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Sarah Swoons the Nation's Hockey Moms (Among Others)

By pucksandbooks - September 4, 2008

Last Saturday I authored a file whose spirit was meant to celebrate the rise to prominence of hockey in 2008's political discourse. A segment of OFB readers, seemingly wired for partisanship, took it the wrong way. Early on in her address to the Republican National Convention Wednesday night in Minnesota, VP nominee Sarah Palin, specifically addressing America's hockey moms (no small number of whom were in St. Paul's Xcel Energy Center bearing hockey mom signs), said, "The difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull? Lipstick."

It brought down the house. [fast forward to 2:50 in the video below]

I reference the moment now, and this year's political season again, for its elevation of our game on the world-watched stage that is our presidential nominating process. It doesn't matter what you think of Sarah, Democrats, Republicans, or American politics. If you love hockey, how can you not like how hockey is being celebrated (associated with perserverance and toughness) in the rhetoric of 2008's political debates?

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Discussion

29 Comments on "Sarah Swoons the Nation's Hockey Moms (Among Others)"

#1

Posted by Christy, September 4, 2008 7:46 AM

I got a kick out of seeing a sign in the audience that said the typical "Hockey Moms 4 Palin," but used hockey equipment tape instead of markers to write it. Haha.

#2

Posted by Victor, September 4, 2008 8:05 AM

I want to hear from obxpalma only if he sings the Spongebob FUN song.

#3

Posted by Dave Dragon, September 4, 2008 8:07 AM

“The difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull is lipstick.”

Now thats funny. The sign was cool to see as well.
Dave

#4

Posted by J.P., September 4, 2008 8:28 AM

And hey, if you're a proud hockey mom who isn't quite ready to cede your kind's vote en masse to the Repubs, you could always snag one of these: http://tinyurl.com/5gv7ap

#5

Posted by chanuck, September 4, 2008 8:51 AM

J.P. Think they got one for Hockey dads?

#6

Posted by Schultz for Norris, September 4, 2008 8:51 AM

She is an insult to hockey moms. Mindless drivel and a smug town. Who wrote that speech a high scool cheerleader? "Newsflash...."

#7

Posted by TJ, September 4, 2008 9:12 AM

You know hockey is never going to be better than the fourth major sport and in some places never bigger than NASCAR. And I for one could care less, I dont care if hockey gets national coverage or its in the news. Back in the day when I had to wait till the golf highlights had been played on ESPN Sportscenter before I can get to hockey, yea I hoped hockey would get more exposure. But now in the age of the internet and NHL Center Ice, who cares. I could give 2 sh**s if Hockey is mentioned on the major news, and even mentioned by a woman. I don't live in my basement so hearing a woman talk about hockey isnt that big of a deal.

Again I think its irrelevant that palin is a "Hockey Mom", I could care less. The only thing that matters about that woman is her political views, which I disagree with.

Your affection for hockey is almost immature, do you get excited every time you see someone with a hockey t-shirt at the gym? On the street?

#8

Posted by Gustafsson, September 4, 2008 9:19 AM

Looks like there is a storage of cream and/or sugar as there are come cuppa joes that have left bitter tastes in the mouths of some OFB readers.

#9

Posted by DrinkingPartner, September 4, 2008 9:41 AM

I would have appreciated the joke if I hadn't already read an article that said it's one of her oldest jokes -- verbatim, actually. Otherwise, she came off as intelligent and is obviously a good speaker, but I too disagree with her views in general, so, "Hockey Mom" or not, it was difficult to enjoy her enthusiasm as an Alaskan hockey fan.

#10

Posted by nuftjedi, September 4, 2008 10:21 AM

ooooh she likes hockey so let's ignore all the other ignorant comments coming out of her mouth. come on already.

#11

Posted by Gustafsson, September 4, 2008 10:29 AM

"let’s ignore all the other ignorant comments coming out of her mouth"

There is the joy of politics. THEY ALL spew ignorant comments. THEY ALL say what they will to be elected. THEY ALL pander to the audience before them. Those are the rules of the game.

#12

Posted by b.orr4, September 4, 2008 10:41 AM

This is why I hate politics so much. On the simple issue of "Isn't it cool to have hockey referenced in a positive light before a worldwide audience", some people are so partisan that they can't put aside their party affiliation for just one second to appreciate the moment. Whoever said that sports are the great unifier has obviously never lived in this town. Well, good on you P&B for not giving in to the political correctness that seems to color every aspect of life in this country. I may not agree with her politics, but I'm delighted to see an articulate, accomplished woman who's proud to be called a hockey mom. And so is my wife.

#13

Posted by Grooven, September 4, 2008 11:05 AM

Ooh... the great Hockey Mom battle of '08! How cool! You get all the hockey moms for... and then all the ones against to come out to show a different worldview. Give them jerseys and sticks. Put 'em on the ice. Battle Royale between the Palin Hockey Moms and the Hockey Mamas for Obama! Huge pay-per-view audience. National exposure for hockey. Now we're talking.

