LYNETTE'S COMMENTS AT A MCCAIN-PALIN RALLY

This is the text of my speech at the McCain rally on September 10, 2008:

My name is Lynette Long. I am a feminist, a mother, a Democrat and an ardent Hillary Clinton supporter and I am voting for John McCain and Sarah Palin on November 4.

After the last Democratic Primary was over and it was clear Senator Clinton was not going to get the Democratic nomination, myself, and a small group of Clinton supporters met with Senator McCain and Carly Fiorina. I personally explained to Senator McCain that women comprise well over half of the population, yet you will not see a single picture of a woman on paper currency or on a single coin in circulation. Women are underrepresented in every branch of government and there has never been a female president or vice president. I personally asked Senator McCain loudly and clearly to choose a woman for the Vice Presidential slot and to increase the number of women in the cabinet and on the Supreme Court. Senator McCain listened respectfully to my request. Little did I know then that he heard me and the millions of women of this country who have gone unrepresented in the Executive branch of government for far too long.

When I made similar requests of the Obama campaign, I was laughed at by the canvassers outside my home, told there weren’t enough qualified women by a member of his Finance Committee, and asked by a member of a policy committee why I was making such a stupid request. Gender is the most fundamental human characteristic. The first comment made when a child is born is either, “It’s a girl” or “It’s a boy.” From that second on, boys and girls live in parallel universes in the same culture. You can’t learn what it is to be a woman, unless you are one. You can’t have a government essentially devoid of women that knows what’s best for women. You can’t legislate for women, without women.

By choosing Governor Palin as his running mate, Senator McCain acknowledged that two men can never know what it is like to be a woman, a mother, a daughter, a sister - things Governor Palin knows all too well. Senator McCain chose the second only bi-gender ticket in American history reinforcing his image as a maverick. Choosing a vice-president, was the first significant decision Senator McCain and Senator Obama had to make. Senator Obama talks about change but picked a running mate who is part of the Washington establishment. Senator McCain’s actions speak for themselves.

I have given my loyalty to the Democratic Party for decades. My party, which is comprised primarily of women, has not put a woman on a presidential ticket for 24 years. My party was disrespectful to all women when they refused to nominate my candidate, Hillary Clinton, for president or vice president, even though she received more votes than any other Democratic or Republican candidate in history. My party stood silently by as Hillary Clinton was eviscerated by the sexist attacks of the mainstream media. My party’s candidate was mute when Rev. Jeremiah Wright and Father Pfleger openly mocked Senator Clinton from the pulpit of Trinity United Church of Christ. My party’s candidate was silent when the rapper Ludacris released a new song calling Hillary a bitch. Neither my party nor its candidate has demonstrated in this election that they hold women in high esteem. And yesterday, I understand Senator Obama personally said, “You can put lipstick on a pig, and it’s still a pig.” Well, Mr. Obama, calling girls names is something fifth grade boys do and I don’t want a fifth grader running my country.

I might not agree with Senator McCain and Governor Palin on all the issues, but I don’t agree with any candidate on all the issues. But in Senator McCain and Governor Palin, I find two people with personal integrity and a love of their county --- individuals who not only talk the talk but walk the walk. I can work with that. I will vote for McCain-Palin. In fact, I’ve decided to try to win one vote a day for the McCain-Palin ticket. My new personal mantra is, “A vote a day, keeps Obama away.”  I urge all Clinton supporters and McCain supporters to do the same. Thank you.

Comments

[Shelley Surh]

I have read your thoughtful and thought-provoking comments on line. I appreciate your perspective. I too was raised by a strong, working mother who fought tirelessly for the ERA and helped me embrace feminism. However, I do not understand how being a woman is the only qualification one needs to bring balance and new perspective to this country. You are pushing aside choice, peace, civil liberties, one step to eradicating racism in favor of womanhood? Sexism is alive and well - that we can agree on. But the sypathetic "boos" against sexism you heard in Virgina on Wednesday...well, I find it hard to believe you have found a home, a party, that really understands sexism and is dedicated to its eradication. The devil is in the details. With respect, SWS

[Cara]

Excellent post!

