Apparently the Obama campaign was just as pissed off about the repeated RNC attacks on community organizing as I was. From the email I got this morning, which I thought was actually pretty good:
[T]hey insulted the very idea that ordinary people have a role to play in our political process.
[. . .]
Both Rudy Giuliani and Sarah Palin specifically mocked Barack’s experience as a community organizer on the South Side of Chicago more than two decades ago, where he worked with people who had lost jobs and been left behind when the local steel plants closed.
Let’s clarify something for them right now.
Community organizing is how ordinary people respond to out-of-touch politicians and their failed policies.
And it’s no surprise that, after eight years of George Bush, millions of people have found that by coming together in their local communities they can change the course of history. That promise is what our campaign has been about from the beginning.
Throughout our history, ordinary people have made good on America’s promise by organizing for change from the bottom up. Community organizing is the foundation of the civil rights movement, the women’s suffrage movement, labor rights, and the 40-hour workweek. And it’s happening today in church basements and community centers and living rooms across America.
Meanwhile, we still haven’t gotten a single idea during the entire Republican convention about the economy and how to lift a middle class so harmed by the Bush-McCain policies.
Yes, I’m aware that this is a political response, but I thought that it was well-written and pretty accurately captured the disgust I felt at the the loudly repeated implication that community organizers don’t have any responsibility or do anything meaningful, worthwhile, or that requires leadership. It was condescending and it was classist.
What did you think of Palin’s speech?
I keep saying people praise it, even Biden, but I honestly was not impressed. I’m know this may be just because I so greatly disagree with her, and because I could easily pick out each and every lie she told (and there were lots). But I thought that the speech was poorly written, and most of the “funny” lines and attack lines were ridiculously contrived and predictable. I thought the delivery was okay, but that she didn’t look at all comfortable on stage. And I thought most of all that the speech lacked any real substance, and was mainly “isn’t that John McCain great?” and “isn’t that Barack Obama a joke?”
I’m also feeling like this whole “I have more executive experience that Barack Obama” line is a bad idea — for them. Because by that same token, Palin has more executive experience than John McCain. I saw Jon Stewart point this out to Newt Gingrich last night when he made that argument, and Gingrich responded happily with “that’s right!” Jon looked taken aback, and I felt the same way. And especially since people seem to know by now just how little overall experience she actually has, touting that she has “more executive experience” than John McCain doesn’t seem too bright.
But maybe they’re just counting on the Dem aversion to come off as looking sexist by attacking her experience. And you know, I’m really pleased that they seem to thus far not be engaging in sexist attacks, and condemning many of those they’re seeing. But I’m also really pissed that in this day and age, attacking a female politician in the same exact way you would attack a male politician — and in the same exact way that she is attacking male politicians — is still seen as sexist. Us women aren’t exempt from fair criticism, and it’s insulting to assume that those vying for high positions of power are going to curl up in a little ball and cry when you treat them as though they’re vying for a high position of power. That is sexist. I don’t think that the Dems have an awful lot to gain from attacking Palin directly. But I also really feel that they ought to be able to.
Again, I get that I’m biased so I’m genuinely interested in other opinions. And by the way, I’m really looking forward to McCain’s speech tonight simply so that we can talk about something other than Sarah Palin.
ETA: I enjoyed Jay Smooth’s response
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Rage. White hot rage.
Community organizers try to help people. They give their time and energy frequently at no or very little pay to help people.
To me it feels like she was pissing on the part of America* that makes me proud of our country. I’m not necessarily proud of our military might or our economic dominance (waning, obviously) or our awesome Constitution (which should definitely get more love).
But I am proud of the fact that thousands of American’s sacrifice their own earning potential and personal lives to give other Americans opportunities that they otherwise wouldn’t have. Not because they have to…but because some people actually give a damn about the well being of others.
And, it hurts me on a personal level as well. When I was very small, my parents lost everything and we moved in with my grandparents. At that time, the economy was so bad where we were that neither of my parents were able to find work for years. Community organizers (not politicians) helped my dad pay the bills while he went back to college.
