The New Republic

It is especially sexist to single out Hillary as a whiner since the McCain campaign has let us know that we are a "nation of whiners."

- rozenson

August 30, 2008 at 1:13pm

I think women are about as likely to support Palin because she's a woman as blacks have been to support Alan Keyes because he's black. A few maybe, but not enough to matter.

- ramboorider

August 30, 2008 at 1:17pm

The Daily Show's Samantha Bee satirized this perfectly.  After saying that she would support Palin because she had a vagina and boobies, Stewart pointed out her policy differences, and Bee said, "Hey, don't tax my lady brain!"  The choice should be seen as insulting to women.

- jhildner

August 30, 2008 at 1:33pm

Forget the whiner quote, check out Steny Hoyer calling her "worse than Dan Quayle". Number 9 on the list to the right. Incredible.

- colinshelly

August 30, 2008 at 1:33pm

You know, I watched the video, and although it might incense Hillary supporters, she does have a point.  

Basically she was saying that, yes, the bias is there, the media is not being fair to Hillary, but that it doesn't do her any good to whine about it, nor does it do any good for the advancement of women in general.  

(Now, of course, just as in so many other of these type of statements in politics, the merits don't really matter -- just the backlash and media firestorm).  

- flynnb_az

August 30, 2008 at 2:09pm

jhildner, thank you for that laugh.

I feel insulted and I try hard not to be a huffy feminazi.  But this just insults at that level so deeply.  Now too that the semiotics are coming through more vividly and the overt sexual overtones become clearer, well - wow.

Am I out there?  

I don't think so.  That part doesn't surprise me and if I spent my lfe worrying about horny men in power being idiots, I'd have no life.  The problem is thinking we "women" will not mind this, we'll be so blinded by gender illness and desperation.  (someone bring me the smelling salts).  I want Kay Bailey Hutchinson to stand in front of the White House today shouting attica or something.  

I hope someone is writing a book or movie about all this ala Primary Colors.

- Wandreycer1

August 30, 2008 at 2:18pm

Manna ... between Gramm and Palin, you have the next Democratic ad.

- icarusr

August 30, 2008 at 2:24pm

Hoyer's comment may come back to haunt him.  Look, we really DON'T know how she will do at this point.  Frankly, neither does John McCain, whose total due vetting appears to have been limited to confirming that she has a vagina and an anti-choice record.  BUT, her "whine" comment was preceded by the modifier "perceived" and in her limited appearances, she isn't nearly as stupid-sounding as Quayle.

Look, her resume is paper thin, much thinner than Obamas.  Further, unlike Obama she hasn't been tested in any way.  Obama has been under the national microscope for 4 years.  We know how he reacts, how he decides, how he thinks.  We have no idea how she will do given her lack of resume, both academic and professional.  However, lets not confuse lack of resume with lack of abilities.  Obama appears to understand that in his response to her.  Better to let her either fail or fade on the campaign trail, but let's NOT keep her in the news by setting up low expectations for her which she darn well may be able to exceed.

The way to go after this is to point out that she is MORE extreme than Bush, and rather than reversing Bush's course would actually push even harder in the wrong direction.  Rather than temper McCain, she would actually encourage him in his most dangerous instincts.  Let's not denigrate her because of her resume, because each time you do you give her an opportunity to (1) exceed expectations, (2) claim that Democrats are elitists who disrespect achievements outside eastern states and Ivy universities, and (3) that Republicans are less sexist than Democrats.  Come on guys, we should be pissed about this pick because of how manipulative and dangerous it MIGHT be, but we have to campaign against it effectively, NOT play into the game.  Obama has the right idea.

- aharris61

August 30, 2008 at 2:29pm

Ditto aharris. This is evidence that McCain doesn't understand the people he's trying to pander to.

Hillary lost because she wasn't actually particularly qualified (being married to a great politician is not a qualification unless he dies and you serve out his term), and because she ran a ridiculously shambolic campaign. Palin was right, and she will probably bring something to the table.

Best strategy is to follow the leader here--Obama has handled this perfectly so far.

- Robert Powell

August 30, 2008 at 2:46pm

What aharris61 said.

This lack-of-qualification meme being pushed by Democrats could very well become counterproductive. This move by McCain must be handled with caution or it plays into his hand. Please, do not underestimate how the power of perceived condescension can turn a presidential election. A few thousand protest-votes in a couple of swing states is all it takes.

Belittle this woman to our peril. Obama-Bidden is a better ticket than McCain-Palin, everything being equal. There's no need to play the petty condescending hand the GOP is hoping for.

- scrubbyoak

August 30, 2008 at 3:08pm

I agree with flynnb_az about the video clip. I don't see anything wrong with what she said -- yes, there is a bias and it may be unfair, but it doesn't really help to complain about it. If you take a 5 second clip you can distort her meaning, but I hate it when Republican attack trolls do that, and I'd prefer we follow a higher path. Plenty of other, more valid criticisms to make.

Ditto ditto aharris.

- JEFF FREY

August 30, 2008 at 3:29pm

Let's forget about the politics of this choice.  I agree, this is good politics, but can anyone, particulary with the all the bashing of Obama over Foreign Policy, can anyone seriously look anyone in the eye and say (that if GOD forbid something happened to McCain if he were to become President, and I don't mean death per se, let's say he somehow was shot like Reagan) that Sarah Palin is qualified to take over.

To put it in another way, if something were to happen to McCain or Obama if either became President,  Who would you want to answer that "3a.m. call"? Joe Biden or Sarah Palin?  Please be honest, and no spin or talking points.

- lamh31

August 30, 2008 at 6:08pm

Another ditto to what aharris said.  Watching the clip of her CBS interview, I thought Palin sounded smart, authentic, responsive, down-to earth common sensical.  The polar opposite of Dan Quayle who always came off as a lame-brained golf pro trying to fake it.  We will underestimate her at our peril.  If we can defend Obama's level of experience by comparing him to Lincoln and Kennedy, how much easier it will be for a veep candidate to be granted her learning curve.  Obama has handled her selection with great aplomb, and like others of you, I hope other Democrats are wise enough to follow suit.

- JackR

September 1, 2008 at 10:26am