America’s Hottest New Couple - Hockey Mom and Joe Sixpack

Posted on | October 5, 2008 |

by Holly Buchanan

Move over Branjolina, there’s a new hot couple taking over America.    They may not be movie stars, but apparently they’re the hot voting demographic politicians want to woo.

Meet the new Barbie and Ken of Americana - Hockey Mom and Joe Sixpack.   Let’s see, we have Bennifer and Branjolina, how about we call them Joe-Mom-a.

I know, I know.   I shouldn’t be making fun.  But seriously - when Sarah Palin goes on national television in the Vice-Presidential debate and addresses her comments to Joe Sixpack and Hockey Moms - what else can I do?    Now, maybe Joe Sixpack is a cute guy with washboard abs, but I suspect that’s wishful thinking on my part.

It’s tough to be a politician.   You walk the fine line between wanting to be real and authentic, but still coming across as credible and competent.   I watched on CNN as the real time reactions of men and women (uncommitted voters) were recorded on the screen.  Palin seemed to genuinely connect with women when she talked about greed, reform, education, and had some very real moments talking about her special needs child.

But one area where she definitely lost women was when she talked about John McCain and herself as “mavericks.”  This is been their mantra throughout the campaign.  But how does the term “maverick” play with female voters?   According to the CNN graph, not very well.  Women especially were turned off when Palin started in on the maverick language.

Being the language geek I am, I am really curious about how the term “maverick” resonates with women.   Here’s the dictionary.com definition of “maverick”:

Hmmm.    Interesting.  I honestly didn’t make the unbranded, motherless calf association.    But how do women react to that vision of a “lone independent” figure?    I do believe women want to see a “reformer” in Washington.    But, traditionally, women respond to people coming together to work as a group.

So, if I had two suggestions for Sarah Palin moving forward, they would be:

One - lay off the stereotypes.    Check the Hockey Mom and Joe Sixpack references at the door.

Two- if you want to reach women, find a different word than “maverick” to describe yourself and your running-mate.

I must say, this election has been not only informative, but entertaining.   I can’t wait to see what happens next.

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