But more than just giving opportunity, they also gave compassion. That year we were so broke (gov’t cheese broke) my parents didn’t have money for Christmas presents so basically the only thing I was going to get was the standard $5 I got from my grandparents. Christmas eve, those same “useless” community organizers showed up with a box of handmade toys. One of which was the ugliest teddy bear you have ever seen. But it made me feel loved and not forgotten. And I still have that ugly-ass bear in my office as a reminder that no matter how bad things are there are still people who care about others…not because they’ll get something back, but just because.
Now I have to find a Kleenex before I look like a slobbering idiot in front of my clients.
[I cut off the footnote]
* Yes I know I’m being sloppy using American instead of people from the US…but I promise, it will just this once…probably.
I just wrote about the community organizing crap too. It infuriates me, it really does.
But on to your actual question– I tried to be very objective while watching her speech (which was hard after Giuliani), and I think it was well-delivered for the most part. There were times when she obviously did not feel comfortable with what she was saying, which I later learned was b/c most of it was written by Bush’s speech writer. I think those are the moments you’re reacting to, but in general she drove home the point to her supporters that she is not afraid to attack, which was her goal it seems.
Her content, on the other hand, I was not so fond of. The lies were annoying as f’k, the Republican rhetoric bored me, and her sarcasm was completely unnecessary.
As for Palin’s delivery, I mostly tried to ignore it because I’m sure they’ll “train her up” on that aspect. But oh me, every time she did that snide, bitchy little snarl/smile? I wanted to wipe it right off her smug little face.
I was really expecting something better from her (or really, from her speechwriter), if not in content (because I would probably never say that about most of what she believe politically) then at least in writing and depth of thought. GUESS NOT.
I thought Rudy Giuliani’s speech was just disgusting, by the way. I couldn’t believe – COULD NOT BELIEVE – the 9/11 emotional manipulation. AGAIN. (Actually, come to think of it, I don’t know why I “couldn’t believe” it; Giuliani’s used that every other time he’s ever opened his mouth.) As a Manhattanite, that’s such an instant see-red trigger for me.
Finally, last night’s episode of the Daily Show may actually be my favorite one ever. And that’s saying something. I could have reached right into the TV and hugged Jon Stewart. Also: Ugh. Newt Gingrich. He’s one of my only Least Favorite Things about Georgia.
Kristen, that story got me all teary eyed, too.
Frau Sally Benz, I actually think that I was reacting more to her seeming cluelessness when it came to working the stage, the basic walk around waving thing. I didn’t perceive her as being uncomfortable with the material . . . though the fact that Bush’s speechwriter wrote it for her does explain a lot about it.
Ali, I missed most of the Daily Show because Palin’s speech ran over into it, but Stephen Colbert made me laugh my fucking ass off.
[Clip of Joe Lieberman] “Now you may be asking yourself, what is a Democrat like me doing speaking at a Republican Convention/supporting John McCain?”
Colbert: “Oh, oh, I know this one! Um . . . spitting in the face of every person who voted for you?!”
I don’t have tv so I had to read the transcripts this morning and after reading Giuliani’s, I couldn’t quite stomach all of Palin’s (that and it didn’t grab me as a particularly good speech as it was written).
I was apalled at the things Giuliani said though and despite myself, rather shocked too. For someone whose city RELIED HEAVILY upon community organizers in the wake of 9/11 (which he spared no opportunity to once again exploit), it was like a slap in the face. My father, a fireman, drove up to New York as part of the men and Women Houston sent to help. My father spent many days helping dig through rubble, support the people around him, and offer comfort to a city still in the grips of terror and shock. My father, someone who has never failed to vote Republican before, called me literally at the break of dawn this morning because he needed to unload his frustration at the things Giuliani said and I am the only political activist he knows. He very well may vote Democrat in this election for the very first time thanks to Giuliani’s slap to the face last night.
