Andrew Sullivan/"Misreading American Women?" ..."Sarah Palin is a Bad Mother!"

[KoKo]

Misreading American Women?
Andrew Sullivan
29 Aug 2008 08:19 pm

I've had a few emails on these lines today:

No sooner did my best friend hear about the Sarah Palin pick than I received an e-mail from her. It said simply: "Sarah Palin is a Bad Mother!"

I was at work but could not resist giving her a call to follow up. She told me that she was watching CNN and heard that Ms. Palin had 5 children and that one was only 4 months old and born with Down Syndrome. "How in the name of GOD, can she even think about leaving her child or taking her child on the campaign trail for 70 days?" She was indignant.

Let me tell you why My best friend Liz matters. She is 37 years old and Catholic.

She has three children under the age of 9 years old. She lives in Reston, VA (the suburbs of D.C.). She is a registered Independent and has voted both Democratic and Republican. She is a stay at home mother and was a RABID Hillary Clinton supporter. She was considering staying home instead of voting this November. I had been trying to convince her of the FOLLY of this stance. Anyway...

I guess that McCain feels that Liz is just the demographic that he could poach with the selection of Palin. Instead, Liz tells me that there is "no way that those two people (McCain/Palin) should be in charge of her kids' future." Today she decided to vote for Barack.

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/08/misreading-amer.html

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

1. It is interesting...

To watch this awakening, this metamorphosis of Andrew Sullivan. You can watch the scales fall from his eyes every day. Fascinating.

[CTyankee]

20. I bet he's really pissed that Palin is so brazenly anti-gay.

Andrew Sullivan has had an awakening. It took long enough but I welcome him as a brother in the struggle...

[cally]

2. Yep. I think American women won't like this

It's insulting to all of us. She's just window dressing.

[lumberjack_jeff]

3. Whatever makes her unpalatable is fine with me.

It is certainly more fair than "Obama is a muslim".

[vanlassie]

4. Just to add my 2 cents- I agree that it is appalling

to think of trying to mother to a four month old newborn and also campaign for President of the United States of America. It would be laughable if it was not just.... shockingly, crassly selfish to the max. I can't even begin to express my disgust. (well, I'm trying...) A Down syndrome baby is at greater risk of infections, for one thing. Is she going to drag that poor little thing around the country? What in God's name is she thinking? Why would McCain endorse such an idiotic idea?

Humph.

vanlassie

[KoKo]

6. ...

[pampango]

8. Are we judging how she chooses to balance her family and professional life?

I know that we can always say "As a conservative she wants to judge and control how American women handle their private lives and the balance between work and family".

I suppose that makes it OK for us to do the same to her, but doesn't hypocrisy go both ways?

Oh, and what if it was the husband, whose wife just had a Down syndrome child, who was accepting the nomination for a national office. Same rules apply to the father as to the mother?

[tpsbmam]

9. Bingo.

I was thinking exactly the same things. I'm having a hard time believing this is even a discussion to which people on DU are agreeing! It's a very Republican, anti-feminist argument.

[arendt]

11. Are you kidding me? You don't "balance" a 4 month old DS kid with a Presidential race...

shall we expect photo ops of Palin nurturning her child?

This choice is cynical, manipulative, and a total mockery of "family values".

arendt

[Nikki Stone1]

26. How many male candidates run with young children?

It's sexist to assume the MOTHER should be home. How about Todd Palin? Where is that FATHER?

[arendt]

65. How many PRESIDENTIAL candidates run with infants? Zero in my lifetime. n/t

[AZ Criminal JD]

81. JFK in 1960

[arendt]

88. WRONG. Caroline was already 3 in 1960. Not an infant. John Jr born AFTER election...

so Kennedy did NOT run for office dragging an infant around.

arendt

[Raksha]

69. No matter how much of a feminist you are

a four-month-old baby is STILL a full-time job. And if you're employed at the same time, you are basically working a double shift. Just ask ANY mother who has been there!

And neither of mine had Down's syndrome or any other handicap, thank the Goddess.

[arendt]

12. Nobody wants to "control" Palin. Rather you seem to want to control voters minds...

how on earth can this nutcase claim to be for "family values" and put her newborn through this? Do you recognize blatant GOP hypocrisy when you see it? Or do you only recognize opportunites to make Jesuitical arguments against DUers?

