Like this story?

Sarah Palin: A Pit Bull in Lipstick

Thursday, September 4, 2008

The Vice Presidential nominee wows the crowd with a memorable speech.

History was made last night as the Republican Party nominated its first woman candidate for the vice-presidency.

Alaska Governor Sarah Palin took detractors head-on, confronting questions about her experience while mocking Senator Barack Obama's. She went on to praise John McCain as a man who "knows how tough fights are won."  


• The delegates erupted with laughter when Palin joked, "You know, they say the difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull? Lipstick." She continued punching Obama, saying "in small towns, we don't quite know what to make of a candidate who lavishes praise on working people when they are listening, and then talks about how bitterly they cling to their religion and guns when those people aren't listening," referencing a comment Obama made in a closed-door meeting.

• The Obama campaign immediately responded after the speech, issuing a statement; "well-delivered, but it was written by George Bush's speechwriter and sounds exactly like the same divisive, partisan attacks we've heard from George Bush for the last eight years."  

• Palin saved some of her harshest criticism for the press. "Here's a little newsflash for all those reporters and commentators: I'm not going to Washington to seek their good opinion. I'm going to Washington to serve the people of this country."   

• Because the primetime-scheduled speech ran late, the Republicans were forced to scrap her biographical film.  Palin filled in the blanks, telling the homespun story of her family, "You know, from the inside, no family ever seems typical, and that's how it is with us. Our family has the same ups and downs as any other, the same challenges and the same joys."

• Before Palin took the stage, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani fired up the crowd, continuing the attacks on Obama, labeling him a "celebrity senator" with no real executive experience.

Earlier speeches included similar lines of attack from former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.

In the face of all the partisan rhetoric, one gentle moment served as a counterpoint. Governor Palin's daughter Piper combed her little brother's hair--to make sure it looked just right.

Tonight: John McCain takes the stage to accept the Republican presidential nomination.
Speakers will include:
  • Gov. Tim Pawlenty (Minn.)
  • Gov. Charlie Crist (Fla.)
  • U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback (Kan.)
  • U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez (Fla.)
  • John McCain
What did you think of Palin's speech?

next: Levi Johnston: Boys Will Be Boys

34 comments so far | Post a comment now >>

 
I guess I just don’t understand how or why a woman wouldn’t put her family first. I worked a 40 hour a week job, and came home to my newborn everyday crying because I couldn’t spend more time with her. Palin will be traveling, and away from her children many times. She definately won’t have much time to enjoy them. WHY would she want that? Why would you put your career before those little ones? I don’t get it. At least when Hillary was running, that wasn’t an issue. No, I’m not sexist. I’m just a mom who doesn’t understand.
- Crystal R
Posted 09/04/08 11:51 AM
 
 
I thought she came across and incredibly mean and condescending.
- john
Posted 09/04/08 12:00 PM
 
 
I thought she was brilliant. And yes Crystal that is a sexist remark. If your married, your husband can be there with the children. It’s not a man’s world any more. She was condescending to the liberals and the media. I hope she keeps after them. It’s about time we had someone who is a working class parent leading the country instead of some east coast elite.
- Maria Sanchez
Posted 09/04/08 12:07 PM
 
 
She can still spend plenty of time with her newborn, he doesn’t have to attend school. I’d like Dick Cheney to tell us how much time she will actually need to be away from home. I bet it is a lot less than us working moms. I am doing everything for my kids and I feel like I am just as good or better than those who do stay home. She sees our country, yours, mine, hers, her children’s, in crisis…she wants to help turn it around. GO McCain/Palin!!!
- Marie
Posted 09/04/08 12:07 PM
 
 
John, I hope you have made similar comments about the way the press has treated Sarah. Not exactly nice and uplifting. Are you able to be objective?
- Craig
Posted 09/04/08 12:07 PM
 
