"Although we weren't able to shatter that highest, hardest glass ceiling this time, thanks to you, it's got about 18 million cracks in it." - Hillary Clinton concession speech, June 7, 2008 concession
"So I would like to see, perhaps, some of these feminist women -- and sometimes, you know, I consider myself, too, as a feminist, whatever that means." - Sarah Palin "On the Record," November 11, 2008
While on her whirlwind tour of the mainstream media she hurled insults at during the campaign, Sarah Palin has been doing a lot of talking about shattering glass ceilings and for a woman who doesn't support equal pay or putting a woman's health before a fetus's and can't define the word "feminism," I'm offended on Hillary Clinton's behalf.
Sarah Palin pales (pun intended) as a leader when compared to Hillary Clinton. She relies on her folksy "charm" and good looks, hoping they will distract people from her hateful rhetoric. Hillary Clinton, while not my candidate in the primaries, is an inspirational woman leader. She's not inspirational because she's a woman or in spite of it. She's a determined, courageous, intelligent woman who doesn't rest on her laurels when there's work to be done. Sarah Palin rests on her laurels until the work is done, and then takes credit (or shifts blame) depending on which will earn her more kudos.
"On the Record" with Greta Van Susteren, Sarah Palin grouped herself with Clinton as a glass-ceiling crackette (I am desperately trying to find the YouTube of this conversation, if someone can help me). When Greta calls her on that, Palin bumbles it:
Greta Van Susteren: Have you ever talked to Senator Clinton?
Palin: Have not, but I’m gonna call her tomorrow.
Van Susteren: You are?
Palin: Yeah. Yep.
Van Susteren: What are you gonna tell her?
Palin: I’m gonna tell her, more power to ya. Yeeeeaaaaahhhhhh, I’ve got a lot of respect for. Um, what she has accomplished, and, um, she, uh, you know, I feel like she certainly having gone before me, she helped shatter glass ceilings left and right. And yep, that window’s still there, above Hillary, above me, above every woman.
Yeah, we'd love to hear how that call went, Sarah...
And here, on how she would like to see more feminists "open their minds":
And at the Republican Governors' convention yesterday:
"For years to come, I'm going to remember all the young girls who came up to me at rallies to see the first woman having the privilege of carrying our party's vp nomination. And they inspired me.
With an extra hurdle or two in front of us and in front of these young girls, I feel that we've got this mutually beneficial relationship now -- me and these young girls -- where we're going to work harder, we're going to be stronger, we're going to do better. And one day, one of them will be the president, because in America, there will be no ceilings on achievement, glass or otherwise. And if I can help point the way...
(APPLAUSE)
If I can help point the way for these young women or inspire them to tap into their own gifts and talents and strengths, to find their own opportunities, well, it is a privilege."
Look, I think it's admirable that Republicans got it together enough to put a woman on the ticket. But if women think Palin's candidacy is pro-feminism, they have another think coming... on NPR this morning, it was discussed that Palin's own religion prefers a woman remains in the home, submissive to her husband; and many Evangelical leaders actually frown upon Palin for being a career woman.
That glass ceiling will get shattered all right, but not by her.