My lovely, intelligent Repub friend still likes Palin.

[npincus]

What the hell? She's not a RW whacko nutjob; she's a hard-working single parent, seemingly moderate in her views. We don't discuss politics these days, I don't trust myself to talk about it with her. Maybe my friend does understand why I loathe Palin.

Nov. 5 can't come too soon.

[hisownpetard]

1. She may be loevely on the outside, but I can't look at anyone who still supports McCain/Palin

and call them "intelligent" on any level.

I pass houses that have McCain signs out front and all I can think is, "Morons!!"

[npincus]

4. no, I meant lovely on the inside

very kind, thoughtful... she always suprrises me with coupons she cuts out of the paper for stuff she thinks I could use, like cat food, cat litter, food, anything. I never ask her, she just does it. She's just nice. last year (kindergarten), she kept bringing in bags of her daughter's old clothes for a little girl in the class she knew was on welfare, brought her warm winter stuff, made up a story so the kid's mom's pride wouldn't be hurt... she is damned nice.

I will talk to her after Nov. 5. I really want to know WHY she likes Palin so much.

[hisownpetard]

5. So she does have a good heart but is apparently misguided on this issue.

Maybe you could talk to her *before* Nov. 5th!
She sounds more like one of us than one of them.

[npincus]

6. I sent her the YouTube link for Obama's 30-minute ad

w/my views on how it touched on so many middle-class anxieties and how far quality of life has fallen in America, etc. etc. etc.... she didn't respond, so not sure she watched it. Maybe she will this weekend if she has the time and inclination.

[riderinthestorm]

14. Can she watch it? I'm on dial-up and can't watch any Youtube links

I wouldn't necessarily interpret her lack of response as an indicator of much. Some people just don't open those links because they aren't interested in watching any kind of movie online. Or they can't (like me). Or a 30 minute infomercial isn't attractive to them no matter who/what it's about.

I'd ask your friend directly. I expect she likes Sarah Palin because she resonates with your hard working mom friend as someone just like "her". At least you would then have some basis for a discussion.

Many Republicans are single issue voters - abortion for example. And Sarah Palin is their "go to" girl on that issue. If that is the case with your friend, at least you'd know and while I don't agree with those voters at all, I then understand why they may be acting/voting so irrationally.

Just ask your friend. And I'd do it before November 4th. If you can persuade her before the election to think twice, that would be more helpful than having that discussion on November 5th.

[olegramps]

12. Maybe she is driven be guilt.

[valerief]

2. She's clearly greedy. And stupid. nt

[cali]

13. actually, the OP would no better than you

and the OP says she isn't either of those things. Your comment, well, that's stupid.

[NC_Nurse]

3. Perhaps she is not as lovely or intelligent as you surmised...

[riverwalker]

7. just ask her why

If she is willing to inflict Palin upon you and your children, I would think you would ask her why.
If she wanted to dump toxic waste in your yard, you would at least ask why, right? This is no different.

[Bluenorthwest]

8. I have to wonder

how lovely and intelligent she seems to those who are not part of her conservative dream State? Palin opposes my basic human rights, so while you might call your hater pal intelligent, and she might be 'nice' to others like herself, she is active in her quest to oppress and control the lives of millions of Americans. That is not lovely, or is it intelligent, it is self serving, dogmatic and atavistic. It is hate and seperation. Your pal just likes to outsource the dirty work. As Hamlet says, one can smile and smile and yet be a villian.

[paparush]

9. "I love what she's done for women.."

I keep hearing Republican women on the radio saying they "love what Sarah Palin is doing for women" and I'm thinking...um...WTF?

Ok..sure..she's on the ticket. Taken at face value, that's a HUGE accomplishment for the GOP, undermined by the fact that McCain's choice was a cynical attempt to hook disgruntled Hillary voters.

How can any woman feel good about another woman who would make a rape victim pay for their own freaking rape kit? I just don't get it.

And if the poor rape victim happened to become impregnated by her attacker, Palin gives her no choice but to carry and deliver the child. And women support this?

DU women, enlighten me as to how GOP women can go gaga over Sarah Palin.

[cameozalaznick]

10. Watch one of her speeches sometime with the sound turned off...

For one thing, it's a much more pleasurable experience, not havin' to hear the akkcent. But also, you'll see the subtle way she connects with people physically. Women are not immune to this phenomenon. They once did a poll of straight women about who their favorite movie star was. I don't remember exactly how the question was phrased, but it had to do with sexiness. Angelina Jolie came in number two or three, I think. Face it. Sex sells.

[riderinthestorm]

11. NPR yesterday was at a Sarah Palin rally and it was a repeat of Bush and beer again.

The women were gushing about how "normal" Sarah Palin is, how much she's just like them, how comfortable she would be to sit around with and have a cup of coffee. That she's a working mom yet manages it all so gracefully (no shit sherlock - with a ton of "help"). And that she's committed to "life" as a big Christian.

I couldn't help but see the similarities with how people perceived GW Bush in 2000. That he was a guy you could sit down with and have a beer. That he was a successful businessman (yes, we know it's false and that he was bailed out numerous times but the meme in the media for Joe Public was that Bush was the MBA candidate). That he was a devoted father and Christian committed to "life".

There was more, but there's definitely a percentage of the population that thinks along these lines. They are not persuaded by intelligence, grasp of issues, experience or suitability for the job - nope for these folks it's all about their candidates Christian faith and their "likeability", their "normalcy". I believe these are the same folks who are captivated by "Joe the Plumber". It matters naught that he isn't really a plumber, or even that he has investigated the issues (during which he has to have realized that Obama would be a better candidate for his life issues) - Joe the (non) Plumber's fan base revolves around his facade as a "regular" guy.

It's weird but after trying to mock these folks or spin them or ignore them, we better face up to the fact that they're out there, and it's a pretty deeply entrenched block of voters.

[otohara]

17. What Did She Do Exactly?

She was chosen for all the wrong reasons by sexist men in the GOP party, cuz she's hot!

[BlooInBloo]

15. Clinging to those presuppositions, it IS impossible to understand.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

16. Maybe, just maybe, she doesn't know what we at DU know about Palin? The AIP,

Travelgate, the true decision in Troopergate, her insane church, Housegate? Your friend might only be learning about her from MSM, who for the most part, is giving Palin a pass on these issues.

The Obama campaign chose not to go negative and have not pushed these very disturbing issues.