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Do you know Governor Palin?
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Sep 2, 2008 Posted by Rich Harwood
Redeeming Hope by Rich Harwood. A blog about making good on your urge to do good, and about imagining and acting for the public good. An examination of Sarah Palin, and what our comments about her, really say about us. John McCain's selection of Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate is raising a helluva lot of questions -- not only about McCain and Palin, but about us. What values and filters do we bring to this scene? What assumptions about other people do we make? How fast are we to judge others? I know there's some risk in what I'm about to say, but here it goes.
Over the long Labor Day Weekend, I found myself involved in a number of conversations about Palin. Since last week's announcement we've learned more about Palin and with each passing day comes a new disclosure. At first the focus was on her experience; then it moved to whether a mom of five kids, one a special needs child should even be running for VP; then there was the disclosure of her 17-year old daughter's pregnancy. And I'm sure more will follow.
Amid these stories have been our own conversations, within our families, among our friends, at weekend get-togethers. I have felt increasingly uncomfortable in these conversations. I have heard people state with great assuredness that Palin should never have returned to work so soon after the birth of her four-month old child; that parents of a special needs child should be at home full-time, because that is what is required; that Palin cannot work with five kids and still be a good mom.
In these conversations, I remained silent at first, wondering to myself how people can be so sure of themselves. They imposed a set of values they are convinced are the right ones -- indeed, the only ones -- and that no alternatives exist. I sat there and asked myself how many people like Sarah Palin do they know? I wish they would come with me into the homes of people I have met and worked with all across the nation, people who live their lives with goodness, decency, and sincerity, but in ways different than their own.
In each conversation, I found myself saying that many people work because they have to -- they have no choice. Moreover, I have said that I know two families with specials needs kids where both parents work, and where there is so much love and affection that I would be more than willing to have my own two kids join those families. Further, I have wondered aloud why stay-at-home dads who were once professionals are okay, but not Palin's husband.
My questions and thoughts were dismissed out of hand. There's more, too. For instance, the reflexive disdain I've heard against evangelicals is as bad as any discrimination I have seen. The belittling of any notion of creationism (that is, that there may be some higher force at work larger than science, which is in fact what many of the best scientists in the world say), is swift and punishing; the unwillingness to even understand what proponents are trying to say is unfortunate. The assumption that small-town America is irrelevant to the experiences of a growing nation is also mystifying to me -- and a sorry state of affairs.
Let me be clear: I am not defending Sarah Palin. To me, there is some virtue in her selection, but also the rolling of dice. But how we talk this choice is just as important as our final judgment. Why? Because so many of us want a different kind of politics in America, a politics that is more reflective of reality, more thoughtful, and more hopeful. We want a politics that transcends Red States and Blue States. We want a politics that encourages honest and tough debate, but not unnecessary discord and divisiveness. Now is our chance.
In 1984, I worked for Walter Mondale when he nominated Rep. Geraldine Ferraro as his choice for Vice President. Of course, the initial burst of excitement for Ferraro dissipated quickly as she found herself mired in family problems, with Mondale losing in a landslide. While Palin's selection and her running mate may take a similar route, the race is still far from over. But no matter what, my question is, what route will you take?
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Re: Do you know Governor Palin?
Sep 10, 2008 | Susan | highlyfavored3@aol.com
I appreciate your article and everyone's comments. I have such negative feelings about this choice and have made myself step back and try a different perspective but I keep on coming back to this: I screen my own potential staff members better than this person was and she could be a heartbeat away from the presidency. I cannot escape the feeling that McCain thinks any woman would do. I remember thinking how odd and awkward the daughter looked holding that big blanket with the baby - only to find out later why the blanket was positioned the way it was. It was a deceptive beginning. Is this the way McCain makes the biggest decision he will make this year? I am pro-life but I cannot in good conscience decide for another woman, especially in instances of rape and incest. I am a Christian but I FIRMLY believe in the separation of church and state and cannot stomach 4 more years of an adminstration's self-will being attributed to God's will. And the books being thrown out of the library? I have not verified that report yet but heaven help us if it is true.
Thanks for the opportunity to express my concerns. The few other blogs I look at get so partisan and so mean so fast.
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Re: Do you know Governor Palin?
Sep 9, 2008 | Penny Dendy | pmdendy@bellsouth.net
As one who had never heard of Sarah Palin until her nomination by John McCain, I have been very interested, and yes concerned, about her and her stands on issues of importance to me, the economy, health care, energy policy and so on. But what is of real frustration to me is that with the revelations of her baby with Down’s Syndrome and the pregnancy of her very young teenage daughter, there has been a deafening silence on the real concerns both of these situations should raise. I saw women delegates at the RNC interviewed who touted their "support of unwed mothers" and their respect for the choice both Sarah Palin and her daughter made in continuing their pregnancies. But I heard no one talk about health care for these 2 infants, real education reforms that both will need as they enter school in a very few short years, and how we as a nation are failing at attempts to prevent teen pregnancy. Is "supporting unwed mothers" a slogan that says we are okay that this particular child is having a child, or does it mean we are ready to be serious about expanding support for childcare so teen mothers can finish school and support their babies? Are we ready to adopt universal heath care so all children and their parents can receive the health care that the child of a governor or the Vice President can receive at the taxpayers' expense?
