Not bad considering Patti Davis was the author.

(I liked the line that women do not define "toughness" as the ability to kill a moose.)

We need you to make clear that women do not automatically judge someone because of gender; we are more concerned with the quality of their character and the depth and breadth of their experience.

Farking hypocrite. And New Yorkers elected her based on what then? Oh yea, because she was a woman and her husband was the first black president.

Interesting letter and I agree with most of it. I have a penis.

We need you to make clear that women do not automatically judge someone because of gender; we are more concerned with the quality of their character and the depth and breadth of their experience.

I'm sorry, but I have a lot of trouble reading this statement without bursting out laughing.

The democrats spoke and wanted Obama and Biden to speak for them. How about letting the pair actually speak for you instead of whining for Hillary to come and make it better.

If Palin is as laughable as everyone says (I haven't seen her handle tough questions from a reporter yet or a debate yet so I can't say) those two really should be able to handle it. So what if she's a woman? Treat her like a politician.

Meh. Clinton will be more helpful by visiting certain crucial communities but avoiding attacking Palin in the national media. The McCain camp is simultaneously presenting her as "Superwoman Sarah Barracuda" and refusing to let the press ask her questions. It's a ridiculous strategy that will fail without Hillary getting involved in attacking her.

Lionel Mandrake:

Yeah, I think the ticket would be better served by just having Hillary campaign for Obama instead of unleashing her with the intent of blunting Sarah-mania.

America is stupid but I'd like to think that the women of this country who supported Hillary wouldn't just jump over to Palin because she has a vagina.

Well written and to the point.

Brettster808: I have a penis.

Ah, yes, the controversial first draft of Dr. King's famous speech.

sullyman: Farking hypocrite. And New Yorkers elected her based on what then? Oh yea, because she was a woman and her husband was the first black president.

It was more because she was a Democrat, and because Rudy Giuliani got cancer and was replaced with someone no one had heard of.

PoopStain: Patti Davis shows up every four years to embarrass her parents and then she crawls back into the woodwork.

Speaking of wood, isn't she due for a new round of nude pictures?

a follow up Playboy spread after 14 years? pass.

GAT_00: We need you to make clear that women do not automatically judge someone because of gender; we are more concerned with the quality of their character and the depth and breadth of their experience.

I'm sorry, but I have a lot of trouble reading this statement without bursting out laughing.

Why?

mekki: Why?

Because he forgets that Hillary supporters who are reluctant to go to Obama question his experience.

Gwendolyn: The democrats spoke and wanted Obama and Biden to speak for them. How about letting the pair actually speak for you instead of whining for Hillary to come and make it better.

If Palin is as laughable as everyone says (I haven't seen her handle tough questions from a reporter yet or a debate yet so I can't say) those two really should be able to handle it. So what if she's a woman? Treat her like a politician.

That's just it... she won't do interviews. Why give her benefit of the doubt on her "toughness" if she's too much of a coward to face the public?

And yes, that's cowardice. She's not a movie star being hounded by Paparazzi. She's not running for City Council or Mayor or Governor, she's running to be Vice President. If she gets the job, she'll have MUCH harsher critics, much more vital responsibilities, and much more important and difficult questions to answer than telling reporters that she wants to overturn Roe v. Wade.

If she's not ready right now to answer the questions of reporters, why should we believe she's ready to be Vice President? That's an important job... it requires the person to be ready, on Day One, to take over as President.

P.S. As for letting Obama/Biden speak for themselves... that defeats the purpose.

If you're wanting to get through to people who care about women's rights and women's issues, especially women themselves and Hillary supporters, Obama and Biden aren't the best figures to win over that specific demographic.

If those people are undecided or leaning McCain at this point, the only person who could have a chance at getting through to them is Clinton.

Gwendolyn: If Palin is as laughable as everyone says (I haven't seen her handle tough questions from a reporter yet or a debate yet so I can't say) those two really should be able to handle it. So what if she's a woman? Treat her like a politician.

So far every time I've seen someone criticize her, some McCain surro has come out and said that's sexist.

