I Think I Figured Out This Sarah Palin Thing
September 9th, 2008 by Evil Beet
I’m in the gym tonight, jogging away on the treadmill (going on two months smoke-free, woot woot!!! I can JOG!!!) and I have my iPod on and I’m blasting my music, but the guy running next to me has the TV tuned to CNN. And I can’t hear anything they’re saying, but they’re obviously talking about Sarah Palin. And they’re just showing clip after clip after clip of her hitting the campaign trail with McCain. Smiling, waving, holding her baby, embracing her daughters, looking sisterly with Cindy McCain, and I’m trying to get to the bottom of something that is bothering me quite a bit right now: This woman stands opposed to everything I believe in, so why do I like her? Why am I not filled with rage and fear every time her bespectacled, grinning face shows up next to McCain’s? Why am I drawn to this woman who’s been thrust into the national spotlight after spending a lifetime fighting against the things I fight so ferociously for?
And then it hits me.
Barack Obama’s spent the past eighteen months offering this country change.
John McCain, now, is offering us a mother.
McCain is no political novice, and I figured he had a damn good reason for choosing Sarah Palin as his running mate, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on what it was. In retrospect, I can’t believe it took me so long.
Barack Obama’s a brilliant orator, a charismatic leader, clearly an erudite man and a voice passionately preaching Something Better that we can rally behind in this time of Very Serious Issues. And John McCain simply cannot fight him on those points. He’s painfully outmatched.
But isn’t it always a time of Very Serious Issues? Haven’t we just endured eight draining, tragic, gut-wrenching, traumatic, blood-filled years of Very Serious Issues? It’s been horrific and it’s seemed endless. And maybe, now, before we get back to the Very Serious Issues, it would be nice to go home to our mothers and put on our PJs and slippers and have her make us a nice warm bowl of soup and we can all curl up on her couch that always smells vaguely of her perfume and wrap ourselves up in the blanket she knitted four Christmases ago and watch Brady Bunch reruns on Nick at Night while we munch on her oatmeal cookies. And then maybe after that we’ll get back to the Very Serious Issues, but not yet. Right now, regardless of what we may claim to value in a candidate or an administration, we’re all exhausted, and we just want to be taken care of, tucked in, kissed goodnight and told that everything will look better in the morning.
Sarah Palin is, at first glance, what Hillary Clinton could not work into her own image no matter how hard she tried: she is a nurturer. And, right now, this country needs a nurturer. We didn’t even realize it until it was offered to us. And it’s a political strategy that’s never been attempted at this level, and it’s the right time and the right place and the right candidate and it hit me, tonight, that this is absolutely fucking brilliant.
It’s why you’re seeing Independents flock to McCain right now, and it’s why, IMHO, he’s got a damn good chance of winning this election now. Because it doesn’t really matter what gets said at the debates or where anyone stands on the issues. I wish it did, guys, but it doesn’t, not really. We vote from our hearts, not from our heads — especially at a time like this. Americans may have thought they wanted some abstract notion of change, but that was before they realized they could have a mother instead. World issues are scary. Mothers are not.
I’m not saying it’s the right way to win an election — and I’m in no way endorsing the McCain/Palin ticket — but I’m gonna go ahead and bet it’ll prove effective.
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Great link, tvf. Thanks for sharing. I wonder how the Obama supporters back up his orator skills after seeing that?
I used to be a huge liberal, because my parents were but the more I get informed this election to less I like liberal policies and political figures, and the more I’ve leaned towards the right. I really don’t like either candidate. But the fact that McCain is not well-liked amongst most Republicans because he isn’t conservative enough makes it a lot easier for me to support him. :)
I just wish people would look past the political party label and take a minute to actually examine the candidate. Just because McCain is running for the Republicans doesn’t mean he will be the same as Bush, the same way Obama will not be the same as Clinton.
So you know, I suppose we all just have to wait and see what happens..
Anyway Beet, nice outlook. Palin really does look ultra-maternal compared to Hilary. I think if she’s elected it could be potentially a nice change, having a mom in such a high position of authority.
Got to you tube see “John McCain Lost in Space”
hit the head on the nail
it’s fascinating to me that she inspires such significant emotions in people really true extremes: people either lover her or hate her.
interesting perspective beet and well written.
i wonder if the people that truly hate her also have difficult relationships with their own moms? ;-) i see years in therapy for folks.
