Thursday, September 18, 2008

Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton Visit Saturday Night Live




Read the article below the video for a related opinion article from ***Erin Flaherty's piece*** published on Yahoo.  Reader coments are posted below the video.




ENJOY!!!!






FYI: ***Flurge*** is apparently a cross between the words 'flush' and 'purge'





Sex(ism) and politics: Is 

McCain the worst 

offender?

Brad Barket/Getty Images

Brad Barket/Getty Images


It was inevitable that Tina Fey would return to "Saturday Night Live" to play Sarah Palin. Not only are they spot on look-alikes (right down to the "sexy librarian" glasses), but Fey nailed that far north accent and carefully coached timing with her signature comedic precision. (To be fair, Gina Gershon does a pretty mean impression, too.) Placing her on a platform with Amy Poehler's Hillary Clinton was genius, especially since, much to Clinton supporters' chagrin (and surely much to Hil's own), Palin keeps aligning herself with Clinton, even if their politics couldn't be more different. In fact, Palin's beliefs are pretty much the antithesis of Clinton's, and yet, when Palin talks about her (at her last speech, the crowd booed, so she is pulling back on that presentation), surely the speech writers in her camp have encouraged her to do so because part of her role in the campaign is to stealthily attract those millions that staunchly supported Hillary. And that makes me wonder if McCain isn't the ultimate sexist. Let me explain.

This weekend's SNL sketch centered on sexism and its role in this highly charged political race. RememberRush Limbaugh's infamous comment about Clinton aging before our very eyes (conveniently ignoring the fact that McCain is considerably older than she is)? Ah, memories. Now that all eyes are on Palin, it’s her turn to be attacked by the evils of gender inequality. In fact, some journalists have even been accused of being sexist by attacking her politics in tough interviews. I'm sorry, but how is asking a candidate we know very little about the hard questions considered sexist? 

Let’s review: While we're still relatively in the dark about who this person is politically speaking, we do know that she's a working mother (we can relate!), former mayor of the crystal meth capital of Alaska, currently embroiled in a lawsuit concerning misconduct, went to five colleges to get one degree and that her daughter is suffering the consequences of abstinence only sex education and pregnant at 17 (just like Jamie Lynn Spears! Again, we can relate!). Oh and she can see Russia from Alaska which makes her a foreign policy expert, thinks environmental issues are hogwash and she's a former beauty pageant contestant, (and the latter tells me that she thinks objectifying women is dandy). Palin is sexist! But seriously folks, how did she come to land so close to the White House again?

We've all witnessed McCain's history of making lewd remarks about women (he's attacked Chelsea Clintonfor being "ugly," possibly called his wife a trollop and the c-word and definitely offered her up to participate in a topless beauty contest among other gems), but in choosing Sarah Palin, McCain proves himself to be more sexist than Rush Limbaugh and Hugh Hefner combined. It was a reckless choice, no doubt, which makes me fear how he'll behave when the phone rings at 3 a.m., and I have to agree with this New York Times editorial that reasons: "If he seriously thought this first-term governor — with less than two years in office — was qualified to be president, if necessary, at such a dangerous time, it raises profound questions about his judgment. If the choice was, as we suspect, a tactical move, then it was shockingly irresponsible." Although I'm sure he had little to do with the decision, after all, it reeks of campaign strategy and he had never met her before, at the end of the day, he has embraced her. Why? Because his strategists think that disenfranchised Hillary supporters and hockey moms everywhere are stupid enough to vote for them because after all, she's a woman. No matter that Palin doesn't support choice for rape and incest victims, has questionable parenting skills and family values, favors book censorship and doesn't seem interested in green issues that will make the world a better place for our children and generations to come. She made a big deal out of sending her son to Iraq, and offered this noble message of hope to the troops: that they would be fighting “the enemies who planned and carried out and rejoiced in the death of thousands of Americans.” Um, excuse me, Guvna? As most schoolchildren know, Saddam Hussein and Iraq had nothing to do with the 9/11 attacks. Like the Bush Doctrine, Palin seems to have no knowledge of terrorists and what the war she is sending her own son to is about. Un-freakin-believable!

