GOP consultant Jackson: Alaska Governor Sarah Palin -- "pallin'" around with incompetence

If McCain wanted...

A well-spoken, articulate, capable, woman for Vice-President, he should have picked...

Hillary Clinton

Of course, there are some women in the Republican party who could meet those requirements but I'm partial to Democrats.

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by: Will St. James @ Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 14:24:56 PM CDT

"You betcha," WINK WINK!

Good one,well Rachel and Keith both have been pretty good at 'discussing' her status. 

It's the Hammer of JUSTICE,
It's the Bell of FREEDOM,
It's the Song about LOVE between,
my Brothers and my Sisters
...All over this Land.

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by: Orion45 @ Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 14:28:18 PM CDT

Thank you

Mr. Jackson:

Couldn't agree more.  Various voices need to be listened to, if they are serious.

I heard Eric Cantor on NPR this morning.  He talked about the economy needing a "stimulus for small business".   As a small business owner, I couldn't agree more.

I called his office, and had a decent conversation with an aide.  I told her that while I liked what Mr. Cantor had to say this morning and was glad to hear it, it is disconcerting that gay people who might agree with the GOP on some issues are consistantly vilified by even GOPers from some moderate districts -- Mr. Cantor's Northern VA, Peter King's Long Island to name two.  

I do agree with Mr. Obama that there is a lot more that we have in common than that which divides us -- at least for the middle 80% or 90%.

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by: suigenerousla @ Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 14:59:45 PM CDT

But why does America like her?

Palin is incompetent, devious, has engaged in questionable (maybe criminal) activities as governor, and may even have a personality disorder. So why do the polls reflect so much approval among the GOP electorate still?  Has this nation learned nothing after it nearly elected W for a second term and suffered through his presidency for second term anyway?

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by: balsero @ Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 15:28:27 PM CDT

I think her popularity is something akin to the celebrity of "reality" show stars

seriously, why are the Pratts, Kardashians, Paris Hilton, et al elevated to celebrity status? Our society allows obnoxious levels of media coverage and glorification of people and behaviors we used to keep hidden not too long ago. It's all part of the dumbing down of America and rejection of a need to prove oneself as having the actual talent, knowledge and experience to achieve a goal. This creates an atmosphere in which people like Palin can be overtly manipulative and lie boldly and still get people to not only support her but to repeat her lies.  What's even more helpful is the fact she comes from a right wing, religious extremist mindset that was already acting in this manipulative way and has been buoyed by the change in the celebrity culture.

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by: ol cranky @ Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 15:49:40 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

it's the ascendence of.....

......the victim culture.  She's "being attacked" by being held to standards of proper grammar?  By being asked basic questions about the Supreme Court and what papers she reads?  

She's taken the dismissal of knowledge to a new level where she can be downright hostile to it.   Witness: the "Dept of Law" at the White House, not knowing exactly what the VP job entailed last October, etc.

All that is ignored because she is a "person of faith" -- Jesus will of course fill in the gaps, right? -- and because she exemplifies the "take this job and shove it" mentality.  

She essentially famous for not doing her job, or when pressed doing it in a cursory way, doesn't that that sound appealling on a bad day?

People who feel disappointed by life and who though unprepared still might win the career lottery somehow.   She's done it, and she didn't even have to study up.  People told her to, she blew them off and came out ahead.  That's a great recipe for celebrity but not for leadership of any kind.

You'll notice that all of the stories concerning her in the last year have been about her.   Nothing about her positions on any issue.  When asked about specifics she always reverts back to generalities which is what she is comfortable with because she is not interested in doing the work.  

By nature, she can't last or have broad enough appeal because she doesn't have even the minimal substance to go with the style.

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by: suigenerousla @ Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 16:09:33 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Very talented people tried to shape her

I can just imagine how frustrating it was for them.

At least George W. Bush listened to his advisors and did what it took to get elected. Sarah Palin could not do that. That is why she is a failure at this point in time. There aren't enough people like the one's who elected her in Alaska in the rest of the country.

