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I keep promising no more Sarah Palin posts but you know what, I am going to stop. Promising, not posting. We (too) rarely have women running for VP and seeing an unknown political figure catapult to the national stage is intriguing, whatever party you support. There is a lot to write about.
In this case, it’s about Sarah Palin blowing a kiss to the audience before VP debate last week. And winking during the debate. Numerous times. As I watched her do it, I cringed. I am no career expert but I know enough to understand the importance of body language in the workplace. If you want the job, start with a firm handshake. If you want to be heard, state your ideas sitting confidently and upright on the edge of your chair instead of slumping down and making your statement a question.
And if you want to be taken seriously by your coworkers and clients — or say, by 70 million people watching you on TV — don’t wink during a heated political discussion and don’t blow kisses to people you don’t know.
Now, I am no dummy. I know that this extremely casual body language, manners as well as peppering speeches with colloquial phrases like “You betcha!” is both part of Ms. Palin’s personality and the image that she is aiming to build of someone who is one of us, a regular person who just happens to be running for Vice President. But I don’t buy it. If you’re running for office you should not sound and act like a regular person in a casual setting. Because you’re not a regular person, you’re a Vice Presidential candidate and when you’re out there on some international mission, talking to world leaders as an American representative, I definitely don’t want you to act the way you might around your family.
Sorry to lecture, Ms. Palin, but after seeing women sabotage their success in the workplace by the way they talk and hold themselves, I care about this stuff. Fair or not, women have to jump over a higher bar just to be on par with men in professional settings, which means there’s no room for overly-girly body language or expressions that make you sound juvenile. When I was starting my career I was lucky to have one woman boss who took me shopping for a serious suit. “How you look matters, whether you like it or not,” she told me as I invested in my first-ever (and last-ever) Ann Taylor skirt suit.
Your suits are fine but in my not-so-humble opinion, you need to act as serious as they look.
(For the record, I tried to find images of other VP and Presidential candidates blowing kisses and was only able to locate this one of Rudy Guliani doing it during a rally. Still wrong, in my opinion.)
This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 7th, 2008 at 7:08 am and is filed under Career Talk.
Tags: Sarah Palin, women's issues, working women, workplace behaviors, workplace issues
October 7th, 2008 at 7:26 am
Well said, Nataly. I absolutely agree.
October 7th, 2008 at 9:09 am
I too completely agree.
And it’s getting harder and harder to tell the difference between those SNL skits and real Palin public appearance. Scary!
October 7th, 2008 at 9:26 am
Agreed, she would be much easier to take seriously if she would act more professional.
October 7th, 2008 at 9:28 am
What about, during Katie Curic’s interview when she used the words, “good guys and bad guys.” I cringed then too.
I really really want a woman out there and do well in the white house. But this Palin is just, I can’t believe I am about to say this, an embarrassment, to us.
I didn’t like the winking during the debate at all. I felt that she was belittling the American people. Am I supposed to like you because you winked at me?
October 7th, 2008 at 9:42 am
In general, I’m surprised by how many people (male or female) are willing to vote for the candidate (male or female) that they like best on a personal level, rather than the one (male or female) whom they think is most qualified. Someone told me she’s voting for Palin because she reminds this person of her big sister. I know several people who voted for Bush because he seemed like someone they could “sit down and have a beer with.” Like whom you like, but I don’t think that’s enough of a reason to vote for anyone (male or female, conservative or liberal).
October 7th, 2008 at 10:15 am
Absolutely! It’s like she’s trying to be a square Marilyn Monroe. Eegh!!
October 7th, 2008 at 11:29 am
“…If you’re running for office you should not sound and act like a regular person in a casual setting. Because you’re not a regular person, you’re a Vice Presidential candidate and when you’re out there on some international mission, talking to world leaders as an American representative, I definitely don’t want you to act the way you might around your family…”
I could not agree with you more! Well said.
October 7th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
I don’t WANT someone like me running for president. I want someone way, way smarter than me, with the appropriate level of poise and decorum to play on the world’s biggest stage.
I’m mystified by the amount of people who ARE impressed by someone who sounds and behaves “just like them.” These are not stars we’re talking about — this isn’t Kim Cattrall getting her straw stuck in her Coke can “just like us!” This is a woman who, in theory, should be able to relate on an incredibly sophisticated professional level to world leaders of all stripes, and it’s sickening to think it could be otherwise.
October 7th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
No way. None of the candidates would be advised to act stiff and “professional” all the time.
How come nobody complains when Obama switches to Ebonics for his black audiences, declaring “Ahm goan take care-a that”? Or when he laughs and sneers, “he doesn’t get it.” Or when he gets all huffy and whines and snorts about criticisms against him?
