November 17, 2009
Sarah and Sexism
Speaking of McCains, The Other McCain is upset the Sarah Palin has decided to call Newsweek’s choice to plaster her hot leggy photo on its cover sexism:
That this is “sexist,” OK. Gotcha. But does Sarah Palin want to assume a feminist victimhood posture, to say that she is being oppressed by the patriarchy?
No, I think not. Excuse me for suggesting that the way for Palin to leverage this — to “re-brand” herself as they say — is to lean into the curve. The better response would be along the lines of:
“Yes, I am a woman. Yes, I have legs. And, yes, I’ve been told they’re very nice legs. Exactly why the editors of Newsweek decided that showing me in shorts was appropriate for the cover of their magazine is for them to explain — and good luck with that. I guess I’m trying to figure out what side of the double-standard applies here. Levi can get naked for Playgirl and still be taken seriously, but Newsweek thinks it’s something scandalous to show me in running shorts? Just wait until I grant my first in-depth foreign-policy interview to Maxim!”
Or something to that effect. The governor signifies her self-awareness that she is something of a political and cultural novelty — a conservative woman who is a viable presidential prospect. She is aware that her good looks are both an asset and a potential liability, and that liberals want to portray her as a trailer-trash airhead, the “Caribou Barbie,” etc.
I agree with him on this one. Screw Newsweek! The woman is hot and can’t help that, but she can’t allow them to portray her as a bimbo and use her looks against her. The only way to avoid that is to come back with a clever response and embrace it. McCain’s response, if Palin had decided to take that route, would have played to her advantage.
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