McCain female supporters racist for ripping Obama's experience
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/09/02/art.carlyfiorina.jpg caption="Carly Fiorina, former chairman and chief executive officer of Hewlett-Packard and economic advisor to presidential candidate John McCain, tours the podium at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn." width=292 height=320]
Roland S. Martin | Bio
AC360° Contributor
CNN Political Analyst
This blog post has nothing to do with Sen. Barack Obama and whether he has the experience needed to be president.
And no, I don’t think Sen. John McCain’s female supporters are racists.
The focus is really on the pathetic attempts by them to use their gender as a whipping stick to decry any criticism of his vice presidential pick, Alaskan Gov. Sarah Palin.
Carly Fiorina, former Hewlett-Packard CEO and RNC Victory 2008 chair, released a statement today assailing anyone – namely men – who doesn't have nice things to say about Palin.
“I am appalled by the Obama campaign’s attempts to belittle Governor Sarah Palin’s experience. The facts are that Sarah Palin has made more executive decisions as a Mayor and Governor than Barack Obama has made in his life," she said. "Because of Hillary Clinton’s historic run for the Presidency and the treatment she received, American women are more highly tuned than ever to recognize and decry sexism in all its forms. They will not tolerate sexist treatment of Governor Palin.”
So let go ahead say it: Fiorina is a virulent bigot. Why? Because she just launched an unwarranted attack on the credibility, integrity and experience of Obama.
Now how stupid do I sound by saying that her criticism of Obama is due to the fact that he's a black man?
Well, Carly, you sound dumb trying to do it as well.
This is nothing more than a brushback attempt by the McCain campaign to prevent anyone from challenging Palin, and it's a pathetic and gross attempt to play the woman card.
For the idiots out there who choose to write about her looks, put up photoshop-altered images emphasizing her looks, or remarking about her physical appearance, they are fools.
But it is perfectly legitimate for Democrats to questions Palin's resume, just as it is for Republicans to go after Obama's resume.
Yet this is clearly the GOP's plan.
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Filed under: Barack Obama • John McCain • Raw Politics • Sarah Palin |
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@ Melissa...I'm not bashing Obama I'm just telling the truth. If it hurts then oh well...you know what they say, sometimes the truth hurts! Get used to it!
Cindy..Ga.
It's not about Palin, Obama or Biden. What it is about is John McCain's judgement. Making this about Palin's gender, or even about race is the distraction. Just think about this, this election is about electing a president. Whoever is in the office of president/vp will not only be making judgements about security, the economy, healthcare, etc., but keep in mind that the future of our children and our personal safety is at stake. Would you consider putting your child with someone that you have only know since last Thursday that you've only met previously about 4 months earlier and most recently once while you, for example, travel around the world. No, of course not, you would have vetted them, more over, it would not have even been a consideration. Why then after such deep vetting of Clinton, Obama and McCain over the past 19 months we are now in an argument over a woman we don't even know. We have allowed the conversation to diminish to gender. We really need to look closer at McCain's judgement and whether country really is first or if it's his ego.
My dear fellow Americans,
Will you just listen to us? What is wrong with us? Have we completely forgot that we represent true Christian values, that never change? What happen to, "Do unto others as you would them do unto you? What happen to love your enemy, pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you, for righteousness sake? These Christian values do not end with politics, but are a part of our daily walk with the Lord. Let us take heed to ourselves, that our soul be not endangered in this political warfare.
How can we be so cruel, that we desire to se come upon our brothers and sisters that which we would not desire to see come up on ourselves? What is happening to our beautiful Country?
Be careful of the price we pay just to get a candidate elected, or stop one from getting elected. So before we speak, let us count up the cost, it might not be as much fun as we think.
Though the "debate" keeps bouncing off the the issue of Palin's daughter – thanks to the frothy media – as to her ability to balance her responsibilities, the "issue" is her ability to be VP. Really, considering there exists a possibility she could be president, I can't understand the honest comparison Biden.
Republicans and some in the media (though they seem to get it), want to compare Obama's experience to Palin's. That's a big swoop around the moon...not apples to apples. I saw Campbell drill down on this pretty hard last night. She gets it. I know lots of women who are excellent, intelligent leaders – corporate, civil service and volunteers/charity.
