You should make Sarah Palin your mentor
Is no one going to say that Sarah Palin rocked the vice presidential debate? Who is so arrogant to think that they could do better with just five weeks’ preparation?
She did a great job. She memorized speeches that she trotted out in good moments. And she had such nerve! Most of us would be too shy to flagrantly disregard the question, but she knew that was her job. She knew her job was to give set up answers and fit them in the best she could, and she did that. She delivered her lines very well. She played to the camera. She was friendly, and charming, and eloquent as long as you didn’t mind that she talked about whatever she wanted.
The thing is that most of politics is not about giving the right answer. It’s about giving any answer the right way. The world is not bashing Kennedy for beating Nixon in the classic debate where Nixon wore all the wrong stuff and the wrong makeup and could have said anything and he still would have lost. No. No one is complaining about Kennedy’s dependence on style in that debate. And we didn’t generally bash Reagan for being a great orator even though we thought he was probably losing his mind even before he got to office. He was still a great orator and could deliver his messages in a mesmerizing way.
So give Sarah some credit. She did a great job. Sure she’s probably not ready to move into the White House. But that doesn’t mean she didn’t do a great job. She can only do her best. And she did. And you have to respect someone who takes a huge risk and does a good job. Look, if you think she’s unqualified, don’t vote for McCain, because he’s the bozo who selected her. But since she’s there, learn something from her. Take advantage of a fun, capable woman who is rising up to the occasion. She’s ignoring the taunts (even I have thrown some) and she has enough of a sense of self that she’s plowing forward.
But really, it’s hard to believe that she will be on the winning ticket. It’s hard to believe that anyone could choose McCain after he has shown such poor judgment. But Palin will land on her feet. She’ll get some TV commentator job, or some interior secretary job, and she’ll learn the ropes, and she’ll succeed.
If you are wondering why your own career is stalled, consider that it’s because you don’t have mentors like her. She is scrappy and she knows how to manage her image. It’s not small peanuts, and it’s hard to find a woman who is as good at it as she is and public about how she’s doing it. Take advantage of the learning opportunity.
I don’t know about you, but I would usually prefer to find someone who is an expert in his or her field (at least on something) if I’m going to have the “will you be my mentor?” conversation.
Don’t get me wrong, if I was looking for a “Moxie Mentor,” she’d win hands down. But all the moxie in the world doesn’t necessarily make someone a good mentor.
Wow, not sure where to start with this post. It’s quite unfortunate that you’ve brought politics into play…I was (I’m unsubscribing after this post) a loyal reader of this blog because it provided unique insight into career management and issues. I am just perplexed by your notion that Palin “rocked”. She wavered between ~3 extremely superficial talking points, demonstrated a tremendous lack of depth, and also a dearth of intellect and curiosity. I was seriously considering voting for McCain prior to his VP choice. Adeo “Brazen Careerist”…
Men are still intimidated by strong, smart, self directed women. These are Palin’s biggest “flaws.” Men do and say what she has all the time and get away with it, but the standard has always been different for women. Why?
I don’t think she should be VP, but she would probably do no worse than Dan Quayle did.
Moxie is exactly the reason why she is so horrible, she is at a level where she doesn’t even know what she doesn’t know. That is a profoundly shameful state to be in for a VP candidate. I know you like her because people like you see yourselves in her (clueless and batting your eyelashes through life), its affinity politics.
Yeah, she did all those things…she was taught what to say and when and how and here’s what you wear. Smile at the camera! and give Joe a big “Can I callya Joe?” right from the get go. Give me a break! I hope being that “moldable in a creepy kinda way” is never one of MY assets. If I can’t get up there and at least be somewhat ME (I admit I would need some public speaking help), then I don’t want to do it. I think all Palin proved is that she is good at rolling over and …well you get the picture.
This is ridiculous and I just lost a bit of respect for you, Penelope.
But I will still read your blog. (with a more careful eye)
What is America’s first line of missile interceptor defense that protects the ENTIRE United States?
49th Missile Defense Battalion of Alaska National Guard.
What is the only National Guard Unit on permanent active duty?
49th Missile Defense Battalion of Alaska National Guard.
Who is the Commander in Chief of the 49th Missile Defense Battalion of Alaska National Guard?
Governor Sarah Palin.
What U.S. governor is routinely briefed on highly classified military issues, homeland security and counter terrorism?
Governor Sarah Palin, Alaska.
Who has been given a higher security clearance than either democrat candidate?
Governor Sarah Palin, Alaska.
Who has more experience and actual proof of accomplishing things for normal every day people?
Governor Sarah Palin, Alaska.
Who’s a member or the socialist New Party?