When she was selected by McCain, I told people that she would not have great appeal to a lot of the people in the rural lower 48. Many of them see Alaska as some kind of exotic, foreign place.  

When you look for the bad in mankind, expecting to find it, you surely will.

- Abraham Lincoln.

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by: Fritz @ Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 16:26:43 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Good assessment

I can't disagree with anything Raynard Jackson wrote, or how he put it.

BTW, I did a post on my blog about Eminem's (I know, sexist) parody of Sarah Palin for his single We Made You and immediately started getting all kinds of visitors from Alaska (I tweet my blog posts). So, it looks as if Alaskans are quite concerned about what's being written about their soon-to-be-former governor.

http://blog.albumartexchange.c...

When you look for the bad in mankind, expecting to find it, you surely will.

- Abraham Lincoln.

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by: Fritz @ Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 15:43:57 PM CDT

Is Mr Jackson exhibiting some discrimination?

While I completely agree with everything Jackson has said about Palin, my eyes rolled when I rad this one little phrase, "somewhat decent looking female."

If this had been a male candidate, would physical beauty have entered into his analysis? Just sayin'.

Close the GayTM. Only give to candidates who have actually done something other than make promises - most are just pandering for our cash.

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by: JohnVisser @ Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 15:49:14 PM CDT

Remember Dan Quayle?

His looks entered into the analysis quite a bit.

The same can be said for Gavin Newsom.

We could probably come up with a pretty good list of male politicians for whom physical beauty is a part of their appeal.

Personally, I would have called Palin a "very attractive looking female" -- I think Jackson was injecting a bit of animosity there. Most people consider Palin to be more than "somewhat decent looking."

When you look for the bad in mankind, expecting to find it, you surely will.

- Abraham Lincoln.

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by: Fritz @ Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 16:18:13 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

You are correct. . .

Close the GayTM. Only give to candidates who have actually done something other than make promises - most are just pandering for our cash.

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by: JohnVisser @ Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 18:02:51 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Don't forget

Ugly women don't go anywhere in Republican politics. It's part of their culture of misogyny, no women who are brown, remotely displeasing of face or figure, or relatively smart will ever success in Republicanville. One of the slurs hurled at Hillary and Chelsea Clinton during Bill's Presidency was how ugly they both were. Remember Limbaugh referring to Chelsea as the "White House dog"? I read that sentence as more of a commentary on what passes for Republican philosophy than Jackson's personal assessment.

God save ornery old queens! - kevinchi

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by: Keori @ Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 17:36:30 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Is Sally Kern pleasing of face and figure?

Now, don't jump all over me for being sexist, folks. I'm just trying to make a point.

I think we could come up with a long list of GOP women who don't look like trophy wives.

Here's another GOP woman who I think is fairly typical. She's definitely not brown, not smart, but not exceptionally attractive either:

When you look for the bad in mankind, expecting to find it, you surely will.

- Abraham Lincoln.

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by: Fritz @ Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 17:49:05 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Jean Kilpatrick

Former Ambassador to the UN. I would say that is a powerful position. Now I do not usually make comments on the looks of women (other than my girlfriend who happens to be drop dead gorgeous). But I do not think that Jean ever won a beauty pageant.  

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by: WackoTheSane @ Sat Jul 11, 2009 at 09:17:04 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

It is, but it is also true

I've seen over and over again among my friends and their peers that she's liked--and given some amount of leniency--merely because she's physically attractive, and while that may be a discriminatory stance the fact remains that it was no doubt a very large factor in her being nominated and her continued popularity amongst that undiscerning demographic. It may not be right, but it's sadly honest.

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by: Takma'rierah @ Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 22:26:19 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

sadly beliveable

we see that sort of thing in business all too often despite how dangerous it can be for social promotion of someone who is nowhere ready to handle a higher level of duties :(

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by: ol cranky @ Sat Jul 11, 2009 at 07:55:37 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Petty much?