But, who do I want to be president if something bad happens? Given Russia, Iran, the military, finance, the economy, civil rights, et al – it certainly wouldn't be the new(er) governor from Alaska – man or women.
i would like to commend Sen. John McCain on modeling for the non believers how to participate in a cause greater than ones own self interest. I can think of no greater way to show the compassion and kindness that America has for the needy than to take care of it's own people. Let the world see what we can do, at home. As for his VP, i think she will be great! She is the model of all the working moms, some of us work 2 and 3 jobs so we don't get many days or hours off from working the same as her, she will handle it just fine. and as for all the questions about did Sen. McCain get hoodwinked on the reality of the teenage daughter being pregnant. i would think that would be the most rediculous angle that the media has thought up as yet. I couldn't imagine that Sen. McCain didn't asked Gov. Palin is there anything that i need to know about your life.....thoughts of her daughter would be right up there at the top. So stop all this nonsense, please.
Now we know why Hewlett-Packard dumped Carly Fiona.
Pundits from the right are arguing the comparison between Palin & Obama's experience if either one ends up president (and it is extremely likely Palin would if McCain is elected with his health issues) but what they all fail to mention is that regardless of experience – THE PEOPLE VOTED FOR OBAMA and Palin would just get inserted into that most important position without the public voting for her!
It's obvious after the general election started that the McCain campaign's Rovian tactics worked some magic for a time and they are hoping that they can get the media to continue to go along with their smears of Obama, either directly or indirectly by slamming him every time they talk about Palin. Why oh why are attacks on Obama, no matter how negative, appalling, over the top, untrue, or half true okay and a simple question about Palin's experience off limits? I can understand the conservative news reporters doing it, but it rankles me when supposedly fair and balanced cable news reporters support and promote the McCain camp tactics. I'm glad to read that not all CNN contributors are feeding at the McCain trough. Good work Roland.
It would not be beyond McCain et al, to have known the reaction to Palin and public scrutiny. So maybe, just maybe they figure by announcing her last Fri. they take away attn. from DNC/Obama and in the next day or two she withdraws and they replace her and blame DNC/Obama for “chasing” this woman out of the process.
I don't get it. Let's be clear – not every attack on McCain and Palin comes from intelligent and articulate Democrats.
So, just because someone spouts off about whether Gov Palin is capable of being the VP (and a heartbeat...blah, blah. blah) and a great mom does mean that this is the perspective of the Democratic Party or the Obama campaign.
Whether she is a good mother or a horrible mother is – quite frankly – completely irrelevant. What is absolutely relevant is that she is unequipped to take on the complexities of international politics. What is also absolutely relevant is that this is an indictment of McCain's judgment.
@ Cindy if it was Obama's daughter that was pregnant – I know you would think it was newsworthy based off of your posts to bash Obama at every opportunity.
Of course it's ok for Biden to take care of his kids – his wife died – was he suppose to ship them out to someone else? That's a huge difference then a two parent home. By all means if the woman wants to work then the man should stay home and raise the children. People seem to forget when you decide to have children – it's your job to raise them. Not the school, not the nanny and not the siblings to raise them. If career is more important then don't have kids. It's just not fair to them.
I'm appalled that anyone would compare Hillary to Sarah. They're both very different in terms of accomplishments and one does not make a substitute (a good one at that) for the other.
Roland, I do not believe that anyone is trying to belittle Palin's experience, as much as I hear Obama's experience being belittled. I don't think it necessarily has to be racist, it may be just a lack of research. Ironically I did research on all of the activities that Obama has done and is championing for and I wondered why I havent we seen more democratic analysts bringing up his accomplishments. Based on Obama's education and experience in politics, It is hard for me to see the two being compared. Obama holds assignments on the Senate Committees for Foreign Relations; Health, Education, Labor and Pensions; Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs; and Veterans' Affairs, and he is a member of the Congressional Black Caucus. Obama has a wealth of experience in legislative work, Barack has Written a total of 890 Bills and Co-sponsored Another 1096 since he started serving in the U.S. Senate. This is not counting all of his campain management and even work before the senate. I have all the documentation for this. I have been reviewing John McCain's accomplishments and Palin's. I hate for any of the candidates to be disrespected on their work. But when it comes to constant comparisons by the Republicans, I am sure that the Obama campaign is fair to respond back due to the downgrades that were done on Obama's accomplishments.
It is true that some women could care less about the historical nature of the first African-American man being head of a major polictical party. Most women saw their hopes in Clinton dashed. They are willing to sacrifice their own beliefs to see a woman get ahead. The same arguement could be made about Obama, although I disagree. Obama's policies fit the Democratic mold. John McCain is first on this ticket of the Republican party. The policies that most women fear has a real chance of continuing because of a woman being on the ticket! Think how hard it has been for minorities, women, gays and lesbian to receive fair treatment in this country. You will be taking a step backwards with John McCain. He values women so much that he would choose one that is extremely less qualified than many other Republican men and women alike. It looks and sounds political. Would she be seen and not heard because of her lack of experience? What good does that do women? Now that's sexiest!
