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Palin's Switcheroo on Feminism

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October 24, 2008 7:07 AM

ABC News' Teddy Davis Reports: Does Sarah Palin consider herself a feminist? It depends who is asking the question.

In an interview on NBC Nightly News that aired Thursday, Brian Williams asked Palin: "Governor, are you a feminist?"

"I'm not gonna label myself anything, Brian," said Palin. "And I think that's what annoys a lot of Americans, especially in a political campaign, is to start trying to label different parts of America different, different backgrounds, different . . . I'm not going to put a label on myself."

While Palin refused to label herself anything while talking to NBC News, she proudly donned the feminist mantle during a recent interview with CBS News.

During her interview with CBS News' Katie Couric, Palin was asked, "Do you consider yourself a feminist?"

"I do," said Palin. " I'm a feminist who believes in equal rights and I believe that women certainly today have every opportunity that a man has to succeed, and to try to do it all, anyway."

October 24, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (268)

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Did they ask Biden the same question? Has anyone asked Biden anything? Where is Joe Biden? Who is Joe Biden?

I remember Joe Biden a few months ago when he echoed Hillary Clinton’s assessment that Sen Obama isn’t ready to handle the “3 AM phone call”. Now Biden is saying that Obama is weak enough to invite the “3AM phone call.”

Maybe that’s why they aren’t letting Biden talk. He admits that his new boss won’t be able to handle the job.

Poor Joe, Levi Johnston gets more press coverage than Joe Biden.

Posted by: Oonogil | Oct 24, 2008 8:07:35 AM

Palin is feminine. The word feminist is a relatively new word for women who wants to be more like men. They want their cake and eat it too.

Posted by: Fran | Oct 24, 2008 8:13:39 AM

Jill.. Did you hear about Senator Obama being a terrorist, Marxist, elitist, Muslim (Which doesn’t matter), Communist and Anti-American, stop believing everything posted on the internet and mentioned during the campaign…

Posted by: Martin | Oct 24, 2008 8:15:17 AM

THIS WOMAN IS SO CONFUSED. SHE DONT KNOW WHAT TO SAY.. SHE DONT EVEN KNOW THE JOB OF A VICE PRESIDENT.. WOW!!! NOW I WILL BE VERY SCARED FOR THIS COUNTRY IF SHE WAS PRESIDENT 1 DAY. HOW COULD SHE BE A FEMINST AND HER SO CALLED PRESIDENT IS NOT FOR FEMINIST. THIS IS SO FUNNY... DID MCCAIN EVEN TALK TO PALIN BEFORE HE PUT HER UP FOR THE VP SPOT... GOD BLESS AMERICA!!

Posted by: chante | Oct 24, 2008 8:15:25 AM

I don't care what Palin calls herself as long as it isn't Vice President or President.

Posted by: JR | Oct 24, 2008 8:20:41 AM

She IS being treated like crap in the media...and exactly-where the heck is Joe Biden-we see more of the plumber guy!

Posted by: deb | Oct 24, 2008 8:24:23 AM

Folks, just because she isn't ugly like your feminist girlfriends doesn't mean she isn't a feminist. Feminism isn't only for uggo's.

Posted by: Michael | Oct 24, 2008 8:25:23 AM

It's actually an interesting question, I think. Today women who are stay at home moms consider themselves feminists because they have good degreees and careers but have the choice of staying at home for a few years to be with their kids. Palin doesn't have a strong educational background but she certainly has a good career. I'd call Palin an Evangelical Feminist (if there is such a term.) She has done well in her career but she is not in favor of equal rights for women in terms of reproductive freedom. Anyone that can say with a straight face that they are "unapologetically against abortion" in the event of a child that has been impregnated by incestuous rape is not only against womens rights but against childrens rights as well. But if being an Evangelical Feminist means that she has achieved a lot in her career and has used her power to force her religious views into the political arena - well then she fits the bill. You betcha. I love how she came out in favor of a federal ban on gay marriage. So much for separation of church and state and limiting the power of the federal governemt. I guess those concepts only apply when they pertain to issues that she does not find morally reprehensible, right Gov Palin? Also, Gov. Schwarzenegger seems to be the latest coming out publically and saying she isn't ready. She will never be ready.

Posted by: voted early for Obama in Florida | Oct 24, 2008 8:26:34 AM

Martin

Obama is a Marxist.. Don't know or care about him being a muslim but Marxism is worrisome.

