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}