Sarah Palin= The pretty date that has no personality

[NJmaverick]

She is the classic pretty date, with nothing going for them. You ask the man/woman out or agree to go out with them, because they are attractive. Unfortunately for you, you find out they are dumb as a bag of door knobs and they have really warped views and values. You look at your watch and wonder why it seems to be running backward as the dinner can't end soon enough.

[Captain Hilts]

1. Bad analogy. nt

[NJmaverick]

3. I don't know, seems the Country was taken with her

thanks to her looks. Now they are learning about her, and they are less than impressed. Watch the McCain/Palin numbers sink, like the Titanic after the iceberg.

[Iris]

56. I hope you're right.

However, a lot of the people you're talking about ain't all that bright, either. It appears the American public is determined not to have anyone they perceive to be smarter than they are in charge.

[Not the Only One]

12. agreed

Sarah is like Bush, who was seen as more likable than Gore or Kerry. Tina Fey's SNL take on Sarah was more likable than Amy's Hillary. Sarah is seen as a "regular gal." Men aren't the least bit threatened by her, but they do respect her and trust her. They like that she hunts and isn't PC.

Our best bet is to ignore Sarah Palin. We've already lost the battle to demonize her. The first impression she made couldn't have gone better. All we can do is hope she screws up. It's out of our hands. Focus on McCain.

[Captain Hilts]

14. We should demonize ALASKA as having a stake in maintaining high oil prices and for...

being such a HUGE recipient of US tax dollars and charging no state income tax and sending out bonuses instead.

[Not the Only One]

17. No, that's stupid

We can't attack another state. It's different if you want to attack some foreign country like Pakistan. Alaska is in the family. You don't go after members of your own family in public. No one respects that.

[Captain Hilts]

19. NJ gets back 65 cents for every dollar sent to DC. Alaska gets $1.82, yet...

they don't charge income tax and send rebates to their people.

Can Palin govern without a huge, outside subsidy? Why should anyone from NJ vote for someone from Alaska?

We need a discussion of how the coastal states subsidize the flat states.

[LooseWilly]

47. Uhmm...

Wyoming isn't flat.

Just saying.

[madaboutharry]

2. Actually, she has a good deal of personality.

That is how she has gotten this far.

[KittyWampus]

4. What a totally original thought. Are you that obsessed? Nothing more important to comment

on?

[NJmaverick]

6. Did someone piss in your conflakes this morning?

[CoffeeCat]

5. Let's just say it...she's a cheap one-night stand...

She's good for a few thrills--when you're not thinking clearly.

The Republicans currently have their beer goggles on, but soon
the light of morning will come--and they'll all slink home
and realize that she's fun and cute--but nothing else.

Soon, she'll be nothing more than a major irritant.

[saracat]

20. Yeah. Why not resort to sexist rhetoric though there are plentiful

arguments against this woman that don't include looks or sexual innuendo? Why bother to use a real argument instead of giving the GOP something to prove we are sexist with? :sarcasm:

[CoffeeCat]

29. I hear what you are saying...

...but that's exactly what she is.

I'm a female, and I think anyone would have a hard time making the case that I'm a sexist.

We all know flash-in-the-pan females and we all know that there are females of deeper substance.
That's a fact of life that is clearly played out on every college campus in this country.

I think pointing out that she's just a shiny object who will soon be forgotten--in the way that
most one-night-stands are forgotten--is valid.

Sure, it's raunchy, but it's still valid.

[saracat]

39. Not really. Just because someone is a female doesn't mean that she can't be a sexist.

I have an aunt who is a true sexist. She clims my Mom went to law school just to snag a husband.
The fact that she completed law school and took the bar after she married is irrelevant to her. It is my opinion that we have to stand up and deflect even those comments made about people we don't like or respect for sexism to truly be eradicated. I loathe Sarah Palin. She represents everything I think is wrong with America but we can't continue to justify making these kind of remarks because we don't like the person.

I have been guilty of this as well and I was wrong. It is very easy to do and we are only handing ammo to the other side.This election has really opened my eyes to how we think about women in this nation and it is clear, even on the progressive side, very little progress has been made in gaining respect for women.

