Sarah Palin for vice president? A mother of five with a 5-month-old with Down syndrome and — this just in — a pregnant 17-year-old daughter. Now that seems to be the ultimate can-she-do-it-all test. What’s interesting is people from both sides of the political spectrum don’t seem to be falling in line with what’s expected regarding this issue.
Putting aside that as a liberal I don’t agree with most of Palin’s politics and think she doesn’t have the experience for the job, I regret that her ability to become vice president — and possibly president — is being questioned because she is a mom with many kids and seems to lead a hectic enough life. (What with the hunting and the ice-fishing and all.) I mean, she does have a husband. Three of her kids look to be grown, or at least mostly self-sufficient.
I’m not sure I’ve heard or seen anyone question whether Obama can devote enough time to the presidency because he has a couple of kids. Personally I think it’s because most people assume Michelle will take care of the home front like any good, patriotic woman should. According to this Wall Street Journal article, many liberals are wondering how Palin will make time for her kids while auditioning for the veep job, and conservatives are saying of course women can do it all, c’mon!
Funny how roles can become reversed just like that, especially when there’s a working woman issue involved. Add that to the mix that is the most important U.S. presidential race of the modern era, and there’s bound to be plenty of heated discussion.
2 Comments
September 2, 2008 at 1:13 am
As a mother of a 5-month-old without the challenges of Downs syndrome, it takes me 2 hours to get out the door just to drop him off at daycare and to make it to work. Holding on to my full-time job and juggling the demands of my family is all I can manage. I really can’t imagine adding the grueling schedule of a veep run, but I assume they have a nanny or two. It would be funny if she were still breastfeeding and needing to pump on the campaign trail.
September 3, 2008 at 3:47 pm
I agree, I couldn’t imagine doing what she’s doing either. But she is choosing to do this, and she seems to have the support of a husband who’s taken a leave from work.