Interesting take – maybe her appeal is that she actually connects with people – whether it be a “mother image”, sex symbol – guys want her (in some cases they may go hand in hand), successful professional woman, enjoys sports who knows – but I think a lot of people can relate. I’m not sure that a lot of people can relate to Obama.
I would never have exploited my infant son in the manner in which Palin has sought to do in the media. Now she’s pictured on magazine covers, cradling her son? Absolutely hideous. When you bring children into this world, if you want to be a good mother, you give that child love, oceans of patience, and a lot of quality time. You are involved in their lives, you encourage their dreams and goals, and help to guide them through their childhod into adulthood. This inevitably leads to certain sacrifices, but that is what a mother’s love is truly all about. Palin is a mother figure? She is the ultimate opportunist, and hardly an example of motherhood at its finest. Period.
McCain, you just lost my vote.
By the way, to hear that people would vote for Palin because they think they “can actually relate to her” is probably why this country is in such dire trouble.
Was this a serious comment?
“I so totally don’t buy any of your rhetoric. And change “Allah†for every time she says “God.†Get a life, get a brain, get a job. The alternative is a Muslim leader that allows his brother to live in a 10 X 8 shack in Africa on a pay of $12.00 per annum! Why don’t all of you feel empowered enough to send $100 bucks his way since his brother certainly won’t. And why allow someone you support to sit in a GOD DAMN AMERICA church for 20 plus years. PUHLEEZE, ya’ll make me wanna puke”
Are you really saying that Obama is Muslim? Check your facts, he’s a Christian, BUT NOT THAT ANYONE’S RELIGION MATTERS ANYWAYS. You people that think all Muslims are American hating terrorists are extremely ignorant. There is not one thing in the Koran that condones violence. I can’t even begin to describe how much YOUR quote waned to make me puke. Open a book and open your eyes.
Well said, Beet!
@mimi in mo–Sorry, I knew when I pressed the submit button I should have clarified–I’m not at all against working mothers. I am one myself. But going to work 3 days after you have a baby is pretty extreme. And it’s not a gender thing–many fathers who are able to take advantage of parental leave so they can have a couple months with a new baby, because they feel it’s important to bond. Why not the same with Palin? I was trying to make the point that it’s ironic if people vote for her as a “mother” figure, because some of her actions don’t send that message to me at all. (Not that being a mother should influence votes one way or another, anyway.)
so… you’re saying a female is good for nothing in politics besides being “nurturing”, “maternal” and all the other virtues that makes them mothers?
women are so much more than just mothers. thats only one facet of a female.
EvilB – there is a slim, SLIM chance that you may soon be cured of your disease: Liberalism. Good job with this post! You call the election correctly (McCain will indeed win; probably in a LANDSLIDE) but not for any of the reasons you mention. McCain will win because 2 of every 3 Americans are CONSERVATIVE – and Palin is a CONSERVATIVE. Keep it simple Evil – you are over thinking it.
Start with this – who told you a Corporation is evil? What power does it have over your life? Or are FREE TO CHOOSE IF YOU WANT TO BUY A CORPORATION’S PRODUCT? WHO HAS MORE CONTROLLING POWER OVER YOUR LIFE? A corporation? Or the government?
Spend some time thinking about that and then spend some thinking about *WHY* liberal politicians cheat and lie (Clinton, Edwards, Obama). Why do they tell you that corporations are evil? What’s in it for them? Think carefully.
You may be Evil, but we conservatives still love ya. See you in your next session, you’ve made some real progress here today.
Brooke you got to remember Republicans view women only as whores and mothers. They really don’t expect Palin to think for herself just like they don’t expect Bush to. They are just front men to a criminal organization known as the GOP.
As a foreign observer of the US elections, I really do want McCain to win in November
This is not because he is better than Obama. He will only fast track the downfall of the US as
the most powerful country in the world. America’s standing in the wold has diminished over the last 8
years and many people in Asia Australia and Europe can’t wait for it to finally collapse
both economically and politically. History teaches us that empires reign but they also fall at some
point. A lot of people outside the US really like Obama and believe that he can lead America
back to the position it was during the Clinton years of prosperity and global respect.
However, we dont want him to win because the world is tired of America’s dominance. Hence, John McCain
will better serve the purpose of finally putting to rest the American dream. ha!ha!ha!
Please vote for the dullard and unintelligent JOHN MCCAIN and SARAH PALIN who is a fraud and liar and puppet. A people deserve the type of leader they vote for from the heart.
