Palin's Fadin' While Bachmann's Rockin'

The Iowa Straw Poll 2011 is history.  I find it amusing and annoying at the same time.  Amusing that the media pays so much attention to what is fund raiser for the Iowa Republican Party and annoying they put so much truck into a circus that has Bachmann the winner by 200 +/- votes over Ron Paul who I feel has no chance to win the nomination.  What is, however, is what is.

I will admit that I have to go to Bachmann's web site to see if she has begun articulating how she is going to achieve all of about which she rants.  Especially if the House and Senate go Democratic or at least the balance goes against her.  That seems to be the question always left out.  How?  And too, she isn't alone.  No one is asked and no one volunteers.  Except Herman Cain, but this isn't about him.

That aside, Sarah Palin is still skulking around the sidelines seeking attention.  It is neither the time nor the place for a tease, but then that's Palin.  I thought it time to compare these two women just in case of a worst case scenario!

I watched Bachmann with Chris Wallace this morning and saw an attractive, articulate candidate, one who dresses and conducts herself  in a professional manner.  No cutesy poo expressions, no wink wink.

I haven't seen much substance from either.  As I said, I need to do my homework on Bachmann.  Palin has hijacked the limelight since McCain lost in 2008 and I've seen no growth in substance other than being able to ad lib from pre-received talking points when swapping intellectualisms with Sean Hannity.

Bachmann is out there on the front lines.  Fielding the jabs, espousing her stands and doing rather well at it.  Palin?  She seems to drop in like an uninvited guest.  If she enters the race I do believe she'll do it to deny Bachmann, but if so she may have underestimated how tired people have become of her.  She's been replaced by a Congresswoman who actually has a record even if not sterling and a real Governor, Rick Perry, who would, I expect, make mince meat of her in a debate.

Whether or not I change my opinion of Michele Bachmann remains to be seen.  However, if I had to choose between these two women there is no contest.  Bachmann seems to genuinely care about the country.  Palin seems to genuinely care about herself. Rock on Michele!

Palin's Roll Of The Dice

Is it just me or is Sarah Palin's shtick getting old?  If it's just me so be it.

I don't care that her tour bus bears the American flag.  I don't think looking into the constitutionality of it, as one MSNBC reporter seems to be doing, is worth the effort. It seems to me to be an exercise in ho hum.  Another monumental ego needing attention.

Palin is a tease.  Is she or isn't she going to run? Maybe, as has been suggested, this is her version of a campaign.  Getting down and dirty with real people like the bikers ride into D.C.  "Coincidentally" arriving in New Hampshire the same day Mitt Romney announces his presidential bid and immediately attacking him over Massachusetts care.

As cheerleader-in-chief of all things anti-Obama  and anti-conservatism she has no peer.  As a serious presidential pretender?  Well, I'm still waiting for substance and candor.  Her new found wealth has allowed her to hire better speech writers.  She hits all the right buttons, but why won't she defend what she says in question and answer sessions?  Or is there really no there there?

I just wish she would make her intentions clear.  If she's just going to cheer lead, fine.  Go ahead.  If she's going to run, then get with the program.  I'm getting really tired of her.  Her voice is beginning to grate on my nerves.  Her mannerisms and sound bites are predictable and becoming irritating with their continuing vagueness and sameness.

I don't see her making any headway with the independents who aren't into her family values bit.  She can't win without a good portion of them.  As a flamboyant personality/celebrity has she reached her peak?  She has with me.

As serious Presidential material she isn't even on the chart.  Showmanship doesn't equate substance, intellect or ability.  Maybe the announced candidates aren't the most flashy of groups but most of them have something to offer.

Somehow blaming all our ills on those who don't agree with all the Conservatives are demanding and the "lame stream" media isn't a foundation for being able to govern.  And that is the thrust.  What I want to know is what she'd do in the middle east and other trouble spots.  China.  North Korea.  Has anyone heard one single word on any of it?

It's time.  Time to say something.  Or nothing.

The Palin Endorsement - Beware Or Blessing

We have a candidate aiming for our Blue Dog's congressional seat. He has to face one, if not more, primary challengers. He is a decorated war veteran. He has Sarah Palin's endorsement. I wonder if it's a blessing or a curse.

I watched her with interest at a campaign rally for McCain over the week end. She made him look as old and tired as I remember him from the end of the Presidential campaign. She literally took over the stage; had I not known better I would have thought she was the candidate.

She has really embraced her role as spokesperson for everything Tea Party and conservative. The problem is she hasn't learned how to sound anything more than enthusiastically scripted. If I were a candidate receiving her endorsement I'd not dismiss that aspect.