Interesting real life response to a policy of just having teenagers "just say no to premarital sex". The level of hypocrisy right now is totally unbelievable.
I have nothing to add or subtract on the Palin Gate. I question John McCain's judgement and temperament. After spending millions of dollars on negative adds attacking Obama's experience, What John does? Pick's a VP, heart-beat away from the Presidency, who has no national or international experience or exposure. This really shows that John does not believe that experience matters.
They should be ashamed of themselves. It was okay for them to attack Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton. McCain even told a horrible joke about Chelsea Clinton. They get excused!
Someone should be airing her pastors messages the same way they did Rev. Wright's. When they dug one ditch for Obama they also dug one for themeselves. What goes around....
For Carly Fiorina to be the arbiter of what is appropriate or not appropriate is absolutely ridiculous. Her comments on the talk-show circuit show her to be just another attack dog for the Republican party. This is not to say that the Dems don't have their own – of course they do. However, whereas intelligent people can generally have lively discourse over differences of opinion, I am completely blown away by the way in which Republican apologists simply refuse to answer the question of whether Sen McCain's choice or Gov Palin reflected the best choice (in terms of McCain's own high standard of being able to be Commander-in-Chief on day one).
Instead, they spit back the red herring argument comparing executive experience. It's about THOUGHTFUL JUDGMENT and LEADERSHIP around COMPLEX ISSUES. On that, experience runs deep for Obama, Biden and McCain. However, in choosing Palin (whose experience on complexity is incredibly shallow), McCain has once again shown his FAILURE in JUDGEMENT. And this is his first real decision on behalf of the American people he hopes to serve.
II have never voted for a woman candidate at any level because she was a woman. I look at their qualifications and believability. Palin simply is not believable to me. I don't buy that she had such a quick rise in politics against the Alaskan Republican political machine without a whole lot of help. I don't trust her.
When McCain put Palin on the ticket my first thought was that he was going after the female voter. Nothing can change my mind from that assessment. And if McCain is willing to reduce himself to political pandering and creating divisions based on race and/or gender. I don't want him as POTUS!
It amaze me that the same people that say don't say anything about Sarah Palin are the same ones that said what they wanted to about Michelle Obama statement that for the first time in her life she felt proud to be a American .Well so do I because for the past 8 eight years under the Bush regine has been hell.Mcsame is doing the same thing as Bush ...Looking for oil and wanting to continue on with the war .Oh yes Mcsame saids no drilling know he saids yes drillng.flip flop flip flop...Mcsame can't get his own sister in law to vote for him and Palin mother in law saids she is considering voting for Obama..We know what republicans stand for Big Business...Those that believe there will be No TAX INCREASE under the Republican are fooling themselves we know that the past 8 years the waste in Washington under this present administration.... I am a mother with a Down Sydrome child and know that life is hard for this child without a fulltime mother that will be home to care and be there .It takes therapy of all kind for this child to even walk not to say talk.Putting a VP position over a child is destructive..
Roland,
This tit for tat nonsense is getting a little ridiculous already. I recall all too well how Hillary and Bill Clinton were called racist because they called out Barack Obama in a tough political campaign. If ever there were two people who are NOT racist, it's the Clintons. But all of the media, including you I might add, rushed to condemn them in the harshest of terms.
However, I do happen to agree that Palin should not get a free pass just because she is a woman. She should have the same scrutiny regarding her qualifications for the job of vp. I prefer to leave her personal life alone. That is her business. My concern is whether or not she is capable of doing the job. The fact that she is a woman should not mean that nobody gets to question her background and experience. I happen to think that one of the things McCain was hoping to do is capitalize on the fact that she is a woman and hope that it would protect her from any legitimate questions. That's how cynical I think the Republicans really are. Since when are they so passionate about women's rights? They have been glaringly silent when it comes to the issues that really matter to women.
So now they put up their token woman and blast anyone who dares to say anything negative about her. Nice try, McCain and company, but the American people will see right through you and reject this despicable attempt to use a woman as a political convenience.
Roland,
Please. Please. Please start writing like I am sure you can. Your underlining (ha, ha) tones are obvious. So glad you are happy with the Palin pick (ha, ha) Anyway, thousands of us actually are. You will see that when we vote. Stay tune......
Excellent article Roland.
As a female who is working in a male dominated field I am insulted that the supporters of Gov. Palin when ask about her experience can only attack Senator Obama. If she is experienced tell the people about her experience, don't harp on Obama's supposed lack of experience. I think they are doing a diservice to her.
