[susy...patience]

While I am not a Republican, I have to say that I admire her for being willing to run in a campaign with a 4 month old......

I also have great sympathy for her because she is facing 2 tough family issues right now with her child having Down's syndrome & her daughter's pregnancy. What heartaches each of those issues must bring I can only imagine. My brand new mother heart aches for her (as I would for any other woman facing such tough personal situations).

[Leebert2]

I have to be honest and say I am not even the slightest bit impressed with her - not as a mother, a woman, or a politician. I'll stop there because I know myself and will instantly break the rule of this post and I don't want to do that.

[amyfk]

I agree with the above poster. Im not impressed with Palin either. I was indecisive before, but now I know I am going Democratic in Nov.
Amy K, NJ

[gwenrenee007]

I don't have a problem with a woman even one with small children working, having a demanding career, or being VP. As long as she is happy and her children are happy it is their family. However what I do have a problem with is that she chose to be VP while her 17 yr old daughter is pregnant, knowing full well that the media would be all over her family and her daughter. Whether or not it is right she knew it would happen same as if McCains, Obama or Biden's 17 yr old daughter was pregnant. I also find it very interesting that the party she is part of (Republicans) are always stating family values, but her family is not modeling their party views so that is even more of a reason the media is all over her daughter. She should have declined the position and protected her daughter.

[stephjoel99]

I'm actually undecided as to who I'm going to vote for. But as far as Palin being a mom and running for VP? I would like to think as a country we have come a whole lot farther than pointing fingers at a woman's professional abilities because she has small children at home.

No one is questioning Barack Obama - or Michelle Obama for that matter, a working woman - about their parenting choices.

And no matter what your party affiliation, as women - realizing that we're not a monolith, but we all have different political views - the one thing we should agree on *by now* (not saying this group, just saying women in general) is that whether you are a working mom or a stay at home mom, there is not a "one size fits all" way to live your life.

And if working moms are to be given the respect they deserve for their personal choices on how to balance their lives and families, then that respect should extend all the way to the 2nd highest office in the land.

Stepping down off the soapbox now! LOL!

Edited to add about her daughter: I don't know if I would have made the same choice to run either with a daughter who was pregnant and would obviously be made front page news across the country, but clearly she didn't see that as an obstacle. (And for the poster who said getting pregnant goes against "party values" - that's kind of a cheap shot. We're all people - Democrats, Republicans, independents - and teenagers sometimes have sex before marriage - and get pregnant - despite their parents' party affiliations. "I'm sorry, John, I can't sleep with you after the prom because my dad is a Republican." LOL!)

[michelemk]

So, her family isn't modeling family values because her 17-year old daughter is pregnant? Standing behind your pregnant teenager and supporting her and not being embarrassed of her and loving her isn't family values? Hmmm...

I also think it is extremely hypocritical and sexist that there is so much attention on whether she can be a good vp simply because she has young children. Totally a double standard as this question isn't raised about men running for office with young children.

It seems like her husband is very involved, so I imagine that he will be the primary caregiver, should she be elected. Hooray for dads!

Michele

[Muchacho Hermoso]

Originally Posted by stephjoel99

I'm actually undecided as to who I'm going to vote for. But as far as Palin being a mom and running for VP? I would like to think as a country we have come a whole lot farther than pointing fingers at a woman's professional abilities because she has small children at home.

No one is questioning Barack Obama - or Michelle Obama for that matter, a working woman - about their parenting choices.

And no matter what your party affiliation, as women - realizing that we're not a monolith, but we all have different political views - the one thing we should agree on *by now* (not saying this group, just saying women in general) is that whether you are a working mom or a stay at home mom, there is not a "one size fits all" way to live your life.

And if working moms are to be given the respect they deserve for their personal choices on how to balance their lives and families, then that respect should extend all the way to the 2nd highest office in the land.

Stepping down off the soapbox now! LOL!

