Sarah Palin as Elle Woods?
With the highly-anticipated vice presidential debate tonight, here's a thought provoking column about Sarah Palin. I thought the class might find it interesting. Feel free to comment if you wish.
posted by Michael R. Kramer | 12:52 PM
10 Comments:
I think that this is a pretty strongly worded article. I'm disinclined to believe that Palin does indeed represent the inner "Elle Woods" who can do anything just because she believes in herself. Let's not forget that Elle had help along the way in the movies.
There is another issue at stake here-- when Warner writes "They know she can’t possibly do it all — the kids, the special-needs baby, the big job, the big conversations with foreign leaders. And neither could they," I think she leaves out an important issue. Are people asking how Obama, Biden, and McCain are going to handle the commitments with foreign leaders and their respective families? No, because those three are men and the home and family is traditionally a woman's realm. But this election has been about change-- why can't we assume that Todd Palin will step up to handle the kids while Sarah talks to all the big wigs around the world?
Finally, I think this brings up the larger issue of why women would vote for the McCain/Palin ticket. I would hope it's not because of some sense of liberation or women's rights. It should be because women think that ticket presents the strongest future for America. Boiling it down to black and white (as I think Warner did) oversimplifies the choice women voters will make in November. While women might be more inclined to consider Palin, I think we need to remember studies have shown that women voters are hardest on women candidates.
Personally, I know that the choice I make in November will have very little to do with the home life of the candidates or finding my inner Elle-- I believe my vote counts... but that's just me. :]
Reading this after the debate and listening to the class discussion today, Sarah Palin has a bit of Elle Woods within her. Not in the way the author describes, because it was indeed strongly worded and negative, but in the way that she wants the best for America. She did not wake up one morning and decide that she wanted to be McCain's running mate just because it was a "fun thing to do" (laugh if you will, but it's true). By her accepting McCain's invitation to run as his VP she is showing she is not afraid of a challenge. Running for any political office is a challenge. Any individual willing to take the chance to lead the American people is someone who should be applauded, because many of us are not willing to take that chance.
I agree with the author. kind of. Asking Sarah Palin to run alongside John McCain wasn't fair, but I don't think it was cruelty.
Sure, McCain could have picked a more experienced, higher ranking well-known individual as his running mate. But, when Palin emerged onto the scene she exuded a certain mystique and was able to connect with americans in a way that no other worn and torn Politician had done before, excluding Obama. Similar to Elle Woods, she was new and vivacious and fiery. Because Americans were intrigued by her style and wanted to learn more about the relatively unknown governor, the media hounded her. The unfairness really began when the media started to meticulously analyze every word she said. Again, like Elle, Sarah has made a few big gaffes. Understandable.. everyone makes mistakes. But even so, I still don't think she is prepared for this job-- nothing against Sarah, but she hasn't had that much experience.
I feel like the McCain camp chose Sarah because she could potentially attract women and blue collar voters. Before he introduced Sarah at the RNC, McCain said something like "I hope you are impressed with her as I am." I don't think McCain chose Sarah because he was impressed with her. Sarah was a strategy.
Our culture has over-romanticized the idea of the underdog-- that's why we love Rudy and why we rejoiced when the Giants dethroned the Patriots last year in the superbowl. Just as Elle Woods was an underdog, Sarah Palin is an underdog. I think some of Sarah's support comes from Americans looking for another against-all-odds success story. But, the author is right. We have to remember that this isn't Hollywood-- it's reality.
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I saw nothing wrong with that photo of Palin. I think she looks sharp and happy. I agree with these other comments on how Palin may resemble an inner of Elle Woods, but it is not a negative thing. Palin has passion to move in the positive direction. I have faith in her and believe if she really wants the position, she can do it all--have the job, family, etc.
Although the author of this blog post seems to think of Sarah Palin as an "Elle Woods" being all negative, I feel as though it could be turned around. Yes, Elle Woods is at times ditsy and seems unqualified (her video getting her into Harvard,) but she really does earn her admission. She studies for the LSATS to be admitted and then follows her dream and stays on top of all of her work while at school. For Palin to still show feminine qualities and possess the determinatious and acceptance of the challenge to be VP shows in my opinion someone to look up to and not belittle.
If people want to call Palin Elle Woods, oh well. She is doing a good job in a profession dominated by males and I don't think she could have come as far as she has if she didn't believe in herself and stick to what she thinks is right.
I disagree with the article. Elle's personality in Legally Blonde is an exaggerated character, but her essence and spirit should be adopted by more politicians. It is not about being ditzy, but intstead about her dedication. How can we judge someone for using their looks to get ahead and completely diregard how others will use connections such as family members to get ahead in their profession. Having style and caring about appearance should be seen as taking pride in presentation. I think Legally Blonde should be taken for the message it is really trying to get across: to remain determined to make a difference. If that is what Sarah Palin is doing she should be congratulated, not mocked.
What is so wrong with someone looking up to Sarah Palin? As far as I'm concerned she is a role model whether she is elected VP or not. People tend to forget that she has been raising a family, working, and she has been in politics for years. All this time she has been "doing it all". In fact, she will probably have an easier time "doing it all" when she is elected VP and has numerous aids helping her everywhere she goes.
ok so to play Devil's advocate I'm going to defend Palin on this one. The comparison to Elle Woods is interesting but a bit inaccurate. I think what people forget is that Palin was chosen for very specific reasons...obviously not her foreign policy experience but not strictly for her sash either. McCain has enough foreign policy experience for the both of them, but critics are quick to forget that once Palin entered the race so did the social conservatives. This key constituency remained neutral pre-Palin. And while "being pretty" might not win you the nobel prize it can help bring attention to a campaign eager for a makeover! I think critics need to recognize the bigger issue...the shift to image politics. Give the beauty queen a break...many politicians have gained an edge for being easy on the eyes, Kennedy of course the most famous example. But politicians who are tall are also favored. So the obvious rebuttal to this is that "well Kennedy was competent at least" but I resent the argument asserted by the author that Palin is an embarrassment to women. This is not a reflection of my affection for Sarah Palin rather my reluctance to support competence as defined by white men who dominate politics. What is competence? who has defined that term for us? an who has the authority to say what does and does not constitute competence? The author forgets that while Elle is admitted for her "extra-curriculars" and "charm" she quickly adapts and goes on to become valedictorian. And while she is chosen to assist on a big case onm account of the professors "alterior motives" she wins the trust of the client on account of being in the same sorority and consequently wins the case as a result of her beauty knowledge...Elle had the know-how to recognize a discrepancy in the witnesses testimony because "everyone knows you can't wash your hair for 24 hours after you get a perm!" I am not one to make assumptions but I am pretty sure a man would not have had the savvy to recognize that! I appreciate the critique Elle and Palin inject to the hegemonic political arena! alright I will stop my rant....
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