If Palin were a male candidate

Popeye

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This commentary written by Carl Hiaasen...if you haven't read any of his satirical novels, you should, they're a real treat.

The vice presidential debate is set for next Thursday, and millions of voters will be watching to see if moderator Gwen Ifill of PBS behaves herself.

Most journalists are still getting accustomed to the Sarah Rules, as established and enforced by John McCain's campaign team. The most important is Sarah Rule No. 1: Don't treat Gov. Palin like a male candidate, or you'll be accused of character assassination.

Maybe this is why McCain has kept Palin sequestered from the press -- not because he's terrified she'll pull a Dan Quayle and say something goofy (as she did to Katie Couric), but because he gallantly wants to protect her from all the chauvinist meanies who would ask impertinent questions.

Likewise, the same right-wing gasbags who've trashed Hillary Clinton for 16 years have morphed into sensitive souls when it comes to their own hockey-mom candidate. Each unsettling news revelation about Palin is automatically decried as a sexist smear.

If Palin were a male candidate, Democrat or Republican, she'd be taking heat for ducking reporters when the election is only five weeks away. Yet, except for a few grumps, the media have reluctantly accepted the Sarah snub as the new order of things.

In the big debate it will be interesting to see if the rules are followed, or broken.

If Palin were a male candidate, for example, she would again be asked (as Charles Gibson did) why she took credit for killing Alaska's notorious Bridge to Nowhere, when in fact she supported the $223 million boondoggle until Congress turned against it.

If Palin were a male candidate, she might also be encouraged to discuss why she chose a high-school pal to head Alaska's Division of Agriculture at a $95,000 salary. Among her flimsy qualifications, the woman, a former real-estate agent, claimed an affection of cows.

If Palin were a male candidate, she'd be asked why she put another childhood friend in charge of a money-losing, state-subsidized creamery that was supposed to shut down until Palin reversed the decision. As The Wall Street Journal reported, the doomed dairy cost Alaskans more than $800,000 in additional losses before it was finally closed.

In fact, during her short stint as governor, Palin has appointed several school buddies to well-paying state posts. Her legislative director was in the same junior-high band with Palin. Another old classmate was operating a Mailboxes, Etc. franchise when the governor appointed him head of the state's economic development office.

If Palin were a male candidate who claimed to be a crusading, cost-cutting reformer, she'd be asked what made her any better than other politicians who hand out fat government jobs to cronies.

Maybe if she were a male candidate, she'd be pressed to explain why she billed the state more than $17,000 as ''per diem'' expenses -- for 312 nights she spent at her own home.

Palin's staff told The Washington Post that the governor is entitled to such payments under Alaskan law, but a male candidate would be quickly reminded that even members of Congress don't receive a per diem allowance for routine home visits.


A male candidate would be asked how he could promote himself as a ''maverick'' while dunning taxpayers on his expense accounts.

If Palin were a man, she'd be questioned closely about her professed aversion to pork-barrel government spending, since she has happily pledged $500 million of her state's money toward a 1,715-mile natural gas pipeline.

Speaking about that as-yet unbuilt project, Palin got on stage at the Wasilla Assembly of God and told churchgoers: ''God's will has to be done in unifying people and companies in getting that gas line built, so pray for that.'' As you might imagine, this is a popular clip on YouTube.

A male candidate would be ridiculed -- no, make that crucified -- for suggesting that the Lord has taken a personal interest in natural-gas extraction. Luckily for Palin, the Sarah Rules censure such commentary as anti-religious.

Imagine if her Democratic opponent, Sen. Joe Biden, had been videotaped while being solemnly blessed against ''every form of witchcraft.'' The Republicans would jump on it, running blistering ads to portray Biden as a whack job unfit for the vice presidency.


President Palin?

Wondrously, though, Palin has yet to face any questions about her weird anti-witch inoculation at the hands of one Pastor Thomas Muthee in 2005. It's sort of creepy to watch, but who knows -- maybe this stuff really works for future vice presidents. Maybe Spiro Agnew should have tried it.

