Comments on: Who’s Your Daddy?

By: The Mahablog » The Power of (Right Wing) Myth

The Mahablog » The Power of (Right Wing) Myth — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 15:08:56 +0000

[...] In fact, the mythical Carter/Reagan dichotomy — Carter as murky, depressed, weak, passive and Reagan as clear, sunny, strong, and active — is exactly the yin/yang dichotomy. I could write a whole ‘nother post on gender politics and the many associations of liberalism with femininity and conservatism with masculinity, never mind reality. In fact, I did write that post awhile back. But for now, I just want to point to this as another layer of the right-wing subconscious and postulate that men with gender insecurity are more likely to lean right than left. [...]

By: lucidity

lucidity — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 17:55:39 +0000

Maha,

I first read about Lakoff’s mommy-party/daddy-party theory on your blog and, like you, I thought it really missed the point on liberalism (although the Strict Father metaphor seems to be spot-on for conservatism). I did a diary at Daily Kos a couple months ago that explored the connection between politics and evolutionary psychology and tried to come up with a better metaphor for the liberal worldview. It’s a five-part diary called “Monkey Morality,” and I’d love to hear your and your readers’ comments on it:

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/9/5/121112/8217

By: Gordon

Gordon — Tue, 14 Nov 2006 15:32:30 +0000

“Someday I should write a post arguing that male righties have a fetish about manliness because they are so unsure of their own …”

Jesus’s General has been doing that for years.

Seriously - no need. It’s completely obvious to anyone except to those who will never, ever admit it. I laughed long and loud when Commander Codpiece landed on the aircraft carrier - but that was nothing compared to watching Ollie North waxing eloquent on Tweety’s “Hardball” (I think it was) about the commanding figure that Bush cut at that moment, and how he had just assured the vote of every female in the US (and, of course, his own vote, too).

By: bruce

bruce — Tue, 14 Nov 2006 15:24:26 +0000

“… male righties have a fetish about manliness because they are so unsure of their own”. Bingo, you have nailed the whole problem right there. Most personality flaws are in fact overcompensations for feelings of inadequacy. Another example: when Bush always says “I understand that….” or “He understands, as I do, that…”, he’s overcompensating for all the times as a boy that he undoubtedly DIDN’T understand, and/or his mommy told him so. Trying to prove he understands, but in fact proving the opposite.

By: Doug Hughes

Doug Hughes — Tue, 14 Nov 2006 01:24:04 +0000

If we all had a sense if humor (btw, did you see the SNL skit parody of Nancy P - hilarious) Nancy P could suggest that the suffrage movement had reached the point that she is going to ask for judicial intervention according to affirmative action and deny men the right to vote or run for office for a period of time equal to the span that women were excluded. Sadly, such a suggestion made in jest, would be twisted, spun and manipulated. And we all need a laugh.

By: ironranger

ironranger — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 23:00:54 +0000

Desperation, desperation, desperation. They’re even bringing out their yearly specialty ahead of schedule, the liberal war on shopping, er Christmas.

By: maha

maha — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 21:47:10 +0000

I think you just did.

No, that was just the premise. The argument is much longer. I made some of the argument awhile back, though.

By: Swami

Swami — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 21:34:05 +0000

Pelosi has got it.. she’s able to project an internal power and still retain the feminine quailties of softness and reason. Not many women in politics can do that.. Take a look at that cold.hard, and bitter bitch Mean Jean to see what I mean. Could ya cuddle with something like that,guys?.. I didn’t think so!.. not unless you’re into necrophilia.

My self image psychology growing up was build on the model of a macho man and looking back I can see how hollow it was and is. And if you don’t like that..I’ll kick your ass..you got that, Pal?

By: Joe

Joe — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 21:00:39 +0000

“Someday I should write a post arguing that male righties have a fetish about manliness because they are so unsure of their own …”

I think you just did.

By: Tom Hilton

Tom Hilton — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 20:42:49 +0000

This framing is particularly ironic in light of Bush’s daddy coming back to try to rescue him from his fuckups (that’s the Time cover, anyway).

Maybe instead of ‘daddy party’ vs. ‘mommy party’, we should frame it as ‘parent party’ vs. ‘angry irresponsible drug-addled adolescent party’.