Also on American Morning a doctor was on, and her only reason for voting republican was because they had a woman on the ticket.
Give me a break!!! I am all for women's rights but let us make sure it is a qualified female not a token female.
I am not saying Gov. Palin is not qualified, as yet I have not heard enough about her. But, please, let's not do a disservice to her and all woman by saying women should vote for her because she is a woman!!
the GOP is kicking themselves in the butt now that it hasn't been one week and they're choice for VP is not what they thought now they're trying to play the sexist card
If every parent with kids stayed home to raise the kids, there would be no family people working. A parent needs to raise their kids, a parent needs to work. Call me old-fashioned, but I still believe in moms (or dads) raising their own kids. In a single parent home (as with Biden), obviously one parent still needs to work. The issue of 'who is raising the kids' is not moot, it is the core of family values. Racism, like sexism, is alive and well in America. It exists and odds are we are all guilty of each to some degree either with our awareness, or not. "Let he who is free of sin cast the first stone." The issue of a surprise pregnancy to an unwed woman is not moot either, it too is core to family values. Duh folks, it is FAMILY values, as in a family – for those of you who do not subscribe to conservative doctrine – mom and dad and kids. Not unwed mom and kids. So, this issue is key to assessing if Palin adheres to, and teaches, the family values to which some conservatives cling. Also, while on the topic of family values, how come no one brings up the fact McCain was married when he began making passes at Cindy McCain? As she put it in one interview, "he was chasing me (Cindy) around tables (when they first met)." Adultery is also not on the family values hit parade. McCain and Palin, Family Values? NOT!
Roland – once again you hit the nail right on the head – the GOP has decided if your criticize her lack of experience it is because she is a woman – she is being criticzed because she has no business being on this ticket
I am a woman who is appalled that this woman has been selected as McCain's VP choice – there were many women who were far more qualified
After seeing the behavior of the GOP, I am only sorry that I can only cast one vote for Barack Obama and Joe Biden
Roland,
I truly agree with you. It is funny how the GOP could knocked down the whole experience credenital on Barack, but when the question is raise by one of their own it is a whole new ball game. I am a Obama supporter and I thought that it was fine for everone to raise questions about him, but now the questions are back at them and it is like you can't go there. I am sorry but there is some form of double standards going on. Plus when ask a question about Gov. Palin, it always come back to involve Sen. Obama. So when everyone was raising question about Obama's judgement, what about McCain's?
OBAMA/BIDEN '08
Famous Miss. contestant, Mrs. Palin , who can not even get her family straight is given responsibility to assist in running biggest and only super power in the world!!
If GOD forbid some thing happen to McCain, there is 70% chance that, more likely it will happen due to his health and age issue, and if it will happen, Palin will become president of USA.
She will clueless as she was when her daughter was getting pregnant some where, we don’t even know the name of the father since they have not announce it yet.
Who knows if they are asking some random guy to merry her daughter? Because she may become the daughter of VP – – OR may be a first daughter with in a year.
Palin is pretty good in getting stuff like this done as and she did it when she fired her sister's ex- husband just because he was divorcing her sister.
This nation can not afford another VP to use power given to them by the people for personal or wrong reasons.
Right now people can file case against her because she is still a Governor. If, GOD forbid, she become VP.. She will abuse her power because US can not prosecute president or VP.
These shows and challenge the judgment of famous War Hero McCain. How can he judge the tough international situations?
OR..
may be McCain is so desperate to be president he just want to have a woman as running mate, with out thinking or judging her, to rake women votes. It's so Pathetic.
God save this country from McCain and Palin and God bless America
Obama has nevered talked down about Sarah Palin so go google his speeches and listen to what he actually says about her and her family. The G.O.P takes everything Obama says and gets it twisted. The G.O.P is truly desparate by having McCain go out without getting his true facts about his VP and thinking you guys are going to win over Hillary's supporters. Yeah, Sarah may be a female but can not stand in the shoes of Hillary. Hillary would destroy Palin and I would love to see that debate. This world is in need for a change and we can't have a poor judgement President and a lack of experience VP,God forbid anything happens to McCain... We as the American people have to have better judgement and vote for Obama/Biden who will lead this country back in the right direction.... What God puts together no man can take under..... It's time for change......... No more G.O.P.
I totally agree with you, Roland. I also saw the segment you referred to and I could not believe it. Calling James Carville a sexist was just about the funniest thing I ever heard. What is disgusting is not what he said but the fact that McCain and his people could think for one moment that a Hillary support or that any woman, in fact, would vote for a woman just because she's a woman. WOMEN do have brains and the ability to choose a candidate based on their positions on the issues.
