"Sarah Palin is just another politician."

Because I'm a dedicated Obama supporter and needed to feel better about myself, I joined Neighbor to Neighbor and started calling voters in swing states. I think I've reached out to a 100 or so. I'm excited and plan on doing it til election day.

A few undecided voters were surprisingly willing to talk, I thought I'd be in telemarketing hell. But it's cool. They even have a snazzy intro video with a catchy tune. Damn they get on-line marketing.

One Ohio voter, in particular, was concerned about the mudslinging going on. She was upset that politicians always went negative. I asked her, "Does the Sarah Palin finding sway you?" She said "No." Then went on to expound, stating that it made her feel that Palin was just another politician.

This took a moment to sink in. A bit after I got off the call actually. Because, the finding did sway her, in just a short amount of time. Palin went from your neighbor and struggling hockey mom, who was just a good Midwesterner. To just another politician! Something the McCain camp has been trying to distance themselves from. His Maverick image is broken. His running mate, even though she didn't break the law, did use her influence to fire. This is something McCain still preaches, he want's to reform, but can't even pick a running mate that abides by this ethic.

Somehow, the Sarah Palin backlash is one hell of a dozy. Considering they promised the voter one thing and they received a wholesome pristine politician.

This is a case study for why candidates in high office are vet.

Comments

[Mike]

This voter's remark, if representative of the larger public opinion, would be good news.

However, to say that Palin is just another politician is probably doing a disservice to dedicated politicians. She is merely another ambitious person, this would probably be more accurate. Ambition in and of itself is not necessarily a bad thing but it has to be coupled with other qualities that Palin clearly lacks, such as a knowledge of one's limitations, an ability to quickly grasp new ideas and an appreciation for the skills and dignity of people on the opposing side. Worst of all, she has stirred up such anger and violence among a bitter and relatively undereducated section of the American population. Even McCain was a bit aghast to see the ugliness that was swelling up and asked his voter for self-restrain.

She may be another politician but she isn't even a very good one at that. I think she is a dangerous one, personally. Time will show us.

There may be an upside to all this. Palin has done something albeit unintentionally that Hilary could not. By being a lousy politician, Palin has shown the voters that gender is an incidental factor. It is about the "content of character" and perhaps the fact of a politician's gender is unimportant. There can be good politicians and bad ones, regardless of the particular gender. This is the sound of another glass ceiling shattering.