Women say NO - Part 20

"Justice cannot be for one side alone, but must be for both."

—Eleanor Roosevelt

I am a fiscally conservative, socially liberal Republican. I am aghast at the choice the Republican ticket has made in Sarah Palin. If one took the time to look at the Republican ticket of how they would fiscally manage the mess we are in, one would actually see for him/herself that we would end up paying more taxes. Of course, Ms. Palin has no concern regarding that whatsoever. Her agenda is always personal and irrational to the needs of the greater good. I have been writing to Ms. Palin's administration since she took office out of concern for the wolves (brutal and inhumane aerial gunning of wolves) and the polar bears' loss of habitat. She has consistently showed no compassion for how outsiders view her policies. How would that bode for us as Americans if she runs our country with the same disregard? The U.S. is a part of the global community and she is completely unconnected from that responsibility and that role. I am so ashamed to be a Republican that I have re-registered as a Democrat this year because, frankly, they are more like original Republicans anyway (less government, more power to the people) and the Republicans are now about more government and less power to the people. She in no way represents an intelligent Republican woman and I don't want to be associated with Republican women if they identify with her ignorant and hypocritical platform.
-Susan W., 65, Flagstaff, AZ

If John McCain really did as he claims to put "country first" he would have never selected her, someone with a very weak background in government and too many personal challenges, regardless of her gender. (Also if he put country over his partisan tactics he would not be making false claims in attack ads. I respected him once, no longer, and I find Palin to be an embarrassment.)
-Tabb F., Gloucester, VA

As a nurse and happily married mother of 3 teenagers, I am aghast that the Republican Party feels they can win over the support of women to the candidacy of Sarah Palin. I absolutely believe that it is possible to have a family and a successful career, and encourage everyone to follow those two paths should they feel so inclined. However, I feel that Ms Palin is a caricature of everything I stand for. Her beliefs on the environment, foreign policy and sex education are not those of someone with a worldview, but rather of someone with a closed mind. That is the world of the 1950’s, not the world of today. Her interview with Charles Gibson reminded me of a job interview for a job you’re not really qualified for, but try to bluff your way through. Her belittling of the other candidates in the presidential race show a small minded person.
-Annemarie H., 51, Scottsdale, AZ

You would think that women all over this country were absolutely mesmerized by Sarah Palin and totally forgetting everything they strongly believed in. While I am not convinced that everything written or said about her is true, she did answer Charlie Gibson on some specific issues. Charlie asked, "Do you believe that Roe vs Wade should be overturned?" Her definitive answer was "Yes." She further elaborated she's against a woman's right to choose even in cases of rape and incest. Secondly, she's for "VICTORY" in Iraq. I wish someone would ask her what this victory would look like, 5, 10, 15 years from now. She claims that Hillary Clinton and her have a lot in common. The fact is that everything Hillary Clinton has worked for in the past 30 years, Sarah Palin is opposed to.
Vote your with conscience, vote for the person who stands for what you believe in!
-Anna C., 57, Oldsmar, FL

She did not even bother to be prepared for her first full media interview with Charlie Gibson (How embarrassing). She bobbed and weaved, avoiding any direct answers to the very direct questions she was asked (Possbily out of ignorance). Then, when the questions became just too difficult for her, she answered her interviewer with a cute smile and a wink (What political savvy). What are we to think about a Republican candidate, who when asked about a specific Bush policy on terrorism, gave an answer that clearly proved that she had no idea what Charlie Gibson was talking about? If this is what John McCain and the Republican party think the American people want and will follow, I think that they have made a very very huge mistake.
Barbara V.

As far as the economy is concerned Palin-McCain will do nothing to help the middle class. After watching Palin in the Gibson interview it is difficult for me to understand why so many people are supporting her. What is wrong with the electorate? It is hard to imagine how people could want another 4 years of the same Bush policies (and it probably will be even worse).
-Ceil C, age 60, MN

Ms. Palin’s politics are reactionary and not well considered, her experience (though far more than mine) is close to nil for the position of VP. I have lived in Alaska and have a long time Alaskan resident in my family….what I have gleaned of her personal positions on women’s roles, reproductive rights, the environment and her methods of governance are miles from the return to honesty, integrity and self determination that we need in the White House. I believe her presence in national government would be dangerous for our nation.
-Lydia M. 54 yrs. Seattle, WA

It was clear watching her with Charles Gibson that she has a deep lack of knowledge and ignorance of international concerns. Nor does she truly understand what democracy is and how it works in a world wide scheme. Her canned answer on invading Palestinian countries either showed her lack of diplomacy, her lack of knowledge or her willingness to be a world dictator. All of which reflect that she is unfit to be a leader in the USA. What a bummer, out of all the women that could have been...
Patricia M, Denver, CO

I worry that in our country's media madness to see an attractive young face, many voters will not listen to the 1950's message that Sarah Palin brings. If she were a Democrat, the Republicans would say, "stay home and take care of your young family." For our sake, I wish she would have made that choice when asked to be the VP.
-Mary O., 53, Green Oaks, IL

She has not been truthful about her earmarks, and plays dirty pool to make her opponent look bad. Then she plays the vulnerable woman to escape backlash. That in my opinion is a deceitful way to conduct leadership, which I cannot respect as a woman.
I was a construction worker for 20 years. I never used the gender card to get ahead. I let my reputation as a hard worker speak for itself. Shame on McCain for hiding behind her while he attacks Obama and shame on Sarah Palin for condoning it.
-Vanessa H., mother and grandmother

First I want to say that I am an Evangelical Christian Southern female who opposes abortion; however, any seriously thoughtful Christian will admit that this is only one of several Biblical principles and no one candidate nor political party owns a consistent Christian platform. I am writing to state in the strongest of terms that I am appalled at the choice of Sarah Palin as the Republican VP nominee. It is difficult to find the words to express my dismay and discouragement over such a cynical, purely political decision by John McCain to choose such an unqualified person. It is my opinion that Ms. Palin’s experience as the mayor of a very small town and a new governor of the least populous state as well as her limited travel and education leave her lacking in exposure to the critical issues threatening our country. In addition, she exhibits a worrisomely simplistic and reactionary propensity with a seeming blithe disregard for the complexity and gravity of the office. In addition to these concerns, Ms. Palin’s smugness, arrogance, and lack of humility further guarantee that her election would continue our country’s disastrous course of the last eight years under the Bush/Cheney administration. For a man who claims to be a man of honor who puts “Country First”, it is so sadly ironic that he is willing to put our country (and our world) at such terrible risk.
-Susan M., MD