Once upon a time, any person who sought the second-highest office in the land could expect to be grilled almost as unsparingly as a presidential candidate. Biden himself has been slammed during campaign interviews, not always unfairly.

Yet the Sarah Rules allow everyone to explain Palin's words and past actions except Palin herself.

If she were a man, they wouldn't be praising her for being a hockey dad. They'd be calling her a lightweight who shouldn't be a hundred heartbeats from the Oval Office, much less one.

http://www.miamiherald.com/424/story/703133.html
 
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Well she cant help that she is not a male. Biden will be nice to her, probably nicer than he has to or should. She said some sort of snotty things about him yesterday. I dont know why she did, he is a nice guy. THey are probably telling her to do it.
 
While I think it is unwise to speculate what would happen if Sarah were a male, it is a pointless exercise at this point. While I dont disagree with the flaws pointed out in general of the OP, I will take a second and address the issue below.
Maybe if she were a male candidate, she'd be pressed to explain why she billed the state more than $17,000 as ''per diem'' expenses -- for 312 nights she spent at her own home.

Palin's staff told The Washington Post that the governor is entitled to such payments under Alaskan law, but a male candidate would be quickly reminded that even members of Congress don't receive a per diem allowance for routine home visits.
I am not one who thinks it a big deal for her to receive the per diem. Despite what Congress is allowed, the Governor of Alaska is allowed this perk. While I would prefer her to stay in JNU as much as possible, she chooses to stay at her home in Wasilla, while the Legislature is not in session. She has an Anchorage office, and commutes to it when necessary while staying in Wasilla.
The perdiem issue is small potatos when it comes to TrooperGate, Pebble Mine, and her behavior since she has been nominated.
 
Well she cant help that she is not a male. Biden will be nice to her, probably nicer than he has to or should. She said some sort of snotty things about him yesterday. I dont know why she did, he is a nice guy. THey are probably telling her to do it.
I dont know what she said about Biden, but I hope she avoids attacking him in the future because he will eat her lunch. Biden was my original choice for Prez over a year ago, he is a good man. I am glad he has such an important spot on the Obama ticket.
But the last part that I put in bold has been my concern since this whole thing started. She is being controlled in a way that is unwise politically. I am not exaggerating when I said in the past that this is not the Sarah Palin that I know. She has folded up like a cheap tent and is being brought onto a roller coaster ride that if her VP bid fails will cause her many more problems elsewhere.
 
What I don't understand is why anybody would continue to ask the questions as they've already all been answered, repeatedly. The telling thing about all of it is the way that the "questions" are phrased. They're not legitimate questions, they're "gotcha" questions, specifically designed to keep non-issues at the forefront to avoid having to address the real question, that being, who would anybody with any even half a brain bote for a Manchurian Candidate like Obama.
 
While I think it is unwise to speculate what would happen if Sarah were a male, it is a pointless exercise at this point. While I dont disagree with the flaws pointed out in general of the OP, I will take a second and address the issue below.

I am not one who thinks it a big deal for her to receive the per diem. Despite what Congress is allowed, the Governor of Alaska is allowed this perk. While I would prefer her to stay in JNU as much as possible, she chooses to stay at her home in Wasilla, while the Legislature is not in session. She has an Anchorage office, and commutes to it when necessary while staying in Wasilla.
The perdiem issue is small potatos when it comes to TrooperGate, Pebble Mine, and her behavior since she has been nominated.


Personally

When I hear words like if she were a male we might ask her about her spending here or there, or IF she were a male we might do this or that.

is EXACTLY the same thing as when someone might say, IF he were white I might ask him this or that, IF he were not black I might ask him this or that.

Its really kind of gross.
 
I dont know what she said about Biden, but I hope she avoids attacking him in the future because he will eat her lunch. Biden was my original choice for Prez over a year ago, he is a good man. I am glad he has such an important spot on the Obama ticket.
But the last part that I put in bold has been my concern since this whole thing started. She is being controlled in a way that is unwise politically. I am not exaggerating when I said in the past that this is not the Sarah Palin that I know. She has folded up like a cheap tent and is being brought onto a roller coaster ride that if her VP bid fails will cause her many more problems elsewhere.

