Mama grizzly

Mama grizzly is a term that former U.S. vice presidential candidate and Alaska governor Sarah Palin coined to refer to herself, then later applied to female candidates she supported or endorsed in the 2010 U.S. midterm elections. Palin first used the term in a May 2010 speech at a fundraiser for the Susan B. Anthony List, a pro-life women's group, and used it in a July 2010 YouTube video produced by SarahPAC, Palin's political action committee, for the 2010 elections. By September 2010, "mama grizzly" was deemed to be "part of the lexicon" of the election by Newsweek magazine. It has never been made clear if the term is meant to refer to all women candidates supported by the former governor, or if it is just a general concept about real-life moms entering politics because they fear for their children's future.^[1]

Background

Alaska's contribution to the 50 State Quarters designs
Elements: Grizzly bear with salmon (state fish) and North Star
Caption: "The Great Land"

The grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis), a subspecies of the brown bear (Ursus arctos), is known for its aggressiveness; females are especially protective of their young.^[2] The state of Alaska is home to more than 70 percent of the grizzly population in the world.^[3]

During her tenure as Governor, Palin chose a design showing a grizzly bear grasping a salmon in its mouth as Alaska's contribution to the 50 State Quarters series of commemorative coins.^[3] At the April 2007 unveiling of the design, Palin said, "I like to think this is a mama grizzly doing what she does best: taking care of her young."^[3]

Usage

Palin as a mama grizzly

Nearly one year later, while promoting the Alaska natural gas pipeline project to federal officials in Washington D.C., Palin said, "Don't tell me that we should ever be on our knees to any dictator because of our desperation for energy, not when we have supplies here at home." Referring to her son's imminent deployment to the Iraq War zone, she added, "This mama grizzly ... has more reason than ever to protect our young."^[4]

By October 2008, Palin's usage of the bear metaphor to describe herself was reported in a New York Times article, "Provoking Palin's Inner Bear," which quotes her as saying that negative media coverage about her children makes, "the mama grizzly bear in me [come] out, makes me want to rear up on my hind legs and say, ‘Wait a minute.’"^[5] Soon, other media outlets began picking up on Palin's self-description. In January 2009, Margery Eagan of the Boston Herald penned a column, "Unbearable Mama Grizzly clawing way to Oval Office" in which she noted that a YouTube interview of Palin had nearly three quarters of a million views, proving "that mama 'grizzly,' as she called herself, remains irresistible."^[6] The Vancouver, Washington newspaper, The Columbian, commented in January 2009 that, "Sarah Palin is on the prowl, snorting that when the media poke fun at her family, it brings out the mama grizzly in her."^[7] The connection between Palin and "mamma grizzly" was made internationally in July 2009 when the New Delhi, India-based Hindustan Times reported on a Palin tweet describing mama grizzly bears in Alaska.^[8] In August 2009, an opinion piece in The Columbian suggested that Sarah Palin could serve as a Mama Grizzly head of a third or a fourth U.S. political party.^[9]

Palin endorsed candidates as mama grizzlies

Palin addressing the 2008 Republican National Convention. During her speech, she called herself a "pit bull"^[10]

Speaking before the pro-life Susan B. Anthony List organization in May 2010, Palin called certain novice female political candidates running in the 2010 election "momma grizzlies". Referring to her earlier self-description as a "pit-bull" in the 2008 U.S. Presidential election,^[11] she said,^[10][12]

“

If you thought pit bulls were tough, you don't want to mess with mama grizzlies.

