Why is everyone making a big deal out of.....?

Question

I dont live in America but I have heard that McCain picked Sarah Palin to be his VP.

Now I see people making huge deals out of her being a women,and people saying that he only picked her to get the womens votes,

now personally I dont support McCain but would people be saying the same things if he had picked a man?

Answer 1

They're making a big deal out of it since US politics are sexist-the Republicans are not known for being supportive of women in politics, they don't have many women in positions of power in their party and never have. Only one woman has ever been on a US major party's ticket for VP in the history of the US, and that was on a Democratic party ticket in 1984, which was 24 years ago: Geraldine Ferraro with Walter Mondale.

That's why it was a big deal that Hillary Clinton was being taken seriously as a US Presidential candidate, she's the first woman that a major US political party had ever had run for US President who was actually getting somewhere. Compared to Europe, US politics are still in the dark ages. In the last presidential election 54% of US voters were women. But US women make up only 16% of our federal political representatives and 25% of our state politicans. And instead of increasing, fewer US women are running for political office-it's only getting worse.

Answer 2

As much as people claim that we should be gender blind and try our best to disenfrachise any sort of discrimination based on race and gender we do it anyway through "positive discrimination" like this.

We look at his choice and think oh so he chose a woman because he wants the female vote.

Can't they think he chose a woman because she was the most suitable individual for the role?

I just prefer to think that we look at people as individuals rather than perpetuating the problem of assigning them to their different gender and ethnic groups.

Answer 3

It's not "everyone" it's just the Obamalambinbidden supporters who are looking for a chance to criticize.

I'd have rather seen Romney , but the V.P. is not really that critical unless the president gets whacked.

That said , it's a good thing Biden has a lot of experience.  

Answer 4

Well..I live in America and um..Yeah..dunno why you're worried about it if you aren't :P.

No but seriously I feel he chose her to get those sorry crappy hillary supporters who won't even listen to Hillary AND/OR just want to have a woman up there in some high office.  If politics was a game before, I believe with this move it has upgraded to "politricks" on the part of McCain.   If he had picked a man~~~~ No scratch that.   If he had picked ANYONE who actually TRIED to participate in the debates, then I feel it would have been a stronger decision.  The reason I say this is because it shows me that he, like many OTHER presidents throughout history, does not take the Vice President's position seriously.   I love women and I support a woman being anything she wants to be but let's be honest here.  She's no Hillary Clinton...someone who HAD the potential and the social backing to become Commander in Chief.  

I also feel this is a political move because she didn't really introduce herself throughout the whole debate.  I mean really, I think she is going to spend an incredible amount of time appealing to people who DON'T want to research her background.  

To me, it just feels like a ton of politricks from McCain's corner...For his political gain and for her political gain as well.

But I will say this...This is truly a great election and as an American, I'm glad to be a part of it.

Answer 5

Didn't do Mondale any good in 84, so I doubt it. I think McCain just didn't want Romney. Can't say I blame him, given their past interactions.

Answer 6

We wouldn't be saying that kind of stuff if it had been Obama, because we know that he has a good record on women's rights. McCain does not. Neither does Palin, for that matter.

I don't believe she's the most qualified VP candidate; Romney would have been better. But I don't want McCain to win, so he could pick a gerbil and I'd be happy about it.

Answer 7

im not making a big deal about it. i think Sarah is a wonderful person to be a Vice President. I have absolutely nothing negative to say.