McCain's strange feminism.

As the Republicans get themselves into a tizzy over the perceived sexism they feel is being directed towards their candidate, I find their feminist credentials to be extremely suspect.

For a start, they ignored dozens of infinitely more qualified Republican women to choose Palin who Rush Limbaugh describes as "a babe".

They then write her speeches for her and send her off for a fortnight so that the boys can teach her the answers to all those difficult questions.

It's the strangest form of feminism that I have ever heard of. A bit like Palin's own. She's possibly the first anti-abortion, anti-environment, pro-hunting, pro-drilling, polar bear-baiting feminist that I have ever come across.

Thankfully, McCain's sexist plan - and I say it's sexist because it presumes Hillary voters don't have issues to which they are also committed - doesn't appear to be working.

When we ask the ultimate question--how does each candidate's VP pick affect one's vote--we see Palin moving the Republican base, but not others. Two-thirds (67%) say Obama's selection of Senator Joe Biden has no difference on their vote, while fewer (55%) say the same about Palin. But Palin elicits more saying they are "less likely" to vote for McCain (19%) than say the Biden pick makes them less likely to vote for Obama (10%).

It seems increasingly unlikely that former Hillary Clinton supporters will move to McCain because of Sarah Palin. But during the heat of the Republican convention, the Republican base is indeed energized.

And, with the Republicans claiming that they feel people are being sexist or unfairly treating Palin, it appears that the public split on that strictly along party lines.

And charges that the press have treated Palin unfairly resonate with Republicans more than they resonate with women. More than half (57%) of Republicans say she has been treated unfairly, with less than half as many Democrats (27%) agreeing. The difference between men (55% treated fairly) and women (46%) is smaller, with women more likely to be undecided than men.

So, it appears they can try flying that kite, but only their own supporters are going to buy it. The rest of us appear to think that, if you are going to be the sidekick to a 72 year old president then everyone has the right to vet you and find out simply who it is that they are being asked to elect into that extraordinary position.

Click title for poll.

Tags: McCain, Palin, Obama, Biden, US election 2008