Edited to add about her daughter: I don't know if I would have made the same choice to run either with a daughter who was pregnant and would obviously be made front page news across the country, but clearly she didn't see that as an obstacle. (And for the poster who said getting pregnant goes against "party values" - that's kind of a cheap shot. We're all people - Democrats, Republicans, independents - and teenagers sometimes have sex before marriage - and get pregnant - despite their parents' party affiliations. "I'm sorry, John, I can't sleep with you after the prom because my dad is a Republican." LOL!)

Amen sister! I couldn't have said it better.

[angelkisses0102]

I like her...I will vote for her.

I am the mom of a special needs child...I am the primary wage earner...I am her age. So...while my job is nowhere near as stressful as hers...I do know it can be done. My DH is (now) a huge asset...he stayed home with the kids all summer while I worked 50 hours a week. We all came through.

And I totally agree with stephjoel's post...this should not even be questioned.

Originally Posted by michelemk

So, her family isn't modeling family values because her 17-year old daughter is pregnant? Standing behind your pregnant teenager and supporting her and not being embarrassed of her and loving her isn't family values? Hmmm...

This is what I don't get...especially on the adoption boards...the child ended up pregnant...it happens...every single day. The best place for that baby is with her family...knowing that she is wanted and loved...even if her timing wasn't perfect...that she was not an embarassment to the family. I so don't get this aspect...

And the daughter was already in the public eye...the family probably had already came to terms with the entire situation. I know I don't want DD to be a mom at 17...but if it happens...I will not hide her in a closet nor reject my grandchild...we will make the best of the situation and the new gift of life we will be blessed with.

[JustBarbara]

Originally Posted by Leebert2

I have to be honest and say I am not even the slightest bit impressed with her - not as a mother, a woman, or a politician. I'll stop there because I know myself and will instantly break the rule of this post and I don't want to do that.

Ditto here ... her daughter's pregnancy - that is really not relevant IMO but I'm more concerned that she will not be taking care of her four-month-old. My parents raised five children - one with special needs and I know, know how important it was to have one parent always there. My dad was the primary breadwinner so it was basically my mother who made the calls for drs, dentists, new schools etc. as we moved a lot. I know nothing about how she and her husband parent now - going from mayor of a 6,000+ city and then governor to possible VP is a huge leap. I think we will learn a lot more in the next few weeks. While the VP traditionally has not been at the forefront - she will have to travel (and get / use a passport) and she won't be able to bring her family in tow.

[gwenrenee007]

Originally Posted by stephjoel99

Edited to add about her daughter: I don't know if I would have made the same choice to run either with a daughter who was pregnant and would obviously be made front page news across the country, but clearly she didn't see that as an obstacle. (And for the poster who said getting pregnant goes against "party values" - that's kind of a cheap shot. We're all people - Democrats, Republicans, independents - and teenagers sometimes have sex before marriage - and get pregnant - despite their parents' party affiliations. "I'm sorry, John, I can't sleep with you after the prom because my dad is a Republican." LOL!)

I totally agree that teenagers aren't going to say no we can't have sex because my mom is a Republican. When she preaches abstinence for teenagers as a viable birth control method then the media is going to scrutinize her daughter for being pregnant even more. In my last post I got a little "political" so sorry but her party does preach family values and one of those is abstinence so she is not modeling their "values" in my opinion. In case you read this before, I edited it so I am less political. I am trying really hard don't know if it worked or not.

Edited: I don't think she should hide her daughter or not stand behind her and I understand her daughter would have been the talk of Alaska but now she is the talk of the entire Untied States and will likely continue to be until November and probably after. I don't think it is right that the press is making this out to be a big deal, all I am saying is that she had to of known that it would have been a big deal and her daughters face and story would be plastered across every newspaper and tv. I would have chose differently for my daughter and protected her from that. I also don't think it is "wrong" that her daughter is pregnant, it happens.

