I have to say, I have been quite taken aback by the way Sarah Palin has been treated in some ways these past few days.
Almost as soon as she was introduced, there was the nasty rumor that she was never really pregnant, and was instead covering for her daughter. Aside from the fact that the story was demonstrably false, it is sad to see that people were willing to engage in such malicious rumor mongering. It is sadder still, that the Daily Kos chose to give the story such prominence when there was no proof at the time.
Then there was an incredible feeding frenzy surrounding the pregnancy of Palin’s teenage daughter. As Barack Obama rightly noted, “people’s families are off-limits, and people’s children are especially off-limits. This shouldn't be part of our politics.” I feel bad for Bristol Palin that she has to go through such a trying time under the spotlight of the media glare. There is simply no reason to make Bristol Palin, who isn’t running for President, into a public spectacle.
I was also disappointed when some commentators asked how Sarah Palin was going to simultaneously run for Vice President and be a good mother. No one ever asks men how they will run for office and take care of their children. Seen in this light, it is really unfair to ask that question of Palin. It’s also sexist.
None of this is to say that the media isn’t right to ask hard questions. The media and Democrats should scrutinize her record. And no one should fear being called sexist for criticizing her record, or for exploring past statements and actions which don’t cast a positive light on Palin. There’s no shortage of things to go after. Contrary to her image as a maverick, she was for the bridge to nowhere before she was against it, and she employed a lobbying firm to get federal earmarks as mayor of Wasilla.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Lance Morrison
Hey, I am just a garden variety police officer with a few guitars, a bass, etc, so I wrote my response to The Left in song ('North to Alaska')
2 - Arch Conservative
The left in this country is so used to telling women what to think and what to believe in. Now Sarah Palin has come along and given a public voice to the millions of American women that hold conservative and por life views and the left doesn't know how to deal with it so they've resulted to attacking her 17 year old daughter nad making horrible claims that Sarah Palin's Dwon's Syndrom child is not her own. This kid of ugliness can only serve to backfire.
The left is absolutely terrified of Palin. Not only because she may beomce VP but because she is a woman that has become extremely popular while touting her conservative values. Sarah Palin has basically stood up and said "I'm a woman too and I don't need Hillary Clinton, Gloria Steinam, NOW, PLanned Parenthood or any other left wing group telling me what I think." It's very refereshing. The left is also scared that she will become VP. They're so used to telling everyone that the only strong capable owmen are liberal women and it galls them that there hero, Hillary, a woman that got where she is in life by riding the coattails of a cheating husband, has been cast aside.
The writing is on the wall. The mean spirited, vaccuos lefties will contiunue to throw all kind sof mud at this woman hoping some of it will stick which will result in the GOP ticket getting a boost from sympathy voters. Barry Obama and Joe "I'm the smartest man in the Universe" Biden are going to lose this fall.
3 - Roschelle
This whole thing is so bizarre to me. It's like being in a bad dream and not being able to wake up. Palin was virtually unknown outside of Alaska just ONE week ago. A woman, who in her own words "wondered what it is a Vice President does all day". A woman who wants to deny women the right to terminate a pregnancy even if conception occurs as a result of rape or incest. Now, she's more popular than Obama or McCain. What does that say about the mindset of voters in this country. I've heard people express how much they love her, her kids, even her parents...who've only been shown on TV once at the RNC and have never uttered a word (as far as an interview goes) So what is it about her that has endeared her to so many people. The scandalous baggage that accompanies her nomination is as lengthy as the Bering Strait...yet she's almost revered by every woman and some men that have been interviewed since the announcement by McCain that she would be his running mate.
The "maverick" is looking more and more like a sidekick...merely going along with the powers that be...he says and does whatever he thinks his champions want to hear. Just like calling lobbyists 'birds of prey' which is a total contradiction to what his true ties with these unnecessary evils in Washington are.
Come on America...are we so shallow that a pretty face is all it takes to win us over? Gov. Palin hasn't given not ONE interview outlining her plans for this country as VP since McCain picked her....only pre-written rhetoric aimed at tearing down the Democratic nominee and his party. Even after her acceptance speech, I still don't know who she is..
4 - ZZ Bachman
"Come on America...are we so shallow that a pretty face is all it takes to win us over? Gov. Palin hasn't given not ONE interview outlining her plans for this country as VP since McCain picked her....only pre-written rhetoric aimed at tearing down the Democratic nominee and his party. Even after her acceptance speech, I still don't know who she is.."