There is a percentage of Republican and Independent voters who do not think Mrs. Palin lives up to her hype. Include me. I'm wondering if her current celebrity as a FOX News contributor and keynote speaker at Tea Party events might diminish her credibility as an endorser of candidates. As a cheer leader she is unsurpassable. As a critic of qualifications, I'm not so sure.

As popular as she is, if I were a candidate I would not seek nor necessarily reject her endorsement. Her word will be enough for many. During this election cycle, however, we need look for more than flash. Being a war veteran does not qualify nor disqualify one for office. When Palin tells us said candidate "knows that real job growth comes from the private sector, not government" she could be talking about every Republican candidate in the country. It's what Republicans believe. No. I need more than that.

The era of sound bite qualifications is over for this voter. I need to hear hows and whys. On that basis I'll probably stick with our Blue Dog. I know we have differences on issues; I also know he has business experience and the fortitude to go against his party when he thinks they are wrong.

I could change my mind but his challengers are going to have to show some depth of understanding, present not only solutions but also show how to implement them. No small task.

I have seen neither from Mrs. Palin which indicates to me her opinion of a candidate is meaningless.

The Evolution Of Sarah Palin

Having watched Sarah Palin's speech to the Tea Party gathering in Nashville and some of the follow up interviews, I thought I'd stick my neck out and report my take on it. It will be interesting, if only to myself, to see how often I change my tune over the months preceding the 2012 election cycle!

I'm beginning to understand Palin's immense popularity. I see a woman who is just enough politician to be canny. I see a woman who has taken her lumps and has come to realize she isn't quite where she needs to be to have the credibility to run for the highest of offices. She certainly is smart enough to be in the House or Senate when compared to many already there. I see a woman enjoying her fame and new found stature. I see a woman still determining where she wants it to take her.

Back to her popularity. She speaks in sharp, witty sound bites. She stumbles over her notes. She speaks the language, by golly, of everyman. I do believe that's why the average man and woman on the street love her. There was a lot she said with which I disagree and just as much that I agreed with whole heartedly. For instance, why preach non-partisanism if you really don't intend to practice it!

I don't quite agree with her idea of what the Tea Party movement is all about. I think she thinks it will be folded into the Republicanism of old. If she means that which became before the Christian right movement took over, she could be right. If she means a return to the narrow vision of anti-gay, anti-abortion litmus test I think she's wrong. The Republicans should know that they cannot win on those issues but I've yet to see evidence that they do.

This is where I see the Tea Party movement differently. It may lean heavily Republican but I think it's more inclusive than that. I think it embraces a good many centrist Democrats and lot of Independents that aren't quite ready to join the Republican fold. It's ability to be a force depends on those Independents.

Ms. Palin has plenty of time to study the tea leaves and see what they tell her. I expect to see her testing the waters in many ways. She'll endorse candidates to determine if her endorsements are effective or detrimental. I expect to see her on air performances become more polished and substantive.

At this point in time I don't expect her to announce a candidacy for President. I would expect her name to placed in nomination with or without her blessing and I wouldn't be at all surprised to see an attempt to draft her.

In the meantime she is probably the most intriguing political personality of the times. She needs to grow. She has the time. For now, she provides a rallying point for every disillusioned, frustrated voter out there because of her ability to connect with them.

She has a "gift" much as Obama had. He rallied the people with his eloquence, well rehearsed and in front of him on teleprompters. Palin's gift is her very ordinariness. Agree with her or not, she speaks from the heart. That resonates!

A Fox For FOX!

"All good things come to he who waits." You betcha! It had to happen. Word is out that Sarah Palin has signed on as a contributor to FOX News.

Wow. Just when I've started viewing selective FOX programming. What a bonus! Sometimes I think FOX News Sunday has some merit. That is until Brit Hume suggested Tiger Woods would do well to forgo his Buddhist beliefs in order to redeem himself in the eyes of his public. FOX News Watch also grabs my attention unless FOX contributor Douglas Kennedy is on. He of little knowledge and large opinion. Yesterday he insulted fellow panelist Judith Miller then talked over the entire panel for the remainder of the program trying to right his wrong. The Journal Editorial Report (Wall Street) is another one I try to catch. Not bad for a network I distained as being far too right wing for years.

Of course, during the Bush years I listened the MSNBC. It was probably my imagination, but at the time I thought they at least made an effort to stay the middle. No more. They are so far left you'd think Obama taught them how to write. You know, left leaning script as left handed writers tend to have. Maybe that's too much of a reach.

