I haven't discussed the controversy over the first pro-life ad to be aired during the Super Bowl. (Any regular reader of this blog knows I'm strongly pro-life.) The fact that CBS had approved the ad implied that the message behind the ad was not polarizing in nature, but, of course, those who are in a state of denial over the unalienable human rights of unborn children had already prejudged the ad. Most of us pro-lifers realize that the polarizing, wrongly-decided Roe v Wade decision is a political fact of life, given its established practice over the past few decades; we must provide a supportive, life-affirming context for pregnant women. The examples of women like Pam Tebow and Sarah Palin, whom went against doctors' abortion recommendations, are inspiring, reminding us of the possibilities of each precious human life and however difficult or inconvenient the circumstances of pregnancy, there are many profound rewards in choosing life--like a "miracle baby" growing up to be an outstanding young gentleman, whom happens to be one of the finest quarterbacks to have ever played college football.
[As I write, there's a big kerfuffle over the feminist group NOW's absurd charge that the ad (which implies that Tim tackles his mother) promotes "violence against women". (The tongue-in-cheek ad concludes with Pam saying she worries about her son not being as tough as she is. I interpreted the incident as suggestive of the fact Tim is a football player and a variation of roughhousing. [Personally, the way I would have done the ad would have been is to have her son go long, simulate a tightrope pass completion and then turn to the camera, saying, "Now you know where he gets it from...."]) As others have pointed out, NOW didn't object as strongly to another Super Bowl ad featuring the elderly TV actress Betty White being "tackled" on a muddy football field. In fact, it's a rather curious argument, given the fact that there are female tackle football teams; a number of fit women can hold their own in physically demanding occupations and sports (particularly endurance events). When NOW distorts an ad, which concludes with Tim lovingly embracing his mom, it undermines its own moral authority and credibility to speak out on an important issue.]
For those who don't follow college football, Tim Tebow is a championship-winning quarterback for the University of Florida Gators. Here is the story behind Tebow's pro-life message:
Tebow’s pro-life convictions spring from an unusually personal source: back in 1987, his mother contracted amoebic dysentery while pregnant with him in the Philippines, and doctors recommended abortion. Had Pam Tebow taken that advice, Tebow fans would never have seen the football phenomenon win the Heisman Trophy in 2007 and carry the Gators to victory in two major championships.
But in my view, the strongest pro-life message came after the New Orleans Saints' victory, when Super Bowl MVP and winning quarterback Drew Brees shared his crowning moment with his infant son Baylen:
Sarah Palin Needed a Crib
As a professor, I often had a policy allowing students to bring a single cheat sheet to an exam. (It was comical how much information some students could squeeze onto a sheet of paper with tiny lettering.) I am gifted in the art of test construction, with careful sampling of interim or comprehensive lecture material and supplemental readings and creative questions. Why did I allow cheat sheets? I considered it a test preparation aid, explicitly letting students filter and categorize salient concepts.
I think what is striking about Palin's cheat sheet is that a former governor from an energy-producing state addressing a movement angry with runaway spending, needed an explicit reminder to address these points in front of a friendly audience lobbing softball questions. Did she get any probing questions over her own federal earmarks as mayor and governor, in a state where residents not only don't pay income taxes but get an annual energy dividend check? Or the fact she effectively pushed windfall taxes on energy companies in Alaska? Are you kidding me? Did you expect her to field questions reasonably specific on when and where she would make cuts, spending priorities, etc.?
What tipped off people in particular was when, after her address, she sat down with the moderator for a brief one-on-one interview, and at one point she is noticeably looking down, reading from her open palm. (To those of us who have gone through the experience of an oral comprehensive exam while pursuing a doctorate, this is laughable.)
I didn't really hear anything new or constructive from Palin's address and interview, and the same holds true from her Sunday morning interview with Chris Wallace on Fox News Sunday. She is playing coy about whether she'll be a candidate, reinforcing her image as the 'political spin' Republican: "I would. I would if I believe that that is the right thing to do for our country and for the Palin family." Let's get this straight: a candidate whom quit in the middle of her only term as governor, without federal experience, and the worst unfavorable rating of any vice-presidential candidate over the past few decades, thinks she can lead the country, when she had problems trying to get things through the Alaskan legislature last year?
I personally think that she will enter the race, because she has consistently placed among the top 3 or 4 candidates for 2012, and it's difficult to see how she, without a high-profile position like governor or senator, sustains her momentum as memories of the 2008 campaign fade. There is no doubt she has a core constituency and has considerable charisma, but I'm guessing that the GOP in 2012 will try to distance themselves from the failed 2008 campaign. Red meat politics won't be enough; moderates and independents will focus on pragmatic, highly competent politicians with a bipartisan base. I expect the next nominee to be a former or existing governor, e.g., Romney, Huckabee, Pawlenty, Daniels or Barbour. A lot depends on the circumstances heading into 2012: will the economy still be recessionary? If it's like today, I expect Romney, with his private sector experience, will be very strong. If we're looking at dealing with unending deficits, Huckabee's tax simplification message might resonate. Pawlenty is attempting to sound out ideas like a government freeze, but we need to go beyond a freeze. I don't think Newt Gingrich can get elected on the top of the ticket, but he could balance the next ticket, with instant credibility as a former Speaker and brimming with ideas for a new conservative agenda. I think a Romney/Gingrich ticket would be a formidable force in the 2012 election.
Political Cartoon
IBD cartoonist Michael Ramirez shows Obama and Congressional progressives spending... (But, of course, while he's seducing voters (whom don't share the cost burden of government) and and paying off chits to special interest groups, he's screwing job creators and future generations.)
Musical Interlude: Country Classics
As I continue my country music series, I wanted to alert readers about a limited-time offer from People Magazine for a complimentary 11-song country music bundle, downloadable from iTunes: click here.
Hank Williams, "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry"
Patsy Cline, "Crazy"
Conway Twitty, "Hello, Darlin'"
