Earlier today I posted a picture I found on the internet of when Sarah Palin was a “beauty queen”.
Someone asked why, and it got me thinking… why does it matter if I post that pick?
Not that the comment was alluding to this, but the elephant tip-toeing through the room right now is the assumption that Ms. Palin should not be taken seriously because she was a “beauty queen”. Of course this is wrong. Someone’s looks does not disqualify them from being taken seriously. There are a litany of people that have participated in beauty contests and cheer leading (which I find to be related) that are taken seriously- or at least have ascended to positions that are serious.
Here is a very short list, in pictorial form:
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
George W Bush, Cheerleader
Former Governor, Jesse
These three men have engaged in body building and cheer leading during their lives. Everyone knew it before they sought political office.
Did anyone question their intrinsic value as a candidate because of this? Probably not. I bet people had more of a problem with Ventura’s “wrestling” past then they did him showing his body off. But when it came down to their mental readiness to assume their positions people either did not care that these men participated in cheer leading and body building and/or they cared initially and the men were able to assuage those concerns by the way they conducted themselves during their campaigns.
I believe the same should be true with Sarah Palin. I do not believe she should be the next Vice President, not based on her beauty queen past, but based on her stances on things like abortion, the Iraq War (where she states we’re at war “not knowing the plan to ever end the war”- clip below) and her botched term as Mayor that I have commented on in other posts.
Lastly, I believe if you look at someone and do not take them seriously as a candidate because they were involved in beauty pageants, or some such thing, over 20 years ago and do not do your due diligence in vetting them as a candidate then you are making a grave mistake.
Cheers,
Tom
Well, I asked the question because the picture had nothing to do with the topic of the post. And, as you said, her past participation in pageants is really not relevant to anything that’s happening now. Yet, the media has already started with the constant references to the ‘former beauty queen’. (Along with comments starting up in the blogosphere about how ‘hot’ she is, including the picture of her that you used with the caption VPILF) I don’t seem to remember constant reference to ‘former cheerleader George W. Bush’ during either of his campaigns.
I think Ann on feministing sums it up well: “As we noted over and over throughout the Democratic primary, it’s important to decry sexism against women in politics even if you don’t agree with them on the issues or endorse their candidacy. With that we’re depressed to note that the sexist bullshit against Republican VP pick Sarah Palin is cropping up so soon.”
Obviously you weren’t using the picture with the intent of being sexist (I know you better than that), but I wanted to ask the question anyway just to get your thoughts on it and have a discussion. There are plenty of reasons why Palin shouldn’t be taken seriously, but the way she looks isn’t one of them
I just can’t see the average American supporting a candidate that is a secessionist. When you consider that one of the Alaskan Independence Party’s stated goals was to infiltrate other political parties and activist groups. Both Todd and Sarah Palin were active members in the AIP.
Might be pedestrian to be part of an “anti-American” group like that in states like Alaska, Vermont or Texas – where there are a lot of secessionists. But the rest of the country kind of gets loony over things like patriotism.
I agree that our private lives, imperfect as they may be, should not be held as a substitute for our potential performance in our public lives.
sunni, you cheater.
It’s not about a question of looks or personal lives you see. It’s about a question of awareness, or at least a bit of intelligence. And Jezebel is right in saying that the way she looks isn’t the reason why she shouldn’t be taken seriously.
And of course, her beauty queen past getting associated with her level of awareness because, once again, it’s inevitable.
Keep up the good worK!