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Sarah Palin: Ideal veep or unsuitable mother?
Sarah Steimer
Issue date: 9/3/08 Section: Opinion
As Alaskan fishermen await the perfect catch at their ice holes, Sarah Palin has awaited her chance at the perfect position. For many women, that position has come in the form of motherhood (with or without a career). For Sarah Palin, the perfect position has become John McCain's running mate.
The decision to name Palin as the hopeful vice president to McCain came as a shock to much of the nation. In a way, it's a near-expected move on the Republicans' part as they hope to lasso in the women still upset over losing Hillary Clinton (a poor assumption -- the only thing they have in common is their sex. No one would replace Bob Dylan with one of the Jonas Brothers just because they're both musicians). Also, as McCain struggles to capture the conservative vote, the Alaskan governor reaches out to those who've been finding justification for their votes in the Bible with her Juneau, Alaska, approach to abortion - Don't do it! They have fingernails!
But McCain's campaign is officially screaming "hypocrite" as he denounces Obama for having little experience and then choosing a first-term governor and former mayor in a town of 6,715. She's someone who could very well be forced to pick up where he leaves off when his shaky, old, former-POW body finally realizes it's just too much.
There's an even more obvious issue with Palin aside from inexperience, though. And as conservative values would predict, the problem begins at home.
Palin is a mother first, but her priority has become second-in-command. The veep-hopeful has chosen to use her children as mere tools to assist her in her quest for world co-domination rather than to help protect them in her push to make the mommies of the world appear even stronger.
To be clear, I will not hold my applause in her decision to have her most recent child, Trig, born in April with Down syndrome. Most can only imagine the strength of this woman to embrace such an obstacle when she already has four other children (one heading to Iraq on Sept.. 11). But I find it hard to stick up for a mother who believes she can properly care for such a child in need in the midst of this whirlwind election. The Straight Talk Express was not intended to help with the raising and overall development of children and teens.
The decision to name Palin as the hopeful vice president to McCain came as a shock to much of the nation. In a way, it's a near-expected move on the Republicans' part as they hope to lasso in the women still upset over losing Hillary Clinton (a poor assumption -- the only thing they have in common is their sex. No one would replace Bob Dylan with one of the Jonas Brothers just because they're both musicians). Also, as McCain struggles to capture the conservative vote, the Alaskan governor reaches out to those who've been finding justification for their votes in the Bible with her Juneau, Alaska, approach to abortion - Don't do it! They have fingernails!
But McCain's campaign is officially screaming "hypocrite" as he denounces Obama for having little experience and then choosing a first-term governor and former mayor in a town of 6,715. She's someone who could very well be forced to pick up where he leaves off when his shaky, old, former-POW body finally realizes it's just too much.
There's an even more obvious issue with Palin aside from inexperience, though. And as conservative values would predict, the problem begins at home.
Palin is a mother first, but her priority has become second-in-command. The veep-hopeful has chosen to use her children as mere tools to assist her in her quest for world co-domination rather than to help protect them in her push to make the mommies of the world appear even stronger.
To be clear, I will not hold my applause in her decision to have her most recent child, Trig, born in April with Down syndrome. Most can only imagine the strength of this woman to embrace such an obstacle when she already has four other children (one heading to Iraq on Sept.. 11). But I find it hard to stick up for a mother who believes she can properly care for such a child in need in the midst of this whirlwind election. The Straight Talk Express was not intended to help with the raising and overall development of children and teens.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 26
Michael
posted 9/03/08 @ 11:31 AM EST
Another horrible opinion article in the DKS. Something's never change.
Do read a different perspective from someone who actually did some research read this one from the NY post. (Continued…)
We HATE You, Sarah Palin
posted 9/03/08 @ 5:24 PM EST
Where does she get off thinking she can be vice president of the United States? Up against the one million years in the Senate her opponent, Joe Biden, has logged in between expensive rides at taxpayer expense on the Acela, what can she offer? Mayor of a town of six people and ten caribou [sneer]? Miss Congeniality [sneer, sneer]? Illegitimate-child baby-grandma [sneer, sneer, sneer]? Poster chick for "family values" [sneer, sneer, sneer, sneer]?
Sorry, I'm running out of sneers. (Continued…)
Andrew P
posted 9/03/08 @ 11:44 PM EST
How can Palin juggle being a mother, soon to be grandmother and VP all at the same time? Really, are you serious? If that's the case, Barack Obama should not be running for President. (Continued…)
FiftySomethingSister
posted 9/04/08 @ 2:14 PM EST
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrG8w4bb3kg
Listen to the enclosed audio & video of REPUBLICAN talking heads caught talking about the Palin pick as "political BS" and a "gimmick" when the didn't think the tape was running. (Continued…)
Mary Jo
posted 9/05/08 @ 8:58 AM EST
I applaud Sarah Palin and John McCain (that doesn't mean I will vote for them). The reason I say that, is because she does represent the American woman, like it or not. (Continued…)
Travis
posted 9/06/08 @ 4:21 PM EST
This is a horrible HORRIBLE article!
Would ANYONE ask Obama if he needs to spend more time with his two daughters? No, no one has yet to ask him that. (Continued…)
Michelle
posted 9/11/08 @ 4:08 PM EST
I think it is easy to say that you would question a male candidate in the same way, when you are not in the position to do so. Did you ever stop to think that the only reason these issues have come to light is because she is a woman? How many former male presidents had critical family issues that we don't know about?
Furthermore, I am sick of people assuming that John McCain is likely to die in office, discrediting him as a candidate. (Continued…)
Robin Anderson
posted 9/11/08 @ 7:34 PM EST
Huh? Wah??
Where, besides on any internet blog, have you ever heard Governor Palin asked such "sexist" questions as to whether or not she should be "barefoot and pregnant at home" instead of serving as Vice-president? If she had been asked such an assinine question by any legitimate reporter. (Continued…)
Michelle
posted 9/11/08 @ 8:22 PM EST
OH, I'm not talking about the media or politicians. I hear these things amongst my friends. I hear these things amongst co workers. My mother even! I read it in the Kent Stater and other newspapers. (Continued…)
Robin Anderson
posted 9/13/08 @ 2:15 PM EST
Well, all's I got to say is I'm glad I got friends in low places cause I ain't heard none of them denigrate Ms. Palin's chances at political office cause she's a Mom! I've only heard such reference made second and third hand by some news-media-policy-wonks looking to drum up some viewership!
Sorry, ma'am. (Continued…)
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