What's been interesting to me in this discussion has been that the right wants to co-opt the word "feminist." Clearly they see some value in using the word even if they don't see value in supporting what would probably be considered feminist policies. Where it seems to be leading is towards "good feminist"/"bad feminist" dichotomy, similar to the way African-American activists were broken into "good blacks" (MLK) and "bad blacks" (Malcom, the Panthers) a generation ago (and still are to a great extent). We've got radio talk show hosts and the GOP rank-and-file recently saying just awful things about feminists at the same time that they're trying to claim that Palin is one.

I can't figure out if it's a cynical ploy to attract disaffected Clinton supporters, a cynical ploy to more generally attract women, or they're just dumb enough to think that a woman holding a powerful job is necessarily a feminist.

Great stuff. I definitely loved Gloria Jacob's opening piece about choice, and I think that's very important.

Thank you, Courtney, for pointing out the rape kit issue. That disgusts me.

While it was touched upon lightly, I would think the strongest argument against Palin being a feminist would be her lack of support for women's rights issues.

How can she justify her stance against the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act? Doesn't that go to the heart of equity?

It seems to just tie back to the whole, a woman candidate isn't automatically a women's candidate.

Following that logic, I thought Courtney missed an opportunity to contrast Palin and Clinton, especially on the issues.

Learn the difference, vote smart.

www.SarahPalinISNTHillaryClinton.com

That was a really great piece. I am so glad to see feminists being well-represented. Courtney, since you pointed out the number of times you said "wild," I chuckled when you said that, but nonetheless, you were collected and cogent, and I thought you did an excellent job. Proud to have you as a spokeswoman.

Doesn't he call feministing a softball team? What is that, code for lesbian? Is that supposed to be a slur?

You kicked ass, Courtney!

I think it's funny that feminism can be used as a political stepladder ("Palin's a feminist! Vote for McCain!") or silencer (how some women don't want to identify as feminist, probably because of the bull-dyke hairy-legged angry feminazi stereotype).

I also thought it was funny that the host said that Palin is breaking the glass ceiling, while in actually she's reinforcing it by ensuring that while SHE may be able to gain the benefits feminists have worked for, she'll ensure that other women do not have those opportunities.

Great job, Courtney!!! You represented well.

I appreciate your going on this show to explain why Palin isn't a feminist, but I hated Jacobs' opening statement about "choice." I feel like feminism is never going to move forward until we lose our association with that meaningless word. By "choice," we usually mean reproductive rights, a much more powerful way of framing the issue than "choice." Maybe it was a good word in the 70s, but it has been coopted by capitalism to that point that it can mean anything from picking a phone plan to aborting a fetus. If you "choose" to be dominated by a man, that is not feminist! If you "choose" to use your power to oppress other women, that is not feminist! Feminism shoudl be about rights, freedom,equality, and dignity, not choice.

First off C you did an outstanding job. Second the idea of Palin as a feminist issue is a joke. Six months from now the Palin-ites will be talking about Hillary like a dog.

I think both of you spoke very well and made your points extremely clear and precise. I think it's ridiculous that while the right would usually mock feminism and its followers, but now that they have a girl on their team they take advantage of all the luxuries that contemporary feminism has afforded to women. To make fun of Hillary Clinton but then say you can't say the same things about Sarah Palin (btw, didn't see that one seemingly pro-Hillary Ad before. Scary how correct it seems we are!)

It might be true that Palin does like certain parts of feminism, but I think it's only the watered-down, "girl power" version. Whereas any real feminist since the 3rd wave acknowledges not just the privilege difference of men & women, but also how privilege is affected by race, class, sexual orientation, etc.

And I appreciate how Gloria stated that you don't necessarily have to be pro-choice to be feminist when it comes to abortion, but choice should have a significant place in your thinking and vocabulary.

I don't know much about Vimeo but the couple of things I've seen seem pretty desent. So why did he keep cutting you and Gloria off? Like he was racing through the interview without letting you finish. Was it just me or was he kind of a tool? I mean the whole softball team thing rubbed me the wrong way. Am I being extra sensitive here?

Great job btw! =D