The political phenomenon known as Sarah Palin is rocketing across the American landscape. Her opponents are relentlessly working to stop her. Their usual tactics of intimidation and innuendo are proving ineffective this time and they don’t understand why.The American people have connected with the lady from Alaska who is unabashedly in love with her husband, who delights in her children, who is proud of her non-cosmopolitan origins, and who also happens to be a successful Governor. When she appeared before us last week, she introduced herself in that order.
She let us know that she was a wife and mom who got involved in the political process – not a politician who happened to have a family.
That is what is making her opponents go berserk.
The feminists have spent decades telling us that our fulfillment as women can not come from being wives and mothers. We have gone from revering motherhood to apologizing for it. Women with large families are routinely asked the most intrusive and insulting questions about why they couldn’t or wouldn’t control their fertility.
And then Governor Palin appears with 5 children – and she obviously sees every one of them as a precious gift to her life.
The entertainment media establishment has promoted every sexual option BUT monogamy. We have seen promiscuity, homosexuality, and adultery positively presented, and even promoted, in television and the movies. But when a faithful married couple is part of the story, they are either old or old-fashioned, and almost always unhappy.
And then Governor Palin appears – and she is not only gorgeous and accomplished, she is happily committed to a man who she still smilingly and publicly calls “my guy” after more than 20 years of marriage.
The political media has labored to convince us that a social conservative could not be viable politically. They have told us that radical liberalism is acceptable, but those who believe in the sanctity of life, the preservation of marriage, the defense of individual liberty, and the authority of God are not welcome in the halls of power. They have convinced many seeking public office of the “necessity” to compromise on conservatism in order to attract voters.
And then Governor Palin appears – and she calmly tells the media that she doesn’t really care about their opinions and has no intention of remaking herself into someone who would be acceptable to them. Whether that means changing her hairstyle or her positions on the issues.
Governor Palin isn’t popular because she is pretty, or smart, or accomplished – although she is all of those things.
Governor Sarah Palin is popular because she is real.
One of the radical feminists said that the only thing Sarah Palin shared with her and other feminists was a chromosome. Unfortunately for her, it appears that Governor Palin shares that chromosome and much more with the people of America. At this moment, the people of this nation have decided that Governor Palin understands and shares their hearts.
The attacks of her opponents will undoubtedly become more vicious and frenzied in the days ahead. They will also continue to be ineffective.
Americans LIKE the lady from Alaska. She reminds us of our own wives and mothers and sisters – able to be both gracious and tough, to build both family and community, and to openly honor both God and country. No wonder she has captured our hearts.