Why Elite Women Hate Palin

Forbes ^ | 10/6/2008 | Ann Marlowe

[markomalley]

"If Sarah Palin is qualified to be a heartbeat away from the presidency, so am I!"

These words spoken by my friend Janet were true. But Janet hasn't put herself in Palin's position by running for office. She's made films and renovated houses, cushioned by inherited money. And since she doesn't have any kids, it's hard to say what would have gotten in the way if she'd wanted to be in politics. She didn't, though, any more than 99% of my women friends and acquaintances; she believes in cultivating one's own garden.

Most women I've talked with about Palin--all certified members of either the media elite or the just plain elite--take her nomination personally. Their animus isn't explained just by her politics; none of them hate Condoleezza Rice, though they disagree with most everything she's done. Nor, for that matter, do they even dislike John McCain. Typically they "respect" McCain but find him too old or too erratic or simply adore Obama.

It's as though Palin were an average girl from their boarding school class--or, frankly, from the public school down the road--who unexpectedly won a big prize. "Why not me?" is the subtext, and it's one I've never heard from men talking about male politicians. Many New Yorkers hate George Bush, for instance, and say similar things about his and Palin's lack of intellectual capability and curiosity about the wider world. But they don't view him as a personal rival.

(snip)

The lesson of Sarah Palin for privileged women is to try harder. And that may be the hardest one to hear.

[DieHard the Hunter]

In what way is this Janet “elite?”

The Green Berets are Elite. Delta Force is Elite. The US Navy SEALS is Elite. The US Marines are Elite. The 101 Airborne is Elite. The US Army Rangers are Elite. The Texas Rangers are Elite. The Blue Angels are Elite. The Pathfinders are Elite. The SAS is Elite. The Royal Marine Commandos are Elite. The Paras are Elite. The French Foreign Legion is Elite...

I think Xena Warrior Princess was probably the last female to be Elite... I’m not aware of anyone named Janet being anywhere near as elite as Xena.

[nathanbedford]

Rarely does an opinion writer come to the right conclusion for reasons so wide of the mark. The real lesson of Sarah Palin is a transcendent and spiritual lesson.

Elite women do not hate Sarah Palin for the reason the author advances, although she comes a bit close here:

No, it's because Palin makes us look like the slackers we mainly are. We've had our bit of success, but we've also spent a lot of time smelling the roses.

The author attributes palin success to an overweening ambition which enables her to endure the tedium necessary to attain political power. First, that misses the whole point of Sarah Palin's character. Second, that is not why elites react convulsively to her. The problem for elite women is that Sarah Palin is a living reproach to their selfishness. It is not ambition which has brought Palin public office, it was service and results. It is not rationalizations and self-seeking which caused Palin to bring a Down's syndrome baby full term. It was principle. It is not principle, but convenience, which brings elite women to the abortionist' s table.

Because the author misses the essence of Sarah Palin she unavoidablymisses the significance of her as a figure of (dare I say it) righteousness it is therefore not surprising that the author exhorts elitist women to the wrong remedy:

The lesson of Sarah Palin for privileged women is to try harder. And that may be the hardest one to hear.

The lesson of Sarah Palin is not to diet harder, jog more often, work harder, or get a new hairdo,-and certainly not to indulge raw ambition- the lesson of Sarah Palin is the liberating power and example of her faith.

[Rummyfan]

No, it's because Palin makes us look like the slackers we mainly are. We've had our bit of success, but we've also spent a lot of time smelling the roses. We've gone back to school to get another degree, volunteered in poor countries, devoted ourselves to a sport or a hobby. We've not had kids, or if we have, we've had one or two, and we've had nannies paid for by our work or our husbands or our inherited money.

For all her navel-gazing I think the author is on to something here.

[Rummyfan]

No, it's because Palin makes us look like the slackers we mainly are. We've had our bit of success, but we've also spent a lot of time smelling the roses. We've gone back to school to get another degree, volunteered in poor countries, devoted ourselves to a sport or a hobby. We've not had kids, or if we have, we've had one or two, and we've had nannies paid for by our work or our husbands or our inherited money.

For all her navel-gazing I think the author is on to something here.

[Allegra]

What exactly is an “elite woman?”

[DB]

Thank you Lord that I don’t live in their pathetic little world.

[Caipirabob]

Nathan, you consistently nail these things with spot on commentary. Thanks again.

[oblomov]

The sort of high-priced prostitute that Elliot Spitzer favors. The truly elite don’t even consciously regard themselves as prostitutes.

[Silly]

Can you imagine how smart, prepared and ready to rock Sarah will be after 4 years in office? This gal is gonna kick some serious butt in her life.

We ain’t seen nothin’ yet.

[DieHard the Hunter]

> What exactly is an “elite woman?”

You’d have to be an “elite woman”, Allegra — over there in Harm’s Way dodging bullets and evading militant muslim kidnappers in Iraq.

By any fair estimation — and certainly by my definition anyrate.

Definitely you are more “elite” than this “Janet” in the article, or the article’s Author.

Hillary wanted to be an “elite woman” when she almost dodged pretend sniper fire, and she even fooled herself into thinking that she was.

[Clemenza]

The contemporary right has stupidly been pushing the "anti-elitist" line since the Nixon days. Nixon used it as a political ploy, but many more dense individuals (including a certain conservative female radio host) actually believe it.

To be elite is to be the top of one's profession. Elitism used to be DEFENDED by the right, as an alternative to coarsness and incompetance of the masses.

The problem is that many of those folks the Right-populists identify as "elite" are, well, not "elite" at all. They are merely newsreaders, creative types, and barristers who while well educated, are not qualified to run a PTA meeting, let alone a country.

I think the issue is more resentment of snobbery. Let's not let the left hijack HIGH STANDARDS and RECOGNITION of superiority in performance and intellect just to satisfy some silly populist mythology.

[Clemenza]

Thank you Lord that I don’t live in their pathetic little world.

I do, and it is hell. These broads would be living with their parents or in small apartments if it wasn't for their husbands working 80 hours a week running a successful business or managing a fund portfolio.

[Clemenza]

bttt

[DieHard the Hunter]

> I think the issue is more resentment of snobbery. Let’s not let the left hijack HIGH STANDARDS and RECOGNITION of superiority in performance and intellect just to satisfy some silly populist mythology.

Impossible to argue against that, mate. Sometimes you say it brilliantly, and this is one of those times.

[Clemenza]

I have my moments. ;-)

[cherry]

look, I am an elite woman by MY standards which means not being born with a silver spoon in my mouth and I could less what these KEPT women think, feel, say, or spout....

[cherry]

no....being an elitist simply means that you FEEL like you are superior, not that you actually are....

rich does not equal superior.....

[Clemenza]

rich does not equal superior.....

No, but being accomplished, whether as a military officer, carpenter, business owner, or financier SHOULD be recognized and commended. The "lady who lunch/volunteer" are NOT the elite that they imagine themselves to be, but neither is the proletariat so glorified by Marxists and right-populists.

[MaryAnne]

Sarah has “great bones” for a politician. She connects with people, she has humor. But most important, she has honesty and good principals guiding her policies. She really is the next Ronald Regan. Compare her with crooked politicians like (former drug dealer, prosecutor who cared nothing about her victims) Clair McCaskill.