CNN seldom gets a listen any more for no better reason than I don't particularly care for it's personalities. Networks are now a "recap of the day's events" which means if it isn't breaking it isn't news. So it's catch as catch can.

Back to Sarah. We all knew it was going to happen. We just weren't sure where or in what format but FOX would have been a good bet. Had I been her agent I'd have pushed for a talk show. Lack of knowledge is more easily concealed; hosts depend on their guests to provide substance. Being a contributor would indicate you have something to contribute. I'm not convinced Ms. Palin does.

No matter. It keeps FOX at the top of the heap for "fair and balanced". To be fair, they have some balance. They have their right wingers, the family values group which will now be Palin along with Huckabee - and everyone else including their token liberals. I can't think of anyone else that comes close.

As for my concern that as a contributor Ms. Palin may be expected to contribute, it could be a negative should she decide to try for office again. For that reason alone. She'll need to do better than reciting talking points. On the other hand, if the going gets too rough she can always do as she has been known to do before. Quit. For the good of FOX News!

Oh, You Beautiful Doll

Wow! Somewhere in China Sarah and Barack Cabbage Patch look alikes are being made! Is that the ultimate symbol of success or what?

I was reading today that Palin is but one point shy of Obama in approval ratings. This struck me as odd since she is selling books like gang busters and he is trying to sell bad policies. She is the rising star and his is falling!

Does this mean anything at all? Is it really news worthy? Well, maybe it has more serious implications than the Tiger Woods ad nauseam that is filling far too many news cycles. After all, Obama is President and I do think Palin would like to be. 2012 is not that far away and I'm not sure selling books qualifies one to be President. It will be interesting to see if any substance lies beneath the charm offensive.

One thing that concerns me is how attracted we are to empty suits. It's something to think about when the real campaigning begins. The country bought into eloquence this go round. Mostly because Bush was so lacking. We mistook the ability to deliver a dynamite speech as ability. We'd be wise not to do the same with a book seller.

When you come right down to it, however, Palin has more experience in governing than Obama did when elected. He hadn't done much of anything in the real world before entering politics. Not to demean community organizers. Surely they have there place in society, but it doesn't necessarily make them Presidential material. He's struggling with the job and the people know it. Thus the declining approval ratings.

I'm worried about what our choice may be in 2012. Will we even have one? Is there anyone out there? Or is this what a generation much younger than mine has set for their standard.

"Failure Is Not An Option"

Have we really come to this? Both the President and the Attorney General have stated, unequivocally, that Khalid Shaikh Mohammad and his co-defendants will be found guilty and executed. What an appalling statement.

It's not just the fear a lot of Americans have about these terrorists being brought to New York City to be tried in Federal Court. It's what the rest of the world is seeing. The reason behind this faulty exercise is to showcase how wonderful our justice system is. How the United States is the shining beacon on the hill of fairness.

Well, perhaps at one time. Whatever happened to "innocent until proven guilty"? Even the most heinous of criminals, those we know are guilty, are given that right. So what about these self admitted terrorists? They've already confessed. Because there has to be a trial in a death penalty case even when one confesses. However, with those admissions having been obtained while they were under duress, how will it muddy the pool of evidence?

How can they possibly seat a jury of their peers? Or does that go by the wayside? What if no Muslim is in the jury pool? Would that be reason for appeal? Then add to it all that I've written in previous posts. It's a difficult situation now made more difficult.

It seems we're at a point where we see a decision not being made because Obama is "thinking things through" or a decision being made, credited to an underling, that has provoked a horrendous backlash. The underling, Mr. Holder, is bearing the brunt of the decision.

The troops in Afghanistan are bearing the brunt of the "thinking things through" mode. Now the delay in troop deployment is being extended while an exit strategy is being examined. I'm to the point I want to hear no more about how poorly the Bush administration handled Iraq. Obama is doing no better in his war of necessity.

Yesterday I stated my lack of regard for anything Sarah Palin including the opinion she is not nor ever will be Presidential material. I'm beginning to wonder the same about the man who currently holds the office.

Passing On Palin

I'm going on record. I am not going to buy nor read Sarah Palin's book. She is coming to the Coeur d'Alene Fred Meyer store December 10th on her signing tour. I will be no where in sight.

I must admit I considered going with my handy Flip video but have even decided against that. I just don't like the woman and do not, for the life of me, understand why this vacant, ill spoken woman gets the press she does. She appeals to ordinary Americans? She's one of us? I guess that makes me something other than ordinary.

I've been listening to all the hype until I'm to the point of not turning on the tube unless it's for the BCC. They seem to be the only real news broadcast out there any more and even they are over dosing on Palin. Did you listen to any of the Oprah interview? Was there anything other than whining? Is there anything in the book that has not yet been revealed? I'll pocket my $30 and take a chance.