”

Later that day, Shannon Bream of the Fox News Channel reported that, "Palin says, women who she calls Mama Grizzlies will lead a national Republican wave in November."^[13] In July 2010, Palin's political action committee, SarahPAC, released a video pushing the mama grizzly meme as representing herself and "her fiercely independent, common sense conservative" candidates.^[14]

The day after the 2010 midterm elections, Palin released a video showing a montage of her winning grizzly candidates, a roaring grizzly bear, and narration in which she says "this is our morning in America".^[15]

Reaction

Emily's List, a political action committee that supports pro-choice female candidates, launched a website and a video ad called "Sarah Doesn't Speak for Me," to oppose Palin, her "radical agenda," and the candidates she had endorsed.^[16] In the video, women dressed as bears say they are "mama grizzlies" who fight for their cubs' right to choose, and that is why they oppose Palin and her candidates. Politico reporter Andy Barr described the ad as an attempt "to raise money off of Sarah Palin and the vitriol that she inspires".^[17]

New York Times columnist Gail Collins said the use of the term made it seem as if there were more female Republican candidates running for high office than there actually were, and remarked that their Democratic counterparts "suffer from the lack of a cool name".^[18]

In September 2010, Newsweek reported that the mama grizzly term was now "a familiar part of the lexicon" but questioned whether the grizzly candidates stood for policies that were good for women and children.^[19]

List of Palin-backed female candidates in 2010

Challengers

Photo	Candidate	Office	State	Date	Endorsed via	Result
	Sharron Angle	U.S. Senate	Nevada	08-18-2010[n 1]	Facebook[20]	Lost general election (Palin's endorsement came after Republican primary)
	Kelly Ayotte	U.S. Senate	New Hampshire	07-19-2010	Facebook[21]	Won
	Cecile Bledsoe	U.S. House of Representatives	Arkansas	06-03-2010	Facebook[22]	Lost Republican runoff (Palin's endorsement came between the Republican primary and the runoff)
	Pam Bondi	State Attorney General	Florida	08-18-2010[n 1]	Facebook[20]	Won
	Ann Marie Buerkle	U.S. House of Representatives	New York	07-12-2010	Facebook[23]	Won general election (did not face a Republican primary)
	Renee Ellmers	U.S. House of Representatives	North Carolina	08-18-2010[n 1]	Facebook[20]	Won general election (Palin's endorsement came after Republican primary)
	Mary Fallin	Governor	Oklahoma	06-17-2010	Facebook[24]	Won
	Brenna Findley	State Attorney General	Iowa	08-18-2010[n 1]	Facebook[20]	Lost general election (did not face a Republican primary)
	Carly Fiorina	U.S. Senate	California	05-06-2010[n 2]	Press Release[25]	Lost general election
	Nikki Haley	Governor	South Carolina	05-14-2010	Appearance with candidate[26]	Won
	Karen Handel	Governor	Georgia	07-12-2010	Facebook[23]	Lost Republican primary
	Vicky Hartzler	U.S. House of Representatives	Missouri	08-18-2010[n 1]	Facebook[20]	Won general election (Palin's endorsement came after the Republican primary)
	Cecilia Heil	U.S. House of Representatives	Tennessee	07-08-2010		Lost Republican primary
	Susana Martinez	Governor	New Mexico	05-14-2010		Won
	Rita Meyer	Governor	Wyoming	07-30-2010		Lost Republican primary
	Angela McGlowan	U.S. House of Representatives	Mississippi	06-01-2010 (election day)		Lost Republican primary
	Linda McMahon	U.S. Senate	Connecticut	Not endorsed by Palin		Lost general election, won primary
	Kristi Noem	U.S. House of Representatives	South Dakota	No specific endorsement date	Mention in Palin's book, America by Heart	Won General Election
	Christine O'Donnell	U.S. Senate	Delaware	09-09-2010	Call into Sean Hannity radio show[27]	Lost general election
	Star Parker	U.S. House of Representatives	California	06-17-2010	Facebook[24]	Lost general election (did not face a Republican primary)
	Martha Roby	U.S. House of Representatives	Alabama	08-18-2010[n 1]	Facebook[20]	Won (Palin's endorsement came after the Republican primary)
	Jackie Walorski	U.S. House of Representatives	Indiana	08-18-2010[n 1]	Facebook[20]	Lost general election (Palin's endorsement came after the Republican primary)
	Meg Whitman	Governor	California	Not endorsed by Palin		Lost general election, won primary