 
I thought she came across as a strong, well-spoken individual, and I will be happy to vote for McCain/Palin this fall! I know that controversy swirls around the fact that she is a working mother, but people need to realize that this is a personal choice for her. I choose to work, and that’s MY business, and I don’t appreciate other people judging me for making that choice. So I’m not going to judge Palin for making that choice either. Most likely it was not an easy choice for her to make, but I trust that she made the decision to join the campaign in hopes of creating a better future for her children. I think Palin is looking at the bigger picture and doing her part to secure a better tomorrow for all of our children.
- Kate
Posted 09/04/08 12:09 PM
 
 
I would like to comment about this particular line: QUOTE …punching Obama, saying “in small towns, we don’t quite know what to make of a candidate who lavishes praise on working people when they are listening, and then talks about how bitterly they cling to their religion and guns when those people aren’t listening,” referencing a comment Obama made in a closed-door meeting. END QUOTE This is crap. Not all small town working people are religious, gun toting, bible thumping morons AS SHE IMPLIED. Some of us are thinkers who believe that we all need more tolerance. Something that the religious, gun toting, bible thumpers DON’T HAVE even though the bibles they smack us with teaches TOLERANCE. HYPOCRITES. Obama was speaking of HYPOCRITES, not small town working people in general. Funny how they can take things out of context and spin it to make someone appear badly. OH!!—And thanks Governor Palin, for lumping all small town people into one ridiculous basket of rednecks and stepford wives. We’re not all like that. If Obama talks about gun toting religious fanatics HE ISN’T TALKING ABOUT THE GOOD SMALL TOWN FOLK THAT SHOWED UP TO LISTEN TO HIM TALK ABOUT HIS WONDERFUL IDEAS. He was obviously referring to the nutbags that will never get it.
- Lesa
Posted 09/04/08 12:10 PM
 
 
Ok, Lesa, since you’re a biblical scholar, can you please provide the chapters and verses where the Bible teaches about tolerance? THEN we can talk about taking things out of context…
- Kate
Posted 09/04/08 12:15 PM
 
 
First of all KATE: I am not a Biblical Scholar smart ass. But since you asked, the 17 years I did go to church they always taught us LOVE THE SINNER, HATE THE SIN. That’s a form of tolerance, no? They taught us that JESUS LOVES EVERYONE. HE SUPPOSEDLY HELPED WHORES. I thinking that’s a form of TOLERANCE. So, if it’s not REALLY mentioned in the BIBLE (sue me) then are you REALLY ADMITTING THAT THE BIBLE TEACHES HATRED? Think very long and hard about that before you answer Kate. I always knew this hypocrisy that Jesus loved everyone and but the religious people picked and chose who they loved and accepted. You think this is right and fair?
- Lesa
Posted 09/04/08 12:38 PM
 
 
Really? Crystal R. you just don’t understand how Gov. Palin is going to raise her kids and be VP??? Would you ask that same question of a man? I feel bad for women who question Gov. Palin’s ability to be a mom & VP. Those women must not have a loving and supportive husband who is a good father and a true partner in raising the kids or maybe those women don’t have loving & supportive families to help either. While that is sad for them it doesn’t mean that they should question Palin’s ability to do both. It’s not the 1950’s anymore. It’s high time for work-out-of-the home-moms to be able to work without the having guilt forced upon them by stay-at-home-moms.
- AK Mom
Posted 09/04/08 12:39 PM
 
 
Wow Lesa… Obama’s bitter/cling comments offended a number of people. Some of the people offended may actually be intolerant, bitter, moronic hypocrites. Many are not. I listened to the whole speech, not just a 10 second sound bite, and I missed the part where Obama specified which subgroup of people he was talking about. It came across as a divisive comment, showing a condescending attitude that he seemed to feel the wealthy donors in the room shared with him. It’s utterly amazing that you talk about the need for tolerance while bashing religious gun toting bible thumpers. Morons and hypocrites are found everywhere, small towns or big cities. Palin didn’t insult small towns, she defended them against Obama’s insults. Small town people do tend to be more religious than city people. They do have more guns. But the idea that they’re generally uneducated morons, hypocrites or intolerant is inaccurate and insulting. I grew up in a large city (New York) and I’ve spent a good chunk of my adult life in the midwest. I have encountered some intolerance and some downright un-Christian intolerance in small towns, but it is not common. Far more common is big city condescension and inaccurate caricatures of small town life.
- Not Lesa
Posted 09/04/08 12:44 PM
 