We spent the last 50 years fighting against Marxists and have of you want to elect one because you are jealous of the wealthy.

It's called playing into their hands.

Posted by: Michael | Oct 24, 2008 8:28:03 AM

Hopefully Sarah Palin is a feminist with view to all these misogynists in the States!
Obama did not even bother to put a woman on the ticket, Obama is so old fashioned with his housewive at home, I wonder why Michelle did a degree if her only occupation is to look after kids, why does Obama not look after his kids, shame on him and although McCain is older, Obama is old-fashioned and McCain progressive, come to Europe, Sarah and John, we could do with good politicians here!!!!!

Posted by: Gina | Oct 24, 2008 8:28:35 AM

Less than a hundred years ago, women were spat upon, beaten, and force fed in prison for demonstating for the right to vote. What a shame that so many of us take that for granted, and so many women don't even vote at all. Palin thinks women now have it made, as far as opportunity to advance in a career of their choosing is concerned, but there is still work to be done and inequality to be overcome. Hillary Clinton recognizes this, but Palin evidently does not.

Posted by: Ruth Brown | Oct 24, 2008 8:29:08 AM

Avoidable Crisis

Announcer: Listen to Joe Biden. Talking about what electing Barack Obama will mean.

JOE BIDEN: “Mark my words. It will not be six months before the world tests Barack Obama. The world is looking. We’re going to have an international crisis … to test the mettle of this guy. I guarantee you it’s gonna happen.”

Announcer: It doesn’t have to happen. Vote McCain.

Ads that use the words of opponents against them always work more effectively, and this could be the Best of Class, perhaps even better than Joe the Plumber. While most Americans reject redistributionism, it has nuances that allow Barack Obama to explain it away in rebuttal. Biden’s statement has no shadings at all. Elect Barack Obama and we’ll face an international crisis right away specifically to test Obama — because he’s untested and inexperienced.

Every voter understands what that means. Who wants unnecessary crisis? As the ad states, they can avoid that by electing John McCain instead. Heck, Biden’s own words makes that plain.

Posted by: Thank you to Joe Biden for the warning | Oct 24, 2008 8:30:22 AM

SEVERES BLUE:
You said: "A feminist is simply someone who believes that women should have the same opportunities as men and be treated as equals."

If that is all you believe feminism to be, you're a bigger twit than Palin. Perhaps you should follow her lead like most uninformed people will.

Posted by: Male Feminist | Oct 24, 2008 8:31:01 AM

all i see is everyone being fickle about something the other side says or does. We need to get past saying the other side is worse than the other. Peolple are being soo petty on both side. its like listening to my kids explain why they were fighting with each other.

Posted by: will it end | Oct 24, 2008 8:32:34 AM

Not like it matters. To feminists, Palin is the ultimate anti-feminist. She will not be bringing in substantial amounts of Hillary voters...

http://www.political-buzz.com/

Posted by: matt | Oct 24, 2008 8:32:53 AM

Even people in New Zealand are talking about Obama's Socialism. Where is our media at?
http://newzeal.blogspot.com/2008/10/obama-file-41-obama-was-new-party.html

Posted by: Michael | Oct 24, 2008 8:32:54 AM

Both she and her maybe boss McCain say they are whatever people want them to be at the moment. She's a feminist, he's a savior, blah,blah,blah...

Posted by: Terri | Oct 24, 2008 8:33:15 AM

carolstrick - only women can be feminists - not men. You could ask the other candidates if they are in favor of equal rights for women and you'd get your answer pretty clearly as McCain has repeatedly voted against any equal pay or equal rights initiative put before him in the senate. He has also said some pretty derogatory comments about women publically. One can call McCain a lot of things but an advocate for equality he is not.

Posted by: voted early for Obama in Florida | Oct 24, 2008 8:33:31 AM

Community organizer? Racist!
Mentioning his middle name? Racist!
Arrogant? Racist!
Elitist? Racist!
Palling around with a (white!) terrorist? Racist!
Celebrity? Racist!
Cosmopolitan? Racist!
Using advisor who is an African-American former Chairman and CEO of Fannie Mae? Racist!
Socialist? Racist!

Posted by: Obama's Handy Pocket Guide to Playing the Race Card | Oct 24, 2008 8:37:20 AM

Feminist is a new word? Palin stupid? You are retarded in America.

Posted by: gina | Oct 24, 2008 8:38:06 AM

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