Politicians have been dodging questions from reporters for centuries. Sufficed to say, most of those politicians have been men, but now that Governor Sarah Palin is on the Republican ticket for vice president, she is being called "stupid" for dodging questions.
Here is the double-standard when it comes to what is acceptable in political double-speak:
If a male politician doesn't want to answer a particular question he shrugs it off and answers a question he wished he'd been asked instead. In that case, pundits say, "He's one crafty S.O.B.!"
If a female politician doesn't want to answer a particular question she shrugs it off and answers a question she wished she'd been asked instead. In that case, pundits say, "She's too dumb to know the answer."
Why?
It's a bitter testimonial to the times we live in. Racism is taboo, but sexism is quite alright.
When I watch Sarah Palin answer questions (yes, Katie Couric's questions), I see her doing the same thing a man would do in her place. She deflects and transitions to a sound bit she wants to deliver. That is part of the political game. That is the way all politicians answer questions.
Let's be fair to all of the candidates, both male and female. Be tough, but balanced.
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