Lipstick on a pitbull.
"I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a 'community organizer,' except that you have actual responsibilities." - GOP Vice-Presidential Candidate Sarah Palin, in her acceptance speech
Ms. Palin, I've done my best to refrain from extensively commenting on your candidacy. While I never supported your nomination, I think most see your selection as a political ploy. The recent scandalous developments merely demonstrate the poor judgement of the McCain campaign -- there's no need to touch upon them when you're genuinely unqualified for the position.
Tonight's acceptance speech changed this.
Buried within the disingenuous and negative drivel that comprised your speech is the gem quoted above, dismissing community organizers as lacking "actual responsibilities." This is, by and large, one of the most ignorant things I've heard this election season.
It's particularly ignorant because candidates from all parts of the political spectrum rely on a solid ground game to get elected. In fact, it was the GOP's vastly superior GOTV machine that allowed them to take the White House in 2004. These efforts to "get out the vote" through canvassing, cold calling, and more were headed by -- you guessed it -- community organizers. To dismiss them is to deny credit to the volunteers that were responsible for your party's past victories.
Going beyond politics, the notion that community organizers lack actual responsibilities and therefore shouldn't be taken seriously is a slap in the face to every person that makes personal sacrifices to help their fellow neighbors live better lives. It's not easy to volunteer your time, energy, and money to make sure that others in your community can get a decent education, put food on the table, and deal with day-to-day struggles. These everyday heroes work behind the scenes to keep our cities running smoothly, often without the level of recognition or appreciation they deserve.
That's alright, because those that choose this path aren't in it for recognition. What isn't alright, however, is mocking and belittling a group that is already unappreciated.
All of this is topped off by how foolish this line of attack is. Why would you insult community organizers? I can't imagine who this will play well with, and you're explicitly angering people that can bring others together for a cause. As one observer put it: "These folks are are good at, well, organizing. Wouldn't they be the group you'd least want to anger?"
On the whole, your speech did its job. It touched upon aspects of your biography, went after Obama and Biden, and excited the base. I might not have enjoyed your oratory, but I won't deny that it was a success. It clearly was.
That said, remember how pundits noted the ease in which your campaign could invoke gender if Biden attacked you during the vice-presidential debate? This speech just gave him the opening he needed to go after you without being accused of sexism.
And believe me, he will attack you. Ms. Palin, welcome to the lower 48. You're up against a scrapper from Scranton and a politician from the south side of Chicago who aren't afraid to say that "Mitt Romney’s attack on a candidate’s wife is as pathetic as his failed presidential campaign."
Step up your game.
Ms. Palin, I've done my best to refrain from extensively commenting on your candidacy. While I never supported your nomination, I think most see your selection as a political ploy. The recent scandalous developments merely demonstrate the poor judgement of the McCain campaign -- there's no need to touch upon them when you're genuinely unqualified for the position.
Tonight's acceptance speech changed this.
Buried within the disingenuous and negative drivel that comprised your speech is the gem quoted above, dismissing community organizers as lacking "actual responsibilities." This is, by and large, one of the most ignorant things I've heard this election season.
It's particularly ignorant because candidates from all parts of the political spectrum rely on a solid ground game to get elected. In fact, it was the GOP's vastly superior GOTV machine that allowed them to take the White House in 2004. These efforts to "get out the vote" through canvassing, cold calling, and more were headed by -- you guessed it -- community organizers. To dismiss them is to deny credit to the volunteers that were responsible for your party's past victories.
Going beyond politics, the notion that community organizers lack actual responsibilities and therefore shouldn't be taken seriously is a slap in the face to every person that makes personal sacrifices to help their fellow neighbors live better lives. It's not easy to volunteer your time, energy, and money to make sure that others in your community can get a decent education, put food on the table, and deal with day-to-day struggles. These everyday heroes work behind the scenes to keep our cities running smoothly, often without the level of recognition or appreciation they deserve.
That's alright, because those that choose this path aren't in it for recognition. What isn't alright, however, is mocking and belittling a group that is already unappreciated.
All of this is topped off by how foolish this line of attack is. Why would you insult community organizers? I can't imagine who this will play well with, and you're explicitly angering people that can bring others together for a cause. As one observer put it: "These folks are are good at, well, organizing. Wouldn't they be the group you'd least want to anger?"
On the whole, your speech did its job. It touched upon aspects of your biography, went after Obama and Biden, and excited the base. I might not have enjoyed your oratory, but I won't deny that it was a success. It clearly was.
That said, remember how pundits noted the ease in which your campaign could invoke gender if Biden attacked you during the vice-presidential debate? This speech just gave him the opening he needed to go after you without being accused of sexism.
And believe me, he will attack you. Ms. Palin, welcome to the lower 48. You're up against a scrapper from Scranton and a politician from the south side of Chicago who aren't afraid to say that "Mitt Romney’s attack on a candidate’s wife is as pathetic as his failed presidential campaign."
Step up your game.
posted by Jason at 2:23 AM
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