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7/14/2009

Sarah Palin: The Left's Caricature of the Right

by Jean H. Card

There was a time when many asked why the right had so much vitriol when it came to a woman named Hillary Rodham Clinton. Those on the left believed that the right was apoplectic over her because she was a threat to them – a smart and determined woman who was part of a seemingly unstoppable political machine. And she was, even without that machine, appealing to a massive voting bloc, namely women, young and old, millions of them.

But, at the same time, politicos on the right were saying they’d love nothing more than to have Hillary run for the Senate, for president – so many people hated her, and she was so obviously a radical liberal, she’d be easy to beat, they thought (wrongly).

Today, the left spews venom when they utter the name Sarah Palin. Why? Many conservatives theorize that it’s because Governor Palin is a threat – the left is afraid of her. After all, she appeals to “middle America,” draws huge crowds, she’s a woman, a staunch conservative, attractive, etc.

I’m not privy to the conversations of Democratic inner circles, but I would put money on the theory that they are dying for Sarah Palin to be the Republican nominee in 2012 or any other year, ever. They think she’d be easy to beat because they think that everyone else sees Palin as they do: a country bumpkin who exemplifies the negative stereotypes of the Republican Party.

Just as conservatives saw Hillary Clinton as the caricature of all-things-bad on the left, liberals see Palin as a caricature of all-things-bad on the right.

The right was wrong about Hillary. She proved to be a formidable candidate and an admirable, non-radical figure on the national stage.

The left must stop and think whether they are the ones who are wrong this time about a controversial woman. Just because Governor Palin is a caricature or a symbol to them, doesn’t mean she isn’t an inspiration to many, many others.

If my theory is right – that the left is actually hoping for Palin to run in 2012 – I encourage them to watch what they wish for.

Jean Card has been a professional writer in Washington, D.C. for more than a dozen years. After serving for several years as the top writer for one of the country’s top business associations, she spent half a dozen years as a cabinet-level speechwriter (at the Departments of Justice, Treasury and Labor) and then as a communications consultant with a boutique PR firm. Today, she is freelance writing and consulting, full-time.

1 Comment | Add a Comment

Screamin' Armenian

Tuesday, July 14th, 2009 - 9:23am

Very good post. There are a lot of points that this post raises, and they relate to the hypocrisy of the Left. Take Sotomayor for example. An accomplished Latino woman who has been nominated three times for the federal bench by presidents of both parties. "Isn't it great" I hear liberals asking one another in referring to a Latino who worked her way out of poverty and presumably onto the highest court in the Land. But why wasn't it equally great when Miguel Estrada was nominated for the federal bench? An amazingly competent Hispanic American. And why do Republicans never get credit for doing their constitutional duty and providing advice and consent rather than waging war on the Senate floor over the President's nominees? It is an hypocrisy that transcends logic and is damaging our Nation. Relating this to Palin, Debbie Waserman Schultz of Florida said live on CNN during Presidential campaign last year when referring to Palin, "just because she has the same body parts as we do doesn't mean she's a real woman." Why the vitriol? I think Jean makes a good point, it's because they can't decide whether they are scared, annoyed, and/or offended by her. The intellectual elites are appalled by her existence. Why? Because she has not abandoned her family and put herself first to seek power. Because she cares about her religion and conservative principles. Because she was out catching salmon while they were sitting around with fellow elite Ivy Leaguers sharing deep thoughts about how they view the world. It's offensive to me as a man who is progressive enough to know that a competent woman holding the highest office would be a nice thing to see in my lifetime. My advice for Sarah, though, is to be herself, get more comfortable with the core issues she will have to address, and despite the overwhelming temptation to do so, do not react to the press with such combative rhetoric. Being a Mom, a patriot, and a woman of faith may be enough to thrust her into the nomination perhaps 7 years from now. And as Ms. Card points out, Ds might regret wishing for such a "gift."

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