Blog 23

The 2008 presidential election took over the media for many reasons. For me personally, I followed the election very closely because it was my first chance to be able to vote. But the candidates were also monumental for race and gender norms. The Republican Party vice presidential nominee was a female, Sara Palin. I personally believe her nomination had to do with the fact Hilary Clinton was a preliminary Democratic Presidential Nominee. Also, the Democratic presidential nomination was half-Black. So not only were women and a minority involved in the election, the fashion sense of the women was a highlight in the media.
I realized how critical the media was on women through this campaign; usually the media does not comment much on what the male candidates wear. The only other political female I can think of whose fashion sense has been a focus of the media was Jackie Kennedy Onassis, although in the NPR listening they said Dolly Madison was the first style icon. Marjorie Margolies, a former politician, says “Women are viewed in a very different way, with regard to their dress, than men are.” This shows how much more women are scrutinized than men. It seems like a another social standard women must live up to.
The NPR story explains that the first ladies usual dress very conservatively, but Michelle Obama seems to be a little more bold. Her style is referred to as “refreshing” and “progressive” while some do not approve. They pointed out that she wears dresses more than normal pant suit. Fashion experts recommend to wear color, a nice neckline, and that pearls are always classy.
"Most people remember what you wear and your tone over what you say," says Margolies which I can relate to in my life, although I am not a politician. I always dress up for presentations in classes and I will make my group members do so as well. I think my mentality, and possibly what political groups think as well, is that if the audience is not really listening or understanding the message then at least the presentation is pleasant.