I understand your shock. But all I would ask is that the SAME LEVEL of scrutiny that will be placed upon Sarah Palin by the media be also placed upon Barack Obama. The playing field is at a 45 degree angle when it comes to the love fest the MSM has over the possibility of seeing history made on their watch. They have totaly abdicated their responsibilities as "journalists" -- Many issues still surround Obama's associations yet they have been glossed over by the MSM. Associations with Ayers, Wright, Rezco, Farakan, and his voting for a bill that was tantamount to infanticide. You can bet that the same approach won't be taken with Palin.
She is more than a pretty face, it's her spirit and grass roots reforming attitude that is capturing the hearts of the moderate vote. A vote for the McCain / Palin ticket is a vote against the status quo given the track record and RESULTS and ACTIONS of these two individuals. Actions in the end DO speak louder than words, but only when the media gives a fair and balanced accounting of those actions.
5 - Arch Conservative
If the media were fair they shut thier mouths about Palin's family life and investigate troopergate, her past position on the bridge to nowhere, her record of spending vs. taxes in Alaska while also investigating Barack Obama's ties to the group Acorn which has been convicted of voter fraud and donated money to his campaign, Obama's tax plan balanced against the spending he's promised and his switching positions on offshore drilling and the oil reserve.
6 - Jordan Richardson
When Sarah Palin trots her family out member by member and discusses them during her speech with the purpose of using them as showpieces, there's no good reason for the media to ignore her family life. The Republicans want the media to give her family life a positive spin, whereas the media doesn't want to play ball.
That's what this is really all about.
If the coverage was about how great her son was for going to Iraq, nobody would be making a peep.
7 - Lisa Solod Warren
Please read, all of you, the below, before you take Palin to heart, and swalling the line that she has been treated unfairly. In fact, she has not been examined nearly closely enough.
Her speech was full of falsehoods and outright lies. A speech is a speech and it was written for her (before she was even the nominee, in fact it was written for whomever was the VP candidate) by a McCain speechwriter. All she did was deliver talking points.
I would like to see her go on Meet the Press, as Biden did today. She has been offered an invitation, but I seriously doubt she will take it, as McCain is keeping her away from one-on-one's with the media, but rather, grooming her so that she can try and hold her own during debates with someone who is obviously so much more skilled and experienced in foreign policy. That should prove very interesting!
Should the press have fallen all over itself to report on her child's pregnancy? Perhaps not. But McCain DID use her "experience" as a mother when introducing her to the nation. So it was, in a sense, fair game. And she made great mention of her son, Track's going to Iraq, made a big deal of it, when, you might wish to know, Biden's son is also off to Iraq, and he made no mention of it at all, nor did Biden himself. Interesting, yes? They felt no need to blow their horns about their "patriotism."
Before you yell and scream that Biden's son is going to be a lawyer there, know that Palin's son has gotten guarding dignitaries as his duty. You can check it out.
Anyway, read the below before you canonize Ms. Palin.
here
and here
8 - Silas Kain
The media is only reacting to what we crave. We crave Enquirer type journalism, they provide. We want to hear the scandals and misfortunes of those in the limelight, they provide. We want Wal-Mart quality journalism: substandard, low cost, quick gratification and poor quality. And, folks, our wish is journalism's command.
Insofar as Gov. Palin goes, the left can't have it both ways. They scream for pro-choice and guess what? Sarah Palin made a choice. She chose to give birth to her 5th child. The Palin family rallied around their 17 year old daughter. She made the choice to have this baby. The point is that in cultures of old, Gov. Palin's baby upon birth would have been sacrificed because of imperfection. In other rigid religion-based cultures, her daughter would be stoned to death for having sex before marriage. In this free society they made a choice. Isn't that the whole message behind the pro-choice movement? The left has allowed the right to morph the term "pro-choice" into a buzz word for murder. In order for an individual to be truly pro-life they MUST be pro-choice and vice versa. Do the decisions the Palins have made have a place in the debate? Yes, they do provided that the points debated are done in a reasonable, civil forum. Remember that when all is said and done, Levi and Bristol have a baby to raise and would any one of us be so willing to be thrust into the national spotlight at such a young age? I think not.
9 - Silas Kain
...know that Palin's son has gotten guarding dignitaries as his duty...