It's hard for me to take her seriously as a family values person when her own family is somewhat dysfunctional. I don't blame this on the family as much as a mother whose ambitions out weighed motherhood. It's hard for me to take her seriously as a help to Republican candidates when she goes into an area, as she recently did in New York, without knowing the issues nor the constituency. Personality alone won't cut it in the end when the Democrat wins!

I find it especially hard to take her seriously when, as Maureen Dowd quotes from her book telling of Palin going into labor one 4th of July while kayaking, "I so wanted a patriotic baby that I paddled as hard as I could to speed up the contractions, but she held out until the next day."

This super hero of a woman belongs in a comic book. I can just see her in figure flattering tights with cape flowing behind her, fighting for the American underdog. Can she succeed in her fight against political corruption and media bias? Dang it, you betcha! Just not in the White House.

You'd Think They'd Learn!

These two are enough to give women in politics a bad name! I had hoped for better when Pelosi became Speaker of the House and had no hope what-so-ever when Palin became the Republican Vice Presidential nominee.

It seems not thinking before speaking knows no bounds when it comes to gender. Frankly, I'm tired of all the name calling and inflammatory language that has been coming from both sides of the political spectrum. It is not helping the dialog. These political heavy weights are the ones who should be calming people down, not rousing their ire! I thought we had enough of being accused of being less than American when the Bush Administration accused any and everybody questioning the war, among other things, as being unpatriotic.

Now Ms. Pelosi, in an op ed piece in USA Today, accuses those of us who dare to question bad legislation as being un-American!

These disruptions are occurring because opponents are afraid not just of differing views — but of the facts themselves. Drowning out opposing views is simply un-American. Drowning out the facts is how we failed at this task for decades.

I'm having trouble believing she really said this. Would President Obama suggest she acted stupidly?

As for Ms. Palin, the current queen of Facebook and Twitter, hasn't helped the cause. I wouldn't go so far as to call her un-American, but I would suggest she too acted stupidly. She commented on Facebook that the health care plan is "downright evil".

The America I know and love is not one in which my parents or my baby with Down Syndrome will have to stand in front of Obama's "death panel" so his bureaucrats can decide, based on a subjective judgement of their "level" of productivity in "society" whether they are worthy of health care.

You'd think someone who could put together a sentence like that might at least check the accuracy of it!

They sound like a couple of screeching cats. Can they sink any lower? Probably. There is always mud wrestling. Here all this time I've thought public service was a higher calling. Well. It seems to have no where else to go than up!

Sarah: Red, White And Blue!

Ah, 'tis July 4th. The day we celebrate our Independence from England and most forms of common sense when it comes to fire works and sun exposure!

I got to thinking about the patriotic side of things as Hub hoisted our brand new flag on our brand new non-tangle pole. Who more represents the red, white and blue this particular holiday than Sarah Palin? Red with anger over how she's been treated by the media, white with angst at supposed slights against her family, especially her children. And blue for the way her political career seems to be imploding. Don't be too sure.

I'm going to stick my neck out and offer my thoughts on this woman, mostly because I don't feel like doing the research for a more serious post. It is, after all, a holiday.

I heard one pundit describe her as a narcissistic personality who is about to get very rich. I have no argument with that assessment. With that in mind let's fast forward a year or so. We'll have seen more of her than most of us probably care to because she will be the media darling off setting Obama.

She'll have had her book published and will have been on the speaking circuit preaching her family values agenda, maybe even having a show on FOX a la Huckabee, and trying to become a serious player in the Republican party. The question to me is will she succeed and that depends on how much Americans remember.

Do I think she'll make a bid for the 2012 Republican nomination? If she's successful in her public private life I would guess yes. It will be an ego driven quest to be the first female President.

Do I think she will succeed? No.

Even though the Republican base is said to love her I'm not sure it's really love or infatuation that will quickly run it's course with more exposure. Secondly, the Republican base isn't large enough to carry her nor do I expect it to expand.

She is shaky on the family values issue anyway. She preaches one thing but the fact that her daughter is an unwed mother and that she was rumored to have an affair of her own will come back to haunt her.

When the pundits finish trying to analyze why she resigned from office and whether or not it was political suicide, a few facts will remain.

She quit before her term was up. She didn't want to milk her state as a lame duck since she decided not to seek re-election. If you buy that...

The fact will remain that she quit. A job unfinished to which she had been elected to do. What would she do as President should she win? Would she abdicate to her Vice President so as not to milk Americans as her term in office was about to end? I would ask that question.

