Feminists for a Day

I was able to attend the Republican National Convention the evening Palin spoke. It is old news by now that her speech was a masterful performance. What tickled me were the speeches before Palin's, which may or may not have been covered by news outlets. I had no idea that Republican operatives were such feminists. Carly Fiorina, Meg Whitman, and Rudy Giuliani talked about sexism. They were appalled that Palin was being criticized and pointed to a double standard that male politicians could be fathers aspiring for high office without being criticized for being bad parents. Move over Gloria Steinem, Meg, Rudy, and Carly have your back. It is fascinating that feminism is now back in the public discourse because of Republican rhetoric! But it really is a return to social feminism. Yes, they advocated that women have the right to participate in the public square but also embraced traditional gender relations. It is a backward vision. Palin did not present herself as anything but a Mom, a tough hockey Mom, but a Mom nontheless.