Oh my. Courtesy of, Facebook
Extra correspondent Charissa Thompson recently caught up with Sarah Palin to talk about her reality TV show Amazing America—because, yes, the woman who was almost a heartbeat away from running the free world is now a stalwart of reality television. Naturally, it didn't take long for Thompson to address Hillary Clinton's potential run for office, and to ask the obvious question: Is Palin planning to run for president in 2016? To which Palin, in her trademark annoying folksy manner, replied:
"I would love to see a woman on both sides of the aisle shooting for that top spot."
Let's ponder this for a moment.
Yes, it would be awesome to see two ladies battling each other for "that top spot," but does it really count as progress if those women are of vastly different pedigrees? Does the fact that Hillary and Sarah share similar genitalia make then equals, when one is a reality TV star who considers climate change to be junk science, misunderstands basic geography and doesn't understand lending goliaths Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae . . . and the other (while decidedly not perfect) is a former Secretary of State who successfully promoted the economic stimulus and struck peace accords in Asia?
Palin's quote brings to mind the classic SNL sketch featuring Tina Fey as a bumbling Palin and Poehler as Clinton, exasperated by the very idea of having to share a stage with the woman beside her. Of course, that video was from the '08 cycle, when many pundits remarked on how ridiculous it was to compare two people on the basis of gender alone—as if either woman would represent a step forward for women, beliefs and accomplishments be damned.
Palin's quote reminds us that this issue, six years after it was first discussed ad nauseam, hasn't been eviscerated. And so, in anticipation of this again becoming a thing should Palin and Clinton run for office, let's make this clear: It's not enough to say "Yay two women candidates!" if both women aren't worthy of the job. This reduces women to their gender and does nothing for feminism. Or, for that matter, our country.
But don't take our word for it. Take Tina's and Amy's.
