The Politics of Primary Pimping?

Ohhh la la ! This is front page news for me! Well Karl and other esteemed PhillyFuture Citizen Editors, it appears you are correct: media does look at stories and opinions posted here. Case in point? The ever so fabulous moi has gotten her first media blog mention...in a puff piece for the Lois of 2008, the don't- hate-me-because-I-am-beautifully-calculating candidate for PA State Senate in the 17th District, Lisa let-me-kiss your-babies Paolino. Can we entertain the possibility that as a candidate, or even as a social "light", she just might be NOCD? [Translation? Not Our Class, Darling]

While I am thrilled at the mention, I have to say cosmetic enhancements are not enough for the average voter (except to scare them)...well maybe in parts of Delaware County it's de rigueur, as I hear well, Radnor is different? In Radnor, if they dislike a politician, I hear they only whisper it because there is an ordinance and potential public stoning if you aren't all happy to be conforming to the norm?

And then in Radnor, where this babe comes from, there seem to be a lot of people who find her silly? Look at the photos? Seriously? Just look at very posed photos, very unnatural as if a role was being played in a bad Lifetime made for TV movie? And what CityPaper doesn't get is I have no problem with a feminine dressing female candidate who is pretty (those old men we look at grow tiresome after all), but this candidate, well she takes "done" to a new level doesn't she? She looks too posed, too coiffed, and those suits? Get that gal a new stylist! She appears to have the ability to wear clothes well, and well, she needs to be visited by Tim Gunn.

And then there are all the questions....why is it she thinks people should vote for a candidate that hails from a township that had a law for a while that resulted in non-resident accident victims being charged?

Seriously:
WPVI 6 ABC: Radnor Law Burning Accident Victims 1/29/07

January 29, 2007 -- Officials in Radnor Township say they're just trying to do right by their own taxpayers, but visitors may feel like unwelcome guests in the process. It's a local law that's raising some eyebrows.

It's bad enough when you have an accident. But if it happens in Radnor Township, it may cost you more than you ever thought possible.

"It's wrong for me... wrong for anyone to have to pay for this," said Mark Harbison. Harbison calls it highway robbery. He got into a minor fender bender on a stretch of Sproul Road a few months ago. He says a police officer came by, saw no one was hurt, and left minutes later.

The accident was bad enough, but in November a bill arrived at Harbison's house. He owes Radnor Police 333 dollars for responding to the accident....Harbison lives in Haverford Township.

And then there was that thing I remember reading about massages and lots of take home vehicles for Radnor Township employees? And this is a responsible use of taxpayer money? Who knew? I wish I could get a massage as part of my perks, eh? And then there was this other thing that I Googled (I got my latte early and had a good google after I had a good giggle), and I have to know: are there issues in this upper crust section of Delco when it comes to open government? And then there is this blog thing that comes up every time I do a google: Open Discussion on Paolino's Campaign 4 PA Senate ---- is this written by an ex or something? It's very telling in it's own sad way. And what about that whole school flap?

My humble apologies to this candidate, but you all drew attention to moi and my silly banter and candidate chatter, so I have had to put away the silliness and seriously take a peek at this gal, don't I?

What of the unanswered questions surrounding a fireman the latest upset that I referenced yesterday? What of all the Internet whining I have seen and am still choosing not to promote? Is this candidate the new Lois? And what's up with the Obamaesque You Tube Ad? And then there was that other thing, the endorsement from a group I do watch the PA Women's Campaign Fund? I am pro choice, and this intimates that so is this candidate? Really? All I say is this, and if there is one thing that bothers me more then a crusty old dude in a judicial or clerical robe trying to tell women what to do with regard to personal choice, it's wondering if a female candidate is really pro-choice or just pretending?

Men are never clear on this topic - and since they don't bear children I pretty much ignore them anyway. But female candidates? Female candidates have to be abundantly clear on their pro-LIFE AND pro-CHOICE positions, because face it, if you aren't a woman, you really don't get this argument do you? And while I have never believed that this personal choice issue belongs in political campaigns, since this candidate opened Pandora's Box and accepted this endorsement, where does she stand? Did the CityPaper ask that hard question?