Incumbents

Photo	Candidate	Office	State	Date	Endorsed via	Result
	Beth Chapman	Alabama Secretary of State	Alabama	08-18-2010[n 1]	Facebook[20]	Re-elected; did not face a Republican primary
	Michele Bachmann	U.S. House of Representatives	Minnesota	01-20-2010[n 2]		Re-elected; did not face a Republican primary
	Cathy McMorris Rodgers	U.S. House of Representatives	Washington			Re-elected; won blanket primary
	Jan Brewer	Arizona Governor	Arizona			Re-elected; won primary

Other uses

On August 23, 2010, The Washington Post published an article titled "In South Dakota, Democrats' own 'mama grizzly' vs. 'the next Sarah Palin' " which uses the term to refer to South Dakota's Democratic party nominee for U.S. Representative, Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, as well as its Republican nominee, Kristi Noem, though at the time the article was written, neither candidate had been endorsed by Palin.^[28]

In Slate, Noreen Malone used the term to describe conservative women at the Smart Girl Summit, and their effective use of social networking in 2010 political campaigns.^[29]

Notes

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h} Date chosen to coincide with the 90th anniversary of the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution giving women the right to vote^[20]
2. ^ ^{a b} Endorsement made prior to the public unveiling of the term "mama grizzly"

Reference

1. ^ Atal, Maha. Who Are The 'Mama Grizzlies'? Forbes. 2010-10-27.
2. ^ "How Dangerous are Black Bears". Bear.org. http://www.bear.org/website/bear-pages/black-bear/bears-a-humans/119-how-dangerous-are-black-bears.html. Retrieved December 2, 2010. 
3. ^ ^{a b c} Lee, Jeannette J. (April 24, 2007). "Alaska chooses grizzly for state quarter: The mighty grizzly, clutching a salmon in its jaws, beat out a sled-dog team, a polar bear and a gold panner as the governor's design of choice". The Seattle Times. Associated Press. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003678461_alaskaquarter.html. Retrieved December 2, 2010. 
4. ^ Dillon, Robert (March 3, 2008). "Alaska governor talks gas line, polar bear woes on capitol hill". Natural Gas Week 24 (9): 4. 
5. ^ Bosman, Julie J. (October 20, 2008). "Provoking Palin's Inner Bear". New York Times: p. A1. http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/19/provoking-palins-inner-bear/. Retrieved November 20, 2010. 
6. ^ Eagan, Margery (January 11, 2009). "Unbearable Mama Grizzly clawing way to Oval Office". Boston Herald: p. 10. http://www.bostonherald.com/news/columnists/view.bg?articleid=1144506. Retrieved November 20, 2010. 
7. ^ Laird, John (January 11, 2009). "Legislators, grizzlies and Bible verses". The Columbian (Vancouver, WA): p. C. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-21739698.html. Retrieved November 20, 2010. 
8. ^ "Sarah Palin tweets quick tribute to mama grizzly bears". Hindustan Times. July 17, 2009. 
9. ^ Laird, John (August 23, 2009). "If a third political party won't work...". The Columbian (Vancouver, WA): p. C. 
10. ^ ^{a b} "Sarah Palin: 'Mama Grizzlies' Will 'Take This Country Back' In November". Associated Press. Huffington Post. May 14, 2010. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/14/sarah-palin-mama-grizzlie_n_576431.html. Retrieved December 2, 2010. 
11. ^ Scott, Brendan (September 4, 2008). "She's a 'Pit Bull with Lipstick" - Palin Wows 'Em by Pounding DC Snobs". New York Post: p. 5. 
12. ^ "Sarah Palin calls on 'mama grizzlies' to help Republicans win election". Daily Telegraph. May 14, 2010. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/sarah-palin/7725912/Sarah-Palin-calls-on-mama-grizzlies-to-help-Republicans-win-election.html. 