There are already plenty of questions about her intellect from her stint is Vice Presidential candidate. I'm not sure she even realizes she needs a cram course in world history and politics. It's that ego thing again.

The last trait I'm going to touch on today is temperament. She has the role of victim down pat. As inappropriate as political cartoons and late night show hosts can be, whining about it is most unbecoming. She has shown me nothing to indicate she has the capability to handle the pressures that come with the Presidency. One cannot whine one's way through life and expect to have respect. Obama is not a whiner and look at the problems he's having gaining the respect of world leaders.

I think she would be an entertaining addition to the FOX line up of Conservative talk show hosts. She can whine all she wants and be handsomely paid for it. I do not, under any circumstance, see her as Presidential material.

I wonder how I'll feel a year from now!

McCain Chose The Wrong Sarah!

Did you know there is a periodical called the Journal of Experimental Psychology ? Neither did I. I think though, it may be well named considering the subject of a recent article.

All this time, since the election, I've been under the impression that McCain lost because he was a weak candidate with an even politically weaker running mate. As is often the case, I've apparently been mistaken. I guess I failed to consider the psychology of the matter. The idea that Sarah Palin was too good looking for her - and John's - own good.

According to an article on Yahoo , a group of students were asked to write their thoughts and feelings about Palin. Another group was asked to write about their thoughts and feelings about her appearance.

The most favorable results came from the group writing about her appearance rather than her those who were asked to assess, among other things, her competence. They also reported they'd be less likely to vote for the McCain/Palin ticket.

Wow. What they're telling us is that if you have a pretty face you can't possibly be capable. Tell that to Glenn Close when she's not in her Sarah, Plain and Tall make up!

There is a definite psychological implication in all of this. Consider the news media. How many unattractive people of either sex sit in an anchor's chair? How many of them come across as being nothing more than a reader of words, written by others, from a monitor? And maybe not the brightest bulb on the set?

Talk about the brainwashing of the masses! There are a huge number of reasons I would not like to see Sarah Palin in national office, but her looks are definitely not one of them!

Out Of The Mouths Of Babes

One reason I was so pro Obama during the election season was due to his age. No one knows better how old and tired those of my generation are then we members of it. I've felt for a long time new energy needs to be introduced into the process of running the country to the running of businesses large and small. Heck, energy period. A commodity which I find in short supply these days.

One of the more difficult aspects of adjusting to the generational difference is one of realizing attitudes differ. It is no longer taboo to have sex before marriage and children out of wedlock. In my day the guys had bragging rights and the girls were ostracized. Morality has a new definition. I don't even know what it is any more. It is a rite of passage of sorts. I well remember my Mom complaining about differences in thinking between herself and her care givers. "Why should I give up my standards just because they don't have any," she would grouse. I find myself having similar thoughts more and more often, but unlike her, I realize the realities of my generation are very different from today's.

Sometimes, though, the very young seem to have better heads on their shoulders then their parents. As in the case of Bristol Palin; she has come to realize the huge responsibility she now bears due to the loosening of what I would have defined as morality.

She is still young enough not to have had ambition and expediency take over truth and common sense. As her mother seeks constant face time in the media, Bristol has had time to reflect. While her mother is crusading for her Christian conservative principles, one of which is the teaching of abstinence for young people; young Bristol is saying, on FOX News no less, that abstinence is "not realistic at all".

When Sarah Palin said about Bristol's baby, "He's going to be just fine", she's probably correct. Because he has Bristol for a mom; not Sarah. I cannot help but wish both mother, father and son the very best. And please, continue to recognize and speak the truth.

Pickin' On Palin

As long as Joe the Plumb...oops, I mean Journalist, remains fodder for the media, Sarah may as well keep her visibility high too. Who knows, one day they may be running mates!

Actually I think I may have underestimated Sarah's suitability for public office. She has learned a great many lessons that will serve her well should she ever move up the ladder! One is to use the media to her advantage. Then blame the media for everything that goes wrong. And whine. Oh yes, whine.

She can't honestly think Caroline Kennedy hasn't taken her lumps for her "you knows" and "ums" during interviews. She has. They both need some lessons on how to communicate effectively.

When she is wondering out loud, to a reporter of course, if Caroline is receiving preferential treatment for a Senate seat because of her name, education and the fact she lives in Manhattan and is more cosmopolitan than the rurally oriented Palin, it makes me chuckle. Kennedy is after all making a run for the Senate seat from New York. Manhattan is in New York. Many of the reporters are based in New York. Yet I find no lack of scrutiny because of it.

