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Is She the Last Culture Warrior?

With bigger problems on our minds, accusations of 'elitist' don't stick

By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 3, 2008 12:28 PM CST

(Newser) – Although Sarah Palin says she would be a fresh face in Washington, she really represents the end of a long line of Republican culture warriors, writes Peter Beinart in the Washington Post. "She's depicting the campaign as a struggle between the culturally familiar and the culturally threatening, the culturally traditional and the culturally exotic," but her argument falls flat, and history can explain why.

Cultural battles over immigration and prohibition colored elections in the 1920s. But during the Great Depression, identity politics became just another luxury America could no longer afford. More recently, decades of economic growth and the encouragement of Palin's predecessors allowed cultural divides to widen again—until the economy started tanking. "Palin's brand is culture war," Beinart argues, "and in America today culture war no longer sells."

American Democratic politician and Governor of New York, Al Smith was nominated for the presidency in 1928, but lost largely as a result of anti-Catholic sentiment.
American Democratic politician and Governor of New York, Al Smith was nominated for the presidency in 1928, but lost largely as a result of anti-Catholic sentiment.   (Getty Images)
By the time FDR was elected, the country's economic problems had mostly dissipated the power of the culture wars that had so strongly colored the 1920s.
By the time FDR was elected, the country's economic problems had mostly dissipated the power of the culture wars that had so strongly colored the 1920s.   (AP Photo)
Republican vice presidential candidate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, speaks to a crowd of supporters during a campaign stop Sunday, Nov. 2, 2008, in Columbus, Ohio.
Republican vice presidential candidate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, speaks to a crowd of supporters during a campaign stop Sunday, Nov. 2, 2008, in Columbus, Ohio.   (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 10 comments
Shannonals
Nov 4, 2008 6:52 AM CST
She lives in Alaska, exactly how is she a culture warrior?
Guest
Nov 3, 2008 10:50 PM CST
WE CAN MAKE A CHANGE TODAY. CLICK ON: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksMza_CgcWs ****PEACE SONG FOR OBAMA*******POP REGGAE*** ENJOY DE PEACE VIBE! THEN VOTE OBAMA!!! PLEASE PASS ON THE YouTube Link!!! CHELLE C. AND DE PAPA RASS C BAND ***FEATURING SELAH GOSPEL CHOIR Words & Music By Rachelle Cano ASCAP copyright 2008 "Peace, Hope Prosperity" Come together sons and daughters Now’s the time to stand up for this country you love If you’re a father, like I’m a mother I will not leave my child the weight of war and despair Come together all my brothers Now’s the time to pledge your voices deep from your soul If you’ve been workin, still it’s not workin There’s got to be a way to break outta the mold Peace, Hope Prosperity No more inequalities It’s all just too discouraging To think we’d leave behind such broken dreams We should respect our elders’ dreams That all people in this nation Should be free from all damnation Live as one, we’re not as different as we seem We all need love, friends- family GO TO YouTube TO HEAR SONG! STAR REGGAE PLAYERS FROM BOB MARLEY AND JIMMY CLIFF! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksMza_CgcWs
Guest
Nov 3, 2008 9:58 PM CST
Why do Americans think of everything in terms of "war?" Class war, culture war, etc. Is this what we have amounted to? Has the warmonger mentality taken root in us so deeply that that is the only terminology or ideology that we can revert to or identify with? The American people are tired of anger, fear, war, race-baiting and divisive politics that has continued to keep us divided as a nation. Now is the time for unity, peace and healing after 8 long years of adultery, stealing lying, deception, manipulation and abuse. Our country is a mess right now and we look ridiculous to the rest of the world. Hopefully, the next President can restore the respect, dignity and leadership that it grossly lacked the last 8 years.

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