Palin Reignites The Culture War

Newsweek Web Exclusive

« Return to Article

Discuss

Member Comments

  • Posted By: Lorikeet @ 10/05/2008 4:53:56 PM

    I find this election scarier than Richard Nixon's! Our country is up to its eyeballs in an unwinnable war, economic problems that will ripple throughout the world, and terrorists that will probably test who gets in immediately by attacking the USA again and soon after inauguration day!. If this is the best we can do for leadership in a country that has always prided itself on equal access to education, then we are in deep trouble! Is folksiness enough to get elected? Is elitism enough? Why doesn't everyone ask the right question--Are you better off now than you were 8 years ago? Because we all know the answer! An election should be about the issues and not about who looks good in a skirt!

  • Posted By: Delaware grandmom @ 10/05/2008 4:17:44 PM

    When did the Republicans become the Joe Six pack party? Historically, they have always represented big business and big money. When did the Democrats become elitists? They have always been working class, first generation citizens and newly educated, rather than coming from a long line of Yalies. Both Bush and McCain were legacies within their respective universities (Yale and Annapolis), rather than earning their way in. Instead of summering in exotic playgrounds, Joe Biden worked summers for his Catholic high school as a way of paying his tuition since his parents could not afford it. That's about as symbolic of the real American character as you can get.

  • Posted By: stingray48 @ 10/05/2008 3:23:44 PM

    These two 82 year old ladies nailed it:

    http://margaretandhelen.wordpress.com/

  • Posted By: stingray48 @ 10/05/2008 3:22:43 PM

    These two 82 year old ladies nailed it:

    http://margaretandhelen.wordpress.com/

  • Posted By: C. MacLean @ 10/05/2008 3:12:00 PM

    Her Everywoman act plays well? Not where I come from.

    If she was running as Head Cheerleader she'd be a shoe-in. But she's running for VP. Calling the average American Joe SixPack makes us sound like beer-swilling idiots. I find that condescending and patronizing, which, I believe, is the very essence of elitism.

    She doesn't represent the average American, she represents the mediocrity.

    There is nothing about her Everywoman act that plays well.

  • Posted By: fortherecord89 @ 10/05/2008 3:06:47 PM

    So, let's see:

    We have Obama and Biden--- accomplished students, attorneys, legislators, fathers and husbands, Then we have McCain and Palin --- both poor students and mediocre politicians. McCain was a failed pilot who sat out the Vietnam War , then committed adultery and divorced his injured wife. Palin drove a small town into the financial toilet and believes that abstinence only sex education works (right Bristol?) There seems to be plenty of Kool-Aid to go aroung for the McCain-Palin supporters.

  • Posted By: rwelsh @ 10/05/2008 2:59:30 PM

    Somewhere in Alaska a village is missing an IDIOT!!!!!!! Bush in a dress.

  • Posted By: DUNIMUS1 @ 10/05/2008 2:20:57 PM

    Ask someone why they support McCain/Palin, they really don't can't tell you much of anything. To support more of the same policies of the past eight years I question the mental capacity of those who in wanting more of the same are saying they would rather see a bankrupt America than a real opportunity for our Country's growth, posperity, and respect in the world community. You can disagree with Obama. Fine, BUT why the distain, ungliness, and lies? What is really at the heart of your contempt???

  • Posted By: Cantabrigian @ 10/05/2008 2:08:31 PM

    NOBAMA has been on the campaign trail with his song and dance routine for the past two years, so he has his shtick down pat! However, his resume is thinner than Sarah Pallin's and this was also the case with Hillary Clinton. However, the media clearly want this man to win . . . and he formed the VP committee.

  • Posted By: SportinLife @ 10/05/2008 2:01:12 PM

    "She's short on facts, but she has command of phrases ("We're mavericks!") and she strings them together with good effect." Good grief, is that enough to be on a Presidential ticket these days? The McCain campaign has real contempt for the voters. They will not discuss the issues; they will not make a positive case for themselves. Instead, it's all about the attack ads and the crazy stunts designed to appeal to those who aren't paying much attention.

  • Posted By: Douvie @ 10/05/2008 1:35:12 PM

    It is a shame that intellect is discounted as elitism, usually by the intellectually challenged. I would prefer a Palin who at least read a book now and then. Maybe then she would realize how unqualified she is. What is astounding, however, is how bright conservatives hail her as Ronald Reagan in pumps. Shame on them for being so dishonest.

