I think they fall into the artsy category, not the sexist one.

I can see how if could be used as artsy -- that would all depend on the packaging/marketing of the photos -- I mean does the headline read "Walk a mile in these shoes" -- Is it empowering?

But can totally see our point. Some of the shot are borderline porno for legs and feet fetish dudes. Maybe that's what Joe Six Pack is into? Funny -- the shots kinda remind me of "A Christmas Story" with that sexy leg lamp -- remember that??

This is a common shot angle. It just so happens that Palin has bare legs in some of hers.

I must say, she has nice legs. She's a runner, right? She should show them off! As much as Governor Palin scares me, I will admit, I love her style! She has great shoes and nice suits. Personally, I am not a fan of the pants suit--at least the Senator Clinton kind.

As far as sexism goes, I don't know. I don't find them demeaning or offensive. I guess it would depend on how the picture is used. oh, and if Senator Biden had worn shorts to the debate, there most definitely would have been a calf shot of him. Ha! Can you imagine Biden in a suit with shorts--like the kind little boys wear? Maybe even with a bow tie.

I find Palin demeaning and offensive at times but not the pictures. The photographers are usually at that level on the side of the stage.. you often get the shots of men shoes, podium and faces turned up to see the candidate. What else is their to shoot from behind but her hair bun, her ass or her shoes... I think with the bun now gone it just leaves the shoes as the safest choice.

I also think it's a commentary of how the face (er...I mean legs) of politics have changed. Now the shot where the person is looking up at her from "between her legs" I think is someones idea of a dumb joke.

:rofl: javsmav. Thanks for that imagery.

I don't think its sexist. The lady has killer legs and some pretty nice shoes. As long as all her shots or a majority of them aren't like this, don't see a prob with it.

This one is kind of ridiculous. It's Palin and Cindy McCain's legs. LOL

Some of the shots seem like they were taken to capture something else besides the legs/shoes, like the one of Clinton looking at Hillary and the one capturing the sign. Then there are others that are just going for the shoes/legs. So I see that there is definitely an interest in the footwear/legs of female politicians versus the males.

yeah i think they are artsy, as well. a picture with her legs and a mccain-palin sign in the background is an easy way for a photo-journalist to say "theres a woman running for VP". it works. also, she does have nice legs.

I love that shot in #8 -- I bet they're famous!!

As much as it pains me to admit it, I do love Palin's style! Especially those cute shoes!

Oh, and I should have mentioned, I didn't crop any of the photos seen here--the pictures are displayed all as they were taken, the framing done by the original photographers.

I don't see a problem with it. You know it's her just by looking at her shoes. If they took pictures of the others like that, you'd be like, okay...black shoes, black pants, could be anyone! They've become somewhat iconic.

(Also, just to squeee, my mail in ballot came! It came yesterday but I was sick in bed so I didn't scope out the mail. So excited to vote for Obama and for my congressional reps and a ton of important ballot measures!!)

I actually just got my CA Voter Information Guide!!!!

She has some fabulous shoes, but I don't think it's sexist.

I think the sexism depends on what context the shot is used.

If these shots are used say, in a story about her fashion sense, then I really don't care. Or even if they were used in a story about female politicians or how we had 2 women running this time around.

However, if these shots accompany an article about her thoughts on foreign policy or the economy or any of the issues, then I think they serve a purpose only to demean and undermine.

The woman does have great shoes though!

I bet Condi is pissed that she's not the only one with great shoes!

Does she have good shoes, too? I haven't seen them. This is making me want to go shopping.

Personally I like that she doesn't try to hide her femininity. She's a woman, there's no reason to dress like a man.

I'm pretty sick of this idea that pretty = dumb. I like that she shows thats not the case. I hope women will start to let go of that notion.

Mich there was a story a while ago about Condi blowing all sorts of money on boots... I think Jimmy Choos but I'm not sure. Anyways, I guess she's a shoe person!

Not a Palin fan but she too is a victim of sexism, no denying it imo.

