[Mindybeth6]

Originally Posted by Saya

Interesting SKL - I am pro-choice (and also a lawyer by training, though I haven't practiced for many years). While I disagree with some of what you're saying here, I agree with you that abortion, while an important issue, should NOT be the main issue on which votes for federal office are based. It's very strange how it has become the bellweather of appropriateness on both the left and the right, I guess because it's considered to be symbolic of a certain type of values on both sides. I don't think that's good for the state of the country.

All that said, I'm not planning on voting for Palin - as my avatar demonstrates.

I this you are right with this, I think it is about certain values for many. I know it is for me! However, I would vote democratic if I agreed with their stances on the issues, and this election I sure don't. The issue of abortion is not the "deal-breaker" for me. While I am very, VERY pro-life, I would not NOT vote for a candidate who is pro-choice IF that candidate had a plan that I agreed with. Now my hubby? No. He would never cross party lines. He is way too die hard conservative. But me, yes, I would cross party lines for a candidate I believe in. And while it would be VERY hard for me to vote for them because of my social issue stances, I would.

[ndv101]

I love Palin and I think her speech last night was great. What I do not love is Obama who thinks it is ok for a child under 12 to have an abortion without parents knowing about it!!!!!!!!

[ocracoke]

Not sure how you can separate this topic from politics. It is a topic because of politics. I don't know much about her personal life but I will say that I belive ANY woman can do ANY job. Being a woman or a mom does not limit your choices. That being said ... ain't no way I am voting for her.

Samantha

[Saya]

Originally Posted by Mindybeth6

I this you are right with this, I think it is about certain values for many. I know it is for me! However, I would vote democratic if I agreed with their stances on the issues, and this election I sure don't. The issue of abortion is not the "deal-breaker" for me. While I am very, VERY pro-life, I would not NOT vote for a candidate who is pro-choice IF that candidate had a plan that I agreed with. Now my hubby? No. He would never cross party lines. He is way too die hard conservative. But me, yes, I would cross party lines for a candidate I believe in. And while it would be VERY hard for me to vote for them because of my social issue stances, I would.

Mindy, you and your husband sound just like DH and me, except for the other party! I'm in NYC and when I crossed party lines to vote for Bloomberg for Mayor (he was a Republican at the time) I was afraid DH wasn't going to speak to me again!

[robandjulie]

Originally Posted by ocracoke

... I believe ANY woman can do ANY job.

Not trying to attack you or your general comment here, just had to laugh when I saw that line. I assume you meant that "any woman" as in "regardless of if she's a mom, not a mom, race, etc" but at first pass it sounded like super-ultra-female-empowerment. Like every and any woman is perfectly qualified for every and any job. DH and I were laughing last week b/c his mom was the head of a very large and very active state-wide PTA for nearly 20 years and so when we heard the argument that some of Palin's leadership experience was as head of the PTA we were both immediately like "oh my gosh, so does your mom but there's no way we'd ever ever ever ever want her running this country!" That experience most definitely does not qualify my MIL. I'm not saying that's the case with Palin and her ability to lead, just the fact that it really truly should boil down to qualifications and trust in their ability to do the job they would be elected to do (either party), not gender or even necessarily what specific roles they've done so far IF they can demonstrate a reasonable competency to DO THE JOB. All this bickering to establish a resume for both sides is not really answering my questions about what the next 4 years would bring with either party.

Also, I find it funny that even the fairly biased (either way) posts were still to the point of Palin and motherhood or at least parenthood and the thread's intent until Brandy posted her warning which was followed by several strictly political posts attacking either side.

[Mindybeth6]

Originally Posted by Saya

Mindy, you and your husband sound just like DH and me, except for the other party! I'm in NYC and when I crossed party lines to vote for Bloomberg for Mayor (he was a Republican at the time) I was afraid DH wasn't going to speak to me again!

It makes it tough sometimes!! My views have changed slightly as I have grown up. DH and I met when I was 20, he was 22. I held firm political beliefs at that time as well, but over the past few years they have changed a little. While Hillay was still running I would talk about it, look at some of her plans, and some I really liked....to the point that if it had been Hillary Vs McCain I would have had to think MUCH more about it and DH was SO MAD AT ME. It had nothing to do with her being a woman, he doesn't care about that, he just couldn't believe I could or would cross party lines!! Umm..yes, I will cross them when I see a need to. For sure. I think people really need to be open to both sides.

[guatparents2be]

I BEG you guys, please, no abortion discussions...

[shelbydog]

Originally Posted by SaraAvaandLileesMama

Well, I have to tell you this I was not interested at all with any political campaign until she came along. I feel that there is someone finally in office that knows what my life is like on a daily struggle with 5 kids. So she has my support. I think the good ol USA will do great with a mama in office!

And this is exactly why McCain picked her! So that women with no interest in politics will jump on the bandwagon just because she is a Mom. She does have some great experience in politics, but no way enough to run our country. It's scary!