Your equation of revulsion at the cynicism of McCain and the lunatic fundamentalist values of Palin with "controling" Palin's life is pretty disgusting.

arendt

[pampango]

13. My point is that, if we have the right to criticize her for hypocrisy (and rightly so),

the repubs have the right to criticize my wife for her decisions regarding the balance of work and family.

I do see the blatant GOP hypocrisy with regards to talking about "family values", but not living them, but I do not ignore hypocrisy from those who don't want "RWers to stay out of their bedroom and their personal lives" but find it acceptable to criticize others.

We have all we need to go after Palin for her policy views and inexperience. We don't need to go after her decisions on how to raise her children and balance work and family.

[arendt]

14. No. There is a line between "how to raise a family" and child abuse. Do you defend the...

Christian Scientists who let their children die for treatable diseases?

This is not some "lifestyle" choice. She CHOSE to keep this DS kid. Now she CHOOSES to enter a political campaign. I hold her responsible for her totally contradictory CHOICES.

That is my right; and it is no hypocrisy. I do not buy the "frame" you are setting up here.

arendt

[Nikki Stone1]

42. Do you know for a fact that this child is suffering from "child abuse"?

I don't know enough about Palin to know this. I DO know enough that I am worried about her being a heartbeat away from the Presidency, and THAT is a legitimate complaint.

[robinlynne]

62. From another thread it looks like she never even bore this child. She went back to work

on her third day after labor!!!!! flew on a plane after her water broke. looks like it is her teenage daughter's child. who was at home with "mono" during the pregnancy.

[Nikki Stone1]

70. You didn't answer my question about child abuse.

Instead you brought another illegitimate rumor up.

If you want to go after this woman, get your facts right:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x3882806

[robinlynne]

86. I am saying she was NOTY even pregnant on the plane! so yes I answered your question.

It is illegal to travel by plane so late in pregnancy anyway.

[pampango]

64. You have the right to critcize anyone you want. I simply do not want to send a message

that a mother of a young child with Down Syndrome is obligated to stay at home. Both parents are obligated to see that the child is taken care of but neither is obligated to do it themselves due to their gender.

[Mz Pip]

16. I suppose the big difference

is what would happen to the child. I suspect if a man had 5 kids and one of them had Downs Syndrome he wouldn't be taking the child on the campaign trail.

If Palin is going to be taking her child with her wherever she goes then she should be called on it. The baby is 4 months old. I left my son with grandparents when he was this age for a few hours at a time but never would have considered dragging him around the country on some whirlwind tour to be poked and hugged by strangers for a campaign photo-op.

[CTyankee]

23. Is she breast feeding the baby? If so, she has to take him with her.

Or stop breast feeding.

Oh dear god, I just did it! I opened yet another can of worms...the term "breast feeding" on DU is listed under the "fighting words" doctrine of exceptions to free speech...LOL!

[Nikki Stone1]

25. You just like saying "breast", like Beavis and Butthead. The DAD could be

feeding the baby with bottles of breast milk that the mom would pump out. Or maybe, they decided to bottle feed. That is an option.

[knitter4democracy]

29. That's the story.

I've nursed two kids (for a total of 4.5 years), and I can tell you it's darn difficult to keep your milk if you're not sleeping right, if you get an infection (I lost my milk finally due to a high fever), and if you're not eating right.

I honestly think she's made a hugely awful decision, and I would think that if it were her husband running instead, too. Families are always trotted around for TV interviews and photo-ops and more, and a baby shouldn't be anywhere near that. I also can't remember anyone running with a baby that young before, not even a guy.

[Mz Pip]

32. Heh, heh, heh.

You said 'breast'.

If she isn't then the baby should stay home with Dad. 4 months is just too young to be dragged around a campaign trail.

[Nikki Stone1]

41. Yep. That's about the level of discussion, Beavis.

Baby should stay home with Dad. Agreed.

[Quantess]

66. If the baby is being breast fed, he won't be on the campaign trail.

Baby will be at home with the real mom, Bristol.

