MANAGER'S SPECIAL

The vice-presidential candidates faced unique challenges during their only debate Thursday night.

Sen. Joe Biden was expected to keep his confidence in check so he would not appear sexist or condescending toward Gov. Sarah Palin.

He seemed to have succeeded in that task, treating her with respect and addressing her as "Governor."

Biden's challenge paled in comparison to the challenge Palin faced.

Early last week Palin faced scrutiny of her television interviews, and what was a simple challenge to prove herself capable of facing Biden became a challenge to debate without embarrassing the Republican ticket.

It was not surprising to hear her resort to some of her most popular phrases of the campaign.

The debate had not been on long before Palin personalized an answer to a question about the economy with a soccer game.

A question about the subprime lending meltdown received an answer that included "Joe Six Pack" and "hockey moms."

She used the phrase "darn right" a couple of times, and she once responded to Biden by saying, "Say it ain't so, Joe, there you go pointing backwards again."

Oddly enough, that was the only time Palin called Biden by his first name during the debate, despite the fact that she clearly asked, "Hey, can I call you Joe?" when they came on stage.

That single usage of his first name seems blatantly planned, and one wonders why Palin must resort to catchy rhyme and small-town phrasing to win votes.

It is certain that she does not approach events like the debate without suggestions and coaching from campaign advisors.

Perhaps they wish to use Palin's character to the utmost since voters connect so well to her small-town charm.

However, I seriously doubt she would say "darn right" during a meeting of world leaders.

Palin has also focused on her inexperience with Washington politics to gain popularity among common people across the country.

She said during the debate, "It's so obvious I'm a Washington outsider," and while that may comfort some voters, I am disturbed that Republican strategists are choosing these aspects of Palin's candidacy as a focus.

None of the male candidates use overwhelmingly cute phrases. They do not use the goal of becoming, or remaining, a Washington outsider as a foundation of their popularity.

Outsiders are certainly beyond the corruption and unproductive tactics in Washington politics, but they are also isolated from the action and from those making decisions.

As Palin makes promises to voters, she is reducing her opportunities to take an active role as vice president.

Her language reduces her to a friendly hockey mom we can listen to with a smile. Her status leads us to believe that she will enter Washington with "Just Visiting" on her name tag.

Each time I watch Palin complete an interview or make a speech, I wonder how much of who I see is the Palin that works effectively in Alaska.

I fear that the character Palin has become dwarfs her actual character, the honor and independence that has led her to her current position.

Biden and others have been careful to avoid sexist attitudes towards Palin, but it would almost be preferable to face overt sexism than to face this backstage prejudice.

This is a devious form of sexism that allows a woman to compete for an elite position as long as she follows directions carefully.

Coverage of this prejudice is rare, not because it is impossible to see, but because voters do not want to see anyone but the Palin that has been created.

Palin's run for the vice-presidential spot is certainly historic, but it may be damaging to aspiring female politicians unless we allow Palin to be more of herself in this race and less of the token female.

( Sadie May Davis is a senior political science major. She can be reached at sasedtpg@isugw.indstate.edu)