Sen. Barack Obama – Proven over and over again. Google NEW PARTY and look at all the unbiased sites showing.
So I do agree with you Penelope – Sarah should be a mentor for alot of people – including the junior inexperienced Senator from Illinois.
@ Pete
Who’s husband is a member of a militia type organization that advocates secession from the United States?
Governor Sarah Palin, Alaska.
Who has given speeches at the above organization, in support of their mission?
Governor Sarah Palin, Alaska.
Who is accused of abuse of power while in office?
Governor Sarah Palin, Alaska.
Need I say more? Stones can be cast at anyone and innuendo is usually the recourse of those without supporting facts.
My2centsworth.
@ Pete. My first impulse was to ask, in which state is the Governor’s job a work-at-home position? but then I decided against it. I don’t know if you were trying to make us feel more comfortable with Palen, but you just scared the living crap out of me. That’s the biggest problem with government: too many people doing jobs they don’t have the skills to handle. Pete, I think Palin’s lasting contribution will be to mentor on how not to do things, rather than on how to do things. I’m afraid she didn’t realize just how good she had it, which is usually the case with people who are just a little too full of themselves.
At first, I was only a little disturbed by the rumours coming out about her background, and I assumed that her behavior was the work of Carl Rove and his team of character assassins. However, after watching her in action, and listening to her views in interviews and on the campaign trail, it is clear that she is a perfectly capable manipulator and back-stabber in her own right, not needing the likes of Rove to guide her around the dark side. Whatever her capabilities are or were, she has, I think, made the fatal mistake of pissing off enough people who are very, very, good at finding out exactly what she really did, how she did it, and what the real outcomes of her actions were. I really think it was a big mistake to trash everyone in the country who happens to not live in a rural area dominated by white religious fundamentalists. That just doesn’t show a whole lot of smarts, in a nation where a large part of the election process is a popularity contest. The republican party got away with one in Florida and put Bush in office, but you can’t count on that happening every election. I think she’ll be lucky to hang on to her job in Alaska, let alone make it to the White House. Maybe a talk show host ala Rush Limbaugh?
Steve C.
This is really intriguing advice! I always try to study people at work – particularly peers and leaders – who make me uncomfortable. I study contrary examples more than examples of people who are just like me. Because only studying those who are like yourself leads to entrenched thinking and stunts growth, and is sort of like selectively finding evidence to fit your hypothesis in order to ensure you prove your hypothesis true.
Thumbs up for this post, Penelope.
Not everyone may agree with Sarah, but her bravado simply cannot be argued. She’s got balls the size of, well… Alaska.
BTW – EXCELLENT presentation Monday in Detroit. Thanks for being real.
@ Traci.
At first blush, I agree…but then, big balls, big ego, what’s the difference, really? Apparently, picking off incumbent politicians in Alaska is alot like shooting fish in a barrel, a factor that should not be overlooked in Palin’s rise to prominence. I’m surprised we haven’t heard more about who she defeated to become mayor of Wasilla, what the history was there. That she flatters so many because they identify with her is really another opiate of the masses: Hope springs eternal; I’m like her, I can turn my life around and be successful too, that sort of thing. Although I would vote for McCain and Palen if the only other realistic choice was Bush and his handlers, we can do so much better. Aways back in this post, Dale complained that she probably wouldn’t be any worse than Dan Quayle was. Now that’s what I call playing to the lowest common denominator.
Steve C.
Latest news for Sarah Palin watchers –
Sarah Palin will sit down for her first post-election interview with FOX News Channel’s Greta Van Susteren.
Van Susteren will be traveling to Alaska for an extensive interview with the state’s governor, which will air Monday at 10 p.m. ET on the FOX News Channel.
Fox News beat out several other networks to be the first to talk with Palin after her failed vice presidential bid, including requests by Barbara Walters, Oprah Winfrey, Larry King and others.
http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/11/07/fox-news-greta-van-susteren-scores-post-election-palin-interview/
Fox news eh? Wow, that’s a real stunner. I’m sure it will be challenging for her.
Steve C.
These high profile politicians (Republican or Democrat) have their choice when they’re in demand for an interview. As mentioned in the last paragraph, others tried to get an interview with her but failed. It was Greta van Susteren from FNC who was one of the few high-profile journalists who took the effort to travel up to Alaska on a grueling red eye flight to see what Palin’s hometown was really all about after two long weeks of convention coverage.
@ Mark W.
So you have spoken to these journalists who were not willing to make the trip to Alaska to do the interview and therefore failed to get the interview? A grueling red-eye flight? Really?? Come on, you can’t seriously expect anyone to buy that, can you? The republicans just got their butts waxed because they still think this country is gullible enough to take that kind of drivell seriously. Greta Van Susteren got the interview because she is a Fox reporter(the TV equivalent of a Rush Limbaugh), she will handle Palen with kid gloves, and will give Palen a chance to memorize her answers after she gets a transcript of the questions well beforehand. Amazing.
