DennisMansfield.com

Gov. Palin: What Feminists Want?

Why is it that the feminists in the US are having such a problem with Governor Sarah Palin's entrance into the national limelight?

Hmm...let's see. Well, she agrees with them on ensuring that a full day's worth of work should be fair and benefit people of either sex. Maybe commercial fishing off the coast of Alaska with her husband isn't what Gloria Steinem had in mind, but it seems to make her point though, doesn't it?

Or maybe they're having problems with her because she really has taken to heart the competition with men on many different levels.

(I've never caught one like this...let alone won an election for Governor.)

And trust me, in all of my days "hunting" I never quite "got my elk" (or caribou) like this pic shows.

She's a hard-charging woman in a world of men.

Come to think about it, maybe that's the whole problem. Is it that those who champion feminism REALLY want a camper, hunter, fisherman type of female leader...or is all they REALLY want are emasculated men? Men who cannot or will not "call the game" on some women's sexist anti-man attitudes? I'm not really sure.

Hmmm...there's a conundrum.

Den

Sarah Palin: From"Who's She?" to "Who's Who" and BTW...Hillary Who?

I'll be adressing some thoughts on poltics and high school on Monday's blog, but until then...

I find it interesting that in a brief but powerful political week we've seen two women capture the attention of the world. Hillary Clinton, as she left the scene and Sarah Palin, as she arrived on it.

It's like we are watching a "Who's She?" become a "Who's Who"...right while we are seeing the political world ask itself "Hillary Who"?

How fitting that it is happening during the first week of high school, all across the nation...'cause it all feels sort of high school-ish, doesn't it?

The "cracked ceiling" about which Hillary repeatedly spoke now has a new female to possibly break it. But Sarah Palin doesn't seem to be the right "kind" of female, does she?

Somehow, many don't want to accept her. She seems to be the wrong type of woman from the wrong type of party with the wrong type of look. It's like the "ugly" people of high school are trying to have their revenge...or so it seems.

Two females, two stories. One goal? I'd hope so...but maybe not.

Why do I sense I am listening-in on a series of catty conversations at a middle-aged female sleep over, with Janice Ian's one hit wonder, Seventeen, playing nervously in the background, ad nauseum?

It's really a sort of reverse-Seventeen, though, this time around. Suddenly in politics, a pretty (and smart) female Republican VP seems worthy of mocking. Or is it just me that feels this way?

Den

"I learned the truth at seventeen

That love was meant for beauty queens
and high school girls with clear skinned smiles
who married young and then retired."

Gov. Sarah Palin - Portraits of Family - Reminders of Teddy Roosevelt

John MCain's daughter has a terrific blog. From that blog I captured a few photos that reminded me of pics I had seen from the past.

The comparison of TR continues to amaze many people, including me.

His emphasis on his family was extraordinary, as is Gov. Palin's.

Den -

The Hostess with the Mostest?

Thanks to Woody's blog, I came across Mark Steyn's great comments on Gov. Palin.

Steyn's so clever and witty. You gotta read it...but here's a taste.

"What other country in the developed world produces beauty queens who hunt caribou and serve up a terrific moose stew?  As an immigrant, I'm not saying I came to the United States purely to meet chicks like that, but it was certainly high on my list of priorities.

One isn't enough, so here's a free bonus quote:

Sarah Palin and Barack Obama are more or less the same age, but Governor Palin has run a state and a town and a commercial fishing operation, whereas (to reprise a famous line on the Rev Jackson) Senator Obama ain't run nothin' but his mouth."

Den

Gov. Sarah Palin - This century's TR? And a Progressive Conservative, too...

History doesn't repeat itself, contrary to popular urban legend blah-blah. It's not a circle. History is a line...a time line.

And every so often interesting similarities pop up. Those who hated studying US History listen up. You may learn something that generations learned 100 years ago: unknown Governors can make amazing Vice Presidents...and, if needed, incredible US Presidents.

A little over a century ago, Theodore Roosevelt left his position as Governor of NY, two years into his term, to serve with William McKinley, as Vice President. He was the original progressive conservative. A year ago I coined this expression for American politics, using TR as the example. How fitting it is today.

Today, Alaska's Governor and soon-to-be GOP VP nominee, Sarah Palin, has many of the same characteristics as Teddy Roosevelt:

• She is young, at 44. Roosevelt was 42 when he was elected as VP. 43 when he became President.
• Sarah Palin loves her family and is faithful to her husband of 20 years. Roosevelt adored his family and his bride. They followed him into every political fray.
• Roosevelt was a fighter. Palin is a fighter. Both showed their true selves as ethics supporters. The military was a part of Roosevelt's life and family. His kids served in the military. Palin's oldest son serves in the US Army in Iraq.Roosevelt worked with industry and was this nation's first conservationalist. Palin's balanced work with corporations and environmentalists is an example for others to follow. Neither sought the office of VP, when others in their midst salivated openly for consideration.

Sarah Palin, as this century's Teddy Roosevelt? Too hard to conjure up a connection? Watch and see...the national media may eventually make the connection that folks like I (who LOVE history and blogging) have already made. Many in the the blog world are agreeing with me as the story unfolds.....

Den                                                

Governor Sarah Palin, GOP VP - what will women voters do?

Unbelievable!! John McCain chose a woman VP - Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska...wow.

McCain may have ultra-syncopated the political rhythm of our times.

The case can now be made that the 18 million cracks in the ceiling will be broken by a conservative, pro-life, hockey-mother....

John McCain knows strategy...and he knows combat...and he knows how to win elections. His choice was superb.