Actually, much of Jackson's criticism of Palin is rather petty, sexist, and condescending.  She's a "somewhat decent-looking female"?  Neat, and that's relevant how?  Her voice was "very irritating to listen too because of it's [sic] pitch"?  Oh, you mean because of its womanly pitch?  Give me a break.  I know she has a folksy accent, but to me the "pitch" comment sounds like another variation of the petty, irrelevant criticisms that men lodge at Hillary Clinton and other strong women that is rarely lodged at men in politics with their manly man voices (eg "Her shrill voice just grates on my nerves").

And then, quoting Jackson again, "What was she thinking, allowing herself to be interviewed in that type of attire?" What, exactly, does he mean by that and who the F is he to dictate what this woman should and should not wear?

Sorry, but sexism isn't okay even when it's lodged at conservative women.

Anyway, as much as I disagree with Palin's policies, I strongly disagree with Jackson that her pick was "the worst in vice presidential history."  Her pick re-energized a flaccid Republican party and sent a collective wave of "oh shit" across the liberal, Democrat blogosphere (mostly because Americans were scared that Democrat women would jump ship and vote for the McCain/Palin ticket).

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by: Fannie @ Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 16:56:24 PM CDT

I agree about the "decent looking" comment

However, I don't think the other comments you've listed are necessarily sexist.

Palin does have an untrained, irritating voice. This is interesting because she worked as a newscaster. I would expect better. And, it has nothing to do with her gender. Compare her to many other women who speak for a living -- Rachel Maddow is a good example. There's nothing irritating about her voice.

The problem with calling Hillary Clinton "shrill" was that she wasn't! She has a nice resonant voice and is a great public speaker. That is why this was sexist. It meant that any female voice would be considered shrill.

And do you remember George W. Bush's flight suit? Nobody said that the laughs that generated were due to sexism.

Was it Michael Dukakis who appeared in an army helmet and riding in a tank? I don't recall.

Reagan wore cowboy boots with horse shit on them and got shit for it.

Criticism about attire is not reserved for women. What's good for the goose...  

When you look for the bad in mankind, expecting to find it, you surely will.

- Abraham Lincoln.

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by: Fritz @ Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 17:15:06 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I vacillate on how I feel about the "decent looking" comment

I'm not sure if this is a typical "we must judge women by their looks" comment or if the comment was intentionally included because many of her right wing supporters keep pushing the meme that liberals hate and/or are threatened by attractive women (along with it's corollary that the politics of liberal women are based on the fact we are unattractive men haters who are jealous of pretty women)

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by: ol cranky @ Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 17:42:31 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I feel the same way

Jackson would really have to clarify what he meant that before we can decide.

When you look for the bad in mankind, expecting to find it, you surely will.

- Abraham Lincoln.

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by: Fritz @ Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 17:52:09 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Okay

I can agree to disagree on whether some of these comments are sexist.  But, FYI, women are subjected to that "her voice is shrill" thing all the time as a way to "discredit" them.

Regardless, can we at least agree that many of Jackson's comments are petty and irrelevant?

Whether someone is criticizing the looks of a man or a woman, I'd hope pundits could talk about something more serious.  

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by: Fannie @ Sat Jul 11, 2009 at 10:38:47 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Also

(To use one of Palin's favorite words.)

I must write that there is no doubt Palin has been subjected to horrible sexist comments.

- Slutty flight attendent
- Too much make up
- Beauty queen bimbo, etc.

However, I think that wearing waders for several pre-arranged interviews is worthy of jeers.

I strongly disagree with Jackson that her pick was "the worst in vice presidential history."

Perhaps if McCain had won the election, I could agee with that. But, Palin contributed greatly to his loss. If the Republican party had in fact been "re-energized" they would not have dived in numbers and lost so many seats in Congress. Palin is killing the GOP.

When you look for the bad in mankind, expecting to find it, you surely will.

- Abraham Lincoln.

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by: Fritz @ Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 17:39:36 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Seriously?

"Palin is killing the GOP"?