[stacytoadopt]

Originally Posted by JustBarbara

Ditto here ... her daughter's pregnancy - that is really not relevant IMO but I'm more concerned that she will not be taking care of her four-month-old. My parents raised five children - one with special needs and I know, know how important it was to have one parent always there. My dad was the primary breadwinner so it was basically my mother who made the calls for drs, dentists, new schools etc. as we moved a lot. I know nothing about how she and her husband parent now - going from mayor of a 6,000+ city and then governor to possible VP is a huge leap. I think we will learn a lot more in the next few weeks. While the VP traditionally has not been at the forefront - she will have to travel (and get / use a passport) and she won't be able to bring her family in tow.

I tend to agree with this post. The daughters preg isn't a concern. I feel for her, and hope she is tough enough to not be too affected by all the press. Teen preg is hard enough without being in the spot light. My surprise was having a 4mth old child and others at home and accepting the nomination. If her husband is the primary caretaker, than that is fine, but I haven't heard that. So far, that has been quiet and the press is all over the 17 year old.

[stephjoel99]

Originally Posted by stacytoadopt

My surprise was having a 4mth old child and others at home and accepting the nomination. If her husband is the primary caretaker, than that is fine, but I haven't heard that. So far, that has been quiet and the press is all over the 17 year old.

But how they choose to raise their baby - is that any of our business? If we are deserving then of an explanation of how they plan to handle their family, why then do we not deserve that same explanation from Barack Obama (who is presumably separated frequently from his children) and his wife, a working woman. Should we not be getting an explanation of how they are picking up the slack?

We dont' have to agree with candidate's choices on how to raise their family - but I was just trying to point out that men do not get the same scrutiny as fathers as working women do as mothers.

If you don't like Palin's politics, I think that is a perfectly legitimate reason not to vote for her. But to not like her because you haven't been briefed on her family's child care arrangements, that is, I think, unfair.

[2xaround]

I have to say that so far I'm not that impressed with Palin, but it has absolutely nothing to do with her being a working mother. There are millions and millions of working mothers in the U.S. and I know many that work as hard if not harder than Palin and do it quite successfully. I'm much more concerned with her credentials. As vice president, she will have the responsibility of taking over as president if McCain is elected and not able to complete his term in office. That is a concern based on his age and medical history.

[KKR213]

I agree that any candidate - male or female should not have their competency judged just because they are also a parent. There have been many successful elected officials that have young children. But I do wonder why any parent would want to put their 17 year old child (and the child's boyfriend) through world wide scrutiny. Even if the families are happy about the pregnancy and upcoming birth, it must be a hard and personal situation for a 17 year old.

[melissa41]

Women (and men) can do it all...but of course it is not easy. I am a SAHM and I hopefully get to be at home with my baby until he goes off to school. Then I hope to resume my career as a teacher. I am truly blessed to have this opportunity and am sad that all parents can't do this if they wish. My husband misses a lot of the day to day activity but someone has to make a paycheck. He would love to stay at home but he makes way more that a teachers salary. If I went back to work now, I could totally be a great parent, do a great job at teaching, etc but it would not be the same. Not better or worse...just not the same. The price I would pay would not being with my son all the time every day. I know many moms who could never stay at home and vice versa. Each parent needs to make the decision on what is best for them and their familes. I don't think I would want to run for VP with her situation. She has a lot on her plate and I just imagine the VP job taking her away from her family alot but she may live for this stuff. Her husband may stay at home with the kids. I don't know her particular situation.

If I was undecided, I do not think that stuff would really play into my decision about her as a politican. Her views on guns, right to choose, equal pay for women, healthcare , etc are the things that affect me in my everyday life. Those would be the things that should be the focus...not her family life.

I can't wait to see her speech and interviews in the weeks to come. I have some idea of who she is based on all the clips and news that have been on 24/7 the last few days but I am interested to see her in front of the press. She is definitely way opposite politically from me but I am still interested (plus I love all this political stuff)

I think this question about raising children isn't brought up about men because traditionally they have been the breadwinner and the first lady, etc have been the stay at home parent. Is that fair??? NO!!!!!!!! but we as women don't get fair wages either....