In the 80’s it was not chic to be a Dem. It was all Reagan. And Nancy. The wealth the, status, the patriotism,,, the Berlin Wall. Noe the Reps sound like the Dems of the the 80’s. and the Reps are saying the Dems are ‘elite’ interesting. I was in middle school, I recall very well and my parents LOVED the Reagans. anyway, whatever.
Geewhiz – On this side of the Atlantic we know that dead-culture Europe has hated and feared the U.S. since our founding. The U.S. is not an Empire, we work harder than any European country. There is no better indicator of Obama’s upcoming loss than the sterile evil Europeans being in his corner.
In 100 years, German and French will only be spoken in HELL. Good riddance. America is tired of protecting your ugly little cultures & as a foreign observer of Europe *I* can’t wait to see it slip into the belly of Islam. You fools are already half way there.
Be careful what you wish for and know that the Faith is Europe and Europe is the Faith.
No faith?
No Europe.
@almostchosen – it’s no wonder you like McCain/Palin, you are a complete and utter whackjob just like Palin and unable to form your own opinion. You should get off of this site and back to your herd. Wouldn’t want to stray to far and have to think for yourself.
What – you don’t know me at all. Would you like to try to answer my questions above?
No, I don’t know you, but your blog speaks volumes on what YOU believe to be true. Answer your quetion on who told me corporations are evil?? Nobody told me corporations are evil. I don’t think corporations are evil and I don’t think that Europeans are evil. Do you only think in terms of good or evil or black or white? I do however think, based solely on your blogs that you are completely nuts. You’re entitled to your opinion and I am entitled to mine.
PS – you better brush up on your German and French, you’re gonna need it.
Please have pity on Geewhiz, he knows not what he says. He actually sounds American to me in the piece above. But think of this Gee W; When the Chinese come marching across the mountains into Europe— who ya gonna call? Ghost Busters?
But Gee W. does bring up a point. I think Americans are being a bit shortsighted about how much their influence travels around the world. If we just consider the films that Hollywood makes which are marketed around the world, perhaps we can understand the phenomena. These films promote our lifestyle and our surface ideals. Those would be the high ideals that we profess and perhaps because will are all human, we don’t quite live up to. They are very believable however to so many of the people all over the world. When it becomes apparent that we are very far away from our ideal, they just get disappointed…. and then they get angry. They become angry because the Americans seem to be destroying what had become their dream also, a dream that they have bought into because our films are so convincing. They want our dream to be true, because it is a dream of hope and redemption for the downtrodden and oppressed all over the world. Is that so difficult to understand?
As your dream of winning the lottery perhaps can keep you going when times get tough, the American dream of liberty and freedom keeps people all over the world going. It is their escape valve, there destination of imaginary or real escape. This last 8 years of this Republican administration has harmed more than our economy. Get them the hell out of the White House!
Geewhiz’s logic is twisted to say the least. If America does come to a crash, it won’t implode, it will explode. And the repercussions will be far reaching. It doesn’t do anyone in the world any good to hope for the downfall of America. Hope for us to become more humble, more far-sighted, more neighborly–anything positive you choose. But don’t hope for us to fail.
How about this then. Between the two, which institution (Federal Government or Big Corporations) has more of a coercive, controlling influence on American society? Every liberal I’ve ever met has answered “Corporations.” It is one of the many liberal lies, and it’s an easy one to debunk.
The fact remains that the demographic reality of Europe today and the European denial about their own national future points towards an Islamic Europe in the next 50-100 years. They prefer their own cultural death. Do you have anything that shows otherwise for France and Germany?
Yes, “What” I do think in terms of Good & Evil. Freedom is good, tyranny (often the state) is evil. Radical Islam is *EVIL* and the U.S. is an existential threat to it. Of course you’re entitled to your opinion, no matter how mistaken. Is there a gray area with radical Islam? No. Evil. Unless you would like to enlighten us otherwise?
cj – Europe has hated and feared America since our founding. The only risk to the economy is the failure of the Democratic Frankenstein’s (Fannie & Freddie) and the actions that have recently been necessary to save them.
American Liberalism has left a 50-year legacy of failure and it takes a SoCal level of denial to not see it. Remember the Great Society? Can anyone name one constructive accomplishment of Liberalism in the last 50 years?
It’s guiding principal is the tolerance of evil, and shall be called out as such.
So, let me get this straight – your answer to all of that paranoid rhetoric is a feeble old man and an inexperienced hockey mom from Alaska?
You LIKE Sarah Palin? She is the most hideously gratuitously disgusting moronic thing that’s ever happened to this country. Get ANGRY, STUPID!