[Nikki Stone1]

72. More unsubstantiated rumor. You lose all credibility that way.

Go to the factual info: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x3882806

[karynnj]

58. Gender equality is not the point. The point is whether some

people in what is assumed to be her base, which clearly does not consider the man to have the same role as the woman in raising the kids, will apply that value in her case. If they do, it will hurt her as they will react negatively. It may not happen because people's reactions are not always consistent or logical. She does express their values - even when she herself doesn't follow them.

To try to understand it, imagine a Democratic politicians - saying everything you want to hear, but who in his private life forces his wife to be a Stepford wife. (To my great happiness, thinking through every male Democratic leader, there is NONE who could be described that way.) Would it be a deal breaker? Would it make you not vote? especially if he were the VP? I suspect that this is an issue that will play only with the Independents, on the fence between Obama and McCain.

[Nikki Stone1]

71. I understand what you're trying to say but you will ALIENATE our own women

if you run with that crap. It takes too long in a sound bite world to explain where you're coming from. Stick to these stories:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x3882806

[karynnj]

78. I have said that they should say absolutely NOTHING about Palin's kids

The point was the situation itself could hurt her with her base. I personally think it is crazy to take on the rigors of a campaign when you have a 4 month old. Is it better to stay away from the baby for 4 months or bring him into that chaos? That's my opinion - and I know many here may disagree, but there are likely things that I disagree with they say.

[bigmonkey]

85. What about this?

"As a matter of policy she will insist that everyone follow "family values" that she apparently refuses to follow herself."

[faithfulcitizen]

31. YES, that's what we do. We judge politicians, and make a decision by voting.

Our judgment includes personal character & moral values. Doesn't Obama and Biden's character matter to you? I believe that is why we watch the personal video montages about politicians to give us an idea what kind of people they are. And then we each make a judgment for ourselves.

[Nikki Stone1]

43. If I judged politicians by moral values, I'd never fucking vote.

I judge them by their positions on the issues. If they will stand for the things I want passed in Congress, then they get my vote. If they stand against them, I don't.

[karynnj]

55. Even here, on a liberal Democratic board, there were a significant

number of people who expressed some qualms of John Edwards running because of the combination of his wife's cancer and the small kids - although their youngest is about 8 (judging by how old he looked in 2004).

I don't think the Democratic politicians should touch this issue. It will have the effect it will have just because it is true. I know, even here in very blue NJ, a non-political, female co-worker of my husband, reacted very negatively to the choice for that reason - and this was a working woman with kids! (My husband gave her the links to Obama's, Hillary's and Kerry's convention speeches to push her further to Obama. Obama's chosen for obvious reasons, Hillary's because she was open to a woman as VP, Kerry's because in 13 minutes, it clearly gave arguments why Obama was a great choice and McCain wasn't - the Hillary link was from the DU political videos.)

[Nikki Stone1]

57. In my opinion, Edwards shouldn't have run: his wife had cancer and he had a secret

He was highly irresponsible in running for office and I hope he slinks out of sight for a good long time.

But see, Edwards was given a pass on the cancer-ridden wife and the kids--because he was male. If it were Elizabeth running (and she was always far superior in my opinion) she would have been lambasted for leaving a cancer-ridden husband and small kids at home. We need to even this out. I know that people feel certain ways, but we have to lead by example.

Stick to Palin's RECORD--it's very vulnerable. And leave her kids--and her motherhood--alone.

[karynnj]

67. I realize that the "secret" made it irresponsible, but that wasn't known

when there were threads when she first spoke of it being stage 4. There were then people who questioned the decision here -though, just as with Palin, the consensus was that it was there decision. But there were people who made the same time of comments that the kids needed her time.

I also think that it is a bad idea for any Democrat to mention it. It is her choice. The information is out there and if it is going to have an impact it will.

[Nikki Stone1]

73. Which kids needed her time?

Edwards? How about needing their father's time since they had a very sick mother? Or was that not discussed?

[karynnj]

76. The kids needed both parents - and she likely needed him

The campaign also took EE away from the kids at times. Both were discussed - and I think the consensus was that it was there decision - but there was concern - even though it was the man running.

[northernlights]

68. the rethugs tried

to criticize Obama for campaigning with healthy young children. It didn't work, but that's because his kids aren't special needs infants and Obama had a reasonable response.

So let's hear Palin's reasonable response to a legitimate question.

