Belittling Sarah Palin
US Republican presidential candidate Senator John McCain (R-AZ) and his running mate Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, August 29, 2008
- Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL): “Well, my understanding is that Governor Palin’s town of Wasilla has I think 50 employees. We’ve got 2,500 in this campaign. I think their budget is maybe $12 million a year. You know, we have a budget of about three times that just for the month. So I think that our ability to manage large systems and to execute I think has been made clear over the last couple of years.†(CNN’s “360 With Anderson Cooper,†9/1/08). Update: The Video of Obama’s comment is here.
- Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH): “She’s been mayor of a city half the size of Blue Ash and governor of a state with half the population of Hamilton County. … John McCain failed in his first big decision as a potential president. He chose somebody with no experience to be a heartbeat away from being the U.S. president.†(Steve Kemme, “At Picnic, Brown Slams Palin,†The Cincinnati Enquirer, 9/2/08)
- Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE): Biden On Palin: “She’s Good Looking.†“‘From our perspective the whole deal is how does the government help you get back up without getting in the way?’ Biden asked. ‘There’s a gigantic – gigantic — difference between John McCain and Barack Obama, and between me and I suspect my vice presidential opponent. And that is that –’ The crowd laughed. ‘Well there’s obvious differences,’ Biden said, beginning to ham it up. ‘She’s good looking,’ he said, laughing.†(Jake Tapper, “Oh, That Joe! (Number 4 In A Series) — Biden On Difference Between Him And Palin: ‘She’s Good Looking,’†ABC News’ “Political Punch†Blog, blogs.abcnews.com, 8/31/08)
Would you call this belittling or patronizing? This belittlement of Sarah Palin is reminiscent of Obama and his campaign attacks on Hillary Clinton which pissed off a goodly number of Democrat women voters.
Team McCain responds:
RNC Victory 2008 Chair Carly Fiorina released the following statement today in response to Democrat attacks on Governor Sarah Palin:
“I am appalled by the Obama campaign’s attempts to belittle Governor Sarah Palin’s experience. The facts are that Sarah Palin has made more executive decisions as a Mayor and Governor than Barack Obama has made in his life. Because of Hillary Clinton’s historic run for the Presidency and the treatment she received, American women are more highly tuned than ever to recognize and decry sexism in all its forms. They will not tolerate sexist treatment of Governor Palin.â€
Sexism and patronizing women = Barack Obama and his campaign for the Presidency.
Technorati Tags: Carly Fiorina, Sarah Palin
20 Comments
Dennis
I have nothing against Ms. Palin, but one would hope that any presidential candidate would know the person chosen for his or her running mate. McCain met her once last February before he offered her the VP slot.
It seems to me this says much about the way McCain may govern—by the seat of his pants.
Flap
I doubt this was the only contact that McCain had with the Alaska Governor. Would you rather McCain choose Romney because he “knew” him better?
Or should McCain have chosen Joe Lieberman because he was in the Senate with him, despite his Democrat views on everything except the War on Terror?
Rob Jones
At first I was simply amazed that I was supposed to consider her a poor choice because her husband got a DWI ages ago or because she’s the mom of a sexually active teen. [Newsflash to the moms in the DNC… if you HAVE a teen, you too are the mother of a sexually active teen.]
Now I am awed that these guys also have the brass to belittle her in grounds of experience. Have they noticed that the top of their ticket is inhabited by a political neophyte who has resorted to citing his experience campaigning for president as his chief qualification for being one?
Rob Joness last blog post..Looks Too Easy When Ya Do It Right
Seeker
My position is neither Democrat or Republican….I’m more of an independent and in the process of looking at which candidate is the lesser of 2 evils. As to the question of belittling Sarah Palin, I can’t speak for the comments of Biden or Brown.
I did research the CNN interview with Obama. A question was put to the senator regarding a comparison of executive experience between Gov. Palin and himself. His answer was perfectly quoted above……..unfortunately you never posted the question he was asked and you’re making it appear as if it was a knee-jerk response.
There are people such as myself (independents) all across the country that would like to see both Democrats and Republicans report accurately without the B.S. spin…
I’ll ask the same favor I asked of the Dem. bloggers……….Please report the facts as they are not based on your interpretation or feelings.
Thanks
Flap
Guess you did not see Flap’s previous post with the video of Barack Obama.
Here it is: http://flapsblog.com/2008/09/02/barack-obama-watch-i-have-more-experience-than-sarah-palin/
Seeker
Thank you for the link to the video Flap…..It proves what I just said…..A media figure asked him to respond to the question regarding Sarah Palin’s experience vs. Obama’s.
What I took away from the comment is that Obama was making the argument that running a large-scale successful national campaign with thousands of employees, millions of dollars for close to 18months is a good argument for executive, decision making experience……. I don’t think any businesman, marketing/ad campaign rep would disagree.
Personally for my money, I think Mit Romney was the way to go (speaking on the subject of executive experience only)…..He embarrasses everyone in both the democratic & republican side that was applying for the Presidency…But McCain and Romney wouldn’t work……the dislike is palpable…..it’s like lighting a cigarette while standing in a pool of gasoline up to your knees.
Flap
Obama is making a faulty comparison and is just plain wrong.
Running a campaign is not the same as running the state of Alaska. And, this comes from a pol who has absolutely no executive experience except his campaign for President.
Give me a break.
Dennis
What’s wrong Flap, can’t I suggest that McCain flew by the seat of his pants on this one? Certainly your not suggesting that he was totally familiar with his choice. Furtermore, it is well sourced that McCain wanted either Lieberman or Ridge, but caved to the pro-lifers. Palin was a last minute choice,and a hail mary pass.
