2012 - The Year of the Women? - image MSNBC
A poll of 500 likely Iowa caucus voters commissioned by theIowa Republicans, finds Michelle Bachman (R-MN) with a 4 point lead over former Massachusetts Govenor Mitt Romney in the latest survey. Bachmann leads Romney in Favorability by 10 points, with an 11% Unfavorabilty. Romney is at 21% with a 66% favorable, with Tim Pawlenty at 9% (a plus) with a 60% favorability. The margin of error is plus or minus 4%; therefore, this might be considered a statistical tie. Go to: the Iowa Republican to read the entire article.
From this perspective, it is still early in the political game, even in early caucus and primary states such as New Hampshire, Iowa, and South Carolina, (the three leading up to Super Tuesday). Should, for example, Sarah Palin, enter the race, those numbers may change dramatically, and for the first time in history, one might find two women leading the polls in one of the two largest national party general election process. Additionally, Governor Rick Perry, who has yet to announce, would change the dynamics, most likely affecting those who are currently in the field. Neither of the aforementioned are considered “dark horses” rather, they are most likely viewed as able to compete an already competitive field. One might suggest that the latest either one of these candidates would announce would be early October, 2011, however, that announcement must come with a pre-set grassroots organization and the wherewithal to run a blitzkrieg campaign in at least one of the three key states.
Palin is being aided by filmmaker Stephen K Bannon, with a documentary that debunks the myths regarding the lack of just above everything “Palin”. CBS News’, Jan Crawford, after viewing the documentary opined
"The Undefeated" goes a long way towards debunking that tired narrative. It shows an unbroken line in her thinking over the past two decades. The things she's saying on her bus tour about freedom, free markets, fiscal responsibility and the proper role of government are the same things she's been saying ever since she entered into politics.
It got me to thinking about the grossly unfair and inaccurate story line that developed over the years about Justice Clarence Thomas - another favorite target of the Left. The rap on Thomas was that he was unqualified for the Supreme Court and incapable of serious thought - so as a Justice, he blindly followed conservative superstar Antonin Scalia.
Perhaps most intriguing I the article in Huffington Post (yes, the Huffington Post), by Amy Siskind, entitled “The Undefeated: The Movie I Wish Hillary Had Made” - the premise, is obvious, getting to know the real person, and debunking media myths, however, for the film to be as well received by both the MSN, Conservative and more Left of Center outlets, is telling. Additionally, literature accompanying the film proclaims “The Road To the White House 2012”, although unannounced, the message to Palin is clear, support for a candidacy is there, and it is only a question of time before the former Alaskan Governor and 2008 GOP Vice Presidential nominee throw her hat into the ring.
Two Women: Let the attacks continue/begin.
The film on Palin will begin playing in 10 theaters in some key demographic states this weekend July 13th, for a full schedule visit: victory film group.com. The film debut took place in – Iowa. The most ridiculous article to date: (one can now, with certainly, claim Palin Derangement Syndrome) comes from Gawker Magazine online ripping through every aspect of Palin, and an article released in Newsweek, entitled: “Palin plots her next move” is more foreboding than complimentary.
Bachmann, who is definitely in the limelight, is catching flak in both print, as well as from her competition: Immediately following Bachmann’s stellar performance in the CNN Debate, a Senior Pawlenty aid made a sexist remark (see article here at the leftist “Time Magazine”.), for which he later apologized. The point being when all else fails, attack a woman because she might be attractive. Of course, that was coming from Pawlenty’s aid, however, this weekend, on Meet the Press, Pawlenty went roaring after Bachmann’s “lack of experience” in matters of governing. He’s walking a fine line - there is a general consensus among conservative as well as independent voters, that Governors have more experience than say a member of congress or the Senate and would be more capable of governing the nation (Evidence for that case: Barack Obama, one term Jr. Senator from Illinois).
That is Governor Pawlenty’s opinion; however, when Palin enters the fray, he and his aides might have to come up with a few “bombshell” remarks in order to keep the candidate in the news. Both Bachmann and Palin have a take no prisoner approach to negatives, and are far from “shrinking violets when faced with criticism either from the left or from within their own party. Points for these two women. One has to wait and see how these remarks made by Governor Pawlenty and staff, impact his overall poll rankings in the early caucus states, negatives, either in spoken, written or commercial form do not play well with Conservatives, Independents and or Moderate Democrats. The most damaging commercial in recent political context pitting female/male candidates to date, in this point of view, came from the campaigns of one Martha Coakley, who ran against Scott Brown for the open Senate Seat in the Bay State: Coakley ad here on You Tube - the result: Senator Scott Brown.
Therefore, Romney, Pawlenty, Cain, and the rest of the “boys”, including not yet announced Rick Perry, should understand that attacks on one record are just fine, don’t cross the line – otherwise, you’ll become just like your Democrat counterparts – (see Hillary Clinton).
Personal note: As a Conservative Feminist, who would, of course, want to see the first woman elected to the highest office be a qualified female, one with the wherewithal to stand up to both the press, the political left and the political right, one that would transcend criticism in the long-run, and defend themselves during their terms in office. One must reference the recently released Rasmussen poll on women and the Presidency noting that within ten years, 73% of respondents, across the political spectrum felt a woman was most likely to be President. Of note: the only option as far as time-frame offered to respondents was 10 years. One has to wonder, with the economy, the state of the nation in general, how that poll would have looked had Rasmussen suggested 2012? One has to understand that if one thought 10 years from now a woman would be elected, that they might also take that stance in less than two years (or 2012).
With that said, out of the current field, Michelle Bachmann offers her congressional experience, however, she also stands up for what she believes is right, an endearing quality to those of us sick of the “establishment”. That said, should Palin enter the race, then it stands that the former Governor from Alaska would have the full support of this writer. This is not necessarily because Governor Palin is a woman, (although that is a bonus), rather, in looking at her experience, from an historical context (and note: having attended no preview of the “undefeated”, rather having done due diligence prior to her acceptance of the 2008 VP nomination) – one finds: A woman who is in it for the people, does not differentiate between fraud or abuse by party, gets the job done, whatever that job may be, and sticks to the Constitution (in this case State of Alaska) and the courts, when it comes to her decisions. In all cases, she sticks up for herself. One has to look closely at those elite who cannot comprehend anyone who had to claw their way through their degree programs, perhaps going to several schools to achieve a goal. It is what the average American has to do, loans included, to accomplish their goals. It is this East Coat or West Coast mentality that someone who went to Harvard or Yale are ultimately superior is a fallacy. GPA’s for Presidents Bush, John Kerry, and other recent Presidents and candidates (with the exception of one Barack Obama) are available, and show less than stellar performances when it comes to “smarts”. Therefore, give us common sense and an above average or even average GPA at the finish line, relevant governing experience, the ability to cross the aisle in good times and bad, and that individual has this vote - Male or female, right now it does appear to be a female. Bonus: someone who has no direct connection to the Beltway and makes the media crazy.
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