Monday, November 3, 2008
The leaves are falling and the gloves are coming off, which can only mean that the 2008 presidential election is rapidly approaching.
Sens. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.) have reached the final stretches of their campaigns, leaving every last opportunity they have to persuade voters that they are the best candidate for president. The race has been full of fascinating firsts, from Sen. Hillary Clinton becoming the first woman to run for president, to Obama being the first African American presidential hopeful. The Democrats weren’t the only ones shaking things up this election, though.
On Aug. 29, McCain announced that Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin would join him on the Republican ticket as vice president. Since this announcement, Palin has been criticized and made fun of by everyone from feminist groups to NBC’s “Saturday Night Live.”
A strategic move by the Republican party to attract women voters seems to be the reasoning behind the choice. Though some women think Palin was the top pick, others think her nomination was a disgrace to women, saying she goes against women’s rights by not supporting abortion and that her gender was the only reason why she was picked, rather her experience.
“I think McCain is just trying to get Hillary supporters; I don’t think she is an appropriate candidate,” Leslie O’Brien, Lawrence senior, said. “I think she was chosen just because she is a woman, and I guess it’s disgraceful because there are better seated candidates out there.”
Others have a different opinion, praising her for being a mother of five and running for vice president.
“I think it’s awesome that a woman is running for vice president,” Kim Riffel, Wichita senior, said. “I would have no problem with her being elected.”
Whether McCain wins, his campaign has been getting the media buzz thanks to Palin. Actress and writer Tina Fey has played Palin multiple times and brought her criticisms to humor on “SNL,” which has seen its highest ratings in 14 years when Palin guest-starred.
“I thought it was hilarious,” said Riffel. “Tina Fey did a great job imitating her.”
Though Obama appeared on the show as well, he didn’t receive the amount of criticism as Palin did. McCain has not shared the media spotlight with Palin, leaving her gender as a possible reason why the media has been following her.
Some women may see her as a relatable figure, balancing both a career and family. Though the balancing act between a career and family is respectable, others argue that it is not enough to be qualified for the job and that aspect of her life won’t help the Republican party to victory.
“I don’t think she’s helping them,” said O’Brien. “She doesn’t say too many intelligent things, and I heard her say she doesn’t know what a vice president does.”
Palin has catalyzed a fight within the election race. Women both for and against Palin have stepped in and been a loud voice in this election. Stirring up debates on feminism and women’s rights, Palin has certainly made her mark on this election race. Whether this will help McCain and the Republicans win the race, Americans will have to wait and see until tomorrow.
— — Edited Kelsey Hayes
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