Jaimie Franklin
Assistant Perspectives Editor
When Republican presidential nominee John McCain announced Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his vice presidential running mate on Aug. 29, the 2008 election changed completely. An all-out media circus began.
Palin, virtually unheard of three weeks ago, was thrust into a media firestorm regarding her staunchly conservative political views, her “hockey mom” family role and, most importantly, her out-of-date hairstyle and overly visible lip liner.
While Palin’s nomination is a huge step for women in our country, the media’s criticism has revealed how biased it still is toward women in roles of power.
In the aftermath of Palin’s nomination, rather than fairly and openly reporting on her political views and leadership experience, the liberal media chose to pick at her personal life and fashion choices.
Media outlets went to town when the news broke of her 17-year-old daughter’s pregnancy. With her oldest son serving in Iraq and her youngest diagnosed with Down syndrome, how will she be able to balance motherhood and the vice presidency?
Sen. Barack Obama has two young daughters. McCain has seven children, four of whom are under the age of 25.
Yet, such a question would never be posed to a male candidate, since men are clearly more competent when it comes to raising children and running the country. At least, that is what the media would like us to believe.
And, when was the last time a major newspaper ran a story about John McCain’s hair or Barack Obama’s shoes? The Los Angeles Times featured a 14-photo slideshow of Palin online last week analyzing several outfits and allowing readers to vote on each. Two voting options were “too beauty queen” and “too backwoods.”
The L.A. Times would not run a fashion piece on a male candidate, yet women are obviously considered fair game simply because they are women.
In a profession that prides itself on objectivity and inclusion, criticizing female politicians for their mothering skills and fashion accessories is appalling. Palin’s coverage in the media is not only bad reporting, but re-inscribes traditional gender norms that seek to confine women under the intricate web of the patriarch.
Women have indeed made strides in this election, with Hillary Clinton as the first major female contender in the primaries and Palin’s nomination as the vice presidential candidate. But, although progress has been made, this election also proves that much more needs to occur in order to equalize the genders.
The upside is that female voters may actually make a difference this election.
After Clinton’s demise, both sides are now arduously battling for the female vote. Clinton has begun campaigning for Obama, urging her supporters to back his candidacy. McCain’s people have admitted that part of the reason why Palin was selected was to attract female voters.
Polls have shown that it may have worked. McCain now leads Obama by 16 percent among white women, 24 percent of whom said they are more inclined to vote for McCain now that he has a female running mate, according to Newsweek.
But, McCain will certainly need to work harder to maintain that lead, as 57 percent of registered voters reported that they did not know Palin opposes abortion even in cases of rape, incest and potential health hazards to the pregnant woman.
Sorry Sen. McCain, but selecting a woman who is anti-abortion, anti-gay marriage, anti-sex education and a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association is not the winning strategy for the female vote.
During her acceptance speech on Aug. 29, Palin recognized Clinton and Geraldine Ferraro, who was the first female vice presidential candidate in the 1984 presidential election, for their political progress for American women.
“Hillary left 18 million cracks in the highest, hardest glass ceiling in America,” Palin said. “But, it turns out the women of America aren’t finished yet, and we can shatter that glass ceiling once and for all.”
The comment is extremely ironic, considering Palin’s apparent disregard for any of the issues for which many American women stand. ABC News reported last week that while Palin was mayor of Wasilia, Ala., her city billed rape victims for the cost of rape kits and forensic exams.
Palin also opposes the Fair Pay Restoration Act, which would have reversed a Supreme Court decision that a woman has only 180 days to formally complain that she is being paid less than male colleagues for the same work, even if she was unaware of the situation during that time.
Palin should be respected and taken seriously as a woman with a shot at the White House, but that does not mean she is the right woman.
09-18-2008