Why are we all so proud of Biden for nearly tearing up during the debate? How professional is that? You would be all over that if Palin had done it.
I invite you to watch / read every presidential and VP debate since Abraham Lincoln and tell my none of the candidates used a quip or gesture or expression that you wouldn’t use in a job interview. Actually, Palin got some of her ideas from watching Reagan debates. Reagan won by a landslide. But then, he was a man, wasn’t he?
Considering what the Oval Office was being used for during the evenings of Clinton’s presidency, I am surprised the liberals would be so staid about how a person eyeing that office should behave with all their clothes on.
You are voting for Obama. We get it! Nothing Palin ever does will be acceptable to you. We get it! You are embarrassing yourself and your readership by holding Palin to a double standard on this site, of all places.
October 7th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Anyone who will make rape victims pay for their own rape kits will never get my vote. I don’t want to see a woman in office bad enough to tolerate that.
October 7th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
This is almost funny…you know, if you like her, well then you think it is fine. But, if you don’t, you think she is embarrassing. I don’t have an opinion yet bc I am still trying to learn as much as I can about ALL four of them. Fact is, regular people are probably ready for a regular person who remebers what it is like off of Capitol Hill. And you don’t know who she blew the kiss at…if you found out it was her 97 year old grandmother that flew in from Alaska for that debate, would you think it was tacky or admirable? Andrew Jackson was one of the ‘regular’ guys, and he was a president. His friends had keggers at the White House. So don’t tell me you cannot be a leader if you are not stuck up and scripted.
Whether or not she is going to be VP and whether or not she will be a good VP aside, being herself is admirable, not condemable. And she was not talking to world leaders…she was talking to middle class, regular Americans…who…fact is, wink, blow kissing and know that there are good guys and bad guys. Be upset about something real…not something contrived to undermine her accomplishments. I am amazed that we spend our whole lives fighting the double standard and then when a woman gets to the White House before your ‘preferred female’ does, you want to disassemble her. You don’t have to like her or even agree with her, but you should have some respect for the tough road she is on and her attempts to do the best she can.
Clinton can have oral sex with an intern while on the phone with a national leader but Sarah Palin cannot wink? Give me a break. Now, if she has a handshake like a wet fish…that would be something to vent about.
October 7th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Exactly mt thoughts on Palin.
I am not sure if she is trying to flirt with the males or appear like a loving mommy figure.
What she is doing doesn’t work for me.
Matter a fact I find her very insulting with her actions. Ya cant take her seriously no matter what she does.
October 7th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
It was Palin’s police chief that wanted to make victims pay for rape kits.
My advice, use factcheck.org before you spread information that is as charged as most of the alegation in politics are.
October 7th, 2008 at 2:49 pm
Quite frankly, I don’t care if she blows kisses, winks or anything else. There are real issues that should be discussed like border security and the economy. That fact that a bunch of woman are ripping Palin apart over a wink seems a little jr. high to me.
October 7th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
@emily might want to do a little more digging yourself.
October 7th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
I did some digging recently in my backyard. But I’m not sure how that relates here.
October 7th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
SKL…a few comments on your comments:
How come nobody complains when Obama switches to Ebonics for his black audiences, declaring “Ahm goan take care-a that”?
“Switches to Ebonics” for “his black audiences”? Every appearance I’ve seen Obama at includes a mix of races.
Why are we all so proud of Biden for nearly tearing up during the debate? How professional is that? You would be all over that if Palin had done it.
If Palin teared up while discussing the death of a family member, nobody would be “all over her.” We’d feel her pain, which is how many felt when Biden choked up.
Considering what the Oval Office was being used for during the evenings of Clinton’s presidency, I am surprised the liberals would be so staid about how a person eyeing that office should behave with all their clothes on.
1) I would love to hear a GOP argument for McCain/Palin that is purely about what they would do for our country, and not always dragging in slams against other Democrats.
2) I wouldn’t “go there” with Clinton’s sex life until you’re ready to address the fact that McCain cheated on his first wife and allegedly with many other women. I am close friends with someone who served on the same base as McCain and according to him, McCain was often AWOL from his office because he was off cheating on his wife. Is this true? I have no way of knowing for sure and you have no way of knowing for sure about Clinton’s private life. And neither of us should waste another minute speculating when this country is going to hell in a hand basket.
3) People who don’t think Palin is qualified to assume the presidency are not “the liberals.” Stop painting those of us who question her qualifications with one brush.
You are voting for Obama. We get it! Nothing Palin ever does will be acceptable to you. We get it! You are embarrassing yourself and your readership by holding Palin to a double standard on this site, of all places.
If anyone is embarrassing themself on this site, it’s not Nataly, who is simply stating her opinion and her reservations.
October 7th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
I can’t stand that kissy-kissy crap. From anyone. It is not cute. It is not professional.