I remember when Carreville was pointing out some of the more glaring holes, and Miss Smiley McCatholicsWorshipTheDevil said he was being sexist.

Just get Hillary out there with all guns blazing if they want to play that game, it may even get some more people to pay off her debt.

Dan the Schman: If she's not ready right now to answer the questions of reporters, why should we believe she's ready to be Vice President? That's an important job... it requires the person to be ready, on Day One, to take over as President.

Not only that, unlike Obama or McCain, she would be taking over as President during a national crisis -- either the death of the President, the impeachment of the President, or the resignation of the President. She'd damn well better be ready to be President.

slobarnuts: So far every time I've seen someone criticize her, some McCain surro has come out and said that's sexist.

That's sexist.

Larry Mahnken: That's sexist.

What's sexist?

WalkingCarpet: America is stupid but I'd like to think that the women of this country who supported Hillary wouldn't just jump over to Palin because she has a vagina.

It's really, simply impossible to tell, now. Between media exaggeration of a few malcontents (PUMA) and everything else, it looks like the women who supported Hillary were happy to support McCain without Palin.

Realistically, we're confident that this cannot be true. Women are not that stupid, and really no different than men in their political concerns.

It's all bullshiat until people go to the voting booths, and I think there's going to be a wet, icy cold blast of reality drenching the media exaggerafest.

If Palin cannot represent all women, how does hillary? how is the strong voice of hillary bringing women into the light any differentthat the GOP bringing them into line.

madame author, your plea makes no sense.

yeah Hillary you owe Obama big time. you cheese cake eating Annie Oakley.

Hillary does not represent all women, but I think it's fair to argue that she does represent her supporters. At least her supporters thought so when they voted for her (at least the ones that weren't out voting for her to try to beat Obama so that McCain wouldn't have to face him in the general election).

flashfry: If Palin cannot represent all women, how does hillary? how is the strong voice of hillary bringing women into the light any differentthat the GOP bringing them into line.

madame author, your plea makes no sense.

A) Hillary can attack Palin without being attacked as a sexist.

B) Hillary can appeal to her disaffected voters who are still undecided or leaning McCain.

C) Hillary will get the national attention required to shine a giant spotlight on McCain/Palin wanting to overturn Roe v. Wade. On Palin being against all measures to prevent pregnancy from occurring in the first place, as well as being against STD prevention.

Contraceptives aren't just used to keep women from getting pregnant. Sex-education isn't just about getting pregnant. Both are absolutely vital if we want to see a decrease in the spread of STDs, most importantly AIDS.

Believe it or not, there are swaths of people out there who don't realize McCain is pro-life, and others who don't think he wants to overturn Roe v. Wade.

Mostly due to the media not covering it.

mekki: Why?

The amount of Hillary supporters, my sister included, who stayed on Hillary's side through the entire campaign for the single reason that she was a woman makes me not take that statement seriously in the slightest.

There's nothing negative that Hillary can say to critique Palin that Republicans won't spin as "she's bitter and jealous".

The Dems need to use Hillary to take another angle- Undermining Palin with her base. Hillary should be incredibly supportive of Palin's participation in the campaign. She should compliment her on the brave decision that she's taking with so much on her plate. She should be in awe of her strength and certitude in the face of so many irresponsible attacks. She should be supportive and graceful. Women apparently like that.

In short, this should make her Palin's poison pill. Republican women will begin to feel uncomfortable with Palin's shrillness, which will remind them of Hillary (the old Hillary- not this new magnanimous one with all the class).

If Repub women start to get the sensation that Palin is a harpy, and Repub men start having flashbacks about getting yelled at by their mom, this whole folksy thing starts to unravel.

Dear Hilary.

If you do not stop Sarah Palin now, she could be the first female president.

Instead of you.


Welp, that oughta get the fangs out.

GAT_00: We need you to make clear that women do not automatically judge someone because of gender; we are more concerned with the quality of their character and the depth and breadth of their experience vagina?

I'm sorry, but I have a lot of trouble reading this statement without bursting out laughing.

