That’s what Will Wilkinson thinks, as does this writer for Salon. And Katharine, commenting here, seems to think there are guys on campus who would vote for her because she is hot.
I’m personally not seeing it. Now Condaleezza Rice? Yes, at least the one time when she wore the quasi-dominatrix outfit (note: I don’t know why the most famous article on that subject has a picture with such an awkward pose, better picture here, and I know even better than that is available somewhere).
Having mentioned Condi, I should concede that Salon is claiming dominatrix appeal for Palin, but I’m not seeing that, either. Most pictures I’ve seen are either fairly bland or are more action-girl (you know, the pics where she’s holding an impressive looking gun, or crouching over the carcass of a dead animal.) I’ve found one exception: this stilletto heels picture (third one down). But that doesn’t seem to be the dominant image of her.
Broader question: why do women politicians get associated with the dominatrix label? Some would say say men fear powerful women, but I suspect it’s that to be an even fractionally serious national political figure, you have to be a bit older, and older women aren’t given the opportunity to be considered conventionally attractive the way older men are. (I have it on good authority that some women considered Bill Clinton hot. Don’t understand it, but that’s what I’m told). Thus, denied an opportunity to be conventionally attractive, female politicians have to get their mileage out of the authority figure angle.
Sarah Palin is what a friend of mine calls a “Christian Barbie.”
Is she hot? Hell yes. She’s got the whole Sexy Librarian thing going on. Kinda like Tina Fey(sp?). I’m not going to vote for her, but she is pretty damn hot.
I don’t think she’s really all that good looking, but I figured it was her domineering, abuse-of-power, book burning, secessionist and dominionist leanings translating into that “Ilsa, she-wolf of the SS” type fantasy scenario.
Of course, it could just be the authoritarian mindset going for the ultimate male fantasy of female authority.
The “third one down” pic of Palin is fake. http://www.snopes.com/photos/politics/palin.asp
She’s hot — until she opens her mouth. That pretty much kills it. When she talks, it reminds me of the Family Guy episode, where Brian is going out with that bimbo, and he brings her over to the house. After saying a few things, Stewie breaks out in uncontrollable laughter and says “Oh my God! It’s like she’s F$*#ing five!”
Will Wilkinson is always right.
Hey Dr. Hunt, it’s good to see you read at least some of what I write, though I’m a little surprised to see you endorsing the self-described liberaltarian Wilkinson!
Hm. Sounds like Will has written some things I haven’t looked closely enough at. But I am not opposed to an economic safety net per se, which as I remember it is what he was talking about.