Sarah Palin is a detriment to the efforts of feminists in many ways, but one way seems to literally take center stage in her speeches. A couple of days ago, at a rally in Maine, she said: “It’s so great to be here in the state that has elected Sen. Margaret Chase Smith, has elected Sen. Olympia Snowe and Sen. Susan Collins,” she said. “Maine, you all know something about those cracks in the glass ceiling, but the women of America aren’t finished yet. Maine, with your help this November we are going to shatter once and for all that final glass ceiling.”
Either she has unintentionally revealed her low confidence in the health of John McCain, or the shattering of the "final glass ceiling", according to Palin, is for a woman to achieve the office of Vice President of the United States. In her mind, that doesn't leave any potential remaining aspirations. Mission accomplished.
She has said it many times, and each time I expect Joe Lieberman to ease up behind her and whisper in her ear, after which she'd turn to the microphone and say, "Second highest... I meant to say the second highest glass ceiling." But Joe never appears, and her message never changes. If she keeps it up, it may be Hillary who winds up tapping her on the shoulder with something to say, and not Joe Lieberman. Seriously, Sarah, have you been putting cracks in a glass ceiling, or crack in a glass pipe?
What Hillary Clinton already achieved in the primary is more significant than what Palin is seeking. When Hillary got votes, they were votes for her, and to be POTUS, no less. Those votes represent a very positive trend in the collective consciousness of the country.
For Palin to achieve the vice presidency, it would be largely because people voted for John McCain. By what stretch of the imagination could that be called a crowning achievement for women?
It would be somewhat different if McCain had picked a more qualified woman, and that woman was widely seen as someone who was partially to be credited for his success. Instead, the prevailing attitude is that Palin is an increasing liability to his campaign's chances. If it's a step for women, I fear it's a step in the wrong direction. How he managed to pick a woman who gets low favorability ratings among other women, I'll never know.
Do we, in this election, have an option to shatter that "final glass ceiling" as Palin suggests? Not hardly. Is that a possibility in the near future? Thanks to Hillary we know it is. This time, however, Palin needs to worry less about the glass ceiling, and more about the glass slippers she's wearing. It's almost midnight, Cinderella, and people are quickly figuring out that you don't belong at the ball. Yes, even in Kansas, one of the "pro-America areas of this great nation." Take it from me, Joe the Planner.
She has said it many times, and each time I expect Joe Lieberman to ease up behind her and whisper in her ear, after which she'd turn to the microphone and say, "Second highest... I meant to say the second highest glass ceiling." But Joe never appears, and her message never changes. If she keeps it up, it may be Hillary who winds up tapping her on the shoulder with something to say, and not Joe Lieberman. Seriously, Sarah, have you been putting cracks in a glass ceiling, or crack in a glass pipe?
What Hillary Clinton already achieved in the primary is more significant than what Palin is seeking. When Hillary got votes, they were votes for her, and to be POTUS, no less. Those votes represent a very positive trend in the collective consciousness of the country.
For Palin to achieve the vice presidency, it would be largely because people voted for John McCain. By what stretch of the imagination could that be called a crowning achievement for women?
It would be somewhat different if McCain had picked a more qualified woman, and that woman was widely seen as someone who was partially to be credited for his success. Instead, the prevailing attitude is that Palin is an increasing liability to his campaign's chances. If it's a step for women, I fear it's a step in the wrong direction. How he managed to pick a woman who gets low favorability ratings among other women, I'll never know.
Do we, in this election, have an option to shatter that "final glass ceiling" as Palin suggests? Not hardly. Is that a possibility in the near future? Thanks to Hillary we know it is. This time, however, Palin needs to worry less about the glass ceiling, and more about the glass slippers she's wearing. It's almost midnight, Cinderella, and people are quickly figuring out that you don't belong at the ball. Yes, even in Kansas, one of the "pro-America areas of this great nation." Take it from me, Joe the Planner.
2 comments:
I cannot get enough of Erik's commentary. Keep it coming! :)
Erik- this is really great... one of the better commentaries that I've read on Palin. You should submit to KC Star as an editorial!
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