[Psst_Im_Not_Here]

5. My sister is an independent, single, working mother of 3

She's insulted. She was for Brack before this, but, even more so now. She thinks the man has lost his mind.

[Raven]

7. But, but, but she can "multi-task" don't ya know???

She has also assured the people of Alaska that she will continue to govern while campaigning. So, she's going to be a governor, a new Mom and a VP candidate all at the same time and she's going to do a great job at all three.

Now, a little advice to Sarah from this old lady: a sign of maturity and good judgment is when you are able to know and acknowledge your limitations.

Another observation: I think she took this on knowing they will lose but that she will gain national visibility. It's only 2 months...in her mind, it will make her career.

[Sisaruus]

10. how many people said no?

The whole thing does make me wonder how many people turned down the offer to be on a losing ticket before they finally found someone who said yes.

But I do wish that Democrats would find legitimate reasons to attack her. We worked too hard over the past 40 years to fight sex discrimination; questioning a woman's capacity to balance work and family is wrong.

[Nikki Stone1]

21. What about the father? Shouldn't he be taking care of the child?

Why are we always blaming the mother?

[Nikki Stone1]

15. Isn't her husband a "stay-at-home" dad?

Not to defend this anti-choice candidate--clearly she's in the same league with the Dobson crowd--but it bothers me that the knee-jerk response is to assume the mother is going to stay at home. I remember reading that her husband was at home with the kids, in which case, Palin is just doing what many men (including Obama) have done: going on the campaign trail with their kids who are being cared for by the other parent.

Be careful about how you attack Palin. There are many of us on this board who have been feminists for years and years. I myself have defended abortion clinics and used to raise money for feminist groups as a volunteer. Palin stands for everything I ABHOR. Everything. But if you criticize her along gender lines, you are forcing those of us who are real feminists to come out and defend her life choices, even if we COMPLETELY disagree with everything she stands for.

If the dad is staying at home and her child is getting care, then she is NOT a bad mother. I'd much rather you go after her sketchy record in Alaska, the investigation which she is currently under, the fact that she is backed by Dobson and Limbaugh, and the fact that, according to her own words, she doesn't even know what the VIce President does. THOSE are the issues to slam her on. The professional ones. If you attack her motherhood credentials, there will be many women insulted in the process and this election is far too close to lose any women voters.

[seabeyond]

17. i htought he had three jobs. fisherman. something with big oil. and shadow decision making

in the gov position.

i guess that will have to be checked out.

[johnaries]

18. No, he works for BP. And the circumstances under which he got

the position are questionable.

[Nikki Stone1]

19. Then perhaps you should be arguing that Palin is a bad dad

Since his wife is busy being governor, he should be taking care of the child.

[seabeyond]

22. maybe gov doesnt pay enough to feed the family. maybe they need money to eat

now who do we argue about.....

[Nikki Stone1]

24. Nonsense. You're reaching for straws there.

I agree that there needs to be someone taking care of that Down Syndrome child, but assuming that this should be the mother, even when she is governor, is sexist.

Todd Palin: Palin's husband, Todd Palin,<89> works for the energy corporation BP in a non-managerial position and works as a fisherman in his hometown in the summers. Not sure what that BP position is about.

[seabeyond]

28. tell ya what. both parents are working and there is a four month old down syndrome child

who will be dragged across the nation

people are going to be bothered.

no argument, no excuses, no validation. these are the choices these adults made and people will see in their hearts if it is wise or selfish

[Nikki Stone1]

33. Have they hired someone to care for the child?

Just curious about that. If I were in Palin's place, I would hire a permanent aide (with some medical background) to help care for that child.

I don't disagree with your basic point that a Down Syndrome child needs intensive care. I had a cousin with Down Syndrome and her mother basically became a 24/7 mommy to that child. The father had to get a better paying job for all the special treatment. So I see your basic point. What I don't like is the assumption that the MOTHER is responsible for everything. That's right wing thinking.

[Tansy_Gold]

59. Todd Palin has a $120K "part-time" job with a foreign oil company

Sarah Palin described it that way. There's a link in another Palin thread. She also apparently said that is enough to keep him in doggies and toys.

He also has an interest in a commercial fishing operation, which IIRC is family-owned with some siblings. I'm not sure.