Through personal experience, Sarah Palin exhibits issues that Americans, Congress, and, local communities have been talking about for years. But where is the call for action? When are we going to support all special needs children with funding for unrestricted research to eliminate Down’s Syndrome, sickle cell anemia, spina bifida and the host of conditions that make up the list of “special needs”? When are we going to provide for the care of all babies and day care assistance for tall who need it? When are we going to say that no children, even the daughter of the person running for the second highest elected office in the land, should undertake the birth and razing of a child, and we as members of the community need to set higher standards for our teens? I for one am tired of ignoring the basic needs of the members of our community and excusing the bad behavior of the privileged.
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Re: Do you know Governor Palin?
Sep 9, 2008 | Scott Dickensheets | dickensheets@gmail.com
Well, I think close-mindedness is epidemic---on all sides. Creationists are just as swift and dismissive in their attacks on science (which, when you get right down to it, is just the process by which humans try to understand the universe around them). Small-towners are just as likely to scorn city folk as the other way around. Palin herself hasn\'t shown a lot of open-mindedness or appreciation of the middle ground in her public comments. It\'s nice to think we Americans want a new politics, but what we really want is for *everyone else* to adopt a new politics---ours.
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Re: Do you know Governor Palin?
Sep 4, 2008 | Linda Hardman | lindaluna70@hotmail.com
Last nights speech by VP nominee, Sarah Palin, was one of the most negative chants during this campaign I have heard - I was appalled at the nasty and biting remarks that the Republican's lauded her for. How different from the tone set by Democrats last week - talking about hope and new directions.
Last week you wrote:
"But we all know that the purveyors of negativity will not relent. They will bait you, call you names, and push half-truths. They will decry any form of nuance as weakness. We know their ways, and you must not fall victim to them. Do not take the bait. Do not get lost in their maze of mischief. "
This really epitomizes Palin's speech. She had my attention as a successful professional woman but lost my respect last night. She used her family and special needs child as political bait that sickened me. I very much question her integrity and qualifications to be in any public office - let alone the highest representative of our country to the world. Is this what we hold up as leadership qualities to our children?
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Re: Do you know Governor Palin?
Sep 4, 2008 | Erik Jensen | ejensen2@stny.rr.com
The national obssession with the personal lives of candidates is a major distraction from the important public issues, which already receive way too little attention from our 24 hr news/talk/entertainment media cycle. Call me selfish, but I would like to hear thoughtful discussion from friends and colleagues about Gov Palin's views about public issues that actually affect me and my family in an era of rapid degeneration.
Could it be that those who benefit most from the status quo welcome the distraction that the media/cultural obsession with personal lives of candidates provides?
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Re: Do you know Governor Palin?
Sep 3, 2008 | John Creighton | john@creighton.com
Another good reminder to strive to be our better selves. I've been involved in similar conversations the past few days. I've been thinking about what's behind the firestorm of opinions.
An element of experience that Governor Palin lacks is our (the public's) experience with her.
Senator Obama is the least experienced presidential nominee in modern times. But we've had more than a year of experience with him - the longest campaign in modern times.
We have experienced Senator Obama answer countless questions on every conceivable topic. We have experienced the Senator mix it up with other political heavyweights in countless debates. We have witnessed him work through adversities.
We have had enough experience with Senator Obama that many - if not most - of us believe we can make a measure of him as a person. Some of us like what we've experienced. Others don't.
Outside of Alaska, most of us have not had a cumulative set of experiences with Governor Palin.
In effect, Senator McCain has boxed us (the American people) into a corner. He is forcing us to compress a process of getting to know a potential leader into a matter of weeks - days really. The same is not true of Senator Obama's selection of Senator Biden. We've had years of experience with Senator Biden.
When people are forced to truncate their learning experience, dissonance is a natural response. We are forced to accept Senator McCain's decision on blind faith or reject it out of hand. Neither healthy but Senator McCain has left little time for considered judgments.
Perhaps the reason supporters and detractors of Governor Palin are expressing knee-jerk opinions - which are typically visceral, shallow and unfair - about Governor Palin is because we lack the experience with her to be thoughtful. An unintended consequence when people are forced to accept or reject a major decision on, in effect, a moment’s notice.
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Re: Do you know Governor Palin?
Sep 3, 2008 | Leesa | mayoderiso@aol.com
Rich,
As a career women and mother of five I have empathy for Ms. Palin and the challenge of fullfilling career goals and family obligations. But for me the bigger picture is the benefit we as a country can gain from having a women's perspective and leadership style as a part of our political future. Governor Palin has emerged as an insightful and progressive leader in her state. She is tough and persistent in her convictions and her goals for Alaska; these are inherently good traits for leaders. But more importantly, she is a wife and a mother. Her view of life is much different that the men that have held either the position of Vice President or President. I think this is a real plus for our country and its' political future.
