The Straight-Shooting Governor
[BB 617, Odd, 6 Sept 2008, 765 words]
I wasn’t going to talk about presidential politics for a long while, especially since mu prediction last year ago of a Giuliani / Hillary Clinton race, with America’s Mayor winning narrowly. Wow, did I miss the mark on that one.
Wednesday of this week I got a call from a young woman who said she was a pollster for the Democratic Party of North Carolina. After a little back and forth, I was satisfied that this was a real poll, and I answered her questions.
The fact that she didn’t ask any demographic questions at the end raised doubts about the legitimacy of the call. A pollster should ask questions about whether I voted in past elections and which ones, to determine whether I’m a likely voter. She should have asked my age, education, and income level, among other questions which allow calculation of how representative the responders to a poll are, as a group. But that’s not what I came to talk about.
The lady’s money question was, “If the election were held today, would you vote for Barack Obama or John McCain?” I said, “Neither one. I have good reasons for opposing both of them. Different reasons, of course.” She was puzzled, and after a pause, said, “Well, who WOULD you vote for?” I said, “Governor Sarah Palin. But to get her I have to vote for McCain.”
About two months ago, I read a fairly thorough biography of Sarah Palin. I’ve been discussing on the Net with other political junkies which candidates might be not just an ordinary, but extraordinary choice for McCain’s Vice President. In the semi-privacy of those on-line discussions, I said I’d favor Gov. Palin as the best choice. I never put that in my column. The odds were so long I thought I’d just embarrass myself. Again.
I’m not going to describe any details of her remarkable career. If you’re interested, that’s all available on the Net. While you’re looking that up, look up the background of a gentleman who was elected back in the 30s. The highest and most responsible position he held before becoming President was two years as Governor of New York. His name was Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
What is both unprecedented and pathetic in this election is the level of just plain garbage being directed at Governor Palin and her family, especially on the Net. Going back to my days as a Professor for night school students, I’m a firm believer in the see-it-for-yourself theory of learning as opposed to the here’s-how-it-is theory.
When you hear any criticism or question about Sarah Palin, ask yourself these two questions: First, was a question asked that hasn’t been, wouldn’t be, asked of male candidates for the same office? Example: What about the ankle-biters on the Net and even some people who pretend to be reporters, who ask whether it is wrong for her to run for Vice President while having five children?
When was the last time any male candidate with children was asked that question? I’ll wait while you think on it. Yep, the answer is never. That means questions like this are bigoted against women as candidates, especially women running for high office.
Secondly, is this a question being asked of a Republican / conservative candidate that hasn’t been, wouldn’t be, asked of a Democrat / liberal candidate for the same office? If you want an apples with apples comparison, look at questions raised today with Sarah Palin, and recall whether the same questions were asked of the only other woman who ran for Vice President, Geraldine Ferarro in 1984.
You’ll probably have to look that up. Being a political junkie, I remember that campaign. Heck, I was there when a woman was nominated for President at a major party convention. That was Margaret Chase Smith. In the Republican Convention in 1964, in San Francisco. (Yes, I’m older than dirt.)
If you see a question like that, it is not bigoted against women, it is only bigoted against Republicans and conservatives.
I think by using those comparative methods, you’ll identify a great amount of bigotry in the coverage of Governor Palin. If so, you can rightly conclude that these sort of personal attacks are the last refuge of people who want to attack, but have no real issues to raise. The great English Prime Minister, Lady Margaret Thatcher made that observation, long ago. She was right.
Because this election is going to be the journalistic equivalent of a tornado in a trailer park, I hope these suggestions will help you cut through the flying debris in 2008.
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About the Author: John Armor practiced law in the US Supreme Court for 33 years. He now lives in Highlands, NC, and is working on a book on Thomas Paine. John_Armor@aya.yale.edu
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Here’s Meg.
Wonder if she’ll throw us a little red meat. :)
Thank you for the preview, John, great column and I love your answer to the “pollster” about choosing McCain to vote for Sarah.
Right there with ya, hoss!
excellent essay John! (’er BillyBob)