 
My concern isn’t who will be raising the Palin children over the next 4 or more years (obviously, they’ve managed so far), however I am deeply concerned whether McCain will live another 4 years. (Watching him last night, he looked incredibly unhealthy.) So I have to ask myself, who is more capable of making good decisions - Palin or Obama? Rather, who will hire the right consultants to advise them?
- M A
Posted 09/04/08 01:35 PM
 
 
I have no doubt that Palin has a better ability to make the right decisions for our country … in the same common sense, tough, effective manner that she has done in Alaska.
- AK Mom
Posted 09/04/08 01:48 PM
 
 
I find it hilarious how so many people are so afraid. She is a smart, well spoken women. She has the same charisma as Obama and can fire up a crowd. She is genuine and easy to relate to. All great attributes for the republican ticket.
- NYC mom
Posted 09/04/08 02:33 PM
 
 
I emphasized that PALIN lumped small town working families into one large basket then presented it as if Obama did. I AM SORRY. Pardon me while I was blowing off steam. I do tend to get upset about intolerant people based upon my own past experiences. It’s unfortunate that I do feel that way. Thank you for calling me on it, I certainly do not like being viewed as exhibiting the same double talk I loathe. (Me being non-tolerant while simultaneously complaining that some religious people aren’t tolerant was ridiculous and I won’t pretend it’s not) I am still reeling from how snarky she was delivering her own divisive speech last night. It’s too easy for me snip away at people I don’t see. I vented the built up steam and now I apologize that I offended people while doing it. We’re all moms and I certainly still feel free to express my views but I will try to reign in my personal attack on those which I do NOT understand. That said, Palin is still a fair shot. She put herself out there supporting policies I absolutely DO NOT agree with. Fair enough?
- Lesa
Posted 09/04/08 03:15 PM
 
 
Although women can do anything men can, lets face it, the mother is the most important parent in a child’s life. Only mom can breast feed. You never catch Jr. having an Oedipus complex where Dad’s the target. Furthermore, with a few exceptions, most of these government elected officials (men) work and have kids and do a shitty job at raising their kids. That being said, It’s a personal choice for Governer Palin. It’s her business, let her deal with it. My issues with Palin are, who is she? What’s she done? Why should I care that she turned down money to build a bridge to nowhere? Also, why the hell is she running with John McOld? Maybe if she were running as someone else’s vp or in a future election as a President… maybe I’d think about it. As far as sexism goes… Between Barack and Hillary, the best candidate won. End of story… PS, I was in favor of Hillary. But this feels like a cheap ploy to try and woo the few Democratic female voters who would sell their morals and beliefs just to have a woman in the White House. All in good time. When the right woman comes along, we’ll put her in the White House. But putting someone there who doesn’t truly deserve it could be catastrophic to the cause. Case in point, how are you supposed to take the Republican party seriously when they’re responsible for one of, if not the worst President in American History. I liked McCain in 2004. A lot. But his time has come and gone and he folded to the establishment. It would be like finding an anti-establishment hippie in the 60’s only to fast forward and find that he’s the head of sales in some shit company, drinking 3 mocha latte’s in a day and driving a gas guzzling SUV. As for the media, get over it. They’re here and they aren’t going anywhere. Individual news outlets may be biased, but since some are liberal and some are conservative, they even out. I love it when Rush Limbaugh and Fox News trash “the media”. Newsflash, you guys ARE the media. Come November, do some homework, be informed, and vote for whomever you feel the right people are. Don’t be shoe horned into a crappy decision by Punditry and dirty politics as usual.
- Anonymous
Posted 09/04/08 04:29 PM
 