/Hillary should do as this woman says.

Where's Hillary? She's in I'm-not-going-to-be-president-land. She's not coming back to speak for all women, she doesn't give a fark.

unyon: If Repub women start to get the sensation that Palin is a harpy, and Repub men start having flashbacks about getting yelled at by their mom, this whole folksy thing starts to unravel.

No it wont.

Her base isn't women, her base is full of social conservatives. Short of some video of her sacrificing a lamb to the devil and eating aborted fetuses, they're pretty solidly behind her.

Please help us communicate that putting a woman on a presidential ticket is only a good thing if it's the right woman.

Democrat voters communicated that several months ago.

slobarnuts: Her base isn't women, her base is full of social conservatives. Short of some video of her sacrificing a lamb to the devil and eating aborted fetuses, they're pretty solidly behind her.

The point being if that Hillary is also solidly behind her, something is wrong with Palin.

There are many definitions of toughness. Most women would probably define it as meeting the daily challenges of raising a family in an increasingly treacherous world. They would think about the nights with no sleep sitting up with a sick child, or a race to the emergency room with a child in pain. Most would not define toughness as the ability and willingness to shoot and kill an animal. Nor are they impressed by seeing a woman brandishing an assault weapon, or sitting on her couch with the skin and head of a dead grizzly bear behind her.

Hasn't Palin defined toughness the way she describes as acceptable by being a mother of 5 - including new baby with Down Syndrome?

And doesn't the Obama camp expect all black people to vote for him because he is black? In what way are the Republicans doing something that the Dems are not - even if neither are actually "expecting" this?

jfreshbloomer: Well written and to the point.


Agreed!

GAT_00: mekki: Why?

The amount of Hillary supporters, my sister included, who stayed on Hillary's side through the entire campaign for the single reason that she was a woman makes me not take that statement seriously in the slightest.

Your sister ONLY supported Hillary because she was a woman?

Why? Doesn't your sister care about the issues?

I am of the female persuasion and I honestly, don't get the "I'll only vote for the candidate with the uterus" thing. Yeah, it's great to have a female running but I am not voting for her if she goes against everything I believe in.

Standard Deviant:
And doesn't the Obama camp expect all black people to vote for him because he is black? In what way are the Republicans doing something that the Dems are not - even if neither are actually "expecting" this?

Obama doesn't expect to win the black vote simply by being black, he does so by pushing a platform that appeals to black voters. Had Hillary won the nomination, she too would have carried a vast majority of the black vote, entirely independent of her race.

Conversely, (and I am speculating here) McCain hopes to increase his popularity among women by choosing a woman to be his running mate, despite the fact that many of their policies are diametrically opposed to what women value. (choice, equal pay, education, taxes, etc.)

Glad I could clear that one up for you.

If the Clintons are well and truly in massive debt from her campaign, she and Bill are either going to get back into the Democrats good graces by going to work for Obama or she and Bill are getting massive book deals after the election.

Standard Deviant: And doesn't the Obama camp expect all black people to vote for him because he is black?

No, that's just your ignorance talking.

We do not see rudeness and snarkiness and sarcasm as admirable; in fact, most women teach their children not to treat others in that manner, and they tend to steer clear of adults who never learned that lesson.

Quoted for bullshiat.

/sigh

We respect the right of other women to raise and educate their children the way they see fit. We also respect their right to make their own child-bearing decisions with no interference from the rest of us. We ask for that same respect in return. We don't want the government in our homes or our wombs.

But goddess forbid a man should want to raise a child. Feminists claim family courts are biased against women. Fathers' groups lobby for shared custody laws. And yet, The National Organization of Women lobbies for sole custody laws.

Hillary should open up a can of whoopa*s and then give Palin a piece of her mind. And then remove her pant suit to give a final beetin'

/Just sayin

The article once again demonstrates that many are still seeing the pick of Sarah Palin through the prism of thier own bias; almost everything is based upon a Charicature that has been painted by Democrats and social lefts. They just can't fathom that Palin was picked for any other reason than to pander to women; because that's how *they* see women. Nothing more than window dressing.