So CityPaper, you are correct when you state that fabulously delicious ones like moi don't dig "She takes heat for not looking or dressing the part. The blogs gripe about her spike heels and her Vaseline lens photos (see the blog by "Her Alter Ego" at phillyfuture.org). The boys' club doesn't seem to think she can pull off running for state Senate....In the end, however, good looks and flash may not really matter (strange but true). " ...I am just not a big believer in retouched photos that look so juvaderm-y and botox-y, k? I like to see real faces, complete with the lines life gives you. (Lauren Becall and Lauren Hutton come to mind)

And Lisa, let moi be crystal clear with regard to the quote from CityPaper that says "Yet here I am," says Paolino. "Maybe they don't like my shoes but I think the real problem is that I do my job and I do it well, high heels and all." ....as you well know high heels can be an asset in many industries, but it doesn't make them any less tacky. I have heard they are especially nice when working a pole?

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I thank everything holy that I do not have to vote in this election. Because it doesn't have anything to do with "Boys' Clubs", "issues", "and life long Republican" (Gosh, all in all, if you were running as a Republican this year would you brag about that?). Can this be said this is a campaign about spin? And I have no problem with spin, just admit it. But from a female perspective? Can it be considered if you have to tell someone you meet that you are "the pretty one", it makes a woman look ever so slightly insecure?

And besides, have y'all checked out that Lance Rogers? He's a hottie in the definition of Jim Gerlach cute. (And you all who read my blog know how cute I think Jim is :<) )

Sigh.... buying tickets to no profit events, doesn't make you a socialite, does it? And running as an independent? Define independent? Would that be as in unendorsed? Because if she were truly independent,that would be fine, but she doesn't sound like a rebel does she? Doesn't she just sound like an IAP?

CityPaper, I still looooove you, and sooooo loooooove the mention, buy honestly? Puffy isn't why I read you. And as for falling for wily women? Ahh, well, it sets feminism back some...LOL. Also a hoot? Ressurecting the one hit wonder Mr. "Maniac" Man? Ok. Well if that is where your taste in music is, I suppose....what's next? Reintroducing ripped sweatshits and pumps as an outfit? Well, I guess Flashdance is retro now?

Here is the CityPaper article, I am off to Yoga...politics is so stressful

Almost Famous
A local music biz vet runs for office ... as a Republican?
by A.D. Amorosi
Published: Apr 9, 2008

...Where the campaign trail becomes the champagne trail, that's where you'll find Lisa Paolino.

That's not to say the Radnor Township Board of Commissioners vice president/5th Ward commissioner, who's running in the Republican primary for the 17th District state Senate seat as an "Independent Republican," isn't pressing flesh at malls and bus stations. She just happens to be as much about the penthouse as she is the pavement — a candidate you'd run into at a Bryn Mawr Film Institute gala with Ben Kingsley or the opening of the 17th Philadelphia Film Festival at Brasserie Perrier.

At 6 a.m. last Thursday, Paolino was kissing babies at Radnor's train station. That night she was at the pre-PFF bash being introduced to Perez Hilton.

"Wasn't he a nice guy?" asked Paolino, who was adorned in a black cocktail dress.....That, an agenda of regional reform, and a good pair of heels, which the fortysomething mother of two wears well, thank you. In fact, when I first met Paolino, she introduced herself as "the pretty candidate."

"Did I really?" asks Paolino in astonishment. "I don't normally introduce my-self that way. But it got your attention."

....Paolino's a lifelong Republican who graduated from Villanova, served as vice president of operations and marketing for Mace Securities.....She doesn't care about getting beat up by the old boys, either.

She takes heat for not looking or dressing the part. The blogs gripe about her spike heels and her Vaseline lens photos (see the blog by "Her Alter Ego" at phillyfuture.org). The boys' club doesn't seem to think she can pull off running for state Senate.

"Yet here I am," says Paolino. "Maybe they don't like my shoes but I think the real problem is that I do my job and I do it well, high heels and all."

In the end, however, good looks and flash may not really matter (strange but true).