Sarah Palin Has Some Surprising Advice For Kamala Harris
Sarah Palin knows a thing or two about making history. In 2008, she became only the second female running mate on a major ticket, after Geraldine Ferraro in 1984 (per USA Today). Now, she's passing on what she learned to Kamala Harris, the third woman to achieve this honor. Harris is also the first woman of color to become a vice presidential running mate and will be the first ever female vice president if Joe Biden wins the presidential election this fall (per The Guardian).
"Congrats to the democrat VP pick!" Palin wrote on her website. "Climb upon Geraldine Ferraro's and my shoulders, and from the most amazing view in your life consider lessons we learned."
Palin offered up some surprising words of wisdom, telling Harris to "trust no one new" and to "fight mightily to keep your own team with you" as "they know you, know your voice, and most importantly are trustworthy."
Sarah Palin urged Kamala Harris to remain true to herself
Palin also encouraged Harris not to "get muzzled," telling her to "connect with media and voters in your own unique way." Palin wrote, "Some yahoos running campaigns will suffocate you with their own self-centered agenda so remember YOU were chosen for who YOU are. So stay connected with America as you smile and ignore deceptive 'handlers' trying to change you."
Palin also filled Harris in on some political lingo, such as "OTR" which she defined as "an orchestrated campaign stop that's meant to look un-orchestrated where you 'normalize' in front of voters." Palin recalled her own experience with OTRs. "I'd remembered not packing my running shoes, they turned it into a whole campaign stop with media detailing my every move trying on shoes," she said." Palin warned that these media events can "get bizarre" but, with the right team, can be "fun."
Another term Palin defined for Harris is "ropeline," which she called the "MOST fun thing." Palin wrote, "Every single handshake and holler and hug and smile melted my heart, energized my soul, and gave me the utmost hope in the greatest country on earth! The ropeline is often the only way to literally touch those whom you wish to serve, so be sincere in looking in their eyes, understanding why they're there, never forgetting they represent the innumerable Americans putting their trust in you to serve for the right reasons. It's who and what they represent that is all that matters!"
Sarah Palin told Kamala Harris to 'have fun'
Making Palin's advice even more notable is that the former governor of Alaska is a Republican, while Harris is a Democrat. Palin seems to have set party lines aside for the sake of solidarity, though, which is something she emphasized in her advice to Harris. "Don't forget the women who came before you," she said.
While running for vice president is serious business and requires a lot of work, Palin told Harris that it's also important to "have fun." As she put it, "This IS the greatest country in the world and hopefully you'll be blessed beyond belief, like I was, with meeting new people from all walks of life and see just how great it is!"
Palin didn't offer up any advice to Harris on how to combat the sexism that she will certainly encounter, although she has publicly addressed the issue before. In a 2013 interview with CNN, Palin was asked what she would tell a woman running for president to expect. "She can expect sexism but you overcome it, you know? You ignore it. You thicken your skin, and you march forth with your message, your priorities, your agenda that you believe is right for America."