Formative Experiences
John McCain: Navy brat upbringing. Annapolis, aerial combat, five years of torture by sadistic communists, etc.
Barack Obama: International bi-racial upbringing, mentored by an alleged commie pervert,* Columbia, Harvard Law, community organizing, etc.
Sarah Palin: Deep north moose-hunting upbringing. University of Idaho J-school. Beauty queen … hey, you can laugh if you want. Boston Herald:
Strutting in a swimsuit and mastering double-sided tape can earn you a pageant crown - and maybe a career in politics.
Republican vice-presidential pick Sarah Palin wasn’t the first woman to sport a one-piece for Miss America judges before becoming governor of Alaska. (She was first runner-up to Miss Alaska in 1984).
In fact, beauty pageants can be a precursor to a pretty decent political career. From Bess Myerson (Miss America 1945, and former New York City Commissioner of Consumer Affairs) to Michigan’s Gov. Jennifer Granholm (Miss San Carlos, Calif., 1977) to Palin, dozens of present and former mayors, senators, congresswomen, state attorneys and political operatives have a tiara in their closets. And that’s not even counting the ladies who didn’t qualify for the big pageant.
“The Miss America pageant is not like the Olympics in that Miss America prepares you for more than one event,” said Art McMaster, CEO and president of the Miss American Organization. “These young ladies have to prepare for five events, including an extensive interview. It’s about showing the world the very best you can be, which is a lot like politics.”
But line-item vetoes and Rose Garden press conferences are a long way from playing the flute in an evening gown. And in a YouTube world, will seeing Sarah Palin as Miss Wasilla do just that in the talent competition diminish her executive authority?
“I don’t think it will hurt,” McMaster said. “And let’s not forget that as Miss America, you travel all over the country, going from a political event in Washington D.C. one day to a rally at a NASCAR race the next. The country is so diverse, and Miss America sees it all.”
Miss USA 2008 Crystle Stewart said a career in politics isn’t out of the question for her.
“Pageantry has taught me so many things,” said the 26-year-old Texan. “It’s helped my communication skills, my social networking, my confidence, my spirituality and my self-esteem. You need those to be successful in life.”
And the dark side of competition can help in the pit-bull world of politics, too.
“You have to be competitive, but you have to be kind and gracious,” said Stewart, who is pursuing a career as a self-improvement speaker. “Not everyone is going to like you, your work or your opinion. And that coincides directly with being a political figure. I think Sarah Palin did a great job on the debate because she was ready for those questions.”
Miss Congeniality may be the next Madame President, but pageants are about looks, too.
“Who wouldn’t want a president or vice president who is appealing to the eyes?” said Stewart.
* In case you missed it, UK Telegraph and National Enquirer, discussion and links here. Never mind the shepherding by an America-hating bigot pastor and palling with an unrepentant ex-terrorist. I don’t want to pile on.
Topics: pols
Posted by Jules Crittenden at 12:54 pm on Tuesday, October 14, 2008
One Response to “Formative Experiences”
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October 19th, 2008 at 1:37 am
As if she had done nothing since then. Come to think of it, what has Obama done? Palin has accomplished more in twenty months as governor than Obama in his entire career. And VP will be an excellent makee-learn job for the Presidency over the next four years.
Or, if McCain loses, Palin can go back to Alaska and distinguish herself as a reform governor (as she has begun so shall she continue) then make a try on her own in 2012, probably competing with Jindal and maybe some others for the nomination. Hey Dems, how about this lineup for 2012 for the Packs to choose among: Petraeus, Palin, Jindal. Go on, put up one of your corrupt, liberal-left hacks against any of those three.