I was HIGHLY insulted by Ms. Bachman and her attitude. She, in my opinion, demeaned woman with her insinuations.
I wouldn't vote for Palin, not because of her personal issues with family etc, but because I disagree with her stand on almost every issue.
The DNC chose Obama from day one at the expense of Hillary Clinton; if anyone is sexist, it's the DNC and select Democrats; all Fiorina seems to be saying is, we won't tolerate it twice.
For the past four years and speech after speech, Obama has tried everything to get the American people to believe he is an agent of change.
Not only did he fail to change the corrupt, Chicago, Democratic machine, but he actually thrived in the cesspool; with the selection of Biden, he stayed true to his anti-change message; Obama talks of changing Washington, yet he's a Senator in Washington.
Along comes Palin, who actually fought corruption in her home state and who actually is a Governor rather than a Senator, and all of a sudden, Democrats are getting restless.
Regarding racism, Obama has been the lightning rod; he worshipped under the separatist and racist Rev. Wright for twenty years then injected race by saying some will think he looks different and has a funny name.
The use of race and sexism for political purposes is unacceptable; perhaps the Democrats can finally enact change by addressing these two areas of growing concern.
Does Joe Biden get a free pass on Amtrak, or pay the $200 round-trip each day? Does his son, Hunter, who is a lobbyist for the biggest financial supporter of Joe's not see a conflict of interest? Also, that same company bought Joe's house for $1.2 million.
Ever since the Iowa caucus, if you didn't agree with obama you were called racist; just ask the people that were interviewed then.
As far as raising kids, was that a topic when Bobby Kennedy was running for POTUS while his 10 kids were at home wondering where daddy was? Plus his wife was pregnant with their 11th child at the time he was assassinated.
Roland, you are bang-on and thank you for saying what you said. I'm so sick of the lying and manipulating Republicans constantly using the same tactics year after year (yes, McCain, you are the SAME!), and still, you have nearly half the population accepting this garbage and giving their vote to McCain. I also saw many interviews where Republicans immediately jumped to labeling any criticism of Palin as sexist. That is completely ridiculous and it's incredibly offensive to anybody with a hint of intelligence. I can't help but wonder when people will learn?
Palin's readiness and qualifications for the important role that she may be stepping into should be examined thoroughly. If the McCain campaign thinks they can toss around the sexism issue in order to deflect attention on what appears to be Palin's very meager and thoroughly unimpressive resume, they are sadly mistaken. I'm no Republican supporter by any means, but Carly Fiorina, even with her unfortunate remarks today, would've made a better VP choice for McCain.
Republican women are saying that Palin should be at home. Us low-life Democrats have to work 2 jobs and take care of our kids.
Your not questioning her resume, your attacking her family. Something even Obama himself said is not right.
Sexism is being practiced by the Media and many Dem. and Rep. Its a fact and it is a part of the daily reporting.
I previously questioned why it was ok for a CNN anchor to attack Palin's ability to be VP because of the fact she had a child with Down's. That question (as I am sure this one) will be erased. The point is, if Palin was a man that question would never have been asked!
I love this. Was thinking the exact same thing last night watching Republican female after Republican female crying "sexist" with each criticism being offered by not only Democratic men but Democratic women as well.
But I do have to admit, the Republicans are the masters of the "talking point". Very disciplined, very in lock step.
where right look how they treated wife, until they found out she's one most respected Black Woman in America that's why Obama did need Hillary hisis wife much smarter!
Roland,
Being called a racist because you don't agree with the Obama-holics is done all of the time! Just go back and read these posts, starting from the primaries! It's a sad thing to try to down someone by calling them racist just because they don't agree with you but they do it all of the time.
I don't consider harping on Palin's daughter's pregnancy news worthy...yet it's being harped on constantly. As far as looking at her credentials and calling her out on them ...no that isn't being sexist. But what is being one is saying she should be at home tending to her family instead of trying to be the VP yet saying it's OK for Biden to be working when he first got into the Senate and his wife had died, so who took care of his kids? Can we say double standard!? I've heard many anchors and people on here down her for that but say nothing about any man working. Men raise kids too you know.
Cindy...Ga.
Thank you! I watched the Larry King segment that you cited and was appalled. I guess the McCain campaign thinks women are so stupid that we'll vote for anyone that happens to be our gender, regardless of where they stand on the issues or their level of competence. And the GOP's new narrative is insulting to Palin herself because they're implying she can't handle legitimate questions about her record. If Palin can't respond to simple inquiries regarding her experience, how is she supposed to take on terrorism?