McCain knew what he was doing with the pick; remember she'd been on his list since February and Newt was pushing her since April; and there's a reason that had little to do with her sex; though I don't argue that it's a bonus.

What many women see, due to the star power of Palin and excitement she's generated, is a Humble McCain standing next to a strong vibrant working mother whom he knows will evenutally eclipse him and replace him; and he's happy he gets the chance to introduce her to us; the epitomy of a man comfortable in his masculinity, ready and able to stand aside and let the strong woman shine. He makes no bones that she will play an active role in energy policy, re-inforcing the fact that he chose her for her Oil Company Regulating experience and knowledge; believing that energy is directly tied to National Security and therefore a huge issue that effects both Security and the Economy.

So far the ones crying "That's Sexist" are outside observers, a few McCain surrogates and ex Hillary supporters; Palin has never once complained. Sure, she sneered just a tad when she told the Media to STFU, but who wouldn't sneer just a tad at body that had publically humiliated and smeared thier child? I sure as hell would have done much more than that.

Even in thier attacks on her, they show an ignorance and detatchment from the beliefs of a vast majority of Americans and it is and will hurt them I imagine.

Keep claiming that she's pander, you only demonstrate how *you* think because you're way off the mark when it comes to conservative-libertarian moderates which will most likely decide this thing.

/It's a real compitition now and I think we'll be surprised at the Debates, she's no joke and should be taken seriously.

some_wild-eyed_8-foot_tall_maniac: Standard Deviant: And doesn't the Obama camp expect all black people to vote for him because he is black?

No, that's just your ignorance talking.

I agree; they'll vote for him because he's a Democrat. They are enthused, excited and will actually go vote because he's black.

/Except in some states where he's white, but that's another story.

What Hillary should really do is not talk about Palin one bit. This election is about McCain=Bush. That's the point she needs to drive home.

Any woman who agrees with Clinton's positions but for whatever reason has chosen Palin is a lost cause. They are beyond the reach of rational conversation. I also think they are a very small minority. Clinton's time is much more well spent going after true undecideds and why they should vote for Obama--there are alot more of them and their opinions are moveable.

CanisNoir: The article once again demonstrates that many are still seeing the pick of Sarah Palin through the prism of thier own bias; almost everything is based upon a Charicature that has been painted by Democrats and social lefts. They just can't fathom that Palin was picked for any other reason than to pander to women; because that's how *they* see women. Nothing more than window dressing.

I believe it's more because they look at her and don't see much of what she brings to the ticket, as her past is a murky combination of relative unknown-ness and some questionable decisions and practices. I won't deny that you're correct about some people, but to boil it all down to one cause is... foolish.

What many women see, due to the star power of Palin and excitement she's generated, is a Humble McCain standing next to a strong vibrant working mother whom he knows will evenutally eclipse him and replace him; and he's happy he gets the chance to introduce her to us; the epitomy of a man comfortable in his masculinity, ready and able to stand aside and let the strong woman shine. He makes no bones that she will play an active role in energy policy, re-inforcing the fact that he chose her for her Oil Company Regulating experience and knowledge; believing that energy is directly tied to National Security and therefore a huge issue that effects both Security and the Economy.

I think the star power cuts both ways. I think there will be some portion of women who see her as akin to the pretty young secretary that gets paid more than them simply by virtue of having a pretty face and occasionally getting a ride home from the boss.

/It's a real compitition now and I think we'll be surprised at the Debates, she's no joke and should be taken seriously.

I'll admit that at first I was worried about her at the debate against Biden because it seemed like Biden would have to walk an almost impossibly thin tightrope between going strong and not getting beat easily and laying off so he doesn't get portrayed as the "big-mean-old-man". Now that she's working the "I'm a tough hockey mom, bring it on!" angle, he can be a bit more aggressive, and -hopefully-, we'll see an interesting debate. If Obama's smart, he's already telling Biden to flip off the moderator if they start asking the daughter question outside of its relation to policy (i.e. Abstinance education). And even if Biden does get too heavy-handed and people start crying sexism... I wouldn't be surprised if Obama isn't already drafting a speech about gender in this country akin to his one about race from earlier.