Steve C.
@Steve C.
Check it out for yourself. I gave you the facts as I read them. Believe what you want to believe.
http://townhall.com/blog/g/c6957745-4f47-45ef-9f39-16146de2c72e
@ Mark W.
Thanks for the info and the link. I believe Sarah Palen will be preaching to the choir.
Steve C.
@ Mark W.
Here’s the source for the information you provided:
Amanda Carpenter’s Biography
Amanda Carpenter is a National Political Reporter for Townhall.com, the leading online publication for news, opinion, and talk.
She is the author of "The Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy’s Dossier on Hillary Clinton," published by Regnery in October 2006.
Miss Carpenter has made numerous media appearances that include segments on the BBC, Fox News' "Hannity & Colmes", "The Big Story with John Gibson," “The O’Reilly Factor,” “Red Eye,” and MSNBC's "Tucker" and “Hardball.”
She is a graduate of Ball State University, where she founded a hard-hitting conservative news website, bsyou.net, and won honors as a national debate champion.
RSS Feed for Amanda Carpenter
What can I say??? I rest my case.
Steve C.
@Steve C. –
OK, so now we have Amanda Carpenter’s biography. It’s her take on why Greta was able to interview Sarah before the other journalists. As far as Greta handling Sarah with kid gloves – that remains to be seen. You say “…and will give Palen a chance to memorize her answers after she gets a transcript of the questions well beforehand.” Neither one of us knows this to be true or not. Also Sarah’s last name is spelled Palin and not Palen.
The funny thing is this whole dialog was started by me announcing Sarah would be on Fox News and that evidently immediately signaled to you “kid gloves”. Well that’s how I felt when the mainstream media reported on Obama. It seems as though everyone has their own spin and agenda. The news is biased in some way regardless of the source. It’s the reason why I read and listen to all of it.
@ Mark W.
Sorry about misspelling Palin’s last name. Thanks for the correction; I’m usually more careful about stuff. I can’t argue with you about media bias. I happen to like Greta Van Susteren but I have little slack to give for Fox News in general, or Sarah Palin for that matter. She basically insulted everyone in the country who doesn’t happen to live in a rural, white, fundamentalist area of the country; and to belittle intellectual achievement in a country that so desperately needs more of it is simply inexcusable, this from someone aspiring to be a leader of the free world?? She made her own bed and now she can sleep in it without trying to blame it on everyone else.
I have seen one brief interview in which she was asked if she took any responsibility for the loss of the GOP ticket. Her answer was a nifty little deflection on the lines of, ” Gee, I wouldn’t presume that Sarah Palin is so influential as to influence the outcome of an election, especially with such a lousy economy,…blah, blah, blah, but hey, if I even lost one vote for McCain, I’m really sorry…” So McCain lost because of the economy, she had nothing to do with it, well, maybe one vote…
You guys may love her to death, but every time she opens her mouth and speaks off-the-cuff, she proves once again that neither she nor McCain were even close to being ready to lead this country; and she basically insults the intellegence of the entire electorate in the process, speaking to “the real folks, the patriots”. McCain’s people may be morons, but she walked right into it like she was the second coming. She is getting just what she deserves.
Walters, King, Oprah, the “mainstream media”, could crawl to Alaska on their hands and knees hauling a dog-sled, and they wouldn’t get an interview with Palin. And that’s ok. It’s all part of being hoisted by her own petard.
Steve C.
@Steve C.
I can’t say I love Sarah Palin to death. However I look forward to her interview with Greta to see what she has to say after this election. Also I’ll be interested to see how well she is able to maintain her composure and image after this defeat. I’m looking at Sarah Palin more from the angle of the message from Penelope’s post rather than her political views. I’m not going to argue politics here with you. It’s not why I read and comment on this blog. I do my best to comment within the scope of the original post.
@ Mark W.
I agree that the real matter of interest now is how Palin manages her image post-election. In the context of Penelope’s original post regarding learning from those we might in fact loathe, there is definitely still much food for thought. However, the fact that FOX news is the chosen venue, while not surprising, still just reeks of spin-control, and plays an important role in following Penelope’s original stream of thought. Overlooking that fact, even though some may feel it is irrelevant, would not be what I consider to be due diligence, regardless of whether you are approaching the information from a political or a career development perspective. Of course, to me, the most interesting question is, which one of those perspectives is the driving force behind Sarah Palin?
Steve C.
I think you made some good points in your post.