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Friday, October 10, 2008

Guest post: Forget the policies – bright lipstick and big hair does it for me


Here’s this blog’s first guest post, from my wife Mary, an undecided voter who is looking for the Kiwi equivalent of Sarah Palin.

I’ve been following the run-up to the US election with interest. This has suddenly become a lot more interesting now that Sarah Palin is on the scene as a confident, capable, working mother. I was initially interested, now I’m really interested, because I just like Sarah. I really do. She gets my vote.

I don’t really understand the details of her party’s policies – I know she’s either a Democrat or a Republican – nor do I care. I don’t need to know anything about her policies – I just like Sarah.

If I was living in the US, I’d definitely vote for Sarah. Not McCain, her leader, but Sarah herself (even though she is only second in command).

While out eating our midnight snack of rice risotto with field mushrooms last night, Dave asked me – “So Mary, why would you vote for Sarah?”

Here’s why. She’s a gorgeous woman who’s managed to give birth to five children, one of whom is only a few months old. Sarah is a Mum, like me; she’s also a working Mum, like me.

She’s impressive in the way she manages to turn up looking so glam – I wonder what those last few moments at home are like as she’s exiting stage right into her waiting car. Does her baby ever spew on her shoulder just when she thought she was leaving? How tidy is her lounge? Is she really like real women?

Even if all is immaculate at home – and I’m sure she has a housekeeper to do it - I’d still vote for Sarah. Sarah understands women. She gives us a feeling of strength and courage and optimism for the future. Sarah is confident, happy and her moose-hunting abilities and self-sufficiency sure would come in handy in a crisis. With her bright lipstick and big hair, Sarah is not afraid to be a “hockey mom” one minute, and cradle her baby the next. I’ve been reading about her – that’s how I know she’s worth voting for .

No, I haven’t met Sarah personally. But she is the best PR in politics I’ve seen for a long time.

Unfortunately, there is no Sarah Palin on New Zealand’s voting horizon.

Over here in New Zealand, I’m still working out the nuances of the policies which the politicians and the politicians-yet-to-be are setting before me.

Policies do matter - all politicians have to stand for something. But politicians like Sarah can sway indecisive voters like me. In the face of very little difference between the policies of the various parties, which shade of grey shall I vote for?

At the end of the day, I’ll also weigh up who I just simply like, who I just simply feel is the sort of person that understands real people. Someone who looks the part, presents well, speaks well under pressure. I really wish they had pictures of the candidates on the voting papers – that would make my voting choice a whole lot easier.

I’m going to vote for someone who I think gives me the kind of assurance and confidence that Sarah portrays to so many of her fans in the US.

And if I can’t find that, I’ll find the next best option. Policies don’t really come into it.

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Scoopit!

8 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

I would suggest ACT's Heather Roy.

http://newzeal.blogspot.com/2008/08/spoooky.html

October 9, 2008 at 11:29 AM  
Blogger Adolf Fiinkensein said...

Anyone looking for a fat arse and boufant hair could not go past Peter Dunne.

October 9, 2008 at 5:35 PM  
Blogger Swimming said...

Actually Adolf, Peter's our MP - so you think Mary should vote for him -and incidentally anon, Heather Roy was also a candidate in our electorate in 2005, but she is now in Wellington Central, I think. Shame really, she's so nice, got five kids, nice smile, same age. As long as she can play hockey and wink nicely, she'll be superb.

So that's the electorate vote and party vote sewn up then. Thanks.

Looks like she`ll vote for different people/parties than myself.
Dave

October 9, 2008 at 5:44 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Heather Roy is the go. Knows how to shoot. Territorial training, can get about in a bush, doesn't get lost can light a fire with two sticks. Probably knows about rugby. Vote for Heather.

October 9, 2008 at 6:54 PM  
Blogger Swimming said...

Thank you for all the comments - Heather Roy is probably NZ's next best person to Sarah Palin - I just need to work out which party Heather is from so I can do my party vote. I'll ask Dave - he'll know. As for the candidate vote, I'm still deciding. I'm not sure I'll vote for any of the boys.
MARY

October 10, 2008 at 1:28 AM  
Blogger Just my opinion said...

Dave will indeed know and ACT is very grateful for your vote if it does go our way.

October 10, 2008 at 11:41 AM  
Blogger Steve Withers said...

Sailors vote for the Sirens every time. Doesn't matter they will die smashed on the rocks.....They just like'm.

Ignoring the policies is the epitome of dumb voting.

If you want nice, pretty Mums to admire, support the local plunket for play centre.

Stay away from the smiling vipers who will lie to send your kids to die.

Policy is all that really matters. Your life may depend on it....however pretty or handsome the Ken or barbie fronting it may be.

October 10, 2008 at 1:14 PM  
Blogger Swimming said...

I'm glad you think my wife is a nice pretty mum, she`s actually on the local Plunket committee... meaning she`s extra nice and extra pretty, no doubt.

October 11, 2008 at 12:48 PM  

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