...of course, there's also the possibility that Palin will put Biden into the boards and through the plexiglass, but we'll just have to see how things go, no?

/And yeah, I realize that some of my statements prove your point, but I think there are still things worth considering.

Larry Mahnken: Brettster808: I have a penis.

Ah, yes, the controversial first draft of Dr. King's famous speech.

LMAO
you owe me a new monitor

What Hillary should say now: "I am retiring to a monastery in Nepal and you will never hear from me again."

Dranar: I believe it's more because they look at her and don't see much of what she brings to the ticket, as her past is a murky combination of relative unknown-ness and some questionable decisions and practices. I won't deny that you're correct about some people, but to boil it all down to one cause is... foolish.

Very good point; let me clarify. The narrative coming from the media in thier attacks is based around an outmoded idea of how the right sees women. People vote around a myriad of issues and it's easy to fall into the trap of pigeion holing them. Thanks for the reminder :)


I think the star power cuts both ways. I think there will be some portion of women who see her as akin to the pretty young secretary that gets paid more than them simply by virtue of having a pretty face and occasionally getting a ride home from the boss.

At first maybe, I think over time that image will get crushed. She's a very smart woman and a very deft politician. Over the past week or so I've begun to think of her as the Rights Bill Clinton, except, she admits to inhaling and probably won't diddle the female staff ;)


I'll admit that at first I was worried about her at the debate against Biden because it seemed like Biden would have to walk an almost impossibly thin tightrope between going strong and not getting beat easily and laying off so he doesn't get portrayed as the "big-mean-old-man". Now that she's working the "I'm a tough hockey mom, bring it on!" angle, he can be a bit more aggressive, and -hopefully-, we'll see an interesting debate. If Obama's smart, he's already telling Biden to flip off the moderator if they start asking the daughter question outside of its relation to policy (i.e. Abstinance education). And even if Biden does get too heavy-handed and people start crying sexism... I wouldn't be surprised if Obama isn't already drafting a speech about gender in this country akin to his one about race from earlier.

No doubt Joe's got his work cut out for him even with her Bring it On Attitude. I've watched a couple of her debates from '06 and I was impressed.
The abstience only issue is another example of outmoded thoughts. I call myself an "Abstinence Only" supporter, despite the fact that I know about and would teach *all* forms of contriception to my children. You have to admit that the message delivered from the *State* (i.e. Government run public school) is going to carry slightly more weight than the casual informative conversation of a parent. With that in mind, I would prefer the message that comes from that body be simply "DON'T FARK". I realize that kids are going to have sex anyway, but when did we start believing that Public School were the only avenue of education in this country and that Parents had absolutely zero input on the information given thier children?
I see absolutely no hypocricy in her stance on Abstinence Only and I support it whole heartedly as I believe many others do.

His speech about race earlier was pretty forgettable despite what the pundits said. I know it made Chris Mathews spew liquid down his legs, but face it, the most memorable line anymore in that speech is "I could no more disown Reverend Wright than I could my own mother." which in light of the current past, isn't something people want attention drawn to.
Obama's speech writers are great, no doubt, and he can deliver them, but he's not the Lincoln Reborn some believe. (Just as McCain isn't Teddy Rosevelt and Palin isn't Thatcher).

I think Joe would do himself a service and just forget that she's a woman altogether and treat her like he would any other opponent. If people start screaming Sexism afterwards, they need only cart out video of past debates between men and ask if there's actually a double standard. If he gets too caught up in it, he'll most likely shoot himself as he's not the most deft off the cuff speaker.

/She's still got some proving to do, and the right risks falling into the trap of loving her too much right now - there is a true need to be patient and watch how things play out imho.
//Damn, need to figure out how to change my profile :(

...of course, there's also the possibility that Palin will put Biden into the boards and through the plexiglass, but we'll just have to see how things go, no?

/And yeah, I realize that some of my statements prove your point, but I think there are still things worth considering.