Wal-Mart Moms
One of the things I really dislike about American elections is the tendency to break down the electorate into segments that may or may not have any relevance, but certainly do divide us. This time around it's "hockey moms" or, as this editorial in the UK's Guardian has it, "Wal-Mart Moms." That said, I must admit the editorial nailed everything else nicely when it comes to the Republican nominee for Vice-President.
Palin represents an extreme form of conservatism. She is not just anti-abortion, she opposes abortion even in cases of rape or incest. And Palin supports the introduction of creationist ideas into the classroom, alongside evolution. She is sceptical of global warming, only recently accepting that human activities might play a role, flying in the face of vast bodies of scientific opinion - even the US government's own advisers. She is pro-drilling for oil in environmentally sensitive areas in a world that needs to wean itself away from fossil fuels. Her grasp of foreign policy is limited to a series of hawkish and naive soundbites on Russia, terrorism and Iran.
America has had eight years of a government that has held similar views. The result has been to put ideological and emotional distance between it and large parts of Europe, Asia and Latin America. Apart from isolationist Republicans, this is bad news both for America and the rest of us. America needs a friendlier world to do economic and political business. The world needs an America more in tune with its natural friends and allies.
The political beliefs exemplified by Palin and her fellow religious conservatives are not the answer, no matter how well presented by her considerable political skills.
Change is the watchword of the American election. But McCain, in putting Palin on his ticket, is trying to pull off an audacious con trick. Palin does not represent change, but more of the same. And then some. [Emphasis added]
Exactly so. The problem is that the Democratic nominees for President and Vice-President have decided not to even refer to Madame Change, preferring instead to go after Sen. McCain on issues that are for the most part only marginally interesting and interest-grabbing. Whether the Democrats are trying to look gentlemanly or whether they feel Ms. Palin is hardly worth the effort to criticise when she is doing such a fine job herself at showing her lack of qualifications, the result is the same. McCain's "audacious con trick" appears to be working as far as the public is concerned.
Look, gentlemen, after the last eight years this race shouldn't even be close, much less too close to call. Take off the gloves. If Ms. Palin wants to run with the big dogs, then she has to realize the risks of a nip or two. Challenge her directly. Snideness or male chauvinism isn't required; a frank analysis of her positions and what they will mean to this country is sufficient.
Just do it.
Palin represents an extreme form of conservatism. She is not just anti-abortion, she opposes abortion even in cases of rape or incest. And Palin supports the introduction of creationist ideas into the classroom, alongside evolution. She is sceptical of global warming, only recently accepting that human activities might play a role, flying in the face of vast bodies of scientific opinion - even the US government's own advisers. She is pro-drilling for oil in environmentally sensitive areas in a world that needs to wean itself away from fossil fuels. Her grasp of foreign policy is limited to a series of hawkish and naive soundbites on Russia, terrorism and Iran.
America has had eight years of a government that has held similar views. The result has been to put ideological and emotional distance between it and large parts of Europe, Asia and Latin America. Apart from isolationist Republicans, this is bad news both for America and the rest of us. America needs a friendlier world to do economic and political business. The world needs an America more in tune with its natural friends and allies.
The political beliefs exemplified by Palin and her fellow religious conservatives are not the answer, no matter how well presented by her considerable political skills.
Change is the watchword of the American election. But McCain, in putting Palin on his ticket, is trying to pull off an audacious con trick. Palin does not represent change, but more of the same. And then some. [Emphasis added]
Exactly so. The problem is that the Democratic nominees for President and Vice-President have decided not to even refer to Madame Change, preferring instead to go after Sen. McCain on issues that are for the most part only marginally interesting and interest-grabbing. Whether the Democrats are trying to look gentlemanly or whether they feel Ms. Palin is hardly worth the effort to criticise when she is doing such a fine job herself at showing her lack of qualifications, the result is the same. McCain's "audacious con trick" appears to be working as far as the public is concerned.
Look, gentlemen, after the last eight years this race shouldn't even be close, much less too close to call. Take off the gloves. If Ms. Palin wants to run with the big dogs, then she has to realize the risks of a nip or two. Challenge her directly. Snideness or male chauvinism isn't required; a frank analysis of her positions and what they will mean to this country is sufficient.
Just do it.
Labels: Election 2008
posted by Diane at 8:32 AM
1 Comments:
I do understand your position and to some extent I agree with it, but I think that there's a danger in focusing too much on Sarah Palin, low-hanging fruit as she has proven to be.
The issue is not Sarah Palin. The issue is in fact John McCain. He's the one at the top of the Republican ticket. He's the one who is, at least ostensibly, running the campaign. He's hiding behind Sarah Palin and all her little problems, her lies and distortions, in the hope that nobody will ask the big questions of him: what are you actually going to do if you're elected? What kind of "change" are you really interested in? What are all those lobbyists on your campaign staff really doing? What is your policy toward Iraq? Toward the economy? Toward the restoration of America's honor at home and abroad?
Everybody seems to be following the bright glittery object that is Sarah Palin. Yes, kick her a few times, God knows she deserves it, but save the heavy ammunition for John McCain, and focus on what's really important.
Post a Comment
<< Home