Wednesday, November 12, 2008

You've Gotta Love Todd Palin!

I found this article on Townhall yesterday, and just had to share it with you guys! I have said all along that I think Todd Palin has to be one of the most gracious spouses I have seen on the campaign trail, and this blog post by Karen Agness says it perfectly. 

Manliness In Action: Todd Palin 
by Karin Agness, blogger from Townhall

If Barracuda by Heart is Sarah Palin’s theme song, I’m Still a Guy by Brad Paisley should be Todd Palin’s theme song.

Paisley’s I’m Still a Guy rose to the top of the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart this summer. He cleverly sings about the way men and women see the world differently, “When you see a deer, you see Bambi and I see an
tlers up on the wall. When you see a lake, you think picnics and I see a large mouth up under that log. You're probably thinkin' that you're gonna change me. In some ways, well, maybe you might. Scrub me down, dress me up, oh, but no matter what, remember, I'm still a guy.”

In this politically incorrect song, Paisley humorously points out the societal pressures on men to become more feminine and rejects these pressures. Remember John Edwards’ $400 haircut? Paisley sings, “Yeah, with all of these men linein' up to get neutered it's hip now to be feminized. I don't highlight my hair, I've still got a pair. Yeah, honey, I'm still a guy.”

Americans loved the song, men and women alike. The message of the song resonates with listeners—it is ok for men to embrace their masculine side.

Like the “guy” described in Paisley’s song, Todd Palin appeared on the campaign trail as a guy’s guy, a manly man, in all the right ways. He is manliness in action. He is tough, yet gentle. He is a champion snowmobile racer, even finishing a 400 mile race this year with a broken arm. He seamlessly weaves between the oil fields, commercial fishing waters and a home full of children. Through it all, he looks at his wife with glowing adoration.

Todd Palin, who Alaskans know as the First Dude, is so natural in his role as a male spouse to a female candidate that he was one of the least criticized aspects of Sarah Palin’s Vice Presidential run. There were not endless stories printed about his dress, hair, speeches or parenting.

We watched in awe and sometimes in horror at the way former President Bill Clinton handled himself as the husband of a female candidate. He danced between being her cheerleader, attack dog and advisor. Like wearing someone else’s clothes, none of the roles fit quite right.

Todd Palin found an appropriate role for himself on the campaign trail as a loving husband. He stood beside his wife and did what was necessary for her to succeed, whether it was introducing her at events or taking primary responsibility for the children. He did not steal her spotlight, overshadow her or act threatened by her. Through it all, the fact that his wife was running for Vice President did not emasculate him.

Todd Palin acted out the gentle masculinity that Paisley sings about, “And I'll pour out my heart, hold your hand in the car, write a love song that makes you cry. Then turn right around knock some jerk to the ground 'cause he copped a feel as you walk by.”

Too often equality of the sexes is sought through emasculating men. We should observe this marriage and the role Todd Palin has embraced on the campaign trail. Sarah Palin has become one of the most powerful women in America without neutering her husband. He is still a guy.

Just as female spouses have had to figure out an appropriate role as spouses of male candidates, so too are male spouses of female candidates learning their role. Future male spouses would be wise to watch and learn from Todd Palin.

4 comments:

Mary said...

Karen Agness said it well. Thanks for posting it on this blog, Tami!

Palin 2012!

Son of Bosco said...

I seriously do not see how hunting, fishing, and sports makes a man a man. Yes, it stems from the man being the bread winner of the family, but times have changed. This is no longer necessary. Just because men no longer hunt ect., does not make them less manly.

I would like to share something that a conservative woman wrote to me on the pick of Sarah Palin as vice president. - - -

We want to raise our daughters to stand independent when the Bible clearly instructs them to be a helper either to their father, brother or husband. We want to scream that a woman has the right to the highest office in the land when the Word of God plainly speaks of a godly woman's husband sitting in the gates. We want to say that separation of church and state is illegal and yet as Christians, we'll have no choice but to separate our belief in what God says pertaining to the life of a woman from our decision to vote for the Republican ticket.

Here's a few questions I've been pondering: Where are the men? Better yet, where are the women who are suppose to be backing them so they have the courage to "stand in the gates?" Is it truly "pro-family" for the Republican party to take a women away from her family so many hours a week? Who's going to honor and support Mr. Palin, keep his home, train their children? (Look, I realize Mrs. Palin wasn't doing those things as governor of Alaska, either. But that doesn't change the right or wrong of it.)


Sorry it's so long, but i just wanted to put that out there for everyone who is talking about manly men and feminine women and for those who want Palin to run in 2012.

Martha said...

I love that song. Yeah, Sarah's got a cute husband, manly and respectful!!! So do I!

Sabrine said...

I think first dude is a wonderfull man, father and husband. Sarah Palin is a blessed woman.