2008 Election

Que Sarah, Que Sera.

Staying open-minded about the new Republican veep nominee long enough to research her and make up my own mind was quite a challenge, considering the frequent baffled-and-furious dings of my Twitter feed, RSS reader and email alerts. When I finally sat down this morning to comb through all the weekend’s coverage and catch up (that DNC hangover has been a real doozy, lemme tell ya), I was amazed at how difficult it was to find any straightforward information about Sarah Palin in the sea of pregnancy rumors and Wal-Mart Mom hysteria that surrounds her (incredibly!) obscure nomination. That may be a sign that I need to adjust some of my news consumption habits, but I just spent a solid hour on her Wikipedia page and all I can say at this point is that I’m intrigued and interested to see what she does with this opportunity.

I disagree with her on most important issues, but I refuse to join the posse of witch-hunters proclaiming that she’s sloppy-seconds bait for PUMAs and that she doesn’t represent the interests of women. It’s the same ridiculous business that drives me nuts when people resort to low-blows about whether Barack is “black enough” or “white enough” or if Michelle is “too angry.” I’m hoping, at the very least, that this election will force the American people to recognize that these are individuals, not icons onto which we can project the entire history and future of inequality.

I’m also hoping that, as an outsider, Palin will bring some new (thoughtful) vision to the Republican Party. Arianna wrote today about its disappointing, fringe state and the need to reconsider its future. After today’s research, it seems unlikely that Palin will divert much from the evangelical stranglehold, but we haven’t really seen her in action yet.

Early instincts leave me feeling about Sarah Palin the same way I do about Mike Huckabee, the conservative you just want to cuddle. It’s unfortunate that their positions are illogical, ineffective and religious-based because it’s fun to have some likeable and spunky Republicans around. The same way I respect Barack’s shrewd assent to leadership in the Democratic party, I can admire Palin’s. I also suspect I would have been pals with “Sarah Barracuda” when she was captain of the high school championship basketball team, shooting the game-winning free throw on an injured ankle. And you’ve got to hand it to a woman who managed to deliver her keynote address seven hours before giving premature birth to a Down syndrome baby and going back to work three days later. I even respect the mom who gives unconditional love to her pregnant 17-year-old daughter who’s made a mistake (although, perhaps that abstinence-only education policy isn’t the best idea?).

She passes my intestinal fortitude test even if I can’t vote for her, and I’ll be looking forward to her debates with keen interest.

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