Maybe for some it's nice to hear talk about hockey moms instead of soccer moms. Neither is the #1 sport so why not switch them up? And between hockey moms and soccer moms (and dads) do you really think everyone's going to have the same political leanings? With two months left of spewing from both sides, some people are taking things a bit too seriously this far off.
I'm glad that clip was pointed out to me, only because I don't waste my time watching either pep rally. I gave those up in highschool. Maybe next time we'll have a candidate break through a paper sign with the football team. (Now if either party donated all the money used for a convention to some charity or worthy cause -- that I would notice.)

#14

Posted by Kevin, September 4, 2008 12:22 PM

About the signs...I think it's more likely that they were handed out by the RNC. I went to John Kerry's rally at Morgan State with the St. Mary's College Democrats (ugh) and campaign staffers gave us a sign to hold that said "Morgan State hearts John Kerry". Never mind that we were the whitest kids in the building. The actual Morgan State students thought it was hilarious.

#15

Posted by OrderedChaos (Mike Rucki), September 4, 2008 12:39 PM

@ b.orr: Well said, as usual.

This "hockey mom" phenomenon is simply an interesting side-bar to the political circus, and the novelty of our sport getting such attention is kinda fun. In fact, it's about the only aspect of this race not making me cringe, so I welcome it.

#16

Posted by TG, September 4, 2008 12:47 PM

See, I thought you would have stayed away from the hockey mom stuff. I mean, this site is constantly calling for more hockey coverage in the media and by people at large.

So how's it look that the most famous hockey mom in the world believes that the Earth is 7,000 years old and wants to teach Intelligent Design in schools?

Parents are going to be able to say to their kids now, "No, you can't play hockey. See what being in all those cold arenas early in the morning did to the brain of the VP nominee? I am NOT letting that happen to you. You're going to play football (or soccer, or swim...)"

#17

Posted by Teka, September 4, 2008 12:52 PM

I just wonder if Palin would have let her pregnant 17 year old daughter play hockey or if she's fulfilling the best of Mommie's hopes by being a baby incubator.

Oh, sorry, did that just come out of my exceedingly pro-choice mouth?

I do think it's fun that she's billing herself as a hockey mom, and were she not so polarly opposite my political views, I'd me a little more enthused about it. As it is, though, the political stance to me is more important that what she wants to sell herself as.

And yes, TJ, I do get excited/amused seeing hockey stuff on the streets in the course of my general life. So there.

#18

Posted by Bob, September 4, 2008 2:41 PM

What do Palin and Pit Bulls have in COMMON?

They are both________

#19

Posted by b.orr4, September 4, 2008 3:28 PM

What do Palin and Pit Bulls have in COMMON?

They are both________

Ovechkin fans?

#20

Posted by Grooven, September 4, 2008 3:38 PM

What do Palin and Pit Bulls have in COMMON?

They are both________

...very stylish when they're dressed in track suits and have giant Mercedes emblems hanging from their necks.

#21

Posted by Lee (PTO), September 4, 2008 4:23 PM

What do Palin and Pit Bulls have in COMMON?

They are both________

... names that start with the letter "P"? hehehe

The only thing I'll worry about is hockey as a sport being associated with the GOP. Don't let Big Elephant (ne Brother) co-op our sport!!!

As for politics, I just hope whoever it is that wins the White House *actually does something* about the corruption/lobbyism in our government. That goes for the Dems as well, let them ALL get back to serving our will rather than their Party's will and the tension will subside (I hope).

Regards,
Disenfranchised 30-something who's glad he got outta the military in time

#22

Posted by Todd, September 4, 2008 6:51 PM

"My hockey player can beat up your hockey mom." get the bumper sticker now while you can. :-)

I just hope that if the Republicans win, that I don't have to see Palin at tons of hockey games so I have to spend 3 hours outside the arena waiting to be patted down.

#23

Posted by Doc Nagel, September 4, 2008 8:08 PM

I think the real worry is how much damage the association with politics will do to hockey's reputation.

#24

Posted by obxpalma, September 4, 2008 11:05 PM

here we go...F is for Friends who do stuff together.
U is for You and me.
N is for Anywhere and anytime at allllll
Down in the deep blue seaaaa!!!!

EVERYBODY!!!!

#25

Posted by obxpalma, September 4, 2008 11:22 PM

(OrderdChaos) CHEESE RULES......

F is for Fans who Rock the Red together
U is for Team Unity!!!
N is for Zebras who NEVER make the right call....
From blueline to goalie crease....

ALL together now!!!!

#26

Posted by Doug, September 4, 2008 11:34 PM

It seems several have completely lost their humor!! This fact alone is almost as humorous as the oblique references to hockey by a politician.

Lighten up folks -- geez.

Let's play some damn hockey !!!!

#27

Posted by Doc Nagel, September 5, 2008 10:08 AM

Doug: I don't know if you were referring to my comment, but if you were, read it again, think about it a minute. Think - what's hockey's reputation among Amurkins? Get it?

#28

Posted by Tyler, September 6, 2008 12:25 AM

38 million people watched her speech. Getting hockey out there to that many people is always a good thing.

#29

Posted by Kathleen, September 6, 2008 1:30 AM

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