McCain spent a lot of time slamming Obama for lack of experience, but in choosing a first term governor who is not versed on the current policies of her own party, he undermined his own argument. While she claims that voters don't want candidates with "big, fat resumes" as she told Charlie Gibson- who seemed exasperated by her level of incompetence during the interview- when exactly did the American public start preferring to elect candidates that they can relate to instead of those that possess leadership capabilities? Oh now I remember, it was when Bush presented himself to us as "just another good ol' boy." And by pointing fingers at more intelligent, profound leaders and calling them "elitist," that's exactly how we got into all this war, tattered economy, country in crisis trouble in the first place.

After "getting to know her" a little better last week, there is no doubt in my mind that Governor Palin is fit to win a Miss Congeniality contest. People are clearly fascinated by her. But knowing that this ill-equipped Manchurian candidate is potentially a heartbeat away from being President of the United States of America, and part of that has to do with the inherently sexist idea that women will vote for another woman because she's "just like us!" makes my skin crawl. Maybe I'm missing the point. Perhaps Palin was simply brought in to capture the powerful evangelical Christian vote. Maybe it's a bit of both. But if they wanted to go after the deeply religious, couldn't they have found a pious candidate who is more prepared for the vice presidency? And with a 72-year-old presidential candidate, make no mistake that there is a very distinct possibility that if the McCain ticket makes it to the White House Palin could likely find herself in the Oval Office. (Insert creepy, maniacal laughter here.)

Ummmm, on a lighter note, here's that clip from SNL. It's hilarious. [Ed's note: Everyone is entitled to his or her opinion, and we welcome commentary from all sides. For more Palin coverage see: "The Hotness Conundrum," "Why we're perplexed by Sarah Palin," "Get her to the church on time" and "Will she help him win?"]

from the community…

Comments 1-10 of 586
  • dziggy.rm's Avatar
    Posted by dziggy.rm Sun Sep 14, 2008 2:50pm PDT

    Ok, so you're upset a popular pro-life woman is on the Republican ticket, so you manufacture this nonsense about McCain being "sexist".

    Sexism is the wide-spread assertion that a women with young children can't be Vice President. Who made this assertion? Liberal Democrat women largely...ugh...kinda like the one writing this absurd column.

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  • JoKTM's Avatar
    Posted by JoKTM Sun Sep 14, 2008 2:52pm PDT

    Hopefuly the interview with Palin will open up peoples eyes about the vice presidential canidate.I doubt it though because people will see her as being bullied.If you are a running mate you should be able to answer the hard questions.McCain put the spot light on his running mate were as Obama kept it on himself.McCain supporters should blame him for her being asked hard questions.

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  • mp's Avatar
    Posted by mp Sun Sep 14, 2008 3:03pm PDT

    nobody said that a woman with young children can not be VP, the question here is ...does she have the qualifications?

    it is obvious that McCain chose her because she is a WOMAN, there are a lot of Republicans that aare more qualified than she is. McCain was one who kept on harping that Obama has no experience, what does his running mate have to offer?

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  • Isis's Avatar
    Posted by Isis Sun Sep 14, 2008 3:07pm PDT

    dziggy, I love your comment! I'm sorry Erin but I love Hef and I don't think he's sexist he's just incredibily smart!!! McCain is no more sexist than you are! The thing that gets me is the liberals are always the ones who say "women can have it all, and do it all", and now they've flip flopped themselves by now saying she basically should be barefoot, pregnant and at home with the kids!!! LOL

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  • rosario0829's Avatar
    Posted by rosario0829 Sun Sep 14, 2008 3:16pm PDT

    The Mccain campeing is using allege sexism to woo women to vote against their onwn interest.For example,in the last 35 years Mccain has never supported women rights,the right to equal pay for equal work,helthcare,choise and childcare.McCain is bad for women,bad for America.

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  • Angela's Avatar
    Posted by Angela Sun Sep 14, 2008 3:18pm PDT

    Is McCain sexist? Yes. Is he the worst sexist? No, but he represents a party that is notoriously sexist filled with women like Sarah Palin who are themselves sexist. Sarah Palin is not a feminist. In fact, she is exactly the type of woman who embraces sexual double standards so long as they serve her and her alone. These are the only type of PEOPLE the republicans embrace: those who serve themselves and are willing to walk on anyone and eat their own morals to accomplish their own self-serving goals. This is the repubican party.

    Sarah Palin has NOTHING in common with Hillary Clinton. She uses her name only as she and her party believe it will further her politically and for no other reason. This is the HIGHEST FORM OF DISRESPECT. Sarah Palin has STOLEN Hillary Clinton's name to attach to her own flimsy campaign, as though those who supported Senator Clinton would be so stupid as to be taken in by this inexperienced, untested, ignorant fraud.