She comes to her position from a pathway of community activism and public involvement not as a politician, but as a concerned citizen. This is experience that is very important to who she is and how she leads.
Of course it is difficult to be a working mother, but with the support of a husband and father my experience is that children grow to appreciate hard work and are not afraid of responsibility. Her family life is complicated, but so is running the country. It is my hope that she will share with us and the rest of the world the same confidence, compassion, and loyalty that she has given to her family.
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Re: Do you know Governor Palin?
Sep 2, 2008 | Gil Thelen | gthelen@tampabay.rr.com
Rich: The sentiments you describe are deplorable and require the cleansing light of exposure you provide. Governor Palin is the talk of my workplace, too, but for different reasons. The issues I'm hearing are candidate vetting, succession and John McCain's approach to decision making. Gil Thelen (Harwood Institute board member)
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Re: Do you know Governor Palin?
Sep 2, 2008 | Beth | induo@yahoo.com
Rich - as always, I appreciate your sage ability to stand back, see the bigger picture, and relate it well to your readers.
Palin is not a bad mom or a horrible human being because she chooses to focus the majority of her waking hours on her work. But it is still better for kids (special needs or not) to have one parent home. I am dumfounded by our culture's avoidance of the stark truth that the best thing for kids is to have one parent home with them. This isn't to say that there aren't circumstances that prevent this ideal, or preferences (like wanting to work) that parents choose that override this ideal. It isn't that you can't provide a loving/safe/healthy home and be a decent parent if you're not home with your kid. But why are we reluctant to admit this? And when will we stop vilifying those who speak this reality?
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Re: Do you know Governor Palin?
Sep 2, 2008 | C. Jordan | jorda021@tc.umn.edu
Thanks, Rich, for reminding us to be civil and respectful in our approach to our political opponents. We will do no one any good if we adopt the bitter approach of others. My concern about the Palin daughter's prenancy is how it squares with Gov. Palin's philosophy on sexuality education. If she continues her ideological stand that teenagers should only receive "abstinence" education I will understand that she cares more about politics than the health and welfare of teenagers and their unplanned children
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Re: Do you know Governor Palin?
Sep 2, 2008 | Kathryn Quick | kquick@uci.edu
Thank you very much for this thoughtful response. I too have been feeling very uncomfortable with the treatment of Sarah Palin in public and private discussion. She is being measured as a pawn in the making of the case for one position or another, for example in evaluations of whether her daughter's being pregnant or her Downs Syndrome child strengthens her credentials as a pro-life person or not. The important question for evaluating a VP is what her policy and positions actually are and whether we agree with them, not whether she is an effective token for the positions she is supposed to stand in for. Thank you also for calling out the dismissal of her husband as a stay-at-home father. I hadn't given much attention to that, but stay at home fathers are people and examples I want to support, not demean.
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Re: Do you know Governor Palin?
Sep 2, 2008 | Kathryn Quick | kquick@uci.edu
Thank you very much for this thoughtful response. I too have been feeling very uncomfortable with the treatment of Sarah Palin in public and private discussion. She is being measured as a pawn in the making of the case for one position or another, for example in evaluations of whether her daughter's being pregnant or her Downs Syndrome child strengthens her credentials as a pro-life person or not. The important question for evaluating a VP is what her policy and positions actually are and whether we agree with them, not whether she is an effective token for the positions she is supposed to stand in for. Thank you also for calling out the dismissal of her husband as a stay-at-home father. I hadn't given much attention to that, but stay at home fathers are people and examples I want to support, not demean.
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Re: Do you know Governor Palin?
Sep 2, 2008 | Shaun Dakin | sdakin@usa.net
Rich,
Good comments, as always.
The DEMS need to be very careful in how they talk about her and her family. Joe Biden, particularly, is going to need to treat her with kid gloves in the debate.
I find it very troubling that the DEM blogosphere and left leaning media have been quick to be condescending to Palin and to bring her family into the media so quickly. No experience etc.
Guess what. Obama has no experience either. Get over it.
This election, like most, will be decided by the independent voter who will take a new look at McCain and Palin and mostly like what they see.
The images are:
- young - attractive - Mother - Work with family in the office - Gave birth to a down's syndrome child - Goes shopping - Not from HYP (Yale Harvard or Princeton)
These people will make the decision and, so far, they like what they see.
They see "one of us".
With Obama they see HYP liberal "east coast" elite who eats arugula.
When will the DEMS get it?
Shaun Dakin
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Re: Do you know Governor Palin?
Sep 2, 2008 | Adrienne Cox | adriennecx@yahoo.com
I appreciate this article about Gov Palin, Rich. Tolerance, understanding, avoiding pre emptive judgement. Timely and sage. thank you for writing this.
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Re: Do you know Governor Palin?
Sep 2, 2008 | deborah | deborahgardner@sympatico.ca
I find it interesting that many people are overlooking that the candidate is asking people to respect her and the choices she has made for her family when she wil not afford others the same with her anti-woman stand against choice and sex education in schools.