Gibson Too Tough on Palin?

So, women, what did you think of Sarah Palin's first interview? Today's buzz is all about whether Charlie Gibson was too tough on her or not. What do the pundits think we're supposed to be, whiny marshmallow chicks who can't hold our own in high positions?

Here's my Victorious Woman perspective - NO!

Sarah Palin is running for the second highest office in the US. Most of us know little about her and want to know who she is. Journalists should ask tough questions, to Palin...and all the candidates. You can't run for the highest offices and expect a pass because of gender...or race.

And therein lies the problem, as I see it. Barack Obama wasn't vetted much more than Palin before he stepped onto the national stage. When people wanted to know more, the press (who we should be able to trust to be unbiased) went crazy. Media coverage became so obviously Obama-d that (1) the Campbell Brown-hosted debate was parodied on Saturday Night Live (check YouTube) and even (2) the Democratic Governor of Pennsylvania, Ed Rendell, said the Obama coverage was "embarrassing" and that "certain media outlets were openly partisan, had really bought into Barack Obama as a savior."

Clearly, a real journalist who is doing her/his job, should be asking questions that show us a candidate's character. We all know their canned party line - no matter which party they are. It's the hard questions that show us who the candidate really is.

To all of you who embrace the Victorious Woman in you, and who want the best for all of us, here's my advice for the next two months:

1. Learn everything you can about the candidates. Look at their records. How have they voted and what have they done? Get online and get facts - not some writer's or commentator's opinion. Even if you surf around the political net for just 10-15 minutes a day, you can learn some interesting facts, instead of getting stuck with some cherry-picked soundbites in an ad.

2. Look for the candidate's congruence? In other words, do their current behaviors and history match their past ones?

3. When you hear a candidate speak, listen for their attitudes and beliefs. Find the person behind the words. Why? Because, when elected, that's who you'll see in the White House. When the president and vice-president are in office, they are under extreme stress. When you and I are under stress, we revert to our core values and character. So do they...and that's what you want to watch for in this election.

4. Be wary of preferential treatment, whether it's NBC, ABC, CNN, PBS, FOX, NY Times, Huffington Post, Bill O'Reilly...anyplace. If a journalist only gives a candidate softballs, we simply get to know a bunch of words. We don't get to know them.

To my American readers, when you vote in November - and voting is your sacred right - make sure you are voting for the candidate who most aligns with your values and vision.

In victory,
Annmarie

Sarah Palin – How sexist is it?

What do you think about all the questions regarding Sarah Palin’s ability to serve as vice president because she has five children? Though still on vacation in Maine, but with both Democratic and Republican conventions going on, I can't help but getting political news...and it's making my blood boil. Last week I watched sexism happen with Hillary's speech supporting Barack Obama (see my thoughts in a previous blog below). This week, it's another kind of sexism with Sarah Palin.

Did anyone question Joe Biden when he suffered the tragic loss of his spouse and daughter in a car accident that left his two sons hospitalized for extended periods? Biden was a single parent who admitted that being a parent was more important than serving in the US Congress. He decided not to live in Washington so he could be home with his kids at night? Did anyone tell him to quit? NO. In fact, his was encouraged to continue his political career.

How about John Edwards? He’s an older father of two very young children and his spouse is battling life-threatening cancer. During his run for the presidential nomination, who questioned his ability to focus on the presidency because he was in the midst of personal crisis? NO ONE.

So, why is anyone discussing Sarah Palin’s ability to do her job while raising a family? Palin has already proved she can do a high profile job. Just like you, she is capable of functioning in higher level positions and raising a family.

This issue is about more than a female vice-president. It’s about you and your future success. Sure you can get those mid-level managerial jobs, but what about the executive positions. Do you think your career is suffering due to sexist-related concerns?

Tell me what you think.

By the way, check out my latest newsletter’s skillbuilding article and victory stretch about working women and guilt – with an Olympic twist.

Hillary Clinton - How sexist is it?

Call it what you will, but long story short, the Democratic Party asked Hillary to step down so they could nominate Barack Obama. This time last year, Hillary was all but promised the nomination. Suddenly, the “super delegates” who once couldn’t wait to see Hillary be president, shifted to Obama. Adding salt to the wound, now the Dems have asked for Hillary’s help to get Obama elected.

Has that ever happened to you? Were you ever the frontrunner for a promotion and, in the end, were not only passed over for a less qualified male candidate, but then also asked to help get the man who got the promotion get up to speed?

How did you handle it? Let me hear from you so we can pass along your tips to other women.