Lisa? Is this statement a subtle implication that Ms. Palin's son's service to this country is somehow less honorable? That's how I'm reading it. What you failed to reveal is that he is also assigned to one of the most dangerous hot spots in Iraq. Regardless of Sara Palin's politics, she still has a child going into the theater of war. She deserves some respect. And before you get rabid, Joe Biden deserves the same respect as a father who is sending his son off to war. Over 404,000 United States soldiers died in service to this nation in World War 2. That's over 800,000 mothers and fathers who lost a piece of themselves for a cause greater than themselves. To lose sight of that tragedy just shows how cold, heartless and unfeeling the fringes of both sides of the aisle have become.
You can attack Sarah Palin for her record in public service. You can criticize Joe Biden for his role in an ineffective Congress. But to make light of their respective son's service to this country? That's crossing a moral line. Oh, but I forgot, either side will say anything to make the other look like Satan.
10 - Baritone
"Acorn" has NOT been convicted of anything. A small # of individuals were charged and convicted of voter fraud after they took it upon themselves to falsify registration rolls in order to earn a bonus.
Acorn has worked assiduously in several urban communities to help minorities register to vote. Of course right wingers consider that a "pinko commie" bad thing because the great majority of those minorities support the Democrats.
Obama's "associations" have been looked at quite thoroughly. Republicans promote the notion of "guilt by association," without proof of any wrong doing on the part of Obama.
The notion that Obama has been treated with favor by the media is a matter of tainted perception. I have watched any number of interviews of Obama and others supporting the Democratic ticket over the past several months which were every bit as hard hitting as any McCain and the Republicans have received. I have read several articles, on-line, in magazines and newspapers which have been highly critical of Obama, some coming from the left. He is, despite some people's perception, NOT getting a pass.
Conversely, anytime a tough question comes McCain's way, all his ardent supporters cry foul, saying that you musn't challenge him because he's a fucking war hero. McCain is milking that to enth degree.
And Palin? Get over it. The moment she threw her hat in the ring, she opened both herself and her family up to scrutiny. It goes with the territory. The same was true of Obama who has been raked over the coals constantly with slander, lies and half truths since he declared his candidacy. Just look at Jerome Corsi's totally stupid book. How anyone could lend credence to anything that man writes is a total mystery to me.
As to her meteoric rise in popularity, I wonder how high Palin's star would be in the heavens if she had a greater resemblence to, say, Janet Reno than to a "Tundra Barbie?" The heavy thinkers who have jumped on her band wagon are flooding the market wanting to buy glasses like hers, or have their hair done like hers. Perhaps, Palin could get an endorsement deal with Mattel for a "Mukluk Sarah" doll.
Millions of women may in fact support her right-wing social positions regarding abortion, gay marriage, etc., but millions more do not. Some conservative pundits have claimed that Palin is a "true" feminist. Palin is NO feminist. She has no positions in common with feminist interests.
In the end, this whole affair is totally out of balance. The glow surrounding Palin will fade in the ensuing weeks. Hopefully, the focus will return where it should, on the presidential candidates and the issues that face this country. If Palin/McCain wind up winning because right wingers have a collective hard on for "Babe Sarah," then shame on them.
B
11 - MARLOWE
You want the big bad - no doubt "liberal" media to "be nice" to Palin?
Let's start with the "liberal" media. Nearly ALL of the "media" in this country is owned by a scant seven or eight MAJOR INTERNATIONAL CORPORATIONS. They are most CERTAINLY NOT "liberal".
Silas mentioned we enjoy "Enquirer" style news. Well, again, who OWNS these news stations? Who DESIGNS the info-tanment we are swamped with each day? Major corporations... And what is the bottom line for corporations? The BOTTOM LINE.
So you get your "news" each night in 22 terribly in depth MINUTES because you've been dumbed down to that point. How exhausting it must be for those few who watch Frontline, which lasts for an entire HOUR without... WITHOUT commercial breaks!! Gaahh! When do I get to run to the kitchen to slobber down a Dove Bar??!?!?!
Ms. Palin WILL be protected, don't you worry. The McCain machine, such as it is, will make SURE she NEVER has to face any real journalist who might, GASP! Ask her some hard, penetrating questions.