 
For the haters: What I mean is that NOBODY can take the place of a mom. Not even a stay at home dad. Sure, he can bump up his dad role, but they still need a mom. She’ll probably be an absent mom. This is my opinion. I am entitled to it. There is no need to make comments about my home and family. I’ve been able to be a stay at home mom for two years. I believe that I’ve been blessed. My family is my life, and I couldn’t imagine wanting a job that tears me away from them. How can people say that’s sexist? I think moms and dads are both important. However, I think the moms role is more complex than the dads role. Single fathers and mothers excluded (since they have to take on both roles).
- Crystal R
Posted 09/04/08 04:31 PM
 
 
Sarah Palin should be every woman’s hero! For goodness sakes, where is the support for women in this country! I want to hear from women that understand what it means to be a wife, mother, and a leader. How many PTA moms are there out there? Where are the city council women out there? Where are the stay at home moms that run their homes? This a strong woman who has set the example for the rest of us. She has KICKED SOME ASS as a wife, a mother, and a leader. She is an all around kind of woman. She shows every one of us women that we are strong and can do whatever we set out to do. Don’t fall into the SEXIST trap that men set out to keep us in. We are just as capable as they are to be executives. As a matter of fact, I think it is about damn time a woman was allowed to make some changes in Washington. A woman knows exactly how to “clean house”. She would get rid of every dirty rat in Congress and throw them out like the filth they are. Hell yeah! Let’s give her a chance to show this country that women are strong and more than capable of handling the Vice Presidency. I have total confidence in her. WHY? Because she is just like me and I know her strong spirit will carry her through. Look at Condoleezza Rice, she is one hell of a Secretary of State. Let’s get more intelligent women in Washington and make some changes!
- CK1
Posted 09/04/08 05:00 PM
 
 
Crystal, what children need the most is love. My husband was a stay at home dad for two years while I worked. He went to school at night. He was a wonderful with my daughter and trust me she was never neglected just because I wasn’t there during the day. Her dad did everything that I would have done. Most of all he gave her the love that she needed. My husband will tell you that the experience made him a better dad and it also helped him to truly understand what a mother does for her children. So, though, you have your opinion it is not necessarily true. My son is a single father who is raising his daughter. He is an awesome father! At 22 years old he is a fantastic example of a good father. He does everything for his child and he adores her. Crystal don’t assume that men are incapable of raising children just as well as women. Most men could if given the chance. Just as most women could make great executives IF GIVEN THE CHANCE.
- CK1
Posted 09/04/08 05:14 PM
 
 
AK Mom I totally agree with you. I have a wonderfully supportive husband that is more than capable of taking care of my children just as well as I do. Crystal does not represent the women of today. She is stuck in a time where women didn’t even have the right to vote. Give me a break, Crystal. It’s ok to let men help raise the children. They had just as much to do with bringing them in the world. A man and a woman create a child together and SHOULD share the responsibility of raising that child. Men SHOULD know how to take care of their children. It should not rest totally on a woman’s shoulders. Women have dreams, too. Look at Sarah Palin. She started off as a mom in a small town. Then she decided to join the PTA. That lead her to be a member of the city council, then to Mayor, then to Governor. She had dreams beyond just having children and that’s ok. We are here to learn all that we can while we are here on earth. If we are fortunate to be able to truly make a difference than that is a blessing. I am sure Sarah Palin wants the very best for her children. Rather than hoping that a bunch of men in Congress will make good decisions that will affect her children’s future she has decided to be a part of making her kids future better. I applaud her for that! What courage and strength! I admire someone who doesn’t sit around complaining but gets up in the morning and makes a better tomorrow for everyone. She is perfect for the job of Vice President and I am proud to cast my vote for her in November. `
- CK1
Posted 09/04/08 05:33 PM
 

Comment Page: <<   1   >>

(not displayed)
  remember me?      
 

Avoid clicking “Post” more than once.
The Momlogic Community
Sign Up | Log In | Enter without joining
advertisement

Yumi and Laurie Organic Blanket

enter here

Momlogic's Treasure Hunt:
Returns December 1st!

more sites we love


Nestle Recalls Lean Cuisines

find out more