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  • momo's Avatar
    Posted by momo Sun Sep 14, 2008 3:38pm PDT

    In my mind Sarah Palin is another Anita Bryant. She is extremely small minded. I don't think that she has a firm grasp on the diversity that defines the United States of America. If she is elected, she will drive a further wedge between conservatives and liberals (and everyone in between).

    If John McCain wants to win this election, he should have her step down for "personal reasons", and choose a candidate that will benefit the US. This tactic will save face for her and McCain can put someone like Lieberman in her place.

    I have been for Obama/Biden all along, but on the chance that McCain wins, we DO NOT need her as second in command. Or maybe keeping her on the ticket will ensure his loss :))

    God help us all.......

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  • Mac's Avatar
    Posted by Mac Sun Sep 14, 2008 3:39pm PDT

    Erin, Erin, this is after all serious politics. I never cease to be a.mazed when supporters of the Dem party, which seems to know limit to dirty politics(how did obama get to be Senator?????),whine when they think the GOP candidate stoops to 'sexism' is selecting a candidate.

    And why do we use Saturday Nite Live as a way to judge candidates? Because you think SNL offers legitimate commentary on political issues of the day???

    Gov. Palin and her husband have five children. How many families do you know untouched by teen age pregnancy. You omit the fact no one in the family apparently seriously considered abortion. That is a choice. Perhaps not in agreement with your liberal view, but a choice, and one I surely agree with. You also omit the fact the young lady is going to be married soon. So what else do you have to make the insulting statement that Sarah Palin has 'questionable'parenting ability? Nothing, right? She is being a very good parent in supporting her daughter and daughter's fiance in time of need don't you think?

    When Hillary seemed the likely Pres. candidate, the Dem supporters thought a woman, wife, mother for Pres was the most fantastic idea. Nancy Pelosi, wife, mother for Speaker is fantastic. Sarah Palin, wife, mother, (Republican)!!!!!!, what an irresponsible, SEXIST, poor judgement, dangerous idea, right. That's how the UNDEMOCRATIC party and its supporters try to package it

    Obama had LESS THAN HALF A YEAR EXPERIENCE AS A SENATOR DURING WHICH MANY OF HIS VOTES WERE 'PRESENT', NOT YEA OR NAY, 'PRESENT' so we can't say he voted for or against an issue. That from the total neophyte who claims to have all the answers. Palin at least has had two years' executive experience. Obama NONE

    How do you want it, Erin? Is it good to have a woman candidate or not? Ya can't have it both ways. Is a little experience better than NONE? Sara might not have all the facts. But she has very definite opinions and they are based on principles of the constitution, ya know that thing that forms the basis for our government. Obama voices some very emotional, noble sounding ideas, many of which stray FAR Left of the constitution. Sarah has more executive experience than Barack or Joe.

    Face it. McCain made a better choice than that other guy. The candidate who makes better choices for leader of our country, in politics in general, deserves to win the election whether male or female, white or black, etc. You offer empty, emotional arguments. In your heart you know McCain is the better candidate for President. And Palin is the better candidate for Vice-President.

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  • Rose C's Avatar
    Posted by Rose C Sun Sep 14, 2008 3:48pm PDT

    Well a woman can do it all. But not alone. And if she doesn't have help she will burn out after awhile. Palin is still young and has great energy which will work in her favor for now. And Cindy is not a gold digger because she is the one with the money. John married well. And yes He is a sexiest but I haven't known to many men who aren't. But if you are a smart woman you know how to work it.

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  • umlinds07's Avatar
    Posted by umlinds07 Sun Sep 14, 2008 3:54pm PDT

    dziggy.rm you are horribly mistaken. Liberal Democrat women do not think she should be Vice President because she is a woman. It is because she is woefully unprepared to be a heartbeat away from being the President of the United States of America. From being the most powerful leader in the free world. It is sad that Republican's will continually ignore all of the things that are said and stick on that fact. If Sarah Palin had been running for President in the primaries, she would have lost in a landslide- and now, when it became clear that McCain needed help she's suddenly perfect. I will not support her not because she is a woman with young children, but because she is the worst person for this hugely important job. Any woman who votes for her because she is a woman and does not look at the issues is doing the United States and the world a disservice.

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