I am a Republican through and through, but this year for the first time in my life—and my husband's—we will be voting Democrat. We are most disappointed in the party of our choice by selecting an individual, whether they be male or female, that is so inexperienced. We believe that she was selected not with the best interest of the country but to get Senator McCain elected as President. We believe with such an important position as Vice President of our country that this was a very poor decision. The attention that her nomination has garnered is another major concern of ours. The United States is in such a mess at this time we feel that this election should be about issues and should not be the circus that it has become.
-Janet J., Bella Vista, AR
I am a Republican woman who is voting for Obama/Biden. Sarah Palin is not for women's rights, and she is so extreme that this will set back women's rights 100 years. She lies about nearly everything, revealing her to be a fraud. McCain has picked someone who will hurt our nation, and this choice has showed his incompetence in so many ways. Wake up America.
-Barbara B., Ocean Township, NJ
I am a Republican fed up with Bush. I used to be interested in McCain, but have wavered in the last 2 months. With the addition of Palin to the McCain ticket, and the subsequent misleading advertising and dishonest campaign tactics of secrecy and manipulation, I see that our GOP party is still hijacked by the same types of people who have been running the Bush administration. It is clear that Palin is incredibly excited to be in her current position, the way a high school homecoming queen candidate might be, and is willing to say anything, do anything to promote "her" election. She doesn't stand for Republican Party values any more than McCain does now, and neither one of them will win the GOP back for those of us who feel abandoned. If McCain had chosen a solid Republican female with governor credentials, like Christy Whitman, I would feel secure that he would be well balanced. But I cannot support the McCain-Palin ticket. Bob Barr is our most reasonable alternative.
Karen H., 41, Pennsylvania
Sarah Palin is a wolf in sheep's clothing. She maybe able to fool most Republicans into thinking she ready to lead our country but I am not fooled! I want a leader who can listen to many experts in finance, economics, education and military strategy and then after much deliberation make a decision from critical analysis not based on his or her gut reaction or instinct. I want a leader who will 'BLINK', THINK and THEN ACT accordingly with an informed decision. Sarah Palin is impulsive, irrational and ill-informed—not a leader I would trust with a nation I hold so dear. McCain's lack of judgement in choosing Sarah Palin is why I am a Republican voting Democratic in this election. Obama has my vote!
-Lisa B., 46, Arizona
I want to express my disgust and disappointment in the Republican party for choosing Palin as the VP elect. Not only is she a poor choice because she is unqualified (I run a business with a bigger staff and budget than she does) she also does not represent the women of this country, nor the men. We want freedom of speech and freedom of choice. She is a token and we, as women should be insulted that she has been chosen to represent females, let alone United States citizens. I am embarrassed to say I am a Republican, and this ticket is NOT one to support. I hope we are all smart enough to look at the evidence and not just applaud them for picking a woman... she is like a wolf in sheep's clothing.... she does NOT represent any American woman that I know. PLEASE do not let her represent our country and lose all of our rights.
-Kelly M., 41, Northridge, CA
I knew that I was not alone in feeling that this choice of Vice President was only to win, not thinking of the people of our country. Palin does not stand for most of the women in the USA; beliefs, international issues, and the it's my way or no way. We will get no where if we continue that attitude. I am a Republican woman and I am scared.
-Sonya P., 53
I am all about women stepping forward and taking our rightful place among the leadership of this great nation. However, not this woman, not this time. With dread I listen to the media whip up the masses in response to this demagogue, and I ask myself why? Why can’t people see the truth, rather than being blinded by the Palin propaganda machine. If Sarah Palin has it her way, a very dark and Orwellian future looms before us. A future where creationism is taught in school, there is no division between church and state, choice is abolished, everyone has guns but no other civil liberties, and where the environmental issues are ridiculed as liberal lies. I am a Republican….. or was. And usually, the VP choice is just a detail, not such an issue. However, given McCain’s age, there is a higher probability that Sarah Palin may rise to the highest office in the land. She is not qualified—and this situation terrifies me and has called me into action more than any other election has ever done. I am not against her womanhood or teenage daughter, I am a woman with a teenaged daughter myself. However, I am against her Christian conservative, anti-environmental, and inexperienced platform. Please join my voice to the others, and heed our concerns.
-Maria L., 42, Annandale, VA