Apologies in advance
Today, I am not going to talk about shoes, or martinis, or gardening, or running, or even the absence of running.
Today, I am going to talk about politics.
Like many people, I have been (kind of) watching the DNC convention this week. I stream C-Span at work, listen to NPR in the car, and watch C-Span at home. That time between work and car is brutal. That is the time in which I missed Al Gore last night.
Also, I missed Tuesday night, because I suck. The times were really messing with me – I’m so used to accounting for a 3 hour time difference, not a one hour.
Anyways – I loved Bill Clinton’s speech. Enjoyed John Kerry’s. Hillary’s speech was inspired. (Why, oh why, didn’t she speak like that throughout the campaign? Her concession speech in June & the speech Tuesday were amazing.)
But Barack Obama’s speech last night? I wasn’t sold right away, but by the end, I was swept away. I’m ready for my lawn sign, now. I might even get a bumper sticker to go along with my 1-20-09 bumper sticker.
And then today, McCain announced his VP choice. Sarah Palin. I, like many others, I’m sure, said “Who?”
Early reports from the Democrat camp seemed excited! A woman! With no experience! The name “Quayle” was thrown around.
Early reports from the GOP camp seemed mixed. There was “inspired” and “Hail Mary” and “interesting” and “risky.”
Only the next 67 (I think) days will tell us what this choice really was.
BUT – if there is anyone out there who thinks that she is more worthy of a vote than Barack Obama because she is a woman, then we need to have a talk.
She’s adamantly anti-choice. She may be a woman, but she is not a feminist. She may be a woman, but she does not care about your rights. She may be a woman, but she will not go to bat for you. She will go to bat to increase drilling in the Alaskan wilderness. She will go to bat to have creationism taught in schools. She will go to bat to stack the Supreme Court with judges who will overturn Roe v. Wade. She will go to bat to decrease funding to organizations who provide abortion as one of the many, many family planning methods. She will go to bat to keep pay inequality intact. She might break a ceiling by being elected the first female Vice President (to the aging McCain, who’s had multiple cancers scares), but she will not work to help you break any glass ceilings.
She’s a woman. But she’s not a representative of me, or of any of the women I know. It sucks that Hillary Clinton wasn’t the nominee – but she’s not. But I never had any intention of not voting for Barack Obama.
I like to believe that the number of people who say they’ll vote for McCain because they’re so upset that Ms. Clinton was NOT the nominee are greatly exaggerated – that they’re getting more air time than their actual numbers should warrant. So – women (and men, of course, we are not sexist), don’t let this desperate maneuver sway you. Just because she’s a she, doesn’t mean she’ll work for you.
Stay tuned for a MUCH better post on the subject by the Ambitious One. She actually has political degrees, and experience and stuff. I just have a collection of opinions which don’t always mesh.
***
Next week, we’ll be back to gardening, cooking, running and gin. Promise.
No related posts.
August 29th, 2008 at 11:32 am
I saw the news about her nomination this morning and couldn’t wait to come on your blog and see if you mentioned it… all I can say is ditto.. well except for any part where u refer to yourself as a woman in which case I say, “yeah sister..” Either way this woman is crazed and would probably kill a polar bear with her own hands if it got her more drilling permits
gazelle reply on August 31st, 2008:
I kinda wish she would. That would be awesome.
August 29th, 2008 at 11:39 am
Eh, I think it’s mostly crap about former Hillary supporters voting for McCain. I cannot imagine someone who is prochoice voting for him, regardless of what they think of Obama. I really think this “even in the polls” thing is a load of crap designed to keep people interested in the media coverage.
gazelle reply on August 31st, 2008:
I’ve been to the PUMA website, and I didn’t think there are as many members as they’d like us to believe. I just think that ‘punishing’ Obama for defeating Clinton by voting for McCain is stupid - and just makes them look bad. Like women vote for revenge and not policy? Please.
August 29th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Oh I was wishing for politically libral friends this morning! I have now had two people (my sister and a dear friend) tell me they won’t vote for John McCain now because a woman doesn’t belong in the White House (?). Crazy logic, but I won’t argue - because I’ve been in love with Obama for a little over a year now. I saw him talk in Boise and was sold every since. Welcome to the team
gazelle reply on August 31st, 2008:
Well, at least they’re not voting for McCain? That’s so random. Although the reaction I hope a LOT of conservatives have. Not that I’d usually wish people to be so sexist. heh.
August 30th, 2008 at 3:02 am
No matter what McCain throws at us, i will never vote for that man and woman!! It just isn’t right. He is old…we need new fresh blood and Obama is new and fresh and amazing!!!
M
gazelle reply on August 31st, 2008:
If she were progressive or something - and he wasn’t McCain - maybe.
I’m just keeping my fingers crossed.
michelle reply on August 31st, 2008:
check this out:
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/8/30/121350/137/486/580223
bumper sticker:
Obama & Biden ‘08: Two minds are better than none.
M
August 30th, 2008 at 5:10 am
hah I don’t know about that! We should start thinking about an electio. Night party?! It’s going to be fun having someone to talk politics with over the next couple of months. I still need to respond to your email. I will I promise got too busy yesterday. Have a fun labor day let me know if you’re going to bikram on Monday?
gazelle reply on August 31st, 2008:
we should definitely have an election night party. The architect would appreciate not having to watch me drink too much wine all by himself, I’m sure!
Yesterday was busy. I am definitely going to the 4:30 Bikram tomorrow (Monday). Will you be there?
August 30th, 2008 at 6:19 am
Amen!
Sept 18@The Ace Hotel = Obamarama
gazelle reply on August 31st, 2008:
oooh - tell me more!
August 30th, 2008 at 8:25 am
well-written and so, so true! thanks for your perspective.
gazelle reply on August 31st, 2008:
thank you for the kudos. don’t forget to get your absentee ballot. vote early and vote often.
September 1st, 2008 at 3:20 am
I never post about politics on my blog, but I was sorely tempted after Obama’s incredible speech and McCain’s insane VP pick.
The fact that the mainstream media and a lot of low-information voters are actually saying it might be a smart choice drives me nuts. And the way the VP choice squashed Obama’s momentum was really frustrating.
I was not a big Obama supporter in the primaries, as I think there were a lot of better qualified candidates. But he has since impressed me a great deal, and I have absolutely no doubt that I will vote for him. I really, really don’t understand why anyone would vote for a McCain/Palin ticket.