"Put a breast feeding mother in the White House!" I'm (mostly) a democrat. I don't agree with a good number of her political ideas, but she almost won my vote with that line, when she said it during the last presidential campaign. An advocate for mothers, I thought.
This Tuesday, I watched the interview Oprah had with Sarah Palin. They were discussing working mothers. Sarah has 5 children. Oprah asked if she really would have been able to fully commit to a demanding job such as Vice President of the United States or, if disaster struck, President. Sarah seemed sort of offended by the question. "Of course," she interjected, and went on to explain that mothers these days share responsibilities with their husbands and others, how times have changed, and how it's all about choices.
In theory I agree with that. Then, Oprah said something that opened things up for me. She said, "Women CAN have it all, they just can't have it all at the same time." Sarah agreed, "Exactly."
This idea has been bouncing around in my head for the past few days. It makes me feel optimistic. I CAN have it all. When my kids need me, I focus on my kids. When they are older and /or more self sufficient I can focus more on my job.... I get it! It also made me realize that Sarah is really not the type of advocate I want for mothers in this country.
Sarah, you had 5 kids, including a pregnant teenage daughter and a 5 month old special needs child. You thought THIS was the time to choose the job!?! You can't have it all at the same time, you said so yourself. So just hand baby Trig off, bring your pump... Tell Bristol you're "Sorry", you can't help her now.
Nope, not the right advocate for me. There's speculation of a political future for Sarah Palin as an advocate for woman. I hold this as an example of her judgement, and I think we can do better...
Image of Sarah Palin from google images
21 comments:
I couldn't agree more :)
I tend to have republican leanings, but even I can't endorse this woman as President. She has more pressing matters to take care of. MAYBE, a few elections from now, she could try. It would give her children a chance to grow up a little more and give her a chance to actually get some experience. Though, even then, I'd be more comfortable with her as VP.
I agree completely.
She still doesn't have her priorities straight. Out on a book tour. Hello where are her children????
I guess the almighty dollars wins again.
I couldn't agree more. :)
Amen. Great post!
Yeh, Thumbs down on the book tour...and I'm so onfused about why she resigned as Govenor...I don't think SHE even knows.
It doesn't matter who it is, for me, I still feel like motherhood is my number one priority. My kids come first. There are seasons and things that can be done during different parts of life but in my current season, my kids need me the most.
motherhood is and should be a mom's #1 priority. And she gets a fair share of the spotlight, and obviously brings it on herself, too.
I DO agree with a lot of her political viewpoints, but agree that waiting things out would be in the best interest of her family.
So where exactly do you stand on the whole 'stay at home dad' idea? if Todd Palin was a SAHD, why would it be a problem? In 4 years, I doubt she'll be breastfeeding Trig, so that will be irrelevant...
I'm not saying I agree or disagree, but we need to remember to measure Sarah Palin with the same yardstick we measure every other potential political candidate. Period.
I guess I'm not sure exactly where I stand (Katie). I just don't think it's as cut and dry as Sarah makes it seem. Even if Todd was a stay-at-home dad. This brings my whole idea of feminism into question. I have a strong belief that mothers should make their children a priority when they are young... and any woman who does not feel that way...Well, I guess I just have trouble understanding her. In some ways I think Sarah might make a great VP in 10 years (IN 10 YEARS), but I question her judgement..on this issue and what's with all the playboy type modeling photos???
At least you gave her a chance. I never did.
I read a lot about this "individual" and listened a lot. I don't care if she's a woman or not. She doesn't represent me. In fact, the thought of her in a leadership role of any kind scares the shit out of me and would have me marching down the streets day and night cruisading against her! NO!
I can see your point. I only saw tidbits of the interview and I didn't catch this part.
YOU have my vote!
Aloha, Friend
Comfort Spiral
Of course we can do better! If we can't, we're in trouble.
I'm an avid reader, first time poster and LOVED this post. I'm very left-leaning and disagree with a lot of Sarah Palin's views, but was excited to see a woman running. As the election went on, I grew less and less fond of Palin... However, her interviews this week have caused me to have at least a little more compassion towards her. I agree, women can have everything, just not all at the same time. Men can have everything, just not all at the same time.
As much as I have loved Obama, if First Lady Michelle had just given birth to a (special needs) child, I would have given great thought into endorsing President Obama as president. Parents need to be parents and sometimes that trumps all else.
I can barely do my blog stuff, work 20 hours a week, and take care of my house and kids. How can she attend to the needs of 5 children and fulfill the duties of vice president?
As an Alaskan woman who has had no faith in SP since before she got elected Governor, I was really terrified and heart-broken when McCain tapped her. I'm liberal to begin with, but I knew it would not be good for Alaska, let alone for the country.
I really.really.really hate that Alaska is now synonymous with her...and that she is the first thing people think of when they think Alaska now. It used to be, when I'd travel in the lower 48 people would marvel at my being Alaskan and ask my about the state. Now they ask about her. I highly recommend this piece for anyone interested http://shannynmoore.wordpress.com/2009/11/17/letter-from-the-other-alaska/
Really, I can't agree with you more on the points you make here. And don't worry, no one, including a single Alaskan, understands why she quit. Though the commonly held belief up here is that she did it so she could get the 1.5mil for the book, do the book tour, and then take whatever other paid gigs come here way. Alaska state ethics laws would have prevented her from doing all that while Governor.
The book tour is weird. There have been a few times that she has stepped off her tour bus with Trig in her arms, waved to the crowd, and then immediately handed him over to an aid. If she was going to do that, why not just leave him on the bus? It's like she's just using him as a prop.
I disagree... the world really could use another Margaret Thatcher right now. I bet if you asked her family, they would be proud of her work and as her as a their mother. You guys remember Margaret, former Prime Minister of Great Britain... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Thatcher
Sorry, I was typing way too fast. And this from the person who blogged about internet etiquette... go figure. Anyway, I do believe that Margaret Thatcher's family ARE proud of her work and proud of her as their mother! She was an amazing women, mother, politician, and world leader. We need more of those right now.
I don't believe it's too much to ask a family to sacrifice family time to save the world. We all need to make sacrifices right now. But that doesn't discount the fact that as women, we are more prone to criticize instead of support and encourage each other.
I don't know how many of your readers have seen more of the interviews with Sarah Palin other than Oprah's. She has so much more to say than what was said in that interview. She was not going to sit on Oprah's show and argue politics with her. We need more women leaders in this country and Sarah Palin just may be the one. Sarah Palin has her family and her husband's family to fall back on for helping her with her children and supporting her cause. Please look further into all of her views and then base your opinions (good or bad) on that and not just about her having 5 children and that being her "only" priority at this time. Our country has serious issues going on right now and is not working with the current administration. Keep an open mind. This woman is smart and has a lot to say and offer.
Hmm...that's revealing.
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