America is a community and without our organizers, without our engaged citizens, we would be adrift. I think it is very telling that this is the Republican’s line of thinking. They actually don’t have a problem with community organizers as long as they are the communities which support the Republican’s through money. It’s all those other organizers, the ones who care for communities who don’t have off-shore tax shelters that the Republicans sneered at and if it continues, I feel strongly that they will be in for a rude awakening. They may love corporate sponsors and corporate lobbyists (who are, in fact, “community organizers”) but at the end of the day, Exxon-Mobil can’t vote – the employees being screwed over CAN.
Anyway, sorry for the length again. Elections really fire me up and piss me off. Peace!
I haven’t been able to bring myself to watch the entire speech, makes me want to eat glass quite frankly. But I just can’t get the creationism/evolution and abstinence-only inconsistency out of my head – it makes no damn sense. Palin says that “kids should have all the information…have the opportunity to have a healthy debate…” But, of course she is referring to have creationism taught in the classroom. But when it comes to comprehensive sex education she vehemently opposes it.
So our kids are supposed to have “all” the information, as long as it is the information that the right-wing asshats deem appropriate?
And then when there is unintended pregnancy due to these lack of resources then they want to force that woman to have the child – Palin has said she would oppose abortion even if her daughter was raped….
I just can’t get my head around how this makes sense to them when they say it…
*So frustrated*
My unhusband and I watched the whole convention together last night. By the time Palin made her appearance Romney and Rudy we were both frightened and ill. It was a cult of group thought wherein it seemed acceptable to say we love America rather than deal with any issues. They simply wanted people to refrain from any kind of thought process whatsoever.
I thought that Palin delivered her mendacious speech quite well. The snarky smile which she employed like a weapon only made her look disingenuous. I noticed that she took care to express pride in her son and nephew but not her daughters. Yep she’s pro woman alright. I love that she touted selling a private jet when her soon to be boss flies every where in one. I am sure I don’t need to go over the falsehoods that she presented as truths, it was obvious to anyone who is committed to thinking for themselves.
I would like to make one other point. Rudy made it clear that Palin faced sexism in this election. This I do believe is a truth however how do the Republicans fight against sexism by wearing buttons that say Sarah Palin sexist vp. If you look up the word hypocrite in the dictionary, it should have a GOP elephant as an illustration.
I definitely noticed the sneer.
Rudy talking about sexism made me feel nauseous. Because yeah, the Obama campaign has been careful to not engage in it, and Rudy was trying to direct the blame at him and not the media. Also, as if they wouldn’t be Blatant Misogyny Central if Clinton had won. Further, the Republicans couldn’t get more sexist if they tried, and all of those buttons like ‘I’m voting for the hot chick’ and ‘Sexiest VP’ that CNN kept cutting to certainly rammed that point home.
I actually think that I was reacting more to her seeming cluelessness when it came to working the stage, the basic walk around waving thing.
I wasn’t even paying attention anymore by that point, but I see what you’re saying.
Renee, I share your sentiment. I’m still sort of shocked by Giuliani. (I think by now you’ve gathered that I didn’t much enjoy the night.) It’s almost unbelievable to me that he has the audacity to still harp about 9/11; by that point nobody remembered he was still in office. He needs to stop trying to play the hero and realize when your humility should speak louder than your words.
Good points about how fear of seeming sexist shouldn’t prevent substantive critique.
Also was shocked (or not) by the sexist pins, a la “hottest VP.”
The community organizing comments didn’t bug me so much. I didn’t see those as belittling community organizing in itself as much as comparing resumes and saying it doesn’t translate to time in federal politics. It struck me that RG and SP were saying it’s a resume bullet point for law school, not the Presidency. Dems have similarly critiqued the idea of being a mayor of a small town, not saying being a mayor is something to be ashamed of but just saying it’s not adequate.
See, that would be one thing, but they were being really snarky about it, and one of Palin’s actual comments was: “I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a ‘community organizer,’ except that you have actual responsibilities.” That seems to me an awful lot more like belittling the actual job rather than whether or not it’s adequate experience to be president (and on its own, I’d agree that probably not).