I became fed up with Obama during the debate when he did the whole junior high "scratch your nose with your middle finger so you can get away with flipping the bird" thing to Senator Clinton during the debate. Why did he get away with it them and why does he continue to get away with it? When he referred to Palin as the "lipstick" on McCain's "pig" policies I thought he objectified her terribly.

I do not support all of McCain's policies either but nobody pins down Obama on anything but Iraq so I'm not sure about Obama's "policies" either. I read his two books and there is plenty for me to disagree with.

I will be voting McCain/Palin in November and looking forward to my dream Clinton/Anybody ticket in 2012!

[1921 C Drum]

To those who posted comments in defense of Obama: Has it ever occurred to you that Lynette Long's change of allegence was caused not by the defeat of HRC in the primaries but by the knowledge that Obama was but a mere pretender and a product of the Daily machine in Chicago? Her change of party (for this election, anyway) does not seem to be based merely on the one issue of gender. We live in a very dangerous world, one that might find you encased in a burka where your fingernails would be pulled out for wearing nail polish or beaten for showing sone ankle. You will vote based on who will wield the forecepts . You are the practioners of one issue politics. And, Rowe v. Wade will not go away overnight. George Bush (I'll pause while you gag or hyperventilate) was president with a republican majority for six years without any danger to RvW. Rest assured, you'll still be able to murder your children, but don't endanger our nation because you think you might not be able to anymore.

[SWPAnnA]

It took McCain a long, LONG time to overtake the generic R candidates and emerge as the Nominee. I suspect that the lackluster support - along with the defeatist realism of the party who had effed up royally was conceding the ticket to the guy who would carry the standard to the bitter end. Deep in their hearts of hearts, the Republican Party faced certain defeat. They allowed their nomination to McCain as a concession to a Lifetime Achiever; not a real Oscar; recognition of the guy who'se always been there.

Media hog, Obama, was the Paris/Brittney of a jaded candidate who couldn't get a word in edgewise throughout the marathon Democratic Primaries which held the news cycle to the last, inexhaustible stop on the train.

Then "Sarah."

Now, the Chosen One is unable to reclaim the spotlight upon which he thrives. He shrivels and collapses like an air puppet when the fans are shut down. He is but fabric in the wind, assaulting the corner of our eye, but unable to claim our hearts as Palin does. From fifth grade, they go to 6th grade where the refrain is always: "No Fair!"

[Beverly in KY]

re: Posted by: SY Morris | September 10, 2008 at 07:32 PM
I could not be more disappointed-no disgusted-with the Hilary supporters who h Obama and embrace McCain and ave decided to attack Obama and embrace McCain and Palin--simply because Hilary was not nominated.

------------------
If you think this is all our complaints are about, then you're not very well read. I refer you to Caucus Fraud and the purchase of Super Delegates. And, you should check out Obama's voting records: Have you ever researched Obama's voting record? I have. Have you ever researched Black Liberation Theology? I have. Have you researched Obama's role in campaigning for Odinga? I have. I know that he is a friend of Louis Farrakhan, who described Obama as having "been groomed to be seen more as a unifier, rather than one who speaks only for the hurt of Black people. In this, he has tapped the dissatisfaction of many Whites, Blacks, Hispanics and Asians across the spectrum, because who cares what color you are if you can save them from the mess that they find themselves in." Farrakhan didn't say Obama is a man who believes or cares about the mess we find ourselves in. He said he has been "groomed to be seen as" someone who cares.

Also you might want to check out this article by a former president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors:
http://www.beyondchron.org/articles/The_Obama_Craze_Count_Me_Out_5413.html

[Somerset '76]

Greetings and an olive branch from a veteran Catholic traditionalist, one who has been so turned off by politics in recent years as to have barely paid attention to the '08 campaign until Gov. Palin was tapped.

