This past Monday I was in line at 6:30 am waiting for Obama to give his speech on energy and the economy. (Which I think hit just the right note. I personally find a few things lacking in his energy policy, but overall I think it's a fairly solid plan.) Standing in line behind me were two teachers from the Jackson area.
While we were waiting we started to talk about possible VP candidates. My pick would be Katherine Sebelius. For the first time since Obama closed the deal, I encountered someone who would not even consider the idea of any other woman than Sen. Clinton getting the VP spot. For them, Obama could pick any guy and that would be fine. But he could only pick Hillary if he was going to pick a woman.
It's just not a position I understand. Don't get me wrong, I don't think Hilliary would be a bad VP candidate. I think she would be fine. But I do think that Sebelius is an entirely viable VP candidate too, and there is no reason to eliminate her from the short list simply because she's not Sen. Clinton.
After a couple of minutes of this back and forth, I steered the conversation over to some of the McCain ads, and the off-shore drilling. Very quickly the conversation comes to talk about the campaign ad with Brittney and Paris. And almost immediately, these two older woman stated critiquing these two women, commenting how they have loose morals and aren't very smart. In general, just completely bashing them.
Once again, I just don't understand this. I really have no opinion on Brittney and Paris. They're two women who are placed under intense scrutiny that I have no connection with. How does someone viscously attack people that they don't know? Why are they criticizing these two women when they should be focusing on the racist imagery McCain's trying to invoking by placing pretty, white women next to the black candidate?
But out of all of this, at least someone is able to point out the ridiculousness of the ad.
Just don't read the comments. They're rather depressing.
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I agree with the bulk of your post. I think it's really disappointing when I encounter something like that.
I do really dislike Sebelius, though. She has a pretty pathetic record on LGBT rights, which personally frustrates me. With her in the White House, combined with Obama's purely mediocre stances, we won't ever achieve anything. This pisses me off. I'm sure everyone will blah blah blah about how any other presidential and V. Presidental candidate would be even worse, but that doesn't mean I have to LIKE it or them. Vote for them? Obviously. It's just not very fun when you're the one left behind and everyone else who will make progress through these individuals is throwing a party. :(
I waited in line for tickets Saturday morning only to be turned away - congratulations on getting to go! I'm also from Jackson, coincidentally. I haven't really looked into any possible VP candidates, since I figure it won't alter the way I vote in November. It is odd to me that they wouldn't accept any other woman in that position. It reminds me of this book I had to read in high school, an etiquette book for young ladies from I can't remember when in the form of a romance story: In it, the heroine was shamed for accepting an invitation to dance from the second man who asked her, but not the first. I guess their position strikes me as this odd form of chivalry - if not Clinton, then no woman should be VP?
Okay, I have to admit that video made me like Paris Hilton a smidge more. Just a smidge, mind you!
And I agree, why does it HAVE to be Hilary? Personally, I think she'd be the best choice considering her experience and that it would help further unite the party, but she isn't the ONLY choice.
Maybe this attitude isn't as prevalent as we think it is, like PUMAs :)