Now, the question for the male and female feminists of America is whether Sara Palin is "female enough" to be supported by them....or whether it's not REALLY a matter of  being a woman in high office, after all - it might be a variation on the theme from Animal Farm: "All animals are equal, but some animals are MORE equal than others." Hmmm...we'll see.

Welcome to a new world. This ain't your Geraldine Ferraro's Oldsmobile. BTW: Gov. Palin is a University of Idaho graduate...a little slice of Idaho.

Here's a little bit of Fox News background on Sarah Palin's history. Alaskans have a bumper sticker that says: "Coldest State. Hottest Governor" How funny....

Den

Un-Tender Thoughts by "Jack Handy" McCain.

"Ok, stop all this love-in crap. Kill the sissy music. Quit bein' Green...and for the love of God, let's make this place a Clinton-free Zone.

I'm tired of the whining. I hate all the fake, BS smiles and the stupid goofy liberal convention hats...and don't get me started on the homemakers from Iowa struttin' their political stuff in front of NPR's Michele Norris. My God, somebody put me out of my misery.

Give me a convention of pirates and buckaroos, of pistol-packin mommas and rednecks with 'Easy Ride Rifle Racks'. I want red meat, kick-ass, low neck women and a pint of Jack Daniels. Ok, ok, throw in a little religious crap-talk and a photo op with  some right winger radio preacher guy."

~ John McCain ( as quoted in a private and confidential phone conversation with me. Ok, maybe not a full conversation, but he used a couple words...well, maybe I put those words in his mouth...or, maybe we didn't talk...but he's truly thinking them...tee hee)

Den

Is it the start of a national media "Nacht der langen Messers"?

What is happening, politically - as the Democratic convention is coming to an end - when a key voice in the national media starts probing, jabbing and pricking at the Barrack Obama mystique...and only comes up with more questions? It's interesting to see the long knives begin to come out tonight. Just 2 hrs ago this story was updated...

I'm not talking about some Fox News reporter, nor some talking radio head. Nope, it's the....

I'm reading the NY Times' Jodi Kantor...and I'm feeling more than a little awkward as I read the piece....and I'm a progressive conservative. Hmmm...what's next?

Here are some key parts:

"There is little about him that feels spontaneous or unpolished, and even after two books, thousands of campaign events and countless hours on television, many Americans say they do not feel they know him."

"Mr. Obama groomed himself more carefully than he sometimes admits. In an interview this year, he denied that he wrote “Dreams From My Father,” the post-law-school memoir that has enchanted so many followers, with political ambitions in mind. But his Harvard law school classmates say Mr. Obama was already talking about a future run for public office."

"Mr. Obama has heard the accusations before. Long before the presidential race, some around him seemed to resent his ability to galvanize a following. “Bluebooking is not important for celebrities,” fellow students joked about him in the law review parody, referring to the tedious process of checking citations.

As for the messiah accusation, Michael Madigan, the speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives and a Democrat, once publicly called Mr. Obama the same thing."

For the full article, visit this link at MSN.com

O-bama Mia! The Musical Unveiled...

Well, tonight's performance by Barrack Hussein Obama has everything depending on it.

He's on the national AND international stage this evening. O-bama Mia's curtain will rise!

The music will swell, the announcer will introduce him and Senator Barrack Obama will have to perform.

Will he be the Dancing King? Will he follow Hillary's request to "Take a Chance on Me"? Nope, I'm thinkin' a little bit more nostalgic, perhaps...

If a guys gotta be a Rock star....then it's REALLY time for him to live the Dr. Hook lyrics of long ago, I suppose:                

"Well we're big rock singers, we've got golden fingers
And we're loved everywhere we go.
We sing about beauty and we sing about truth
At ten thousand dollars a show.
We take all kind of pills to give us all kind of thrills
But the thrill we've never known
Is the thrill that'll get you when you get your picture
On the cover of the Rolling Stone

How about this version? (Don't miss it...tee hee.)

Den

Hillary's Magnificent Speech

Hillary Clinton delivered, what I am sure will soon be considered, the most impactful and deeply felt speech of her career. Her delivery was precise, her timing amazing and her content was a little like giving marinated meat chunks to the an audience of hungry lions. They ate it up.

It was magnificent.

For those new to the blog, realize that it took every ounch of energy in me to just now type those key strokes...

The truth is, she set the future for herself in a way that Ronald Reagan eventually did, at the close of the Ford-Carter '76 race...4 years before he equally ran for and eventually became President.

As NPR's Michele Norris said tonight: "Politicians are remembered not for their victories, but for their defeats."

Ronald Reagan's performance during and after his defeat paved the way for his victory. If Hillary Clinton is given the very unique chance by history to remain on the scene, as was given to Reagan, this speech may well be the turning point for her.

Do I agree with Hillary's politics? Heavens no. Can others learn from tonight? They better....

Question: A new mantra?  "Keep going, Keep going, Keep going"- Hillary's not-so-subtle compass direction towards 2012 ?

Answer: Don't get rid of your membership yet in the Sisterhood of the Travelling Pant Suits....

Den

PS: Wasn't it interesting to see her only refer once to her husband...and then only at the end as "President Clinton"? Watch what the pundits do with her line: "No way, no how, no McCain".... And no nomination for me.

Also, didn't former President Clinton look kinda like a junior high school fat kid at a Sadie Hawkins Dance? All dressed up and yet no "important kids", in particular, caring that he was EVEN there. Maybe he needed Relient K to cheer him up...

I felt like I was watching a prop. Weird feeling.