So indeed it has been an intriguing surprise to me to discover that conservatives are not the only enemy in the eyes of the Soros-Obama-Kos-HuffPo-MoveOn axis, that Hillary and her supporters were their first victims in this election cycle.

It took guts for you to address a Republican audience that, even in Fairfax, doubtlessly included those who reacted unfavorably to your open preference for Hillary. I searched in vain for video of your whole speech, so I'm glad I found your text here.

Now to the point of these remarks, which are directed at those who chastize you for a "wrongful reading" of the One's "lipstick on a pig" reference. The fact is, this remark was a disingenious double-entendre. It really did operate on two levels simultaneously.

The direct words leading up to the imagery of pig lipstick and rewrapped old fish did indeed establish the context of these metaphors as references to the Republican ticket's policy vision. Now, as "Chairman O" (pedigree: Marx, Alinsky, Ayers, Wright) was speaking in straight terms, the audience mostly listened, with a bit of applause here or there. Now comes the subliminal part. He paused, scratched his head, and proceeded to use metaphors which, to his suddenly cheering audience, had obvious associations with each of the Republican candidates: lipstick = Palin = pig -> loud and sustained cheers; old fish = McCain. The choice of *these specific metaphors* to drive home his point was no accident.

So it was a deliberate dig, crafted to later be spinnable as an "innocent remark" when stripped of the context of his listening audience and the preexisting imagery connected to his opponents.

[Beverly in KY]

I'm so glad you posted your VA speech. I heard a byte or two of it when I was traveling yesterday. Great speech.

[Carla]

'Then there are lies like the "Bridge to Nowhere" tale. Frankly, I'm fed up with lying leaders--male or female.'

Your messiah, Obama and Biden voted to fund that "Bridge to Nowhere."

Palin killed it. Who's the liar?

Obama has 'woman issues.' His supporters called Hillary an old bitch who needed to get laid. His campaign is filled with vile sexist hypocrites who supposedly oppose racism, sexism,homophobia and ageism but who violate their own beliefs.

You lie down with sexist dogs, you get up with fleas.

You can believe all the lies that the Obama thugs are throwing at Palin if you wish. The fact that they have been debunked by factcheck.org means nothing to the Obama Kool-Aid drinkers who have joined his pathetic cult.

[Yochanan]

Sarah Palin on Iran and Israel:

GIBSON: Let me turn to Iran. Do you consider a nuclear Iran to be an existential threat to Israel?

PALIN: I believe that under the leadership of Ahmadinejad, nuclear weapons in the hands of his government are extremely dangerous to everyone on this globe, yes.

GIBSON: So what should we do about a nuclear Iran?

PALIN: We have got to make sure that these weapons of mass destruction, that nuclear weapons are not given to those hands of Ahmadinejad, not that he would use them, but that he would allow terrorists to be able to use them.So we have got to put the pressure on Iran.

GIBSON: What if Israel decided it felt threatened and needed to take out the Iranian nuclear facilities?

PALIN: Well, first, we are friends with Israel and I don't think that we should second guess the measures that Israel has to take to defend themselves and for their security.

GIBSON: So if we wouldn't second guess it and they decided they needed to do it because Iran was an existential threat, we would cooperative or agree with that.

PALIN: I don't think we can second guess what Israel has to do to secure its nation.

GIBSON: So if it felt necessary, if it felt the need to defend itself by taking out Iranian nuclear facilities, that would be all right.

PALIN: We cannot second guess the steps that Israel has to take to defend itself.

