If Dolly Parton went into politics, it would set a new standard for the sexualization of women in public life. The jokes would be never-ending. Sorry to say, but that's just the way it would be.
It’s something to think about for sure. But she does frequently transcend such comments already. She leans in, steals the moral force behind an insult by embracing it as a badge of honor and leaves the fire no oxygen to survive, so to speak. She’s kind of a genius at that. But you’re right, we should give a thought to how it might affect other women entering politics.
Honestly I think they’ll be fine? There’s no one way to be in the public eye. Any man who thinks having Dolly in a profession gives them license to behave like a piece of trash is...well, who exactly is waiting for that justification? I don’t think anybody’s holding back, going, “Oh if ONLY there were more women who I considered loose in politics, then I’d REALLY start the harassment going around here!”
So that’s women policed. Proceed, ladies! \sarcasm
As for Dolly I think governor’s the place for her. She’s already as much as said she keeps several of her businesses going to support the local economy of her home town. Very executive mentality rather than legislative. (It’s interesting thinking of entertainers as executives or legislators. For some reason the first person to come to mind when I think “legislator mentality” is Nicki Minaj, and now I would like a Pardon/Minaj 2020 TL please and thank you.)
I think her policies would be pretty similar to other Southern populists, though with a bit more fiscal restraint and common sense than your Huey Long types. While I don’t think she’ll be throwing social liberal red meat to the press on purpose, I doubt she’ll back down from many issues, either. She’s got a strange and unexpected radar profile and lobbing fundamentalist missiles at her isn’t as easy as it normally is. But it’s Tennessee; the state is nearly one big fundamentalist missile field.
We know she’s big on the fundamentals: decent facilities for primary care and primary education. And she’s not afraid to change an area’s economic focus/culture if it means jobs for people. Lots of opportunities to revitalize towns and cities out there if you can get the locals to embrace change.