Most Moms I Know Don’t Want Palin

I am a member of a tight knit group of women who also happen to be moms. The majority of us are in our 30’s, and either work or stay at home with our kids. Most of us are married and discuss current events frequently. We do this through an online group where we post topics, recipes, funny stories, and other things to support and encourage each other as moms and as women.

When Sarah Palin was announced as McCain’s running mate, our board came alive with comments. Most of us are happy that a woman is involved in such a prolific and historic event. But, what Sarah Palin represents does not impress us much. We are close to her in age, we are all mothers, but we don’t really understand her stance on a lot of subjects. And, just because she is a woman does not mean we would vote for her. If we supported Hilary before, we are not going to rush to this woman’s side. We supported Hilary because of her beliefs, experience and history as a politician, not just because she is female.

We see Sarah Palin as anti-choice, right-wing, and ignorant on the effects of global warming. She believes in creationism, and has tried to get librarians fired for refusing to censor their libraries. Sarah Palin is more interested in drilling for oil than what it would do to the environment. To us, this is is very un-womanly and not like most moms we know. This just makes us want to vote for Obama even more. Plus, she has a child with Downs Syndrome and is more focused on her political career than him. Some of the moms are more impressed with her husband than her. He is the one staying home with the kids, keeping the family together.

The fact that her daughter, Bristol, is underage and pregnant doesn’t bother us. I think we are more bothered that it seems to us that Bristol doesn’t have a mom around to help her when she needs her the most. We are moms that are emotionally & physically there for our kids, and plan to be no matter what. That’s why we stick together and support each other in this group – to help when needed and make sure our kids have what they need. And if we can’t give it to them, we know someone who will - unconditionally. 

Overall, I can say that my mom’s group is happy for Sarah Palin. Happy she has an opportunity to change history. Happy she is a woman being given a chance to serve as vice president of the United States. Happy that she has been able to wake up a lot of voters and make them think about this election. But that’s about it. It doesn’t seem to me that most of the women in my group would end up voting for McCain because of her. I think most would go the other way I do think some will vote Republican because that’s what they are.

We are just more focused on the issues and what will happen to the country than gender. We want to know how the new president, whomever it is going to be, will impact our lives. And how it will impact our children’s lives. We want a better economic future, and to not be controlled on what we can do with our bodies, or who we can marry. It seems that it worries us more that Sarah Palin is being used as a prop to get McCain elected. And that is a distraction from what is really important.

Most moms I know don’t think Sarah Palin is the answer.