist, too — black male, Asian male, Hispanic male, gay male …
Every kind of man on Earth will get his ass pushed across the line before ANY woman will — and it concerns me that women will not band together and will cut up any woman ont of their tribe, because it means that we will be Balkanized against one another. ANY time a woman becomes a real contender, the Dems will simply pick an ethnicity that hasn’t gotten a seat at the table yet and shove them in ahead. Men will run with it because it will keep those bitchez in line, and women will run with it because we can be split apart and made to attack one another at the slightest provocation. And the males of each ethnicity will just be the bought-and-sold lapdogs of the insurance and banking corporations, so nothing will change anyhow. Look at what Barky’s doing with the health insurance. How many poor black people will be threatened with fines and jail time to get their dollars shoveled into rich white pockets in the end?
The double standard is gross to the point of hilarity. When Obama started claiming foreign policy experience because he’d lived in Indonesia for a few years as a child, yet wasn’t MERCILESSLY MOCKED for saying something so asinine, I knew the country had lost its collective mind. Nothing to do but wait for sanity to sink in.
*****A
One is considered qualified if one has a penis. One is considered not qualified if one has a vagina. And women are as bad as men in terms of this attitude. I am convinced that many women have such low self-esteem that they cannot believe one of them could ever be qualified for President. The have so internalized the sexist belief-system. Sad.
Or they want to “take down” the competition. “Hey, how come SHE gets to run for president and NOT ME!” *sigh*
Qualified. Qualified. I can hardly say the word anymore. We have a sitting president (even though I will not claim him as mine) who isn’t qualified to manage Wal-Mart and someone wants to talk about Sarah Palin’s qualifications. She outshines him in every category related to POTUS from her patriotism, valid birth certificate, history of working and work ethic, her history of being elected in fair and open elections and then getting sterling public opinion reviews, her lifetime of experiences, shit yes she is qualified. From day one.
I completely agree Sarah Palin is very qualified to be POTUS. A side by side comparison between Obama and Palin shows she has much more experience than he did (unless you consider being a male as having more experience!). Clearly, her book tour has created a feeding frenzy on both sides – which keeps her front and center.
Unless the Dems can bring themselves out of their hole (which they keep digging deeper), 2012 will be a very interesting election cycle. If the Republicans gain the Senate in 2010, my bet is she will run.
As all ready noted on this comment string, people flattly say she is not qualified to be POTUS, but do not give any substantial reason other than it’s the political tag line of the “left”. The same thing goes with people saying they do not agree with her political position/views but do not give any examples. I think we all need to work on that part better.
“I’m in my winter training mode..”
LOL, how in the heck did you manage to do that? I’m in full blown hibernation mode. I’m so ready to get out and work off some anger.
Palin is twice as qualified as many of our male politicians. Look at Bush, Obama, etc. The double standard is atrocious. Even on the Right you see Rush, a college drop out, Beck, a former alcoholic, versus Dr. Laura, or Anne Coulter with her advanced degrees. Now I may not like what these people have to say, but that’s not the point. The point is that women have to have this huge resume, all these advanced degrees, just to be perceived as being qualified to join their male counter parts in a discussion. The male pundits are simply presumed to be qualified even when they have no education or resume at all.
If Sarah Palin is unqualified then what made Bush and Obama qualified? I can’t think of one single accomplishment either of them did when they were Governor or Senator. And don’t give me the ‘oh well she’s inexperienced’ meme because in fact, Palin has more experience then both Bush and Obama holding executive experience since 1992 before either of them were ever elected to any political office or seat.
“Cynthia Ruccia said:
OK Jess—how do you define qualified?”
a penis
Of course the Governor is qualified, and compared to a lot of former politicians in our history she not only qualified but she is is Eminently qualified.
My wife and I are both some of the early Tea Party Patriots and we agree with and try to push the conservative message.
I am afraid that there is a very sexist thing going on about Governor Palin and how any support for her is “spun” (is that a word?)
I feel that “the Left” and all the Lamestream media types and hangers on will (continue) to say that she is just a sex symbol or a mommy-figure.
Hell, even I feel somewhat abashed when I profess my “love” of the Governor, but I was thinking about this the other day, and I hereby claim my right to say think it and to say it out loud!
The phrase – I love this candidate – does take on an all new meaning that the Left will try to denegrate and push.
The thing is, AS a guy it makes me feel great to finally have a woman candidate (yes for POTUS and yes either on the Rep ticket or the T-Party ticket) to say that about.
It is a great relief to have a women candidate that I actually support that I can say that about.
There is NO reason for men to feel guilty about saying it and there is no reason for women to be jealous.
There is no reason for spin-meisters and once-a-week columnists to spin what they will spin, but I fear they will, and it can be very obfuscating.
I say that we get it out RIGHT NOW, that Governor Palin welcomes all of her supporters; men, women, red, yellow, black, or white, and of all backgrounds and social standings.
Be proud and Un-Afraid to support this good American, Wife, Mother and Conservative that is brave enough to stand up for you and me.
Palin-2012
Tom_Ohio
I
Tom…more than a conservative she is a true American. She represents so much of what made America the greatest country in the world–hard working, responsible, loving, understands the role of the federal government, etc., etc.. As a radical feminist (who is a fiscal conservative and believes abortion should be a private issue between doctor and patient), I am also proud to say I that I love Sarah Palin and her family. And I joined her team the first time I googled her after receiving a response to a question I had regarding abortion from her team. As someone who might not get one, I still believe in the right of others to control their bodies and do what they must. Sarah Palin believes this too….
Proud member of Team Sarah since the second day after McCain selected her as his VP candidate.
Sarah Palin for President TODAY (but I guess I can wait until 2012)…..
[...] discussed here before, in regard to the media and “insiders” treatment of Palin, some of the many reasons women don’t even run. I think we can all agree that makes it a [...]
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