The worst kind of affirmative action

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/sep/08/uselections2008.sarahpalin2?gusrc=rss&feed=worldnews


Republicans have always been hugely critical of affirmative action policies, believing that giving preferential treatment to women and minorities leads to the promotion of underqualified people over more qualified or experienced individuals. To them, affirmative action goes against the meritocratic nature of America. This explains why, in July, John McCain voted in support of a ban led by Republican Ward Connerly that would end race- and gender-based affirmative action policies in his home state of Arizona.

Outspoken conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh, along with other critics of Barack Obama, has repeatedly denounced Obama as an "affirmative action candidate", suggesting that his success is not a result of his merits but because he is African-American. In fact, only a couple of weeks ago on his radio show, Limbaugh declared: "I think this is a classic illustration here where affirmative action has reared its ugly head. ... ended up nominating and placing at the top of their ticket somebody who's not qualified, who has not earned it."

It's interesting - and somewhat hypocritical - then, that the same could be said about Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin. If an affirmative action policy existed for presidential and vice-presidential candidates and Obama and Palin were the beneficiaries, their respective cases would be living examples of the best and worst aspects of affirmative action.

Sarah Palin appears to be an example of the worst kind of affirmative action, the type that Republicans typically argue against and attribute to liberal political correctness. Their promotion of this particular female candidate is more of a cynical, tokenistic gesture than evidence of any real desire to promote merit in cases where it may have gone unnoticed, or to advance the cause of underrepresented women in politics. If that was the case, there are a number of other female Republican politicians – including Olympia Snowe and Kay Bailey Hutchinson - who could have been selected, and may have been better equipped for the role. It would be interesting to hear how those women feel - incorrectly used affirmative action policies often cause resentment among those feel that that they have been overlooked in favour of someone else who is clearly less able but seems to have benefited from special treatment.