She just said stuff like I have been listening to his speeches since I was in the 3d grade or what ever grade she said.

needless stuff. She meant, he has been a senator longer than even McCain, who they claim has been there too long.

I have grown to like Biden since he was picked. I guess I should get all hateful over him like the left has to Sarah Palin, but I dont understand why people do that in the first place.

Had anyone but Obama been the nominee for the Dems, I would be so happy, any of them would be an improvement. Any other VP I would have thought was a pretty good pick.

The dems are polar oposite. No matter who you pick they come out with fangs and claws. I swear to GOD that Mother Teresa could have been picked nad she would have been an over spending Whore by election time.
 
What I don't understand is why anybody would continue to ask the questions as they've already all been answered,
You and I see the problem differently, There are way to many questions that go UNANSWERED. The real problem is that politicians cant just give a straight answer the first time.
The telling thing about all of it is the way that the "questions" are phrased. They're not legitimate questions, they're "gotcha" questions
Ah yes...the "Gotcha Questions" one the many new political vocabulary entries for this cycle. Both sides seem to be complaining about getting stuck in those positions. Fact is it has been happening forever. Its nothing new.
specifically designed to keep non-issues at the forefront to avoid having to address the real question
You can blame the media all you want, but there is enough blame to go around. The last thing any of these politicians, especially at this point Sarah Palin wants to talk about, is the issues.
that being, who would anybody with any even half a brain bote for a Manchurian Candidate like Obama.
Playing the Manchurian Candidate card wont get you far with me.
It is a tired worn out argument that is ridiculous. Also, it causes the topic of John McCain and his internment by communists for 5 years. There is another thread for this topic, in terms of this thread...Lets not even go there.
 
Personally

When I hear words like if she were a male we might ask her about her spending here or there, or IF she were a male we might do this or that.

is EXACTLY the same thing as when someone might say, IF he were white I might ask him this or that, IF he were not black I might ask him this or that.

Its really kind of gross.

We are in agreement on this. But it would be naive to think for a second that niether arent taken into account when it comes to big time politics. Both sides are more than guilty of it. I have seen and heard some horrible things said about various candidates from both parties towards candidates that dont fit the white male mold that is most common in America.

This certainly isnt anything new. It has been going on for centuries or longer probably around the world. The thing about this election cycle, is that due to the ability to transfer information so fast and widely now that it has become a frenzied circus. Where winning or losing hinges on one slip of the tongue, or a long forgotten aquiantence is dissected a million different ways.
 
We are in agreement on this. But it would be naive to think for a second that niether arent taken into account when it comes to big time politics. Both sides are more than guilty of it. I have seen and heard some horrible things said about various candidates from both parties towards candidates that dont fit the white male mold that is most common in America.

This certainly isnt anything new. It has been going on for centuries or longer probably around the world. The thing about this election cycle, is that due to the ability to transfer information so fast and widely now that it has become a frenzied circus. Where winning or losing hinges on one slip of the tongue, or a long forgotten aquiantence is dissected a million different ways.

He could spit on her and it wouldnt matter. The only people who would be offended by it are not voting for Obama/Biden anyways. The media would never cover it so the loons wouldnt know, not that they would care. Biden is safe.

I dont think Biden would do anything like that.

I personally think he should treat her like a person not a woman. Conservative women are not known for the gender card, liberal women are known for that. Even if he did pull something she wouldnt make a stink about it. its not the conservative way.
 
He could spit on her and it wouldnt matter. The only people who would be offended by it are not voting for Obama/Biden anyways. The media would never cover it so the loons wouldnt know, not that they would care. Biden is safe.
I would consider most of this a gross exaggeration.
I dont think Biden would do anything like that.
Well there is a chance that he could come off as to aggressive or maybe a snob, or any number of things that come as a matter of perception. Who knows.
I personally think he should treat her like a person not a woman. Conservative women are not known for the gender card, liberal women are known for that. Even if he did pull something she wouldnt make a stink about it. its not the conservative way.
I would agree with the first statement, but will point out that Sarah gladly played the gender card in her 2006 campaign.
 