    • Posted By: Mimi13 @ 10/05/2008 1:48:21 PM

      It's long been a problem for ambitious minority youth that in some communities doing well in school is considered "acting white." I am dismayed to realize that even the majority culture can disparage "acting white" these days. It's not what my parents taught me. It's not what I'm teaching my son. When and why have so many people given up on gaining a better life for themselves and their children?

  • Posted By: lamb413 @ 10/05/2008 10:17:30 AM

    Mrs. Palin's "Everywoman act plays well..." for one group and one group only. We all know it. Mrs. Palin does not represent me. There is nothing about Mrs. Palin that I admire -- her culture or her politics.

    Mrs. Palin is an embarrassment to me, as an American and I feel that she will be an embarrassment to America if she were to become vice president or president of our country. WE ARE SO MUCH BETTER THAN WHAT SHE REPRESENTS!

    • Posted By: revarg @ 10/05/2008 10:47:54 AM

      looking from the outside in and trust me many coutries around the world that have gotten over racism are watching, this looks so sad. americans would rather risk putting their beloved country in the hands of more of the same with sen mccain and gov palin than start the change from the bottm up with sen obama and sen biden. this make your famous phase "only in america can this happen" so fake.

      • Posted By: Thersites @ 10/05/2008 10:54:34 AM

        Yes it is sad, that a mixed race woman like myself cannot walk to the library in certain locals without being spit on and threatened by black men who hate Mexicans! Very sad state of affairs indeed!

        • Posted By: revarg @ 10/05/2008 11:33:39 AM

          it is obvious your mind is made up and you are progrom to think some one like you will never be good enough to run for higher office, so please be fair when talking about each candidate role with the mess of last month.they all had their hands in the cookie jar.look at other facts like the war, the economy, healthcare. and like i said its better to hear you prefer more of the same because you can't stand the fact of a black man in your white house, than to bring one sided claims...

      • Posted By: Thersites @ 10/05/2008 11:03:00 AM

        I don't care if he's black, green, or purple! Once again, with his hand caught in the Fannie and Freddie cookie jar, do you really think that this lying and equivocating MESS is fit to be president?

        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zz2nHgtMX-I&eurl=http://mrssatan.blogspot.com/2008/06/obama-stammering-and-stuttering-more.html

        • Posted By: revarg @ 10/05/2008 11:17:48 AM

          no but the honesty of mccain and palin is am sure.....

  • Posted By: SurroundedinDC @ 10/05/2008 9:26:27 AM

    Granite Stater - I'm glad to see you've got your pulse on the "eyes of the world" enough to know they now think American women are "dummied down". Sarah Palin is no dummy. She rose, on her own, without a rich husband, without a politically entrenched family background - on her own - to become governor of Alaska with a high approval rating. She may not be what you like, but she's no dummy. Regardless of whether all women agree with her policies or like her personality, she should be celebrated for her accomplishments. Lefties are very tolerant of people unless they have different opinions. And then of course those people with different opinions are dumb, unenlightened, backward, etc, etc etc.

    • Posted By: be_extreme @ 10/05/2008 9:52:43 AM

      Certainly not dunb per se but only able to speak through preparation and not able to show any depth on the fly. Not dumb but has not shown very much if any competence to think on the fly as leader needs to be able to do.

      • Posted By: lamb413 @ 10/05/2008 10:34:44 AM

        Come on now! Mrs. Palin did not rise in politics ON HER OWN! From her PTA moment to governor, she had the help of politicians. Facts!!!! And, FACTS - she kicked them to the curb once she obtained what she wanted! Do the research -- you will find out a lot about Mrs. Palin!

    • Posted By: be_extreme @ 10/05/2008 9:49:59 AM

      She has proven to be able to deliver compelling prepared oratories without depth and sunstance. She has confidence but has not yet exhibited competence. She has been shielded to hide those deficiencies while McCain's straight talk express has been not so straight and is using rhetoric and manipulation in their campaign to try to get votes. I am encouraged by the polls although they are after all just polls that more are recognizing that the Republicans do not have a very strong ticket that encompasses all of our pressing issues of the day and will not bring change!

    • Posted By: Chappaqua Ron @ 10/05/2008 9:35:06 AM

      "Surrounded in DC" cannot possibly be worse than being among the conservative Republican minority surrounded in Chappaqua, NY, the nominal home of Bill and Hillary and now a hot bed of Barry the One kool aid drinkers.