I ♥ GOV'R PALIN

[James]

I am glad people are waking up to Barack Hussein Obama please go to http://halturnershow.blogspot.com to learn more about Hussein, Hal Turner has been working as tirelessly as Lynette both Hal and Lynette are true american patriots

[Debbie Joyner]

You folks who want to think that this comment was not directed at Palin are hilarious. Is it a common phrase, absolutely, did these scripted remarks (yes they were scripted and FYI the lead in was a verbatim steal from a political cartoon that ran earlier in the week look it up) have a very specific purpose, absolutely - give a snide swipe at Palin (with complete deniability) hope that McCain screams sexism and then point out where McCain said it against Hilary. Call me cynical, but within moments of the sexism cry from McCain the Obama camp was ready with the Hilary analogy - coincidence? I don't think so! The sad thing is the real sexist comment came later - when Obama expressed his suprise at how Palin can handle 5 kids when he and Michelle are exhausted with 2 - save the backhanded comments please!

[Pagar]

How sad that after all the work you have done on caucus fraud, there are still Americans that somehow believe Obama is a legitimate candidate for President of this great nation. IMO, there is no chance that Obama is going to let Hillary do anything if he is elected, She will be his greatest fear for the next four yrs.

[JBinMO]

Wow! So there IS someone else who feels exactly as I do! I'm am so tired of sexism! It's everywhere from politics to the ads on TV - did you know ONLY women cook and clean? I'm beyond furious at the so called media, who can't fawn enough over Obama! I can't believe I'm saying this but I now watch FOX news and it's good! In less than two months, I will proudly be voting FOR McCain and Palin - the first time I've ever voted republican in my life. Oh and I most certainly am not the only one who feels this way. Newsflash to media and the DNC: We really DO exist! HA!

[Hillaryvoter]

"In using the phrase "lipstick on a pig," he was talking about Senator McCain's policies"

Yes, in Letterman, Obama explained: McCain's policies are the pig, Palin is just the LIPSTICK.

So, now, she's not even a useful farm animal, but an irrelevant cosmetic gimmick: way to go, Obama!

[Kat Parker]

TRAITOR!!!! Ms. Benedict Arnold!!!! I was/am still a Hilary Supporter, and a woman, and a mother, a nurse, and I've worked in a rape crisis center... I am aghast at your message of support for McCain/Palin!!! What about women's reproductive rights? No abortions even for rape and incest survivors? What kind of "feminist" as you, anyway? So, you don't agree on all the issues... just voting for any old vagina is beyond STUPID!!!! Do not vote this monster in! If you do, then all of the things Hilary has worked so hard for will be TRASHED!!!! You are NO HILARY SUPPORTER! You are blind vagina supporter. How can Hilary get her work done for women, education, health care, etc, if you vote in a conservative???? Please, examine what's really important here. Hilary will be very involved, and how can she do anything with a republican president. And, as for rape survivors? Google Palin and rape survivors!

Please don't do this!!! Don't screw up everything Hilary has worked so hard to accomplish. You are not a feminist. You should be ashamed of yourself!

[Percell R St Thomass]

This is absurd! I was so shocked that the term "...a fifth grader..." is used. I, too, was very excited at the onset of what was, without question, the most exciting campaign in the history of this country. However, it has turned into grocery store tabloid politics, and some of the most blatantly disgusting, not fifth grade, but kindergarten behavior by expected to be well educated persons.

It is absurd that the McCain campaign would smear Obama for repeating a common cliche that is used daily, and that McCain twice used in the past year...once with reference to Hillary. I believe that everyone who watched knows fully that Obama was not referring to my governor. However, the supposed powers that be, and others, unfortunately yourself included by this speech, are ruining this campaign by perpetuating such kindergarten tactics. What is worse is that this behavior belittles the intelligence of the american people by treating them as if we all react with a kindergarten or fifth grade mentality.

Sadly, what is worse, yet, is that it is true. Remarks such as some of those in your speech, this whole "pig" quest, and the resulting actions of the american public suggest that there is truth in the assumption that we are a nation of tabloid scandal followers rather than self-motivated self thinkers. There are serious problems facing this country's future. Please help me and others who sincerely wish to see something better in our lifetime by refocusing the voters on the issues and away from the sandbox politics that we are being massacred with.

