Do Democrats need their own Sarah Palin?
The best answer to Palin's assault on feminism and women's rights, argue two progressive women, would be grooming a similar politician on the left

"The left's failure to nurture and celebrate female politicians" in recent years has left Sarah Palin free to hijack feminism and "redefine what it means to be a groundbreaking political woman," say Anna Holmes and Rebecca Traister in The New York Times. Democrats, for their sake and that of women's rights, need to take "twisted inspiration" from Palin, and groom their own "progressive Palin." Is that even possible?
A lefty Palin's just a pipe dream: I'd love to see the type of smart, feisty, take-no-prisoner Democratic woman Holmes and Traister envision, says Steve M. at No More Mister Nice Blog, but it's not going to happen. First, unlike Republicans, "Democrats are generally lousy at grooming and putting forth future stars, of either gender." And if a progressive Palin did emerge, the GOP media machine would drown her in a "tsunami of grotesque half-truths and sleazy scuttlebutt."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The Left has Palin envy: This is just more proof that "Palin is inside the mind of the liberals," says Don Surber in the Charleston, WV, Daily Mail. And typically, liberals miss her appeal. Republicans didn't groom Palin, or give her permission to make waves. Palin just says, "I am a woman and I am going to do this." There is no "our" in Palin, just an "individual... crying out from the Alaskan wilderness with a message that resonates."
Why would Democrats want a conservative icon?: Holmes and Traister are "startlingly off-base," says Big Tent Democrat at TalkLeft, but only because they use Palin as a "takeoff point" for their argument. What Democrats need is "a strong political female figure fighting for women's rights," and envisioning Palin in that role is "silly." She's "no symbol of women in politics," just a "run-of-the-mill extreme right-wing Republican Know Nothing, who happens to be a woman."
"Is Sarah Palin the '21st century symbol of American women in politics?'"
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Cool off at the best saltwater pools in the UK
The Week Recommends From 1930s Art Deco lidos to 'magical' tidal pools, these sheltered spots offer a safer alternative to sea swimming
-
Kinmen Islands: Taiwan's frontline with China
In Depth Just a few miles off the mainland, the Kinmen Islands could be attacked first if China invades Taiwan
-
Bellagio: glitz and glamour on the Las Vegas Strip
The Week Recommends Find la dolce vita in the Nevada desert at this luxurious hotel
-
The last words and final moments of 40 presidents
The Explainer Some are eloquent quotes worthy of the holders of the highest office in the nation, and others... aren't
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?
In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
-
'Seriously, not literally': how should the world take Donald Trump?
Today's big question White House rhetoric and reality look likely to become increasingly blurred
-
Will Trump's 'madman' strategy pay off?
Today's Big Question Incoming US president likes to seem unpredictable but, this time round, world leaders could be wise to his playbook
-
Democrats vs. Republicans: which party are the billionaires backing?
The Explainer Younger tech titans join 'boys' club throwing money and support' behind President Trump, while older plutocrats quietly rebuke new administration
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?