And really why should we expect her to answer the hard questions? Who says her being governor of Alaska for a scant 20 months and prior to that a mayor of a small town that she wrecked financially doesn't qualify her to be a HEARTBEAT away from having her finger, (twitchy as it will likely be after all those months of not getting to go out and fire off a few dozen clips of her AK47 at some wolf pup) on the big RED BUTTON which reads ARMAGEDDON. But that's OK, ARMAGEDDON fits right in with her LIFE PHILOSOPHY (if you can call following along mindlessly after men who crave and cry out for world destruction) a philosophy....
Yes, for God's sake as well as HUMANITY'S lets not be "mean" (read seriously concerned over her qualifications) to Ms. Palin...
Marlowe
12 - Silas Kain
For once there are good candidates on both sides where we Americans have an opportunity to debate real issues. We're not in a position this time of electing the lesser of two evils. As I have said before, either man in the White House is not going to accomplish a thing until we shake up Congress. Oh but that takes work, commitment and an interest on what goes on in Washington. Just as we do with our kids, we say 'not my Congressman'. Oh no, it's always somebody else's Congressperson or Senator, never our own. Our waves of grain will flourish next year, folks. We've got an over abundance of bullshit flying and it'll keep the cost of a loaf of bread down at your local Super WalMart.
13 - Baritone
Remember: The Bridge to Nowhere? - Palin was "for it before she was against it."
What's that? Is there an echo in here?
Also, she did NOT return the money. It was simply redirected to other projects.
Palin may be a hard assed moose killer, but she is in the end supportive of male dominated evangelical christianity, most versions of which are on record as insisting upon the subservience of women who in their view should be seen and not heard; who should defer in all things to their male counterparts who are assumed to be naturally superior to women in their god's eyes.
Sarah! You go girl!
B
14 - Arch Conservative
When Sarah Palin trots her family out member by member and discusses them during her speech with the purpose of using them as showpieces, there's no good reason for the media to ignore her family life. The Republicans want the media to give her family life a positive spin, whereas the media doesn't want to play ball.
That's what this is really all about.
That's a load of horsehit Jordan. Palin didn't "trot her family out" as you claim until almost a week of the media spreading rumors and lies about her family. Her having her family on stage with her was a reaction to the media's lies and attempts to smear her family.
I agree with Lisa who said Palin has not been examined closely enough. She hasn't. If the media wants to look into troopergate, her actions on the birdsge to nowhere, her record as governor, her stances on abortion and abstinence only.............hey all of those things are fair game and you'll get no argument from me. But when the media repeat rumors like her down's syndrome son really isn't hers or start calling her an unfit mom because her daughter is pregnant or because she will not have time to take care of her kids if she's pregant then people are going to call the media on this unfair bullshit treatment.
Numerous members of Acorn have been convicted of voter fraud in multiple state Baritone. Many others have been indicted and are currently facing charges. Last week it was revealed that a number of Acorn members in Milwaukee likely submitted falsified voter registration cards and the authorities are investigating it.
Voter fraud is a systemic practice at Acorn and all the spin you want to throw at us on this thread doesn't change that reality B-tone.
Also it is a fact that Obama was once employed by them, has been taking money from them and still maintaisn ties with them.
But hey if you'd rather talk about Palin's daughter being pregannt than Obama having ties to and taking money from an organization which has members that have been convicted of voter fraud and a number of other members in a host of different states currently facing charges for voter fraud taht's your perogative B-tone.
As for me I am not going to buy the spin coming form the Obama campaign and Acorn.
If you feel the need to fruther argue this isssue though Baritone don't come to me. Take your case for Acorn to the courts in Colorado, Wisoncin and Pennsylvania where members of the group were found guily of voter fraud or to the officials in a number of other states where Acorn members are currently either being investigated or facing charges for voter fraud.
15 - Arch Conservative
"Some conservative pundits have claimed that Palin is a "true" feminist. Palin is NO feminist. She has no positions in common with feminist interests."
Jeebus B-tone.....don't beat around the bush, just come out and say it.
Only liberals, left wing women may call themselves feminists. Any woman that does not toe the leftist line on every issue is nothing but a hapless dupe of the evil right winfg conspiracy that does not know what is in her own best interests and therefore must be subjected to the the most brutal and unforgiving scorn from the true feminists..the Gloria Steinams, Hillary Clintons, NOW's, Feminist majorites of the world.......
Just fucking say what you really mean B-tone!
16 - Jordan Richardson
That's a load of horsehit Jordan. Palin didn't "trot her family out" as you claim until almost a week of the media spreading rumors and lies about her family. Her havign her family on stage with her was a reaction to the media's lies and attemots to smear her family.