Thank you for your time.

[Nagita]

I thought a campaign was about issues not personality. Which of the McCain/Palin position's do you agree with?

[nhkat]

Lynette,
I saw part of your speech on Fox News tonight. Thanks for what you said. I, like you, am a Hillary supporter who is now for McCain/ Palin, and I think there are more of us out there than Obama knows. I have never voted Republican in my life but, there is a first time for everything!

[Jacob Schnaitman]

Please don't the fact that Sen. McCain picked Gov. Palin overshadow the fact that Democrats in the White House are better for women (and all Americans for that matter) than Republicans. I'm 26, so I can only speak for what I've seen in my lifetime. When Republicans are in office, the economy tanks, when Democrats are in, the economy does well. For you to support McCain reminds me of a cousin of mine. Her and her husband have four kids and they are evangelical Christians. The issue of religion is their number one issue, and they vote Republican because of it...even though it is not in their best economic interest. Religion to them is like gender to you. Please don't let Gov. Palin's gender blind you to the fact that Democrats have always, and will continue to be the party that will fight for women, minorities, and the less fortunate.

[Mark]

Lynette, I saw you give this speech in Fairfax yesterday. And I have to say, you were really cool. Perhaps my favorite speaker that day. You are a bit wrong about the coins in circulation though. Just a couple of weeks ago I received a few Sacagawea Dollar's from a metro machine, and the Susan B. Anthony is still in circulation. Also, the Alabama State Quarter has Helen Keller on the reverse. I understand your point, but I think it's a stretch.

[jo guy]

Lynette, I couldnt agree more with you. My background as a Democrat is the same as you and my refusal to vote Obama is the same. I think there must be a few million of us. No Obama.

[Cal]

Oh, you are magnificent! Yes.you.are

[Sunshinelvr]

Rosa Parks was a catalyst for the civil rights movement. I think that is OUR time to step up and DRIVE the bus! I, too, will be voting for McCain/Palin, something I never thought I would consider.
This is a wonderful speech and it expresses my sentiments exactly! Thank you Ms Long!

[Homer Spencer]

Surely by now, someone has explained to you how you have taken the "lipstick and pig" quote completely out of context and and has demonstrated to you that Obama was not referring to Governor Palin as a pig. McCain himself had used the old lipstick-on-a-pig adage in criticizing Senator Clinton's policy proposals. That Senator McCain and Governor Palin would allow you to continue to willfully ignore this when speaking at their rallies shows a mean spiritedness, a lack of integrity, and a cynical view of the electorate's ability to differentiate truth from mendacity. All that can be politely said at this point is that the three of you deserve each other.

[Kara]

Being female does not in itself make you a good candidate for women, especially when you are rabidly anti-choice and for ineffective abstinence only sex education (and against teaching teenagers about contraception). On top of that, Palin cut funding for programs for teen moms as governor of Alaska, and under Palin as mayor, Wasilla police departments charged rape victims for forensic tests. It is not offensive to me that Obama chose a qualified candidate for his running mate, who happens to be male. What is offensive is that McCain thought that he could pick a candidate based on one characteristic to try woo over female voters, and yet did not bother to pick a woman who was actually qualified (of which there are plenty he could have chosen from) or who held any of the same values as the majority of women! I think the vast majority of American women are too smart to fall for that.

Lipstick on a pig was not referring to Palin - you might try watch the video or read the transcript. And the McCain camp crying "sexism" any time a critical comment is made of Palin offends me as a woman and devalues the word. Being a feminist is not about acting tough like a "pitbull" until someone criticizes you and then exploiting the antiquated notion of a women's vulnerability and calling foul. Wouldn't it be sexist to treat Palin more delicately than any man who was a candidate for the second highest office in the country?