Anecdotes.

I hate them, others love them. So I'll share mine.

I have a co-worker. Middle-aged woman. Hockey mom (no joke -- they do exist).

I brought up Gov. Palin and my blogging about her today. Her response?

"I like her." Pressing further:
"I haven't been a registered voter in a long time. Every election season I think 'These are the best options they can give me?' So I don't bother to vote."

I talked a bit on Palin and my own experience as a Hillary supporter dealing with sexism and race-baiting. She said she did not like Obama one bit and grew respect for Hillary but probably would not have registered to vote for her regardless. But when we got back to Palin:

"You know I'm a conservative. But I don't vote if I don't like the candidate. And I haven't liked any of them for years. But, thinking about it, I think I'm going to go register so I can vote for Sarah Palin. She seems like a great candidate."


Sarah Palin is not a force to be under-estimated. This has created an environment where even disaffected Democrats and Republicans can agree to disagree. Far more so than HillaryDems v. ObamaLeft.

Just one anecdote. But there is a newly energized Republican base. The Obama-Left should be very worried.

My Decision to Back Palin.

As we're waiting for Sarah Palin to speak tonight, I thought I would take this opportunity to muse on myself and this blog. I've received quite a bit of feedback over the nascent few days I've been writing about Sarah -- mostly complimentary, some more Obama-Left sabre-rattling.

Most of the sabre rattling is over the fact I'm a gay guy, and supporting the most "crazed, abortion-stopping, God-loving, gay-hating candidate EVAR!" Yeah. Because when I'm writing a blog called "Stop Smearing Sarah" I'm really receptive toward Leftist projection that Gov. Palin wants to have me arrested and force my 17-year old sister into having a pregnancy. Right. Really, now.

Yes, I'm gay. And a Democrat. And a liberal.

But more importantly, I am an American. And as an American, I try to live my life by the same American values that bind us: service and respect.

And I respect Sarah Palin's call to service -- to her family and to her constituents.

We've all heard the tokenism: "I have x minority friend." To wit: "I have Republican friends." And why they and I may disagree on certain positions, we often find commonality. And, in Governor Palin, I found a commonality with her positions and background. She's my "Republican friend," just as much as I am her "gay friend." We can find respect, even if we don't agree in lock-step. That's the beauty of America, neh?

Yes, she is a Christian.
Yes, she is pro-life.
No, she doesn't believe in same-sex marriage (but then again, what high-profile Democratic politician says they do, either?).

And? I always hearken back to my younger years. High school. Remember: White people love (bad) memories of High School (they also love Barack Obama). So indulge me.

My former teacher and drama director is a devout Christian. Politics came up with her one day, and she said she had a gay roommate, loved and respected her students (and myself), but did not believe in gay marriage. It was against her beliefs. We raised Hell against her, citing hypocrisy, and hung our heads in disbelief. How can she be in drama, and -- by the same token -- be against gay marriage?

Years and retrospect made me realize that it wasn't intolerance. It wasn't hate. It was her way. And in screaming, shouting, kicking, and admonishing, it made her like us less. Respect us less. We wanted to damage and embarrass her for her position -- and, by our rights then, we felt she should be embarrassed -- and instead lost our teacher and mentor who supported us. No one won; gay marriage has since been Constitutionally banned in Michigan.

In this electoral season, I've seen the same impulsive rancor lobbied against those of us Democrats with a more level head. "War-mongering," "Racist," "Uneducated," "Bitter." And I learned that while they could shout someone like me off of the DailyKos, they didn't win my respect or support. I did not have an epiphany in the way that they wanted me to; I didn't see that their belief system -- in this case, Barack Obama -- was an example of superior judgement. It only made me reflect on my own attitudes and demeanor toward others.

In some respects, I "turned the other cheek."

I researched Gov. Palin and became a supporter. She had her personal social beliefs but did not actively seek to enact policy upon their behalf. She is pro-life, and advocates that position. But has she ever demonstrated a need for others to believe as she does?

Has Sarah Palin ever said gays have no place in the American culture? No.

Instead, Sarah Palin has demonstrated a strong, populist appeal with regard to economics. Less hand-outs, more can-do attitude. Sarah Palin being from Alaska was only more fitting: I saw her as a tough, determined person -- a manifestation of the harsh climates of Alaska. As she told us herself, she and her husband grew up "working with [their] hands."

Wanting to cut wasteful spending. Wanting to tap into our domestic production. Wanting to end corruption in Washington.

I agree with this. Whether or not Governor Palin thinks that gays are an abomination from God (and I highly doubt she does) does not affect how she governs. If she changes that tune, I'll change mine.