13. ^ "Political Headlines Fox News Network May 14, 2010 Friday". Fox: Special Report. Fox News Channel. May 14, 2010. Transcript.
14. ^ Ambinder, Marc (July 8, 2010). "Palin Pushes Mama Grizzly Meme". The Atlantic. http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/07/palin-pushes-mama-grizzly-meme/59349/. 
15. ^ Wing, Nick (November 4, 2010). "Sarah Palin's SarahPAC Drops Video Boasting About Endorsement Success (VIDEO)". Huffington Post. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/04/sarah-palin-sarahpac-video_n_778782.html. 
16. ^ Siegel, Elyse (August 17, 2010). "Sarah Palin-Endorsed Candidates Targeted By Pro-Choice Progressive Group EMILY's List (PHOTOS)". Huffington Post. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/17/sarah-palinendorsed-candi_n_684006.html#s127372. 
17. ^ "The Conversation: 'Sarah Palin Doesn't Speak for Me'". ABC News. August 18, 2010. http://abcnews.go.com/WN/sarah-palin-emilys-list-launches-sarah-speak-ad/story?id=11429137. 
18. ^ Collins, Gail (August 18, 2010). "Of Mama Grizzly Born?". New York Times. http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/08/18/of-mama-grizzly-born/. Retrieved October 8, 2010. 
19. ^ Miller, Lisa (September 30, 2010). "Hear Them Growl: Sarah Palin says a new crop of conservative women will ‘rise up’ to protect their cubs. But will they?". Newsweek. http://www.newsweek.com/2010/09/27/what-does-mama-grizzly-really-mean.html. Retrieved October 8, 2010. 
20. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i} Isenstadt, Alex (August 18, 2010). "Palin adds to 'mama grizzly' pack". Politico. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0810/41233.html#ixzz0x3zFDxQm. 
21. ^ Collins, Lauren (July 20, 2010). "Sarah Palin endorses Kelly Ayotte's Senate campaign via Facebook". NECN. http://www.necn.com/07/20/10/Sarah-Palin-endorses-Kelly-Ayottes-Senat/landing_politics.html?blockID=274604&feedID=4212. 
22. ^ "Sarah Palin endorses Bledsoe in 3rd District runoff". The City Wire. June 3, 2010. http://www.thecitywire.com/?q=node/10234. 
23. ^ ^{a b} Shira (July 12, 2010). "Toeplitz". http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0710/39605.html. Retrieved August 25, 2010. 
24. ^ ^{a b} Montopoli, Brian (June 18, 2010). "Sarah Palin Endorses Three New "Mama Grizzlies"". CBS News. http://www.cbsnews.com/8300-503544_162-503544.html?keyword=Star+Parker. Retrieved August 26, 2010. 
25. ^ Montopoli, Brian (May 6, 2010). "Sarah Palin Endorses Carly Fiorina". CBS News. http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20004380-503544.html. Retrieved August 25, 2010. 
26. ^ "Nikki Haley lines up Sarah Palin endorsement for S.C. governor". Bluffton Today. May 13, 2010. http://www.blufftontoday.com/blog-post/frankmorris/2010-05-13/nikki-haley-lines-sarah-palin-endorsement-sc-governor. Retrieved August 25, 2010. 
27. ^ Wing, Nick (September 9, 2010). "Sarah Palin Endorses Christine O'Donnell For Delaware Senate". http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/09/palin-endorses-christine-odonnell_n_711092.html. 
28. ^ Rucker, Philip (August 24, 2010). "In South Dakota, Democrats' own 'mama grizzly' vs. 'the next Sarah Palin'". The Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/22/AR2010082203217.html. Retrieved August 23, 2010. 
29. ^ Malone, Noreen (October 14, 2010). "Can the Mama Grizzlies Pull Off a Twitter Revolution?". Slate. http://www.slate.com/id/2270483/pagenum/all/#p2. 

External links

• The Washington Post's Palin Endorsements Tracker (includes both male and female candidates)
• Sarah Doesn't Speak for Me - Emily's List response to Sarah Palin and her Mama grizzlies
• Sarah Palin tweets ode to mama grizzlies