[denem]

46. The SNL scetch was about sexism. The issue is out there.

And the GOP is trying to talk it up. Agreed. There's so much other material it's ridiculous.

[southpaw]

7. Pretty helps...

The fact that Palin is 'pretty' certainly plays a part in the infatuation many people seem to have for her. But another important element is that little was known of her before the announcement. There is that added element of mystery that many find so irresistable.

I think the McCain campaign had Palin in mind for quite some time, but kept her name out of the media until it was decided for sure that she would be the pick... a choice largely influenced by Obama's decision not to pick Hillary.

An added bonus to keeping her a secret until the last minute is that, in the excitement of the conventions and the furor of the last 2 mnoths of the campaign, people would not have time for the infatuation to fade before the election.

Unfortunately for the McCain campaign, they chose a pretty, mysterious candidate with a closet full of skeletons and not much substance.

People are already shaking off the Palin pixie-dust and starting to see reality again.

[Captain Hilts]

8. Looks count for all candidates. Obama's good looks help him too.

Most US voters are shallow, what can I say?

We vote for the taller candidate overwhelmingly.

[Not the Only One]

15. yep

For Obama's supporters, he's like Will Smith decided to run for President. For a black man to win the presidency, he needs to look like Obama (tall, thin, cool, energetic, like a motivational speaker) or look old and wise like Morgan Freeman.

[Captain Hilts]

18. Exactly. If he looked like Charlie Rangel, he's not our nominee.

We're lucky he's a smart guy too and not just a suit.

[pnwmom]

24. Gore and Kerry were both taller than Bush.

There goes that theory.

[Captain Hilts]

38. In the debates it's clear Bush wore lifts. Plus, they cheated. nt

[Kokonoe]

11. You spelled month wrong. Ha Ka HA

But spot on

[southpaw]

21. I meant to do that!

If you read all my posts, you will ntoice that I transpose a consonant and a vowel in one word every time I post. It is an expression of my support for indoor potato farming.

[npk]

28. NIIIIIIIIIIIIICE

:rofl:

[southpaw]

31. Yeah, you like taht, don't ya?

Who's your daddy?

[Divernan]

9. And how bout that great TAN?

[Eric J in MN]

22. She had a tanning bed installed in the governor's mansion.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/9/15/03916/0174/922/599118

[NJmaverick]

26. Is that what she used the money from selling the plane on?

[Eric J in MN]

30. I'd like to know exactly how it was paid for...

...or at least know that someone independent looked into that.

The governor's office claims she paid for the tanning bed herself.

However, this is a woman who billed the state travel expenses for days she was home.

I'm skeptical that she would pay for an addition to the governor's mansion out of her own pocket.

[NJmaverick]

32. They know this is a lie they can get away with

if and when someone puts in the effort to uncover the truth, it will be after the election.

[MrScorpio]

10. A BLIND DATE "Date from Hell" in the making

"Sorry, no second date!".

[saracat]

13. Why must some critique Palin using only sexist comments? There is plenty wrong with Palin

without resorting to dismissive physical slurs and demeaning remarks. And including a man/ slash woman doesn't make it more acceptable. Palin has a lousy record on the environment and economically. She is an anathema to those who support Choice and Human Rights.Are those arguments too difficult to make?

[Captain Hilts]

16. Exactly. She's given us a lot to go with and folks, even here, are taking the sexist route.

She's given us a lot of slow pitches to whack at, so let's do it!

Folks, start to think of women as something more than date materiial. Let's grow up!

[NJmaverick]

25. The sexist route is what people that DEMAND she be given

special treatment just because she is a woman, are taking. Perhaps you should look in the mirror at your own views, before you go pointing that finger

[Captain Hilts]

34. Okay, let's talk about McCain's comb-over instead of his support for the Bush Admin.

Great idea!

We focus on different issues with men and women because we have different expectations for them. THAT's sexist.

So, let's not talk about McCain's combover.

[Captain Hilts]

35. Delete

[NJmaverick]

23. Why must you apply a blatantly sexist double standard

JUST because Palin is a woman? Funny there wasn't this out cry when people talked about how Edwards was handsome or Qayle or any man. JUST BECAUSE she is a woman, some feel that sexists double standards should apply.