Palin will turn out to be an asset or a total disaster. Regardless, it is well known that McCain follows his gut, and is not the most prepared senator in Washington.
Flap
I think you may wish to research your facts on the vetting of Sarah Palin. And, what does totally familiar mean?
McCain is pro-life and so is the party. Cave?
Sarah Palin is a sound choice. One which I have been promoting since early this year. Governor Palin was not an unknown.
Obama and Biden are prepared Senators? Please. Biden is a blowhard and Obama never shows up.
John McCain is not my first choice for President but he is far and away a better choice than Obama-Biden.
Seeker
I beg to differ Flap,
The BUSINESS of a state and the BUSINESS of a political campaign have quite a bit in common. Budgets, employees, deadlines, constraints, inefficient bureaucracies, day-to-day decisions that make or break a business.
the same type of Businesses run by independent, democratic, & republican business owners across the nation. SOUND BUSINESS PRINCIPLES ARE SOUND PRINCIPLES. It doesn’t matter if you run a convenience store in Delta County, CO or a Multi-National Conglomerate in NY city. The only difference is the scales of economy and your ability to make sound, rational decisions.
I’m a business owner myself and can respect both parties for their executive experience. Executive experience is not owned by the political process. Executive qualities are a staple of any sound business and don’t have to be learned solely in an environment of b.s. and lobbyist. The same types of pressure exist in business everyday so political executive decision-making is not the only qualification for good judgement.
Flap
Have you ever held government office? Have you ever run a campaign? I have and you are dead wrong. Plus, it is doubtful that Barack Obama runs things day to day anyway.
I have also been in business and a business owner.
Tell me what business experience does Barack Obama have, besides his campaign? Joe Biden, any?
Did you know that Sarah Palin was a businesswoman before she was elected governor?
Seeker
That’s great Flap,
No I’ve never run a political campaign or held government office. But my business experience has allowed me the great fortune to have great success and to do quite a bit of consulting work.
When you get right down to it Flap, you can bitch and moan over the color of paint you want the house to be, but ultimately, it comes down to the ingredients and the application process. That will never change in painting or business.
For you and for Mrs. Palin. As Gov., we both know that as the “figurehead” of the “company/polictical entity”, but you don’t run everything yourself…..you have a host of support staff…..You could not be an effective leader without them, so no need to grandstand about Obama running things day-to-day…FEW IN BUSINESS OR POLITICS DO. But ultimately the buck stops at your doorstop, be it in the business or political sector and all final decision and accountability rest with you so you better know what you’re doing.
They both deserve kudos for their effectiveness in the respective roles to lead.
Flap
With all due respect, you can ride the middle of the fence or vote for Obama for all I care but you are wrong on the experience issue.
Seeker
…..By the way you or anybody else has still not addressed my original argument which is how answering a question, where you are asked to draw a comparison between yourself and someone else belittling when you stay on point?
Belittling someone would be to attack their character, their person. …..Where are you visually/audibly seeing that in the CNN piece?
Flap
You are good at setting up strawman arguments and logical fallacies. But, I am live blogging the RNC.
Maybe I can break it down for you at another point in time.
Seeker
How am I wrong Flap……..
Because I am willing to give someone their deserved respect for being good at what they’ve accomplished or,
Because I haven’t converted over to your particular view of the argument that Political / Private Sector Business experience are different?…..
Or is it because I don’t support McCain/Palin? Hell I don’t support Obama/Biden either………Like I said I lookin’ for the snake less likely to bite me…..
Seeker
Flap,
I’m just speaking my mind. There’s nothing strawman about my argument……”Strawman”…….that’s political rhetoric….I’m not interested in using “their” terminology.
I’m an intelligent, articulate man………not a “SHEEPLE….”
Rob Jones
“Strawman argument” isnt political rhetoric, although much political rhetoric does take the form of strawman arguments. It’s just a term from any college :ogic 101 class.
As for the experience issue… comparing Obama to Palin is a mistake to start with. She’s a VP nominee, he’s up for Commander in Chief. He’s running on the suggestion that his intellect and judgment are a suitable replacement for experience, which kinda takes a lot of the steam out of the DNC claims about HER experience.
Bottom line he isnt running for understudy, he’s running for the lead role, and I dont think America is prepared to hand junior the car keys on his promise that he can learn to drive as he exits the driveway because he’s a quick study.
Dont take my word for it… take the words of Joe Biden… stated during this campaign:
“I think he CAN be ready, but I don’t think he IS. The presidency is not something that lends itself to on-the-job training.â€
Rob Joness last blog post..Looks Too Easy When Ya Do It Right
nick
if experience is essential for a successfull government,why is the US in nearly a recession .g.w. bush has been a disaster for the average americian. i definately agree with ‘seeker’ and think your over reacting.
Seeker
You’re right about one thing Rob Jones,
When looking at executive experience, Palin has more in government than anyone on the ticket. When you look at the government executive experience argument, Neither Obama or McCain have a leg to stand on.
If executive experience was the litmus test for success or possible success, then George Bush should have passed with flying colors and the Republican Party would not be hustling so hard to convince Americans to give them another go at this……
The test does come down to judgement between the two presidential constestants and whose judgement is more sound. Wisdom does not come with age….it comes from not just personal experience but the intelligence to look at the experience of others and learn from their mistakes and move toward the most win-win solution possible. The presidential candidate who can do that is deserving of the job……..Unfortunately, in this country that is still no guarantee the they would get it…