      • Posted By: SurroundedinDC @ 10/05/2008 9:48:37 AM

        Don't worry. Messiah will stop the oceans from rising, begin to heal the sick, and provide good jobs for the first time. We're in good hands with The One.

  • Posted By: Thersites @ 10/05/2008 10:29:35 AM

    Hopefully Biden steals and hides the button, if Obama is elected!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyfyJMOR90A&feature=related

  • Posted By: Annie84 @ 10/05/2008 10:11:11 AM

    I loved it at the VP Debate when you asked Joe Biden if you could call him Joe. He seemed a little flustered, as though the Prettiest Girl in High School had just asked him to the Prom. And, by the way, may I call you Sarah? May 2009 see you and John McCain in The White House!

  • Posted By: Mariann Pepitone @ 10/05/2008 10:05:00 AM

    Surrounddedin: Are you aware of that fact that Obama being called the Messiah is an abomination of God. The American people must be lost in the fog somewhere. There is only one God and he's not Obama.

  • Posted By: Annie84 @ 10/05/2008 10:03:17 AM

    To Sarah Palin --

    I loved it when you asked Joe Biden if you could call him "Joe"? It shook him as though you were the prettiest girl High School asking him to the Prom. Oh, and by the way, can I call you Sarah. Good luck to all the Mavericks!

    Posted by: Annie84 @ 10/05/08

  • Posted By: Legalese @ 10/04/2008 10:04:53 PM

    Well I guarantee you she wasn't acting the Everywoman in San Antonio-we were so disappointed because we drove 100 miles to see her (she was attending a fundraiser in San Antonio) and we thought we would at least have a chance to greet her or have her acknowledge us-she didn't and we were a group of women! Either they didn't let her because they were afraid she would say something and would have to retract it or she didn't want to-anyhow, we found out later that the dinner wasn't worth the 1,000 people paid to get in to see her-because she wasn't allowed to visit with them either! I guess Sarah and her team didn't think our little group of women are important to her-so be it however, there were plenty of us that decided that afternoon we would send a message to her and McCain come voting time. McCain and Palin a message for you from the women waiting in the hot sun to see Sarah Palin-"Fool me once shame on you fool me twice shame on ME!..."

    • Posted By: AverageJoe61 @ 10/04/2008 10:54:54 PM

      Interesting... In a presidential election with millions of voters, you are going to punish a canidate who was unable to meet you personally. Get real. From your comment, I would venture a guess that you weren't seriously considering a vote in that direction anyway,

      • Posted By: be_extreme @ 10/05/2008 9:34:20 AM

        Hey Average Joe...It wasn't that she wanted to meet personally more than a question as to why she was not ALLOWED to interact with any one at a fund raiser...strange way to run an open straight talking campain ?!?!?

  • Posted By: nygirl52 @ 10/05/2008 9:11:49 AM

    Unless you have forgotten this election is not based on "SEX". I did not see that as one of the issues. Just because she is a woman does not mean anything to me. I am a woman also but believe she is a "JOKE" of the highest class, or should I say the lowest class. Winking, calling one by thier first name, and "you betcha's" just don't light my fire. This an election for someone to be in charge of the United States, not the local soccer/hockey team. Get with it people, McCain's ploy has backfired and backfired big time . It is time to elect a Real President, and Vice-President. Go OBAMA/BIDEN

    • Posted By: Chappaqua Ron @ 10/05/2008 9:22:34 AM

      Barry the One, in his debate with John McCain, kept referring to Senator McCain as "John". Also, we are not electing a community organizer. Perhaps you would like to revise you comments.

  • Posted By: nygirl52 @ 10/05/2008 9:19:53 AM

    Have we forgotten this election is not about SEX. This an election that will elect the person who will run our country. Winking, and "you betch's just don't get me pumped. Just because she is a woman,{as I am } doesa not mean she deserves to be VP. She is a JOKE. She is no Hiliary, she does not even compare in the least. If McCain is so much of an "AMERICAN" why would he pick someone like her to be his VP? There are plenty of other qualified women {I think} in the Republican party. She is just a heartbeat away from being Pres. If he wins. How scary is that. Will she wink at our terrorist countries and their leaders, and think all will be Okay? Come on people this a "REAL" election. We cannot take it back after 11/4/08. Go OBAMA/BIDEN

Reply

Report Abuse

Enter comments if any for reporting abuse