Why I declare little ol' Freepers, why ya'll worryin' over that Washington DC place?
Posted on 11/09/2009 8:59:20 AM PST by rabscuttle385
Based on the media’s treatment of Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin, Meghan McCain asks: Will we ever have a female politician who is good enough to lead?
BY MEGHAN MCCAIN
I have admired Hillary Clinton for years. Though we disagree on nearly everything politically, I respect the barriers she has broken as a woman in American politics, and what she’s had to go through to get there. Those “18 million cracks in the glass ceiling” will hopefully make other women’s journeys in politics easier in the future, but sometimes I am not so sure.
During her years in the White House, Hillary Clinton redefined what it meant to be first lady. She was involved with policy meetings and decisions her husband made—something that is still controversial to this day. Hillary was either a pioneer or overstepped her boundaries as first lady, depending on who you talk to. Since leaving the White House, she became the first former first lady to be elected to the Senate and the first appointed to another administration’s Cabinet. Admittedly, it has been a complicated and somewhat controversial first year as secretary of State. Then again, to be a powerful woman in politics is to be controversial.
Perhaps the most famous incident in her tenure was the day she snapped at a student in the Congo after a question was mistranslated and she was asked what President Clinton thought about an issue rather than President Obama. “My husband is not the secretary of State, I am,” she roared back. “You ask me my opinion, I will give you my opinion, I won’t be channeling my husband.”
When I first saw the video, I thought she was great and reacted as strongly as any man would. After all, she is the secretary of State and for someone to ask her spouse’s opinion is ridiculous, even if the translator misspoke. In retrospect, I wish she had kept her cool, because the incident only seemed to confirm what misogynists have said for years—women are too unstable to hold positions of power.
I myself straddle the line between political commentator and a member of the political universe (in the sense that I have campaigned and know what it’s like to be in the trenches when you’re under fire) and it’s not easy being a woman. But it’s a dilemma that I and every woman of my generation face. We want to be involved in politics—perhaps even run for office—but it’s a steep price to pay. One day there will be a woman president, we are all told as little girls. You too can be a congresswoman or senator. But the reality of today is that to do so, you have to give up so much, in a way that is never asked of a man, and I believe running for office has become less and less appealing for women.
In fact, it’s gotten so ugly out there that two of the most prominent women in politics—Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin—have become verbs: Candidates now regularly get “Hillary Clintoned” or “Sarah Palined” in the media. Misogyny works on both sides of the aisle.
The brutal criticism of Sarah Palin—which will only increase when her memoir comes out—is yet another example of the double standard and cruel treatment of women in politics. Sarah has been attacked for everything from her hair to her clothes to the number of children she gave birth to. Maureen Dowd even nicknamed her “Caribou Barbie.” I can’t even begin to think of what that kind of judgment—criticizing parts of your life that have nothing to do with what you stand for or want to accomplish politically—feels like.
Through it all, the example both Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin set is so admirable. I respect any woman who will go out there and run for office. Maybe it’s a cliché, but no matter how many differences I may have with a woman politically, there is still a sense of kinship I feel for a woman in politics.
But having seen female candidates attacked on the right and the left, why would any woman my age ever feel inspired to run for office? What kind of example has the media set for my generation of women? I struggle with this. I don’t have ambitions to run for office—I have already done enough campaigning for one lifetime—but I already have a pretty good idea of what it would feel like. I have often wondered how the media would react if it were my brother writing these columns and speaking out on behalf of moderate Republicans. I can pretty much bet that his weight wouldn’t have been an issue.
So yes, Sarah Palin is a woman with five children and her physical appearance is deemed “too beautiful for politics.” And on the other end, Hillary Clinton is criticized for not being beautiful enough, for being “too tough” in the man’s world that she resides.
It seems to me the male-dominated media suffers from a Goldilocks Syndrome that keeps women from shattering the glass ceiling. Worse, I fear it will prevent tomorrow’s female leaders from even seeking office.
This one is too hard. This one is too soft. Who will ever be just right?
Meghan McCain is a columnist for The Daily Beast. Originally from Phoenix, she graduated from Columbia University in 2007. She is a New York Times bestselling children's author, previously wrote for Newsweek magazine, and created the Web site mccainblogette.com.
She latched onto Bill and rode him to the top. She tossed aside her self respect when dealing with Bill and "little Willie", only getting truly upset when his philandering became public and threatened their/her path to power.
Amen - it makes us look bad, because it is bad. THere’s enough message to focus on and dissect (hell- it’s fish in a barrel really) that the ‘insult the looks’ crap deflates the criticism of her
I dont think that I want to think about this sow straddling anything. Just not a pretty image
lowest IQ on record?
Hillary was elected to NY Senator simply because of her husband being President. She had no other acccomplishment based on her activities.
Now Sarah Palin was elected to School board, city mayor member of a commission, governor. Tht is more accomplishment then all the other 2008 candidates.