[Nikki Stone1]

61. Is he still on BP's payroll or is he now at home with the kid?

If he's at home with the kid, leave the mommygate stuff alone and start on the real meat. If you attack a working mother, you run the risk of insulting many working mothers, and they are 75% of the female electorate. The stay at homes are no longer the majority.

Stick to the real issues like her flimsy resume.

[vanlassie]

27. Mothers and Fathers are NOT interchangable in the lifes of newborn babies.

All babies deserve to be breastfed. Sorry it's so black and white, but until Dad can provide human milk for human babies....THIS baby is getting shortchanged by a mother who has other priorities.

A newborn with Down Syndrome is more than normally susceptible to infections and other health problems. I think it is SAD that a mother of such a young and needy baby would put her own ambitions first. This is not a family value I espouse and I am very, very liberated.

[LibDemAlways]

30. If the official story of the baby's birth is to be believed,

after Palin started leaking amniotic fluid a month before her due date she went ahead with a planned speech in Texas and then boarded a commercial aircraft for an 11 hour flight to Alaska that included at least one stopover, and she did not inform the crew of her condition.

How's that for shortchanging a baby?

[Nikki Stone1]

36. First, make sure it's the real story

Second, we have no idea how she was counseled by her doctor. And finally, Alaska seems to have a DIY attitude that may be different from how we feel here. Not saying it's right, just saying it's a cultural difference.

If indeed she deliberately put her child at risk, then I agree with you 100%. But as of yet, we don't have all the facts.

[LibDemAlways]

44. Here's an article from the Anchorage paper.

If it indeed happened as related here, then I seriously question the judgment of both the doctor and patient.

http://www.adn.com/626/story/382864.html

[Nikki Stone1]

50. Palin seems to have been in touch with the doctor the whole time, so I get your point about the doc

Early Thursday -- she thinks it was around 4 a.m. Texas time -- she consulted with her doctor, family physician Cathy Baldwin-Johnson, who is based in the Valley and has delivered lots of babies, including Piper, Palin's 7-year-old. Palin said she felt fine but had leaked amniotic fluid and also felt some contractions that seemed different from the false labor she had been having for months.

"I said I am going to stay for the day. I have a speech I was determined to give," Palin said. She gave the luncheon keynote address for the energy conference.

Palin kept in close contact with Baldwin-Johnson. The contractions slowed to one or two an hour, "which is not active labor," the doctor said.

"Things were already settling down when she talked to me," Baldwin-Johnson said. Palin did not ask for a medical OK to fly, the doctor said.

"I don't think it was unreasonable for her to continue to travel back," Baldwin-Johnson said.

So it seems that Palin was not irresponsible; she called the doctor right away and kept in touch. That's exactly what I would have done. I think the doctor should have advised her not to fly, but that is my judgement, not a medical one.

My guess, for what it's worth, is that Palin is a woman who had already given birth to 4 children and pretty much knew what she was doing. My mother had a lot of children and with the last child she went through early contractions. They eventually subsided and I think she may have called the doctor, but she wasn't really worried. She had been through this all before and wasn't reacting the same way a first time mother would. I think we have to allow for that in Palin's case as well. The baby is certainly healthy, though special needs.

[Nikki Stone1]

34. "All babies deserve to be breastfed." Really?

Bottle feeding, especially if the breast milk is pumped (or if there is a good formula) has worked for many women and children. I am shocked that you don't know this.

I know that organizations like La Leche want kids breastfed until 4 years old, and I know there is a strong feeling about breastfeeding, but bottle-fed kids do fine. There has not, as far as I know, been a long line of illnesses of bottle-fed kids.

If it makes you feel good, do it. But don't trash other women who don't, won't or can't. Seventy-five percent of women work outside the home out of need. You can't seriously be charging all of them with child neglect.

[vanlassie]

37. Yes. Just like you deserve clean air to breathe and water to drink.

[Nikki Stone1]

39. Clearly you didn't read the rest of the message. My answer would be NO

All children deserve proper nutrition. This does NOT have to be breast milk. That is where we differ. You sound like a bit of an extremist to me which is why I mentioned La Leche.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

52. But women who embrace reactionary policies should be called out

When they turn around and benefit from the advances of feminism in their own privileged lives.

