Sarah Palin

[libertango]

While there are lots of possible things to say, here's one I haven't seen covered, so might be a contribution.

Here in Washington state, we have a very strong candidate, Darcy Burner, running against a weak incumbent Congresscritter, Dave Reichert.

One of the consistent criticisms I've seen of Burner from conservative women is, "She has a five-year-old son. How could she possibly be effective in Congress and also be a good mother?"

You may or may not agree with the premise of that question. (I don't.) My point is, it comes up, and comes up consistently, when I see conservative women post about Burner.

Now we have Sarah Palin. Who, if little else is known about her, is already well known for having an infant son with Downs' Syndrome.

The way this has been spun so far by the McCain campaign is, "Hey, when it comes to being pro-life, Palin doesn't just talk the talk, she walks the walk. An attitude towards public service just like "Ace" McCain."

The thing is... I have a deep suspicion that many women, and particularly conservative women, are going to look at this situation and go, "She has an infant son? With Down's? How can she possibly be a good mother and...?"

Say what one will about Chelsea Clinton, at least she's grown up, has a job, and is not a responsibility for her mother.

I think Sarah Palin might not only be too conservative for most women who supported Senator Clinton to be at all attractive to them... I think she might turn conservative women voters off. Their husbands may go ga-ga, and they may be the ones filling up talk radio right now with what a brilliant conservative choice Palin is, but... {shrug}

Comments

[n6tqs.livejournal.com]

Err, there's no way McCain can be be held responsible for #4 and #5.
And I'd like to see the reports on the other three.

Flying Navy aircraft is just inherently dangerous.
I've been in one forced landing, should have been in another, and have witnessed a number of other aircraft destroyed during training.
I was in the west coast A4 RAG squadron at the time of the Forrestal fire, and knew a couple of the dead, so I was very familiar with the aircraft and flight deck ops, and paid a LOT of attention.

But I hope you're correct in the perception of Palin.

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

I will be deeply impressed with her if she manages to continue her breastfeeding relationship with her infant during the campaign. I know that she said she was breastfeeding after the baby was born; I don't know if she is nursing her four-month-old at this moment.

K.

[cluefairy-j.livejournal.com]

The bitter Hillary supporters seem to be interested in voting for McCain/Palin anyway, even though they admit that she's nothing like Hillary. Scary.
http://www.puma08.com/2008/08/29/the-puma-vote/

However, I agree, I've been waiting for this kind of backlash from the conservative women also. It's just a matter of time.....