Velma Berger – 11/13/08

This page was last updated on November 16, 2008.

Election a wake-up call for women; Velma Berger; Beaver County Times; November 13, 2008.

From February 2005 through January 2008, Ms. Berger had a series of at least 26 Bush and Iraqi-bashing letters. In one letter, Ms. Berger told us she was proud of John Murtha. In another letter, Ms. Berger actually claimed she has “a clock ticking down to Bush’s last day in office” and that she “carr[ies] it on [her] purse everywhere [she] go[es].” More often than not, the letters ended with something like “Bring our troops home now.” We’ve seen no similar letters for nearly 10 months. In her most recent previous letter, Ms. Berger claimed she was upset with the Democrat party.

Below is a detailed critique of the letter.

“I think women, especially the younger ones, should be up in arms over the recent campaign and election.

“This includes both parties.

“First, the Democratic Party and the news media sold out Hillary Clinton with their decisions on Michigan and Florida. She also was the butt of many jokes.”

[RWC] In case you haven’t figured it out, Ms. Berger is a PO’d Hillary Clinton supporter. Back in March, Ms. Berger wrote one letter declaring her support for Mrs. Clinton and another going after Barack Obama.

I don’t know how the Democrat party’s decisions about Florida and Michigan “sold out Hillary Clinton.” Mrs. Clinton participated in and agreed with the decision to disenfranchise Florida and Michigan Democrats during the primaries.

“With all her experience and knowledge and her work for women’s and children’s rights, she was a formidable candidate.”

[RWC] “With all her experience?” What relevant experience?

“But she was a woman.

“Then, they called Geraldine Ferraro a racist and forced her to withdraw from Clinton’s campaign. This was insulting to her.”

[RWC] This wasn’t sexism. This happened to everyone who criticized Mr. Obama.

“Now we come to Sarah Palin, who was chosen by John McCain as his running mate.

“She is the governor of Alaska and the mother of five. Her life was an open book, and they could find nothing to criticize except her clothes and being an outdoor woman in Alaska.

“Then, she was blamed for McCain’s loss. She drew large crowds and seemed to be well liked. Still, the news media treated her badly.”

[RWC] For the most part, Gov. Palin wasn’t treated badly because she’s a woman. Gov. Palin was – and continues to be – treated badly because she represents a threat to the left and some Republicans who believe the party needs to move further to the left.

Was there a bit of sexism? Sure. Though lefties asked if Gov. Palin could be VP and still be a good mother to her young kids, they didn’t ask if Mr. Obama could be President and a good father.

As for blaming Gov. Palin for Mr. McCain’s loss, that was only a handful of McCain staffers and lefty Republicans looking for someone to blame other than the candidate. Had the VP candidate been a man, the same thing would have happened. In case Ms. Berger hasn’t noticed, most rational observers note Gov. Palin is very popular with Republicans overall and likely made the election closer than it would have been otherwise.

“There seems to be a pattern here. Women’s rights have come so far but have a long way to go. I think sexism played a big part in the election.

“Wake up, young women.”

[RWC] Ms. Berger, welcome to the left’s tactic/strategy of group/identity politics. When a member of your “victim group” doesn’t win, it’s automatically the result of ageism, homophobia, racism, sexism, et cetera. That “works” as long as the opponent isn’t also a member of a “victim group.” When that happens, we learn some “victim groups” are “more equal” than others.

In her mind, Ms. Berger’s “victim group” (women) is further down the “totem pole” than Mr. Obama’s “victim group.” I have to admit I get a kick out of it when a lefty finds his “victim group” is of lower status than another group.