Nonsense. Sarah Palin runs on a platform of family values, using her kids and husband and "blue collar values" as the substance of her character. She did before she was the veep pick, too. A simple look at her career and her website displays this fact boldly. Only an ignorant fool wouldn't be able to see the connection between Palin's use of her family to promote her agenda. Every politician does it. Barack Obama does it too.
When the media investigates the families of these politicians and when the political game uses the concept of family to get points from an ignorant public, the rules of engagement no longer apply. Truth is important and I think the media got this right. A few liberal bloggers aside, I don't blame the MSM for picking up on what people were talking about. BC had tonnes of articles regarding Palin and very few regarding McCain, so that demonstrates what people are discussing.
Why would the media not jump into the fray? And if campaigns in politics in America are about getting to know a candidate, why wouldn't the media investigate the candidate? And people are welcome to call "bullshit" on the media. That's the point. At this point and time, however, I find it hypocrisy of the highest order to both fellate and slap the media all at once. And that's what the Republicans are doing.
17 - Arch Conservative
Hey Jordan how come the media isn't suggesting that Obama's a bad dad becaue he wants to run for pres the way they're suggesting running as VP makes Palin a bad mom?
18 - Lisa Solod Warren
No, Silas, I was just saying that I knew where both guys where going before someone jumped in by talking about Biden's "posh" assignment..... I think they both are being somewhat protected because they are the sons of possible veeps, which is possible. I have no idea. There was an article about it yesterday. I have no idea as to the protocol or how assignments are given out. I certainly know that anyone going over there risks his or her life, including journalists and people doing NGO work. I am not making light of it at all....I was just anticipating inpleasant remarks. You can hardly blame me, Silas:)
19 - Silas Kain
Lisa, these were your words: Before you yell and scream that Biden's son is going to be a lawyer there, know that Palin's son has gotten guarding dignitaries as his duty. You can check it out.
Explain to me how I should not have come to the conclusion that you view Track Palin's service as so matter-of-fact? I have given praise to both Biden and Palin. My heart goes out to them as parents of children in service. We don't give enough credit to those who raise our children to go off and fight a senseless war. Can't folks on both sides of the aisle think about that for one fleeting moment? Hate Sarah Palin. Hate Joe Biden. Admire their personal sacrifice.
20 - Silas Kain
And you are correct. I can hardly blame you. Any Far Righters who dismiss Joe Biden's son in service to our country don't deserve to wear the badge of Conservatism as far as I am concerned. At that point they become nothing more than a cheap imitation of a special interest group.
21 - Dr Dreadful
That's a load of horsehit Jordan. Palin didn't "trot her family out" as you claim until almost a week of the media spreading rumors and lies about her family.
Wrong. Palin brought them into the mix the second she was chosen. Just about the first thing she did in her speech at the Dayton rally was to introduce her husband and children.
Now that may be customary in American politics, or it may not. I don't know. But you can't claim she made any attempt to separate her public and private lives.
how come the media isn't suggesting that Obama's a bad dad becaue he wants to run for pres the way they're suggesting running as VP makes Palin a bad mom?
Perhaps because neither of Obama's two daughters is pregnant or suffering from a serious genetic disorder.
22 - Jordan Richardson
Perhaps because neither of Obama's two daughters is pregnant or suffering from a serious genetic disorder.
Precisely. Plus Obama only has two kids, not five with one newborn. The idea that this may be an issue should be considered and explored by any responsible media group.
23 - Silas Kain
Serious genetic disorder? Whoa, there. Hold on for a second. There are millions of productive adults in this society who have Down's Syndrome. Yes they require extra attention because of their special needs. But in this age, many go on to lead wonderful, productive lives and give back to their communities. Theirs is a simpler take on the world around them and it is from that perspective we could learn so much.
24 - Dr Dreadful
Trig isn't a productive adult, he's a baby. And I'm not judgin', just making a point as to why it's an issue for Palin.
25 - Arch Conservative
"Perhaps because neither of Obama's two daughters is pregnant or suffering from a serious genetic disorder."
Oh I didn't know that the media got to dictate who is a good parent and who is a bad parent based on some abitrary set of conditons that takes into account the numebr of children, their health etc etc... But thanks for the info dread.
I'm sure the next time you have to make a decision regarding one of your children you will defer to Chris Matthews, Sally Quinn, Wolf Blitzer or some other personality before your own judgement or your wife.