But I see nothing in Sarah Palin that stops me from living my life as I see fit. I see her as someone who walks her walk, stands by her values and -- while may disagree with others -- respects their right to them. As said in her gubernatorial debate with Democrat Terry Knowles, Sarah Palin would "choose life." And, in her life, she has.

There's no hypocricy there. There's no lie.

The Obama-Left want to salivate over her daughter's pregnancy. They want Sarah Palin's OB/GYN to prove that Trig Palin is her son. They want to scream that she would be the end of the world for us LGBT Americans out there.

Instead what Sarah Palin does is set an example for Americans that value a strong work ethic, devotion to family, and a desire to end corruption even if your silence could promote your person. She stands by her principles and does so proudly.

As Americans, we should honor that personal example, and not admonish it or obfuscate it by calling Sarah Palin as nothing more than a "small town sportscaster." We all wish we could lead lives such as Sarah Palin.

And despite me being a gay male from urban Michigan, I identify with the heterosexual female woman from Wasilla.

I am Sarah Palin.

... At least, I wish I could be, as she is a fine example for any American.

Smears on Class and Gender

Again, Anglachel gets it. Anglachel discusses the Netroots' desire to slander Palin not just because she's a woman. Not just because she's Republican. But because she's working class.

I have more to write today as we gear up for Palin's speech this evening. Hopefully I'll get around to it!

One final muse.

It's been too much to digest. So here's a final thought:

The Democrats are scared of Sarah Palin. And by Democrats, I don't mean Democrats. Because those of us with an iota of sense upon our shoulders realize that the remaining Democrats (not those striked) are throwing their own "Hail Mary"... and losing.

Obama can say all the "back off Sarah Palin!" comments that he wants.

The electorate knows better. You don't champion yourself on small fundraising and "grassroots" (or corrupt caucus) appeal, and then by the same token distance yourself from that same groundswell of support.

Obama owns what his surrogates say about Sarah Palin. About her looks. About her earrings. About her being a sportscaster (I really should just link each of these fragments to a John Aravosis post at this point, but I'm lazy. And it's too easy. Scroll through the other blog entries.). About her children. About her Husband. About her daughter's pregnancy.

The Democrats are absolutely terrified of Sarah Palin. As I said last night (see below), they wish she was a caricature of their right-wing nightmares. That she would be a participant in their sabre-rattling about "GUNS/GOD/ABORTION/GAYS!" rather than as a pretty mainstream figure who is focused on that which affects us the most:

The economy.

Have I seen a single person say her economic philosophy is wrong? No. Not outside of the "MORE OF THE SAME!" wonk that worked oh-so-effectively for John Kerry in 2004 ("I'm not Bush! Promise!").

Have I seen anyone attack her on energy? Eh, a fair few. But it's more silly "the wildlife!!" crying that Governor Palin herself has already addressed with aplomb well before.

No. It's just attacks on her character. Because Sarah Palin dared be a conservative woman, she is now against everything we believe in.

Let me tell you something, as a gay liberal dude:

I admire Sarah Palin. I don't admire many Republicans, but I admire her.

She believes in pro-life and is pro-family. And? She has 5 kids, one of which has down syndrome. And she supports her pregnant daughter giving birth to her own child.

This anti-family shit from the left has to stop. You need to understand: there are so many families out there disowning their LGB children just based on their biology. Every day. I've worked with them in Chicago (holla, Barack! Let's organize that community!), and so many gay teens -- usually of color -- look for a sense of community and of family by coming to social service programs.

Family is a very important attribute to us all. We all long for family, even if we attempt to create our own sense of family via good friends or a significant other.

Did Sarah Palin drag her daughter Bristol Palin by the hair to cane her in front of us? Did she admonish her? Did she use her own daughter's life situation to wax poetic on abortion? No.

Like any good mother, she stood by her child.

And as a gay guy, fortunate enough to have a mother who stood by me, I can only admire Sarah Palin for standing by her daughter and supporting her even if she may -- MAY -- have personal disappointment.

We on the left love to wax poetic on family values and tolerance. Sarah Palin lives it. If there's anything this Bristol Palin "controversy" can teach us, it's that family is something you never abandon, no matter what.

I would be honored to know someone like Sarah Palin. She shows an integrity and temerity as no other could. She told the American public -- millions of us -- that her oldest daughter is pregnant, knowing full well what the ridicule, late-night-jokes, and conspiracy theories could bring.

And what do so many of you do?

Is it to wish Bristol Palin good luck? To sympathize with her as a teenaged mother?

No.

It's to use this to attack her mother. She's a bad mother. And, sure, it's justified. After all, Sarah Palin is a Republican.

This type of attitude is why we're going to lose in November, Democrats.

Hope and change, indeed.

I say it's just "more of the same."