Hillary was elected to NY Senator simply because of her husband being President. She had no other acccomplishment based on her activities.
Now Sarah Palin was elected to School board, city mayor member of a commission, governor. Tht is more accomplishment then all the other 2008 candidates.
“lowest IQ on record?”
She is not a mental giant in the Stanford-Benet department, but Sheila Jackson Lee trumps them all
About 10 years ago on C-SPAN........
“Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the 4th Amendment to the Constitution! “
The laughter was deafening ;-)
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1109/29307.html
This is just a sly way for Huck to disparage Palin, an obvious big potential rival in 2012.
Guess you didn't want to leave it go at that, and of course no gym time either. huh.
Fine.
Well ad hominem is being applied as a technique, y'know.
Often the perfect, if not only response to imbecilic comment(s) meriting little more.
That, after "logic and reason" is missed?
And c'mon let's try being honest, pal. Any "logic and reason" in this case would be YOUR logic and reason.
You apparently would not, did not and won't accept mine. huh.
R. L. Heinlein described people like you to a 'T', I paraphrase: "He was the type who'd hit himself in the head with a hammer, because it felt so good when it was over." >doink<
Ad hominem indeed. LOL
lol.
What about the flag on Mars?
The Mothership?
...
Mehgan only wishes that was her.
AMEN!!
I *have* been paying attention, thanks for the reminder though.
Couldn't help noticing a few 'round here seem to have forgotten who's on whose side, eh?
Imagine: coming to this forum to defend a single word out of the mouth of MMcLame. Good grief. WTH's happened to the neighborhood. LOL
I've a notion not even a 3 credit crash course in Enemy Identification would help some of the shills, dolts & especially the knuckleheads with skulls of solid bone. LOL
Meghan,
It would appear that you are too America-centric, not something I ever thought you would be accused of. Did you forget about Margret Thatcher of England, Angela Merkle of Germany, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia, Indira Ghandi of India and Corazon Aquino of the Phillipines? Not all leaders who I agreed with, but all formidable politicians in their own right.
Having conveniently forgotten all of these successful office holders I will assume that you will pass by Condelezza Rice and write you next glowing tribute to Nancy Pelosi.
“What about the flag on Mars?
The Mothership?”
Ahem.......... ;-)
And if not, why not?
Meghan McCain, Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin - a mutual admiration society, LOL!
“Hillary left 18 million cracks in the glass ceiling of America. It turns out that the women of America aren’t finished yet and we can shatter that glass ceiling once and for all!”
-Sarah Palin
TEXAS ALERT Now is the time to ditch those blankety-blank liberal Texas lawmakers. The arrogance of Sheila Jackson Lee, rudely talking on her cell phone, as a cancer survivor spoke at a townhall agaionst ObamaCare. To add insult to injury she planted a fake doctor in the audience who endorsed the ObamaCare atrocity.
Jackson Lee embraces "doctor" Roxana Mayer, a "general practitioner for the last four years." Except of course she's a fake, an Obama plant. Mayer is a former Texas delegate for Obama, whose name is proudly listed on Obama's campaign web page. Mayer doesn't even live in Jackson Lee's district.
=======================================================
NOTE WELL Keep in mind that elected officials are held to a higher legal authority---what is acceptable behavior for citizens might be a crime for elected legislators under oath of office.
ITEM If Roxana Mayer colluded with Jackson Lee to use a false identity, so as to flim-flam constituents, that could be actionable. The imposter, Roxana Mayer, is a former Texas delegate for Obama, whose name is listed on Obama's campaign web page. Mayer doesn't even live in Jackson Lee's district. This should be reported to the FBI.
WORKING THESIS It appears Jackson Lee colluded to deceive constituents and facilitated ID theft. The FBI should interrogate Jackson Lee to determine if Roxana Mayer received anything of value to pull off the deception---money, jobs, political cover to facilitate the deception, and whether they colluded to misuse Congessional influence.
FBI TIP PAGE http://tips.fbi.gov/ (you may remain anonymous)
POSSIBLE CHARGES FACED BY JACKSON LEE Official acts prohibited, misuse of Congressional funds, abuse of public office, violating oath of office, misuse of government position, abuse of government power; conflict of interest; influence buying; conspiracy to deceive; misuse of elective office, collusion, conspiracy to collude.
Lee's official campaign finance records filed with the FEC, and state election commission, should be scrutinized for possible violations. Determine if names of Lee's contributors are legit and whether Lee illegally used campaign funds, and whether Lee received campaign contributions to influence Conressional votes.
Jackson Lee and Obama may have colluded with Mayer and agreed to give her something of value, a govt gratuity, a job, etc, in exchange for her impersonation.
FBI TIP PAGE http://tips.fbi.gov/ (you may remain anonymous)
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"Make that three double pepperoni pizzas, four gallons of Pepsi,
and three loaves of garlic bread. And deliver it in 10 minutes, after
I get rid of these annoying constituents. I'm starved. "
How are those socialized countries doing now days?
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