One thing Ms. Palin might bear in mind. She was running for the office of Vice President of the United States. Perhaps the enormity, the significance of that position hasn't occurred to her. Perhaps it hasn't occurred to her that being a Mayor of a small Alaskan town wasn't quite enough to convince us she was ready to run the country. It seemed like some kind of a lark to her. I can't begin to imagine how she'd be handling the current situations - the crumbling economy, the escalation of middle east conflicts, had McCain won and become unable to serve.

She might also bear in mind that the scrutiny really wasn't against Sarah Palin, the person as it was Sarah Palin the persona. Now however, it is the person!

Remember the Katie Couric interview and Tina Fey's portrayal of her on Saturday Night Live? According to an AP article, Palin complained that they had "exploited" her. And that Couric had been condescending. Every time these tired old subjects are re-addressed it seems her victimism increases!

She even went on to complain that the reporter doing the interview took her comments out of context "to create adversarial situations." How long has the election been over? Why is this even out there for me to comment on?

She's got it down pat. Use the media. Blame the media. She even has a body double in Fey if the going really gets rough - if she can afford her. She also shows she's in touch with reality for the next go round. If blaming the media doesn't get the traction she needs, she has the rest of us covered too.

As she wrapped up the interview she commented, "When did we start accepting as hard news sources bloggers, anonymous bloggers especially?"

I'm not sure the rest of the world has. But then most of us can name the papers and magazines we read.

Tunnel Vision And Sexism

A columnist for the Coeur d'Alene Press authored a bitter and scathing column on Sunday entitled Sexism is alive and well in America . I couldn't disagree with her more. Two political candidates, Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin, lost their bids for the highest and second highest office in the land. One had insurmountable baggage, some of her own making, some of her husband's. The other was ill prepared for the position she willingly entered into.

It's easy to say race triumphed over gender and to blame the media but neither is true. Hillary may well have persevered had she had not had that baggage and had she had control of her campaign. Sarah Palin too could have persevered had she known her geography, known what periodicals she supposedly read and hadn't tried to be too cute by half. Listen to the interviews where she was overly familiar especially with "Charlie" Gibson and "Joe" Biden in the debate. Not to mention the lack of substance in all her interviews.

Yes the press picked up on every bit of news it could find about her. That it called into question her parenting skills or talked of her once being a beauty queen or that the campaign spent a small fortune to dress her is all true. It was part of letting the voters know what a total stranger who sought to be a heartbeat away from the Presidency was all about. That she was ridiculed on comedy shows? No one made her appear on "Saturday Night Live". If she hadn't anticipated the "heat" it is no one's fault but her own.

I'm not saying she is not a capable young woman. She obviously has potential, but for the moment that's what it is - potential.

To use those two incidents, however, to assert that sexism is alive and well is an insult to all the women who are high level achievers outside the realm of politics. Take the women written about in yesterday's Wall Street Journal article entitled The 50 Women to Watch - 2008 . Excluding women from other countries, here are a few of our own. Irene Rosenfeld, Chief Executive, Kraft foods; Sheila Bair, Chairman, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.; Indra Nooyi, Chairman and Chief Executive, Pepsico; Ellen J. Kullman, President and designated Chief Executive, Dupont; Anne M. Mulcahy, Chairman and Chief Executive, Xerox; Ursula M. Burns, President, Xerox; Patricia Woertz, Chief Executive Officer, Archer-Midland Daniels...and so many more.

Sorry, but Hillary's "Sisterhood of the Travelling Pantsuit" is alive and well. The glass ceiling has been shattered again and again by hard work, tenacity, and ability. The revolution continues. Nancy Pelosi as the first female Speaker of the House. How many women serve in Congress and as Governors?

Sexism or the lack of it should not be judged by the failure of the overly ambitious but rather by the accomplishments of the many truly capable.

Some Thoughts On Why McCain/Palin Lost

As gracious as McCain was in his concession speech, I was stunned to hear him say he didn't know what else the campaign could have done to win. He could have remained the John McCain of 2000 for starters.

I couldn't help wonder if it was an ill prepared statement, certainly not the speech he had hoped to give, or if he really is clueless. What really made this catch my attention was earlier in the evening, before any results were in and polls were still open, the McCain campaign released a series of robo calls, in Spanish, in southern Florida stating that Castro had endorsed Obama and all the insinuations that go with such a statement. A last minute burst of negativity.

Health issues and age aside, I was turned off when McCain, who had promised a clean and honorable campaign, delivered anything but. Obama too promised the same and kept his word for the most part. Negative campaigning works. That's why the more a campaign finds itself struggling, the more negative it gets. Perhaps it has now run its course. But I wonder if McCain and his campaign couldn't see that it wasn't working.