[Nikki Stone1]

56. That's a difficult point to make in a sound bite world.

You just come off as attacking her for motherhood--that's all people will hear.

It's not that I don't agree with you, I do. If it weren't for the feminists that Palin doesn't agree with, she wouldn't be able to run for governor. But that's a really hard point to make with people, especially in a sound bite.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

83. A better point to make:

"Governor Palin, how do you expect women who don't have your resources to provide health care for severely disabled children under McCain's plan?"

[DCgirl]

35. What is Palin thinking?

This is my first post, although I come to DU all the time.

I'm a democrat and a mother. I believe that the father has as much responsibility to raise the child as the mother. When my son was born prematurely, I knew that his health could be fragile and that he would need more attention than if he had been born full term. I left my job to take care of him. Was it a struggle? YES! But my priority was to ensure the health and proper development of my child. My first thought was, "What is she thinking?" There are women across the country who long to stay home with their children, sick or well, but financially are unable to do so. While it may not be PC to SAY so, I guarantee there are Republican women who are thinking that Sarah Palin should be more concerned about her child than she is about running for VP. If the Republicans are the 'family values' party, Palin's decision may not sit well with a lot of their women. Then there is her recount of how she finished a speech AFTER her water broke, got on a plane and then went to the hospital. They may not say it, but they're thinking it. Just sayin'…

[Nikki Stone1]

38. But should Democrats react the same way as RW fundies?

I would like to know that she has full time care for that child, but she doesn't necessarily have to be the one doing it. Her husband or a hired nanny would suffice. That may sound heartless, but care of special needs child should NEVER be a one person job. I have watched two relatives of mine with special needs children and they would never have gotten through it without tremendous family support. I only wished that I had enough money to pay for full time care for those kids so that my relatives could have some kind of a life. I never had that kind of money.

[DCgirl]

45. I not saying we should think the same way RW fundies, but

it is something that she's going to be questioned about. My concern for the welfare of the child has nothing to do with political affiliation. I know what it is to have to take care of a sick child. But when a woman who is carrying a special needs child does not rush to the hospital when her water breaks causes me to have some concern.

[Nikki Stone1]

46. A lot of people use "concern for the child" as a cover for politics or woman bashing

They do this on BOTH sides of the aisle. If you are not one of those, then I am glad to hear it. I would MUCH prefer to see DU focus on Palin's sketchy record, extremist views, and ties to Big Oil. THOSE are legitimate issues on which she can be pounded and which are a matter of public record. But to start attacking the treatment of a special needs child is very tricky and, I believe, immoral if done just for politics or woman bashing.

[DCgirl]

48. Not Palin bashing…

I'm just telling you my heart's reaction. This is NOT bashing her because she's a woman. My point is that while McCain may have chosen her to try to appeal to Hillary supporters and other women, his decision may actually cause a backlash, spoken or unspoken. I don't know who's taking care of the child, I'm sure someone is. But the fact that this is even being discussed is not good for the McCain camp.

[Nikki Stone1]

51. You may be right about the backlash, but as far as Hillary supporters go

Most are supporting the Democratic ticket. Some, however, are alarmed at the intrusion of religion into women's reproductive choice issues on the part of some preachers from the left and in the Democratic Platform. Some also are dismayed that ERA was quietly removed from the platform in 2004. These voters may go Green Party this year, which is actually just as problematic as voting for McCain. The Green Party is the only one that has a strong stand for women's rights in its platform akin to ERA.

I doubt that many Hillary voters will be into the McCain/Palin ticket because of Palin's own views. I think the risk is the Green Party vote.

[DCgirl]

60. I can understand their concerns, but…

if the Repubs get another 4 to 8 years, women's rights will be non-existent. Protest is fine. Expressing discontent is fine. But the bottom line is they need to cast their votes where they'll have the most power, and then work on getting their concerns addressed from the inside. Women cant afford to give the RW even fighting chance. Repubs think women are interchangeable, Palin for Hillary. Before the dem primaries were over, McCain's camp talked up Bobby Jindal as a possible running mate, just in case Obama lost. So, in their minds, brown people are interchangeable. The door needs to be closed on the RW. We need do do everything we can to see that that happens.

[Nikki Stone1]

74. If you're on DU, you're preaching to the choir

My guess is that all the women who have left here (or been banned) are not going to see your posts here.