No one is taking pictures of Joe Biden's legs and then publishing it as "Joe Biden". Men in politics are rarely reduced to random, disembodied parts. Palin has been portrayed in multiple pictures as legs, wearing heels. As much as I dislike Palin, I have to say there must be more to her than her legs.

I don't understand why taking pictures of Palin's shoes is sexism. People want to see her shoes, I think.

lipstick??

Now, that is a sexist comment.

Maybe there might be an itsy bitsy bit of sexism in them, but like haus said it depends on the context. And I love her style too!

You know its blatant sexism when even DAVE thinks its out there!

LOL -- ah those are the Governors OWN words! She brought lipstick to the table.

I think it might be stretching to call these shots sexist. Honestly, I think that women are the ones that want to see her shoes. I know I do. She wears hot shoes!

I think some of them are very artsy, and others are just bad pictures.

It still really entertains me that people that said Hillary was just whining about sexism during the primaries are the same people that jump to Sarah's defense for every little thing.

HF - Well if Palin sheds a tear on Nov 3rd when speaking to people, I'll agree with you!

HF - Well if Palin sheds a tear on Nov 3rd when speaking to people, I'll agree with you!

ack! twice! sorry!

To be honest, I'd rather look at her shoes than her face.

lol, jude c!
like some other people on here, although I don't particularly like sarah palin, I love her shoes!

"Hey! Pervert! Get your eyes off her shoes and back on her face already!!"

Yeah, I think this is okay...this reminds me of the SNL skit where Poehler/Clinton asked people quit calling her a "shrew" or whatever, and Fey/Palin asked people to quit calling her a "babe."

It depends on how you look at it, I guess. I mean, I actually like the pics, and the shoes ain't so bad. But if these are supposed to be some sort of campaign pictures, I don't think that'll work well at all.

I like her shoes. Some days I wish I worked in a field where I'd be able to wear shoes like that more often, but I work in a lab. So I have a pretty large collection of sneakers...

And then I wake up and realize that my feet would probably kill me if I had to wear heels every day...and I happily put on my Converse

I do agree that suddenly sexism was an issue the moment Palin was announced. I'm thinking it's because of the huge difference in personality between Clinton and Palin. Clinton doesn't show herself anywhere near as feminine as Palin does, perhaps it's a protection thing. Who knows. And as for Hillary shedding a tear, well, did you see the VP debate...Biden nearly cried. So I see no argument there.

As a professional photographer I would have taken those between the leg shots in a heartbeat, and I'm a woman! Two things I love about the Palin photos...her shoes and the fact that I can't hear her voice.

"I read part of a review online and I am not a fan" of Sarah Palin. (sorry Family Guy reference just seemed to fit)

I love her shoes..I think the photography on some level has to do with the fact that she IS more feminien than Hilary...and there is a curiosity in what she wears and how she presents herself..I am not a fan of hers but I do love her clothes...loved he coat she wore to drop the puck in the Philly game last night..even though she got her arsed booed by the entire stadium!

I think there is just more variety and fun in women's fashion compared to mens. There is only so many ways to wear a suit...or clothes..

One could look at it as sexist however in my opinion it is more a recognition that femininity is not an obstruction to the administration of great power. An illustration that says hey look that's a women right there and she could be President.

All those shoes would be so hot with an inch or so more to the heel. I do like her shoe taste, now that I think about it.

You know what Jude, now that I think about it...me too.

Right? I would not mind rockin' those red croc ones to work. And the chunky-heeled ones--cute!

Girrrl don't get me started I've got to meet some friends for a cocktail, lol! But they are nice.

Enjoy your drinks!

Dreamsugar, do you not know any "joe six packs" yourself that you have to wonder what fetishes they like?

I don't think the media are being sexist; I think they're just magnifying and caricaturizing someone's subtle characteristics, as they always do. In Sarah Palin's case, sex-appeal is definitely part of her and makes her stand out from the other politicians. Like the comment on if Joe Biden had appeared in shorts (LOL btw ), I think they would've magnified anything they could get their hands on, because that's what the media do!