This morning I heard Sarah Palin stating that she didn't think she was of enough significance to have taken votes away from McCain. What the heck is that supposed to mean? She was his running mate! So of course she did unless you were one of the extreme right who found her enchanting. Her personal political emphasis paired with her own rock 'em, sock 'em style of negative campaigning most certainly did take votes away from McCain, just as her inexperience in matters beyond Alaska did.

It is all moot at this point and my thoughts are nothing more than conjecture. However, Obama won convincingly. It wasn't all for his stance on policy as much as it was his demeanor, his intellect and sincerity and his inordinate ability to inspire.

For those who may still be thinking he is too young and inexperienced to be able to govern effectively, just think about the staff he put together and the campaign they ran. Had Hillary done the same she might have prevailed. The same holds true for McCain. Neither maintained control of the campaigns that bore their names.

The emphasis shifts now. Obama told us last night the future will be a rough road for awhile and that we may not all agree with decisions he makes. That would be true of any newly elected President. The most important thing he said, to me, is that he will be honest with us.

That one thing can make the difference between change and business as usual.

Our Love Hate Relationship With Sarah Palin

I laughed out loud this morning as I read Kathleen Parker's column regarding undecided voters. In it she described Sarah Palin as "the winking wonder woman of Wasilla".

It got me to thinking about how voters either love Ms. Palin or hate her. There seems to be no middle ground. Everything about her seems to be polarizing but I think there is a middle ground truth to be found.

Let's look at those who love her. Men who think she's hot! Parents of children with developmental disabilities. Staunch believers of the ideology of the Christian right. Those who see her as the girl next door who made good. She is not a "wonder woman" to them; she is "every woman".

Those who hold her in far less esteem are like me. They see someone who has done little since day one than pad her resume and hasn't made much of an effort to hide it. A woman with a modicum of raw ability and more than a modicum of ambition. One savvy enough to create an opportunity for herself yet naive enough to allow herself to be used to her own detriment. An unworldly lightweight.

The campaign has cried foul when her detractors have called her on her less than impressive credentials, especially members of her own party.

There are similar feelings about "Joe the Plumber". We either love him as an "every man" or we hate him as an opportunistic fraud.

What has caused this polarization? Where is the middle ground where each would have been met with a shrug then dismissed as a non issue? I think it's because we sense so much of ourselves in each of them. Perhaps we even recognize, through them, we have been a part of the problem in which we now find ourselves immersed.

We're not the intellectuals we'd like to think we are. We see ourselves as more important than we are. We exaggerate our strengths to minimize our weaknesses rather than facing the truth. We take to the stage for our fifteen minutes of fame whether or not it may do harm to others. It's all about us and not about us at all.

Even though the race is far closer than I'd have thought at this time, perhaps the reason Obama has been so successful is he always emphasizes it is not about himself, but about us. And perhaps the reason John McCain hasn't done better is because it always seems to be about him.

Spooky!

Just when I was beginning to feel good about new beginnings this turns up! The effigy of Sara Palin hangs in front of a West Hollywood home. Needless to say it has drawn quite a bit of attention, including news crews.

When asked if the scene was appropriate, the owner of the house agreed it would be out of bounds any other time of the year but now it is in the spirit of Halloween. "It should be seen as art, and is within the month of October. It's Halloween, it's time to be scary, it's time to be spooky." Indeed.

On that basis I suppose the 18 and 20 year old skinheads who plotted to kill 88 people including beheading 14 African Americans and ultimately assassinating Obama while dressed in top hats and white tuxedos should also be given a pass. It's time to be scary. It's time to be spooky.

There was the shooting at the University of Central Arkansas that left two students dead and another injured. And of course the murder of Jennifer Hudson's mother and brother and 7 year old nephew. It's a time to be scary. It's a time to be spooky.

I thank heaven that our humane society is not adopting out any cats until after Halloween. One can only imagine what would be found the day after. It's time to be scary. It's time to be spooky.

I'd like to think this had been a bad dream while sleeping off my cold, but no, I had to turn on that TV!

Sarah Palin - Today's Woman

There is nothing about Sarah Palin's political leanings that I agree with. I don't think she is, by any stretch of the imagination, ready to assume the Vice Presidency of the United States. But, boy, I do like her spirit. When she learns how to articulate her thoughts in a more cohesive manner she will be formidable.

Her spunk first became publicly apparent when she showed her disapproval of the campaign's withdrawing from Michigan. Now, after the shopping spree flap she is back to wearing her own clothes and ignoring those tired, old boy network, white guys that are advising her. I love it!

