The 'Palin Effect': Not All Young Republican Women Are Buying It

Why are successful women such harsh critics of one another?

Ms. Clift: This is old news. It has long been understood that the right's base (older, white, southern, religious) is shrinking. Youth tends to favor a positive outlook, not a constant barrage of "No". Youth tends to favor inclusion, not exclusion. What I really find funny is your attempt to portray more women active in the Republican party as "diversity". It may be one small step, but its hollow. Real diversity would be greater numbers of black, asian, gay, jewish, islamic, latin and other voters. And, we all know the GOP simply cannot find a way to include those citizens.

Palin comes off as phony on many levels and while her rhetoric may appeal to a more mature generation, it's simply not viable with today's youth. The tea party will create a divide in the republican party and I can just envision a repeat of the Ross Perot candidacy for President in the '90s.

Very good article, and right on point. No 21st Century thinking woman can identify with Ms. Palin. Senior woman cannot because they know the struggle women have faced to be recognized for their strength and intelligence. Younger women cannot even identify with Palin on any intellectual level, because Palin isn't knowledgeable or intellectual. She handles herself as a hustler. She uses religion as a tool to gain prominence in the media and therefore free advertisements for avenues to more money. The promotion of her teenage daughter's out-of-wedlock baby has shot her to "Dancing With The Stars"! And she goes on the show last night with her young daughter to presumeably intimidate the judges into favorable recognition for her daughter. It was a disgrace. All of Bristol and her mother's actions are a contradiction of Palin's supposed "religious" convictions. Palin is an embarrassment to most mainstream women, Republican or Democrat; young or old; religious, agnostic, or atheist. .

This is hilarious - as if the media loves Palin! It's amazing that anyone likes Palin, because it takes an independent mind to look past the constant attempt to make her look as stupid and crazy as possible. Nevertheless, many people do. You may not agree with everything Palin says or does, but if you can't give her credit for her accomplishments and her ability to overcome an intense and constant negative attack from the media, then you are not a fair person.