[Captain Hilts]

40. In fact, I was ticked off about discussions about Edwards' hair. Don't re-write history. nt

[NJmaverick]

49. Bet you didn't call it sexism

[symbolman]

44. Im just glad you didn't call her a Bitch

that would just be So Wrong :)

Funny how all these people actually ARE calling her a Bitch right here on the DU now, and it's not an Instant thread killer like if someone had called Hillary that..

I like your analogy, and some people will find everything sexist - their fucking Oatmeal is sexist :)

[saracat]

53. Horrible things were said about Hillary and most were allowed to stand.

None of this is acceptable.It could be argued that many folks find "racism" in everything. "Some people find their f***ing oatmeal" racist:) and yet they are not admonished. Neither sexism or racism should be acceptable.

[symbolman]

67. Theres no comparison

apples and oranges..

I just cleared my Ignore list yesterday, bet that's why I'm finding Female Bigotry rearing it's ugly head..

[NJmaverick]

54. Funny there are no rules about what McCain and Bush are called

I wonder why there are special rules for Palin.....

[adoraz]

27. My God. Give it a rest. Stop with all the "sexist" nonsense .

it's a bunch of bullshit.

Its an analogy, nothing more.

[Kokonoe]

36. Sexist politics are always the same.

"We didn't actually talk sexist but I still felt all lightheaded and happy afterwords. That was the best nonsexist comment I have ever had!"
At least we are talking about it.

[adoraz]

41. anyone who considers this to be "sexist" has serious issues

really. Some people are just too paranoid. They probably have problems of their own, so they blame everything on sexism.

Look, I could probably call the whole DU community out for being "ageist" against McCain. There are a million references to his age, usually calling his "gramps" or something similar. I won't, however, because I'm not paranoid and realize that people aren't being ageist.

If anyone really wants to debate this ridiculous issue, DU is far, far more "ageist" than "sexist".

In reality, from a normal perspective, we for the most part really aren't either.

People just need to get a grip. That's all there is to it.

[saracat]

42. I would assume that you have never been a victim of sexism so fail to recognize it?

Those of us who have experienced it, and I experienced a full dose of it recently and from a "progressive" media outlet and know absolutely it is as real as it was years ago and there is nothing BS about this. It needs to be stopped in its tracks and using misogyny and sexism to attack an otherwise vulnerable candidate makes the Democratic party look like hypocrites and fools. We can do so much better than this. Comments such as the OP and others lead to backlash.

If we hadn't ignored sexism to begin with we wouldn't have provided the GOP with a weapon to use against us and my guess is Palin would not have been selected. We need to smack this down and attack Palin on the issues.

[adoraz]

45. Both Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton have experienced

sexism during the campaigns. I am not denying that. That is a fact.

I am simply stating that too many people go out of their way to try to find "sexism" in every single thing. This topic isn't sexist, period.

[saracat]

48. We disagree but thats okay. I just don't feel I have ever heard a male candidate described as a

"pretty date" Edwards was mocked for his looks but there was a different implication there and it was equally dismissive and inappropriate.

[adoraz]

52. John Edwards isn't comparable to Sarah Palin

John Edwards was much more respected because he wasn't a moron with zero experience like Palin is. :)

So far the only interview she has released was with ABC, and it was worse than I expected.

Palin is a complete joke, and we all know McCain chose her due to looks. Because of this, I feel topics like this are completely appropriate.

If she wasn't pretty, there is no way in hell she would be on the ticket. THAT'S sexism.

[saracat]

Then attack her on her lack of experience. Would she have more experience or be

more qualified if she were not attractive? And you do have an argument but you need to use it in a different way. We need to turn the sexism back on them not use it ourselves. We should be pointing out that she is being used. :) Our attacking Palin as a woman utilizing sexist arguments is counterproductive.

[adoraz]

61. first off, nobody is bashing her for being pretty in this thread

including me. I have seen some here on DU bashing her for that, and ironically it is NEVER a man doing so. It usually sounds like jealous women.

It's just an analogy. The OP isn't attacking her for being pretty.

But yeah, you are right we need to point out she is being used.

