This is the first in a series of articles on my new favorite female political leader to write about.
I really want to read Palin’s autobiography, Going Rogue: An American Life. This is not just for my ironic pleasure–I’m honestly interested in understanding why her fans like her so much. I could certainly write another list post detailing all the reasons I dislike her, but I’m willing to admit that I find her fascinating and worthy of a million feminist analyses.
Stanley Fish writes in his review of Palin’s autobiography on New York Times’ Opinionator that she likes to recite “wonkish details” and that she admires Hillary Clinton. That’s where I stopped reading because I have to wonder if it is possible to find a comfortable place where you can admit having a grudging amount of, err, I’m searching for a better phrase–ironic respect for someone– and still be diametrically opposed to every thing they say and do. If Sarah Palin can admire Hillary Clinton for her intelligence, success, and career path, couldn’t I say that I admire Palin’s confidence and moxie? Her total lack of self-awareness makes her fearless and I could use some of that. Perhaps Palin and I could be like frenemies: I could praise her outfits from Neiman Marcus and then we could agree that David Letterman tells sexist jokes. But trust me, behind her back I’m going to say she lacks depth. Does any one have a copy of her book I could borrow?