October 7th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
I was glad to see a woman on the ticket - either ticket. HOWEVER…and this is a BIG HOWEVER, I wanted someone who was TOTALLY QUALIFIED, not someone who was put there because they needed a “minority” (tho in reality, women actually are the majority gender in the world). I am an independant. I come from a “mixed” family - 1 Republican, 1 Democrat. I don’t vote a straight ticket, never have, never will. I am dying to have a qualfiied woman in the White House. I want someone who is smart, intelligent, diplomatic, and savy. Someone who can represent this country in diplomatic situations and be taken seriously. I don’t care if they’re male, female, black, white, pink, or purple pokadotted.
Ergo, I can NOT take Palin seriously. Her refusal to adhere to the simple rules of debate, her ignorance in national issues is demeaning to her and an insult to my intelligence and the intelligence of the vast majority of this country. I am TOTALLY INSULTED that McCain’s search committee couldn’t come with a more intelligent and better suited WOMAN candidate that a Jo-6-pack, moose shooting redneck.
And btw, I was born and raised in the coalfields of Va. I know a redneck when I see one. I grew up with them.
October 7th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
I agree with Emily P. There are serious issues to be discussed in this campaign. And it would be nice if Sarah Palin actually discussed them. It would be nice if John McCain discussed them. If Sarah Pailn represents working moms, it would be nice if she addressed issues that matter to working moms like quality affordable childcare, quality affordable healthcare, paid family leave, equal pay for equal work and flexible work policies. I know where Obama/Biden stand on each of these issues. Where does the working mom of the year stand? It would be nice to see less winking and more serious discussion of issues.
October 7th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
My brain is fried on election talk at the moment, but enjoy the articles bloggers, and SKL, I appreciate that you comment and don’t hide your view, knowing you are going to get opposed.
Our strong reactions are a testament to how much everyone on all sides loves America and cares about the outcome of this election. As much as I am rooting for Obama, if McCain wins I will certainly pray and root for his success at rebuilding an America that everyone is proud of and confident in.
October 7th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
So, I agree that Palin’s winking and kisses are a bit much, as are her “you betcha,” and “Joe six-pack” comments. She is just NOT (vice) presidential.
At first, I couldn’t understand why the Obama ticket didn’t go after her more forcefully, but then quickly realized that she did more damage on her own (through interviews, etc).
October 8th, 2008 at 12:05 am
If Palin becomes President of the United States of America (because McCain passes), I think there will be a resounding, Nelson-style, “HA HA!” around the globe. As an Australian, I’m embarrassed FOR America, that someone like Sarah, ‘Drill, baby, drill’ Palin might actually represent your fair country.
October 8th, 2008 at 5:49 am
See the main thing I was sort of taken back by was the first minute of them on stage together when she asked if she could call him “Joe”. I don’t think that was appropriate to be on a first name basis with either candidate as it was supposed to be professional. I don’t care about the other mannerisms so much, but no one calls her Sarah. It’s always Ms. Palin. Maybe I’m just flipping the channel too soon because I can’t stand to watch the entire debates. I rather just read through the news reports the next day.
October 8th, 2008 at 6:53 pm
I want someone in the oval office who is smarter than I am. Palin isn’t.
Enough said.
Great post, Nataly!
October 8th, 2008 at 11:52 pm
Good article. I still find it very disturbing that a woman behaving stupidly (Palin) is better tolerated than a woman behaving intelligently (Clinton). Very disturbing.
October 9th, 2008 at 9:29 am
Sarah Palin leaves me with a mixed feeling. I want to like her, but something about her rubs me the wrong way. She must have some intelligence to have gotten to this political arena, but she comes across a little air-headed at times. Like the high school cheerleader you remember from high school. I agree, though, her winking and blowing kisses seems a little over the top.
October 9th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
I am no Palin supporter, and perhaps this really doesn’t make it any better, but perhaps she was blowing a kiss to her family?
October 9th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Oh, I totally agree with you, Nataly.
It pains me that women either get portrayed as fake and shallow or she-devils.
Can’t we be somewhere in between.
October 10th, 2008 at 11:40 am
I’m so with you on this Nataly! I LOVE the fact that the GOP picked a woman. I HATE the fact that she is blowing kisses and winking ON NATIONAL TV IN A PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE!!! All I could say, was oh my…can’t wait til she does a sit down with the leaders of some conservative country and does that…she’s an intelligent articulate woman when she chooses to not play coquette. I wish she’d choose to behave as a powerful, intelligent woman instead of flirty folksy babe.
October 11th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
Actually, I feel sorry for her. She is being used. However, her unprofessionalism on national television just set women back 50 years. It has taken a long time for women to be taken seriously in the work place. All I can say is “Go Hillary”.