I would consider most of this a gross exaggeration.

Well there is a chance that he could come off as to aggressive or maybe a snob, or any number of things that come as a matter of perception. Who knows.

I would agree with the first statement, but will point out that Sarah gladly played the gender card in her 2006 campaign.

I believe that its true. If he spit on her it would not effect at all anyone who is already a follower. Obama followers, worshipers dont just change their minds. There really is nothing he could do that would shake off a true worshiper.


Biden probably wont get put in a situation to get aggressive. the mod will ask questions I am sure that will be helpful to Biden.

What did Sarah Palin do in 2006 that was playing the gender card?

Your bias against her and her family is so strong, that I dont want to just take your word for the bad things you say about her, i want proof please.
 
You and I see the problem differently, There are way to many questions that go UNANSWERED. The real problem is that politicians cant just give a straight answer the first time.

That's why we have public records, so that we can find out exactly what happened, when, and who did, or did not do it. In the case of Palin, the questions have been asked, the record is clear on who did what when, and now continuing to posit the same dishonest questions is simply smoke and mirrors to distract attention from the fact that Obama is a puppet, and his supporters don't know, are too stupid to care, or are simply Communists who are actively trying to overthrow the government and install a shadow government in it's place.

Ah yes...the "Gotcha Questions" one the many new political vocabulary entries for this cycle. Both sides seem to be complaining about getting stuck in those positions. Fact is it has been happening forever. Its nothing new.

Yes they have, and there are some of us who are simply sick and tired of the pundits and unpaid political hacks in the media having to rely on them because their candidate is a total loser.

You can blame the media all you want, but there is enough blame to go around. The last thing any of these politicians, especially at this point Sarah Palin wants to talk about, is the issues.

From what I've seen, she does want to talk about the issues, but moron DNC hacks like Curic and Gibson can't do that, so they stick to the "gotcha" games to keep the real issues from being addressed.

Playing the Manchurian Candidate card wont get you far with me.

To be honest, I'm not the slightest bit interested in how far it gets me with you. If you don't want to discuss the issues, don't post a response.

It is a tired worn out argument that is ridiculous.

As I said, if you don't want to discuss it, don't post a response.

Also, it causes the topic of John McCain and his internment by communists for 5 years. There is another thread for this topic, in terms of this thread...Lets not even go there.

Great, then I will consider any further input you may have on the subject to be completely rhetorical, and classify it alongside Dawkins.
 
8 years of the last republican government haven't dampened your appetite for more have they?

Let's see what the highlights have been

Worst domestic economy since the great depression
A joke on the international scene
Embroiled in 2 illegal wars for years
Worst homeland breach of security in history

And of course the buffoon Bush isn't a puppet is he?

No, the republicans would never field a half-wit puppet of his oil baron and banking masters.

Oh, they did
 
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8 years of the last republican government haven't dampened your appetite for more have they?

Given the available options, no.

Let's see what the highlights have been

Worst domestic economy since the great depression
A joke on the international scene
Embroiled in 2 illegal wars for years
Worst homeland breach of security in history

Ah yes, the same tired old liberal/Socialist/Communist lies. Let's debunk these one more time shall we?

Worst domestic economy? Hardly, the fact is that during the first 6 1/2 years of the Bush administration, inflation, interest rates, and unemployment were among the lowest ever.

A joke on the international scene? What makes you think that the US should give a damn what anybody else thinks about us? The rest of the world works for US, so if they don't like it, they can quit and go back to living in huts.

Illegal wars? I suppose you haven't heard about Article 51 of the UN Charter, which allows any country to defend themselves once they've been attacked? I also suppose you didn't hear about the Iraq War Resolution?

Worst breech of security in history? Never heard of the War of 1812 either I see.

You really don't know too much about anything, do you? Never mind, that was a rhetorical question.
 
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