I agree. It was snarky, but then both sides and their surrogates have had snarky lines. Factually, a mayor has a budget and more hardcore responsibilities than any volunteer position, no matter how important or worthwhile. So whoever wrote that line — it wasn’t a bad way to get across that here’s someone who’s had to run something that required specific rules and budgeets. Should she have slammed the CO job along the way? Probably not, but none of them seem to have their gloves on at this point.
I’m going to have to disagree with you. I have sat and headed a few boards in a volunteer capacity and not only did I have a budget, but I can virtually gaurantee you that my budget as a mere “community organizer” was much larger than a small town’s budget in Alaska (as my budget was in the tens of millions range and the organization served more than 300,000 needy people in the course of one fiscal year). And it also greatly depends upon what type of leadership the town employs. The town I grew up in had a powerful mayor position and the mayor had many more responsibilities and decisions to make than the city council or city manager. The small town I went to college in had a puppet mayor and a strong city council/city manager. If this town in Alaska enjoys the second form of government, then Palin didn’t actually have that many responsibilities other than photo-op’s at schools and special awards.
And I still believe that it shows the Republicans to be a rather elitist group who dumped all over the hard work of average Americans who volunteer to help their communities. Not all of us have off-shore tax shelters to ensure our “equality” and access to goods and services. Thus, “community organizers” are responsible for many of us enjoying a better quality of life. To sneer at that, in my opinion, is unacceptable by ANY party or person.
AND it’s not the ONLY job Senator Obama has had. Making it seem like it has been is disingenous as well.
If you really want to talk facts, read this article:
http://dallasmorningviewsblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/09/why-do-republic.html
Community organizers actually DO oversee budgets, and staffing – not that I agree with your intimation that those “hardcore” responsibilities make someone “qualified” or “unqualified” for the highest executive position in America. I DO think that his desire to help support and lead a struggling community – with virtually no personal incentive other than an innate desire to help those who feel they cannot help themselves become stronger and more prosperous – is probably the single highest qualification I can think of for someone who must inspire and lead our country out of the giant hole eight years of Republican mis-administration has put us in.
Cara, have you seen the article at Shakesville about Palin’s introductions of her kids? Twice at least, she spends 90% of the intro on her two boys, and then she’s like “Oh, and these other kids here”. It’s an interesting thread. Just thought I’d mention it, as I think it points to how much she fails to value women and girls, even her own.
Ali and Jenna — I am not criticizing c’ty organizers. Having read Obama’s book, I am impressed by his work. He did not, however, have a budget to balance in the sense that an executive owner does. He built up funds (in the hundreds of thousands) to be used for his organization’s work. Which is commendable.
He was not balancing an entire city budget which is typically in the millions. Similarly, someone sitting on a board, which is also critically important work, who is given a budget is not responsible for overall asset planning but adminsters a budget for specific purposes. Please understand that I am not knocking either activity, but trying to illustrate why the Republicans were trying to say there is a closer parallel between mayor: VP than community organizer: President.
Obviously, Obama has experience beyond that, in the Senate. Not disagreeing with that, and obviously there’s no question in my mind about whose social policies gibe more closely, point by point, with my own.
Just when I think it’s time to take a break from the media circus that is Sarah Palin, I read this on the ABC News site:
McCain Camp Says She Won’t Do Interviews Until It Knows She’ll Be Treated with “Deference”
http://tinyurl.com/5svvo7
Apparently her anti-women politics and complicity with a Misogynistic McCain weren’t enough. Now she’s asking for special treatment in the press. It seems that despite all the posturing about being a “pit bull”, a “barracuda”, and calling Hillary a “whiner, she’s sending a pretty clear message that when it’s time make the same media rounds the MEN in this election are making, women “vying for high positions of power are going to curl up in a little ball and cry when you treat them as though they’re vying for a high position of power”.
I’m getting that feeling like my head is gonna explode. Again. Argh.
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