That's a lot of power to imbue one woman with.  Let's not make her a scapegoat for years of Republican idiocy.  She's more the nail in the coffin.

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by: Fannie @ Sat Jul 11, 2009 at 10:40:43 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Those waders

were at Cabela's at most 15 minutes before that interview.  Her's AND TAWD's

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by: PSzymeczek @ Sat Jul 11, 2009 at 19:58:50 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Thats the problem with isms....

...they are definitions painted with broad strokes and wildly subjective.

I wouldn't think it to be an act of sexism to claim her voice was shrill, anymore than I would consider it an act of Xenophobia because I couldn't stand JarJar Binks.

Ron Paul was teased for being old, Romney was praised for his good looks, McCain for being old, grumpy and crotchety, Bush for being stupid and looking like a fool on a nearly constant basis, Gore for appearing void of emotion or apathy, Obama for his big ears and constant use of the word "um", Clinton for his accent and particular movements, Palin for her intelligence and the fact that she decorated her house with dead animals (so classy), Hillary for appearing to be a bitchy ice queen. The problem is that everyone is judged for superficial reasons, that will never change. To try and fight it is really pointless, its part of who we are as people.

There are SO MANY other points that would have been better used to illustrate her mindset than her voice or clothing. The article could have been 5 times as along and still never would have had to resort to comments on such inane details.

We have to make sure that we are not automatically labeling criticism, no matter how invalid we see it, as an "ism". All this does is shut the conversation down. There is a very real difference between "That stupid woman should stay at home and cook, not be running for president in that hideous outfit" compared to "Why the hell would she wear a dead animal over her shoulder?"

I fear, as a society, we have been taught to repeal any and all criticism by claiming it an ism, when it most often is not.  

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by: SpartanofAuburn @ Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 23:06:58 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

On "isms"

I know, I know.  It's worse to be called sexist, racist, homophobic, etc. than it is to actually be any of those things. (/sarcasm)

I knew that calling Jackson's comments "sexist" would probably raise objections here, but too often the LGBT and Leftist communities let sexism aimed at conservative/Republican women go unchecked.   Many of the (mostly) men here object that the comments were sexist at all.  But, what I want you to understand is that men have a long history of denigrating and dismissing the qualifications of strong women solely because of the "pitch" of their "annoying" voices, their attire, and their looks.  

Jackson's commentary was sexist because he was using these irrelevancies to make a case that Palin was not qualified for office likely stemming from stereotypes about how a woman should act and what a woman should wear.  There is a strong case that can be made about Palin's lack of qualifications, but Jackson did not make it here.  His criticism was a snarky piece more apt for US Weekly than it was serious political thought.  I think most reasonable people could agree on that, regardless of whether they believe his commentary was "sexist."

Furthermore, yes, we all know that men get criticized for their looks too.  However, when people criticize men for their physical characteristics, people don't use these "critiques" as evidence that the man is unsuitable for the job.  It's more like "oh, what a dork," but the assumption is usually that he's qualified regardless of the fact that he has bad hair, wears shit-covered cowboy boots, etc.  

We need to make sure we don't automatically dismiss criticism that ends in "ism" just because it ends in "ism" and, therefore, makes people defensive.

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by: Fannie @ Sat Jul 11, 2009 at 10:55:36 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

John Edwards

Was also called a "pretty boy".

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by: PSzymeczek @ Sat Jul 11, 2009 at 20:00:15 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Who?

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by: Pollyanna @ Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 17:56:46 PM CDT

WWLJD?

What would Levi Johnston Do?  He's saying now he wouldn't vote for Sarah after she abandoned  Alaska.  And gee, like, he's pretty intimate with that family (or was).  He also says he thinks she's looking for big money in a book deal (maybe it'll be syndicated in Soap Opera Digest).

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by: Passionforprog @ Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 22:02:42 PM CDT

Just maybe

he would know.

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by: PSzymeczek @ Sat Jul 11, 2009 at 20:01:33 PM CDT

[ Parent ]