Ghost of Sarah Palin Past
Speculation continues about GOP Presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s vice presidential pick. There’s a long list of potential names including several women, but according to the media and some political pundits, the process is being haunted by the ghost of Sarah Palin.
Here’s how ABC’s Matt Negrin describes two top female contenders, Governor Nikki Haley (R-SC) and Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NC):
“They’re two young conservatives who are telegenic and haven’t spent a whole lot of time in government. Sound familiar? The two are among a handful of Republican women who might be perfectly qualified or suited to be on the bottom of the ticket this year, but the ghost of Sarah Palin and her turbulent bid to be vice president stand in their way of being evaluated on their own terms.”
So these women are well-qualified and have years of political service and experience, but unfortunately for them, they are women. Apparently Republicans can’t even think about choosing a female running mate without getting queasy flashbacks from 2008.
What if these politicians were men? Would they still invoke the specter of vice-presidents past? This argument against their candidacy is based on one person: Sarah Palin, who was not even the first vice presidential nominee. What about Geraldine Ferraro? One woman does not represent all women. Writing off all female candidates based purely on gender isn’t just sexist, it’s stupid!
It seems like Negrin knows better, though. In response to a Republican strategists claim that picking a woman – even a well-qualified one – would create feelings of déjà vous, Negrin writes:
“That might seem unfair. Ayotte, a new senator from New Hampshire, has more experience in government than Barack Obama had when he ran for president four years ago. She worked in the state attorney general’s office beginning in 1998, was the AG from 2004 to 2009, and was elected to the Senate in the 2010 midterms.”
That’s right. If she were a man, she’d be a contender, but because she’s a woman she’s risky. George H.W. Bush’s selection of gaff-prone Dan Quayle didn’t stop candidates from selecting white, male running mates. Dan Quayle’s ghost didn’t haunt President Obama’s selection of Vice President Joe Biden.
The article is walking the line in terms of turning this into a sexist argument. Name It. Change It. will be keeping an eye on the issue and politicians and strategists should try valuing the impressive women in their party more. Name It. Change It. will make sure the media continues to evaluate female politicians based on their qualifications, not their gender.
You can help: if you see any instances of media sexism imposed on female candidates or politicians, report it!
Published by Kate McCarthy on 04/18/2012