She's "going rogue" comes the cry. One insider says, "She is a diva. She takes no advice from anyone. She does not have any relationships of trust with any of us, her family or anyone else." I don't know about her family dynamics but from the way she was chosen, then sequestered, I see no reason why she'd have any trust for those now complaining.

They go on to say, "Also, she is playing for her future and sees herself as the next leader of the party. Remember: Divas trust only unto themselves, as they see themselves as the beginning and end of all wisdom." It sounds like Palin's own definition of an elitist mixed with a bit of scripture! It also shows that she realizes how she has been used and doesn't like it one little bit.

She may well go on to be a leader of the Christian Conservative side of the party. They like her just fine the way she is. She needs a bit of polishing for the world outside of Alaska. She's smart and savvy and will learn from this experience. I expect she will begin to actually read those papers and magazines whose names were fed to her, she'll begin to travel outside the country and she'll wear the clothes that she is most comfortable in.

I think of how Hillary's supporters felt the world had dropped out from under them when she lost the nomination. How they felt this was their chance to see a woman achieve the Presidency. Well, rest easy, ladies. Sarah Palin isn't my choice for national office and probably not yours but she has shown that there are others out there able and ready to do battle.

They are women. Hear them roar?

Pretty Palin

"Pretty woman walkin' down the street
Pretty woman, the kind I like to meet
Pretty woman, I don't believe you
You're not the truth
No one could look as good as you
Mercy"

In all fairness, what's "hot"in Alaska may not pass muster in the D.C. social scene. The hair definitely needs some work; the gown - eh. Can't see enough of it. But $49,425.74 at Saks and $75,062.63 at Nieman's? WOWSER!

I'm sure glad to know political contributions are put to good use. After all we wouldn't want our potential Vice President looking like a pig in lipstick! Hmmm. Speaking of that, I wonder just how much of the $4,716.49 of the hair and make up expenditures actually went to lipstick!

Julia Roberts she ain't but with a fashion consultant and a budget, well, anything is possible!

Now I do know a little bit about these stores. A lot of my dressier clothes have come from Nieman's. Otherwise it's LL Bean or Murdochs. I know Saks and Nieman's are upscale but in my wildest dreams I'd have trouble spending bucks like that - even if I were in my prime and lived somewhere where the clothing might actually be appropriate.

I really feel sorry for Hub. He likes to buy me nice clothes but a fortune could have been saved had he had the foresight to declare me a charity. Then maybe those high tone threads could have come my way free - or well discounted. After all, they'd have been worn!

Here's a link to an actual catalog . Go ahead. Browse through it. Pick out your $75,000 worth of duds. See if the Republican donors are getting their money's worth.

Now in consideration of the Fairness Doctrine I want the DNC to fess up. How much did you guys put forth for Michelle Obama? Come on now. We want our potential First Lady to look every bit as good as our potential VP.

What about the men? Ah, a tux is a tux. Basic black is always in style. Can you tell if it's a Tux Shop rental or a Brooks Brothers hand tailored? I'll bet those Country Club Republicans and Limousine Liberals can!

What the heck. It's good for the economy.

A Few Final Thoughts From Out And About

In thinking about all those dinner conversations we overheard on our trip, it has occurred to me that something monumental had been happening. Those folks were discussing an issue, not a personality.

We stopped in Ames, resplendent with McCain/Palin signs, to visit with an old classmate of mine and her husband who had long been on staff at Iowa State. They were both for Obama and passionate about it. It goes to the point that imagery isn't necessarily the end all. All those signs.

Living in Ames, they are of course on hand for the Iowa caucuses and the famous straw poll. Having family coming in from out of town, they were asked to get tickets to hear Obama. Three hundred or so were expected; the demand rose to three thousand. We all know how Obama fared.

In watching the news tonight, the first time in a week, I was heartened to hear people who's opinion actually matters, beginning to admit that Ms. Palin is not yet qualified for the Vice Presidency. My sense of sanity is beginning to return.

This next fourteen days will see lots of nail biting as the polls are watched. I'm not at all comfortable that enough voters feel as strongly as I do about Obama's strengths versus his weaknesses. I am encouraged, however, that Ms. Palin is no longer being viewed as a novelty but as a genuine issue unto herself. And she is.

I love her on Saturday night live. I love her as cheer-leader-in-chief. I love the energy she has instilled into a stodgy old Republican campaign. But that's where it stops. Beyond that it is no longer a lark, a joke. It's dead serious.

Ms. Palin and Joe the Plumber have provided comic relief. They're the USO. Now, however, it's time to return to the reality of what we're doing. Electing a world leader.

No joke.