[NJmaverick]

50. I have seen enough reverse sexism here at DU to last me a life time

Seems that because Palin is a woman, there are sexists pushing the idea that she should be treated better than DU would treat a man. It's a shame really. Sort of reminds me of how most third world "revolutions" don't end the dictatorship, only replace it.

[adoraz]

55. agreed 100%

I have never seen so many people defend a candidate (not necessarily talking about this topic, but DU in general) who goes against EVERYTHING DU believes in.

If there is obvious sexism, people have a right to defend her, but people are just being ridiculous at points.

[saracat]

60. And yet the same folks who are saying this deny that reverse racism is even possible.

I think all female candidates should be judged by the standard we judge males. Palin is an incompetant with no experience who would be dangerous to the nation. That would be true wether she were a male or a female.

I would like to work toward a world where either race or gender were not the issue. In any case, neither race or gender should be used as an argument for qualification to hold office. Just my opinion.

[adoraz]

62. Who is saying this? Reverse racism is possible....

[saracat]

64. Maybe not in this thread but that statement was made many times.

And I agree it is possible as is reverse sexism. I don't deny either exist.And I wish neither did. They are as bad as sexism and racism itself

[NJmaverick]

66. Male candidates are also judged to be "just a pretty/handsome face"

but you don't hear cries of sexism, when that is done.

[LooseWilly]

51. I don't understand how saying she is pretty, but dull

is sexist. I really don't.
You can argue that you don't appreciate someone judging her in terms of a metaphor that uses a sexual frame... though that's a bit of a mouthful... but I really DISAGREE that this is sexist, as I understand sexism. Sexism is discrimination because of gender. The post DOES NOT dismiss her because of her gender. The post instead draws a comparison in terms of dating, which is a metaphor that occurs in the context of sexuality to illustrate the sense of Palin's abillities... as illustrated by her charm and charisma (analagy in the form of the "pretty" part of the date description) in contrast to her obvious lack of grasp of the complexities involved in the job she's applying for (analagy in the form of the "dull personality" part of the date description.

I mean, come on people. Not every vaguely passing reference to sex is sexism... let alone gender discrimination. If you just knee jerk call it sexism, you're just going to wind up devaluing the term and idea of sexism.

[adoraz]

58. great post... "sexism" has practically lost it's meaning here

since the primaries. It has almost become a complete joke, and now when real sexism happens, some may not take it as seriously.

[tigereye]

33. no, she has a very SCARY personality, Nomad

scary fascist fist under the non-threatening velvet glove of a hockey mom some folks seem to think is attractive...


C'mon, now, this isn't the best argument to offer on this... I think there's a better one out there....

[yellowcanine]

37. She strikes me as the date who ignores you and looks around the room to see if any of the "popular"

kids are there. You are being used.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

43. I'd have to wear ear plugs on that date

I don't know if it's the poor acoustics or P.A. systems, but her voice seems to get more piercing, more high-pitched, more tinny, and more nasal as time goes on. Her voice just kills me when I hear her speeches and I have to tune my TV set way down. Don't let your dog or cat in the room when she's on the TV; they might go nuts.

[Skwmom]

57. No personality. The woman is petty, nasty, and drips with venom.

[kennetha]

59. Well, she does have personality and she is pretty

What she doesn't have is much of brain for public policy.

One thing, though, in order to get elected president (not sure about VP) you do have to look the part. I'm sure one thing that did Michael Dukakis in was that he just didn't look the part. Standing next to the very tall, broad shouldered Bush I, the short, slender-shouldered, big nosed Dukakis, with his robotic delivery, looked like some nerdy policy wonk rather than a president. And this despite the fact that Bush was a tongue-tied tangle of incoherent thoughts most of the time. Not to mention that silly grin, wearing that silly hat that made him look like snoopy in that tank. I can still, to this day, conjure up the image.

[jillan]

63. I don't know if I agree with that. I think of her more like someone that thinks they have something

to prove and will do all that they can, step on anyone's toes that get in the way, to prove
whatever it is that she thinks she has to prove.

Barracuda is probably a good nickname for her.

[saracat]

65. And this is a valid critque!

:)