If you take away the Mom factor, and the family issues with the pregnancy, would posters like the above that I quoted even know who she is?? NO! That's my problem with it. It was a strategic political move to get more votes, not to improve our country. The biggest thing she brings to the table IMHO is the attention she has brought to his campaign, and the "Mom voters" she will get who may not have even voted in the first place. I mean REALLY!

[ocracoke]

Originally Posted by robandjulie

Not trying to attack you or your general comment here, just had to laugh when I saw that line. I assume you meant that "any woman" as in "regardless of if she's a mom, not a mom, race, etc" but at first pass it sounded like super-ultra-female-empowerment.

Not feeling attacked at all. And I can see how my choice in words left a lot open to interpretation. Some may think of me as a "super-ultra-female-emplowerment" type of person. Basically what I was trying to say, unsuccessfully, was that gender is not, and should not be, the determining factor in what you want to do with your life. Her being a mom has nothing to do with her ability or inability to be VP. Just as being a dad has nothing to do with Biden's ability or inability to be VP. For me a person's qualification is all about their politics. What is their stance on the issues that are important to me? Can being a mom or a wife or a daughter influence their stance on issues? Yes. But I will vote for the person I feel can best lead this country into a direction I would like to see it move toward. Mom or not, woman or not, Palin obviously does not believe in the same things I do so it would not be the best thing for me to vote for her just because she is a mom and a woman.

Samantha

[maricela]

Would make for an interesting, "Career Day" at school if she gets elected! LOL!! Can u imagine!!

[Larue]

Originally Posted by stephjoel99

And Laura, you know I love you so I say this with great respect to you: candidates have been taking their families, yes even babies, to conventions since the beginning of conventions. The public wants to see the families - that's just the way it works. And I do not think there are homestudy providers who would find that objectionable.

No worries Steph. You know I love you too. I think it bothered me because during our first visit trip, Sabrina was 5 months old. Palin's son is 4 months old. Sabrina was such a little peanut then, and loud noises really frightened her. So I guess I was picturing Sabrina in that situation, knowing she would have been terrified. And that's why it made me feel so uneasy.

Also I don't think we've had a President or Vice President for quite some time with a child that young, so maybe I'm just not used to seeing it. Not sure, but maybe Kennedy was the last one. Should be interesting to see how it all plays out...

[monksmom]

Originally Posted by shelbydog

And this is exactly why McCain picked her! So that women with no interest in politics will jump on the bandwagon just because she is a Mom. She does have some great experience in politics, but no way enough to run our country. It's scary!

If you take away the Mom factor, and the family issues with the pregnancy, would posters like the above that I quoted even know who she is?? NO! That's my problem with it. It was a strategic political move to get more votes, not to improve our country. The biggest thing she brings to the table IMHO is the attention she has brought to his campaign, and the "Mom voters" she will get who may not have even voted in the first place. I mean REALLY!

Her experience is greater than that of Obama. Being a governor is quite different from being a senator. The recent battle with Gustav was a great example. Their responsibilities are huge. Their decision making is crucial. Obama has been in the senate for 3 years, but running for president for almost 2 of those. That is scary.

[TheFoxx]

I don't like her. There are way too many "anti"s associated with her. Anti choice, anti arts, anti literacy, anti gay marriage, anti sexual education.

All I can say is if McCain gets elected, I'll be praying hard for his health for the next four years.

[shelbydog]

Originally Posted by monksmom

Her experience is greater than that of Obama. Being a governor is quite different from being a senator. The recent battle with Gustav was a great example. Their responsibilities are huge. Their decision making is crucial. Obama has been in the senate for 3 years, but running for president for almost 2 of those. That is scary.

There are way too many issues besides hurricanes in our country and abroad for me to base my decision on! Bottom line - she is not President material, and if anything happens to McCain there is no way she can handle the presidency. Pray for health!

[wvamom]

As a mother of five children, one of whom has Down syndrome, I hope that Governor Palin's choice to have her baby, and her place in the public eye, will have a positive impact on perception of children with disabilities. I have read statistics that say between sixty and eighty percent of pregnant women who are informed their child has Down syndrome, will choose to abort. I hope that through her example, more people will come to see that these special children are of inestimable value, the same as any other child.

As for working, I have worked ever since I graduated from college (except during law school). My husband and I have, like the Palins, had to figure out how to balance career and mothering. Sometimes that works out differently than others. Todd Palin has taken several months off work to be with their family. I'm sure the balance will be different at other times.

It is ironic to me that women are still not being given the same opportunity as men, to choose to have a career and motherhood at the same time. I respect a woman's right to stay home with her children, as well as her right to work outside the home. Parenting is hard work, either way, and I think we parents need to stick together and support each other, whether or not we would make the same choice for work/sahm as someone else.

Carolyn