The New Girl Network

"She's like no other female politician I have ever seen, both tough and unreservedly feminine and maternal -- affectionately holding her baby [screenshot above] after having just delivered one of the most important speeches of this election," writes an energized Rachel Campos-Duffy at AOL Living.

"In one short week, I believe that Palin has ushered in a new era of 'mom power' leaving the old guard female politicians like Hillary and Republican Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson looking as stiff and dated as their white, male counterparts," writes  Rachel Campos-Duffy in her "Views from the Home Front" column at AOL Living's parentdish. It turned up at the top of a Google search for "sarah palin lipstick," and like Palin herself, Campos-Duffy's words are a breath of fresh air:

Yes, she made history, but I think she has also made a case for the value of a mother's heart and strength in politics. And she is an inspiration to all moms who are trying to make a difference in their communities. How many of us moms have seen a situation at school, in our town or city that we have wanted to change? Maybe you jumped in, like Palin, and faced down the status quo, but how many more times have we sat back and waited for someone else to do it (we're too busy, right?)? Or, started to take on a problem only to back out when the heat turned up and the criticism turned personal? I've been there and I believe many of you have too.

"EXCELLENT," writes our imail correspondent, "although it makes me feel ashamed of myself for gnashing my teeth, and wringing my hands, while doing nothing back in the seventies to point out that the [touchy-feely] Middle School Concept Emperor had no clothes":

She: I wish I had kept the "Middle School Handbook" explaining why the Middle School Concept [housing 5th-6th and 7th-8th grades together] was such a brilliant idea. I knew the minute I read it, when Matt was entering 5th grade, that it was ALL WRONG.

We: The Middle School Concept website claims they "encourage parent involvement."

She: Yes, re: parental involvement, if you walk in lockstep with the Marxist party line. I am glad you are pursuing this, but let's move on. I am nauseated at "why Susan slept" … "Susan Slept Here" starring Debbie Reynolds."

"It's encouraging that AOL has such a sensible writer on their Living pages," we i'ed:

She: Yes … inroads are being made. Some of the commentary at Lucianne said, to the effect, "I'm over 60, and I knew the pendulum would swing eventually, but I never dared dream it would swing within my lifetime." One oldster said he/she hoped he/she could hang on until November to cast a vote.

We: Yes, she/he can … for the country!

She: If that person were a RAT, he/she wouldn't have to worry. Their dead people vote early and often. I believe that Socks and Buddy are still registered Democrats, as well.

Speaking of Campo-Duffy's "old guard female politicians like Hillary and Republican Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson looking as stiff and dated as their white, male counterparts," we just happened to have on hand from yesterday this stiff and dated-looking image of candidate Obama's white, male running mate lying to a CNN anchor.

A few more words from Campo-Duffy, and then be sure to read the whole thing:

Palin's appeal to women, and to moms in particular, is that, regardless of party affiliation, she really is just like us, and she is proof that being who we are can deliver very successful results. No whining, no androgynous pantsuits or posturing to look "as tough as a man." Sarah says put on your lipstick and take on the world!

Old Girl Network: "Women have been trained to speak softly and carry a lipstick. Those days are over."

— Attributed to radical feminist Bella Abzug sometime in the late 1960s or early 70s.

New Girl Network:  "You know they say the difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull — lipstick."

— Sarah Palin in her VP acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention September 3, 2008.

We're reminded of an earlier VP candidate's feistiness back in November of 2004:

"As we say in Wyoming, you can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig," quipped Vice President Dick Cheney in a stump speech yesterday, with reference to John Kerry's claims he would be a credible war president. It's part of the VP's daily refresher course in the presidential wannabe's all-talk-no-action lack of decisiveness [the Girlie-Man Syndrome]. Kerry makes it all too easy.

All talk and no action. That sounds familiar. We loved Lucianne's one-liner re Obama's thin skin at the audacity of his opponents' witty criticisms about his work as a "community organizer":

Riled? Riled? Ooo scary. We always said he fought like a girl. Now the playing field is even.

If you can't take the heat, Mr. Harvard-educated lawyer, stay out of the kitchen!

Update: Ed Morrissey pokes fun at the gasbag who fights like a girl:

With both Rasmussen and Gallup showing Barack Obama moving backwards even before the Republican Convention dropped its balloons on Andrea Mitchell, one can excuse the Democratic nominee for hearing footsteps.  How desperate has he gotten? Looks like he’s playing the race card once again.

Re Andrea Mitchell, we happened to catch the moment the other night when — even as her fellow MSNBC talking heads back in the studio were laughing uncontrollably — the old girl ineffectually batted at a sea of red, white and blue balloons crowding the space between her and her cameraman. Her straight-faced, humorless attempts to keep on broadcasting as if it were business as usual seemed a perfect metaphor for Old Girl Media caught in the glare of the oncoming New Girl Headlights.

Update II: "I thought you’re supposed to dance with the girl, uh, old geezer with hairplugs, whatever, that brought you," writes silver-tongued Jules Crittenden, citing the NYT:

The names at the top of the ballot on Nov. 4 will be McCain and Obama, but the juicier battle this fall for an important group of swing voters — white working women with children — may be fought between the other two stars of the Republican and Democratic conventions, Sarah Palin and Hillary Rodham Clinton.

White working women with children? Hillary who?

Update III: All Palin all the time at Dr. Sanity's Carnival of the Insanities.

Comments

[goomp]

All this and a woman too. What a fresh breeze to blow away the stench of the everyday "tell me what you want and I'll get it for you" politician.

[Laura Lee Donoho]

Sarah Palin has feminine wiles and yet, she is as tough as steel. It's an unbeatable combination. Hurray for Sissy Willis! I have been waiting for your reaction and your own unique outlook. Wonderful job

[hnav]

It is a great image, to see the partisan Mitchell dodging balloons, as she actually tried to defend Hillary Clintons lie about 'dodging sniper fire'.

A great post...

Thank you.

It is even more ironic, that Gov. Palin represents everything the Maverick does not.

I have to wonder if she can carry Senator McCain to the finish line, and definitely hope so.

Sadly, they are telling Americans John McCain was the ONE Man in Washington who fought for the SURGE. This is rather insulting to the current President, and hard to hear the Campaign exaggeration coming from Ms. Palin.

The cynic in myself, hasn't forgotten that John McCain was against drilling offshore, only a few months ago. If only he was more like Gov. Palin.

I understand and share the excitement of the genuine Palin.

One can only hope she will influence a vast number of the triangulating, gaming, manipulating Politicians to embrace her successful formula of sound policy and honest, strong, decent, presence.