O'Reilly Factor on Smearing

This clip gets it. Not great in video quality, but it's on the money:



The DailyKos -- as they were about Hillary Clinton -- went off the rails on Sarah Palin. They can backtrack all they want, but they need to own the own culture of smears they have become.

I wanted to blog more about Sarah today -- and the myriad of smears swirling against her -- but I am simply too disgusted. Too disgusted by my own "liberal" bretheren who would attack this woman not on her politics, but on her person.

It's revolting.

So again, I say good night. But I will leave you with what I left last night: Musing Before Sleep.

Read that for my continued (and it still holds) thoughts on this whole ridiculous smear campaign. Because this is too much PDS for me to handle.

Sarah Palin. I am sorry. I apologize on behalf of those that would rather burn you at the stake rather than have you speak your own mind.

! Oy, vey.

Arrrgh!

I can't even enjoy my Labor Day. Why? Because the Netroots insists on self-imploding.

It is no longer Labor Day: It's Bristol Palin day!

Coming up:
Musings and more on why this line of criticism will not work, and why the smears need to stop.

Musing Before Sleep.

You know, after covering just one day -- one day -- of craziness from the Obama-Left on Sarah Palin, I'm just left dazed.

Dazed.

I don't mean to victimize who the right is now calling "Sarah Barracuda" with loving aplomb.

But Sarah Palin was introduced to the American Public as a hockey mom of five. She fought the boys in Alaska. She's no friend of Ted Stevens, even if she used him for a political ad. She killed his pork.

She introduced us to her family, she spoke about reform and ending wasteful spending, and -- by gosh -- she had. She sold back a needless Governor's Jet... on eBay.

Hell, she was even respectful enough to acknowledge not just Geraldine Ferraro, but also Hillary Clinton herself.

I can understand some resentment; to some eyes, Sarah Palin is just "walking through" what "real women" "cracked."

But Sarah Palin even repeated her comments about Ferraro and Clinton on the campaign trail and was booed for it.

And the reaction from the left?

DESTROY SARAH PALIN. She's one of them.

And this is what separates me from my former bretheren, and why the subtitle of this blog has Democrat looking like that. You'd rather dismiss her as just some dumb broad, who was just a "tiny town mayor" and some "beauty queen" who dared to be a nefarious "sportscaster" -- and then attack her family. You'd really argue that she was irresponsible to give birth to her 5th son? That her choices in going back to Alaska were poor? Even going so far as to warrant that Trig Palin isn't even her own son?

All I can do is re-read my second post -- THIS is what freaks you out? -- and shake my head.

She didn't froth at the mouth about abortion.
She didn't say a darn thing about gay marriage.
She didn't talk about religion in America.

But she did talk government reform.
She talked about dismantling the "good ol' boys' network."
She did give tribute to Geraldine Ferraro and Hillary Clinton.

And, because of that, so many on the Obama-Left just smear, smear, smear.

Part of me wants to believe that it's because Sarah Palin disappointed them. That she wasn't some rabid, "OBEY MY LORD! KEEP YOUR BABIES! SMITE THE SODOMY!" caricature that they hoped she would have been. Becuase it would have been easier to hate her like they would have a Huckabee, rather than fabricate a whole lot of nothing and project it upon Palin.

Now the Obama-Left will probably transform her into that caricature. Just as they transformed so many of us Hillary Clinton supporters into doing things like this: starting our own blogs defending people that we never once thought we'd be defending.

It's a real eye-opener.

I hope that Sarah Palin continues to hold the strength and temerity to govern by what is right for everyone rather than let herself get backed into a corner and become the polarizing caricature the Left is trying to make her.

That's real hope, Obama Kids. Hope that you didn't throw someone to the wolves just because she has an (R) after her name, and make her re-evaluate her principles to be what you wanted her to be.

Ugh. We'll see what type of PDS arises tomorrow. For now? Done for the night.

Why I'm Here.

It's been just about 48 hours since Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska was introduced to America as John McCain's Vice Presidential running mate on the Republican ticket.

Since then, the same "Netroots" and Media that smeared Hillary Clinton are out for Palin's head. Already, Obama bloggers have mocked Governor Palin's character, experience, and even her family in some of the most rampant, blatant displays of sexism.

This is my space to discuss the inherent hypocricy of the blogger left, as well as their abject lack of "progressivism" when discussing the second major party female to serve on a national ticket. Disagree with Governor Palin all you want -- and oh, I do and will not be afraid to write about that here -- but attacking her personal character and family are beyond the pale.

But just because she's a Republican, or pro-life, does not give you the right to engage in these ridiculous charges.

In short, to the "Blogger Boys": grow up and get a clue.

And maybe, just maybe, I can give some of those clues to you.