Sarah Palin: A Future Leader or Just a Popular Idea?

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I have been following Sarah Palin’s recent resignation with interest. As a democrat and mother, I am fascinated by her rise to fame and all that has come along with it. While I rarely agree with most of her politics, there is a significant part of me that supports her efforts as a woman and mother working to make a name for herself in national politics.

However, is the idea of Palin – a hard working, blue collar mom turned political maven – actually what draws our country to her? Or is she a woman fully capable of holding office and providing the kind of leadership and substance her party is looking for? Now stepping away from her duties as governor, is Sarah Palin able to maintain her popularity for the long haul? Can she convince the world at large that she is more than just a novelty?

Palin’s resignation speech caught many of us off guard last week. Sure, no one expected her to leave her position as governor. But, once again, the off the cuff, wandering manner of her speech left those watching with more questions than answers.

And while her website released its own press release to clarify any confusion, Palin also reacted immediately by inviting news folk on her family fishing trip soon there after. In true Palin form, she “aw shucks-ed” her way though the interviews using fishing analogies and donning a pretty cool set of waders. While I have zero issue with this brand of Palin posturing (as a strong mom fishing, she was just keeping it real) she left me wondering if her party will buy what she’s got sell right now.

From where I sit, I worry that while her whole bit is genuine, I’m not sure there is much left after that. You see, the genuine “aw shucks” stuff works very well as long as there is depth behind the charm. As long she provides clarity, intellect and thoughtful responses alongside the trademarked “you betcha” and a wink.

However, 72% of her party has recently said they would support her bid for presidency in 2012. Those are impressive numbers. Her potential supporters must believe she understands the issues at hand and can provide the sort of leadership her party desperately needs. Just because I don’t necessarily buy what she’s got to sell doesn’t mean she isn’t selling it well. I might need to recognize that while she may not speak to me, she obviously speaks to thousands of other voters – voters that will support her as president.

Also, I certainly agree that Palin has bared the brunt of a great deal of sexism. Sophia Nelson makes a great point in her article:

To diminish the significance of her professional accomplishments, as many have, is to be an elitist and political snob. I have been appalled by the outright savagery that the media and political establishment have heaped on her.

Palin is the fulfillment of the dreams of my mother’s generation, which encouraged their daughters to get educated, have a profession, pursue their dreams and successfully balance marriage and family life.

That being said, I worry that while she represents so much for women and mothers everywhere, is she really the best option we’ve got for a female presidential hopeful in 2012? Will she stand up and provide enough real, concrete answers along side her charm? Will she be able to see her next office through under the microscope that she (and every politician) must live under? Will she learn how to work the press to her advantage while calmly proving her intellectual potential as a national political leader?

For now, I will keep piecing through her speeches and political appearances, looking for substance. I want to hear her. I want her to be all that she claims she’s cracked up to be. I want to see a formidable adversary that will challenge her opponents and continue to make every party work harder. But, so far, I don’t see it. Call this middle class mom elitist all you want, there just doesn’t seem to be enough real stuff there for the kind of leadership her party needs right now. However, considering the current grip her popularity has on the polls, I just hope I am wrong.

Caroline writes about parenting, politics, pondering and panicking about it all at her own blog Morningside Mom.

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