[LibDemAlways]

49. Thank you. Anyone who thinks there aren't many

women (and men) of all political persuasions wondering about Palin's priorities, they are naive. I spoke with two different women yesterday who both said the same thing. Palin should put her baby's needs first.

[Nikki Stone1]

53. Well that is a prejudice on their part. If Palin were male, would there be the same backlash?

I think it's shortsighted to play the "mommy" card. It will hurt all women in the end. Attack the woman on the issues: Big Oil, drilling in the Alaska wilderness, abortion rights, her RW Assembly of God background, etc.

[LibDemAlways]

75. Many people view the bond between mother and infant

as special and unique. Those people, shortsighted or not, may feel a little uncomfortable voting for a woman who has a 4-month old baby to care for. That's not passing judgment on anybody. It's just an observation that people have different opinions about what's right and/or appropriate.

I'm not voting for McCain anyway, and Palin is a political neanderthal, so it's not a question of my decision, but the family issue may well factor into the way some people decide - pro or con.

[UTUSN]

40. Even when Andy is correct, his past Shrub worship is too much

His banners are just too ironic:





How come Shrub-CHEENEE were SO in front of our noses here at DU and NOT in front of yours, Andy?!1 Was it il-Liberal for HITCHENS to say to him, "Quit being such a lesbian, Andrew"?

[csziggy]

47. Sheesh - this is what bothers me more than her motherhood decisions

In a letter she e-mailed to relatives and close friends Friday after giving birth, Palin wrote, "Many people will express sympathy, but you don't want or need that, because Trig will be a joy. You will have to trust me on this." She wrote it in the voice of and signed it as "Trig's Creator, Your Heavenly Father."
http://www.adn.com/626/story/382864.html

We do not need another "leader" who has a deity speak to or through them.

[Nikki Stone1]

54. LOL!!! (Great point!)

I could never write an email and sign it God. LOL!!

Hey, isn't that breaking the second commandment?

[GardeningGal]

63. I question the priorities of BOTH Palin parents. I'm sure this is a

decision Sarah Palin did not make without consulting her husband. I have two nieces with babies that are 4.5 and 5.5 months old. It takes coordination of their schedules to be able to anything without their new baby.

It would seem to me from where I sit that their priority is politics and the limelight, above the care of their new son.

[LibDemAlways]

77. I get the feeling some people think an infant takes care of

him or herself or that it's a responsibility that isn't any big deal.

An infant requires round the clock care, ideally from a loving parent. When my daughter was four months old, I barely slept. I had little time for anything besides tending to her needs. Running for a seat on the school board would have been out of the question, let alone running for the second highest office in the land. It is a question of priorities, and Palin has made her choice. I'm not intending to be critical of her decision, but it is what it is.

[Cleita]

79. Maybe Cindy McCain has offered her services or

at least to pay for nannies.

[KoKo]

80. It remains to be seen how the BP Part Time Oil Employee, Snowmobile Champ and Big Time Fisherman

will manage to deal with Sarah and his kids ensconced in the VEEP MANSION that "MAD" DICK CHENEY VACATES!

What the hell is this. This husband of Palin is maybe gonna roam around the canyons in the basement where Cheney has stashed his "James Bond Like Control?"

Maybe the Repugs really wanted the Hubby and not the WIFE! :eyes:

[KoKo]

82. Yes..."Both Parents" are responsible for this decision just as they were

when they decided to assume the full time care of a disabled baby they brought into this world...and it was their decision whether to "Have it All...Go to the TOP" or accept the care that many thousands of families do when they have to make "SACRIFICES" to care for a disabled child they knowingly decided to bring into this world...and were comfortable with their decision. They won't have access to Secret Service and Nanny's on Call...they have to juggle their lives and ability to earn living income and fight with agencies to provide the care these "special need's babies" require. Those babies may be a gift...but do they ever get a chance to have their own "choice" in the decision of how they will live their lives once they are born? It's a question we all grapple with in our consciences...if it ever would happen to us.

[NashVegas]

84. The Sarah Palin Pick Isn't About Hillary Clinton Supporters

It's about Republican women, fundies, and throwing a stink bomb at the Obama campaign and the netroots.

[mitchum]

87. But she's a FANTASTIC grandmother!