Sarah Palin's Priorities

URGENT ISSUE FOR ANIMAL CRUELTY PREVENTION AND YES, IT INVOLVES POLITICAL CANDIDATES:

It is absolutely outrageous and surreal to find out that in America we allow ELECTED OFFICIALS, i.e., Gov. Palin, to hunt down and kill wolves, bears, and other wildlife by aerial gunning and on the ground, furthermore uses public money to finance more effective ways to kill these animals. I am begging you to do a story to expose this atrocity regarding Sarah Palin and her cronies in Alaska. She apparently introduced legislation to pay $150 per kill. Do you know if that has passed? Pro Lifer? I don't think so, not applicable to animals anyway.

She doesn't want, and has threatened to sue the government, if they make polar bears on the extinction list because she knows that if they are protected she cant drill for oil in alaska wild life areas. I'm for alternative energy and drilling in remote areas but have you seen these polar bears drowning because they can't find ice to land on and so she thinks we might as well just kill them anyway?

Allegedly she ordered 14 wolf puppies (these are dogs afterall not some exotic creature) to be shot in the HEAD rather than be relocated to another area. I've read there is an investigation into this story, do you know? SO WHAT IF THEIR COME BACK IS "oh these wolves are killing our livestock". that's BS. There are much more humane ways to prevent that, rather than killing them from overhead where they scare them out to clearings because of the noise of the plane and then when the wolves and bears appear in the open they can be shot by close range. If that doesn't work, they can land the plane and then shoot the animal. Why IS THIS NOT ILLEGAL?

PLEASE RESEARCH AND DO A STORY ON THIS. Your readers deserve to know. This is a prevention of cruelty to animals story, not one of dems vs. repubs. Thank you. Reply to lkateharrison@gmail.com.

U-R-G-E-N-T READ!!!!

THE TRUTH ABOUT WHO REALLY IS BRISTOL’S BABY’S FATHER. IT IS NOT LEVI
TAKE A LOOK AT THIS VIDEO AND SHARE WITH OTHER REPUBLICANS. COULD THIS BE TRUE? MAYBE WE REALLY DONT KNOW EVERYTHING WE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THIS FAMILY. I MAY NEED TO RETHINK MY VOTE.

CLEARLY BY GETTING PREGNANT AT AGE 17 SHOWS A SENSE OF REBELLION. HOW FAR DID SHE TAKE THE REBELLIOUS STREAK?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VELIG92GDXw

"Husband of one wife" eh ARSLP?

So much for Paul and Timothy, to whom he writes where that verse is found.

Quoting theologian Gilbert Belzikian:

“Such requirements disqualify from service not only women, but also all men who are single; all men married but childless; all men married but who have only one child; all men married but who have children too young to profess faith; all men married but who have one unbelieving child or children; all men married and whose children are believers but not submissive; all men married and whose children are believers and submissive but not respectful.

These exceptionally harsh and restrictive requirements are all the more amazing since the New Testament favors singleness for both men and women as preferred status to do ministry (Matt. 19:11-12, 1 Cor. 7:25-35), and since the New Testament emphatically requires the total utilization of all available spiritual gifts in the ministries of the church, regardless of marital status or gender.

Of course, the Scriptures provide an explanation for those apparent contradictions. The singularly restrictive structure of ministry prescribed in 1 Timothy and Titus was established as a remedial measure for churches that had fallen into a state of terminal crisis. Its underlying principle of restricting ministry in sick or immature churches to few leaders of proven managerial competency is relevant today to churches that find themselves in similarly extreme situations. However, the prevailing New Testament model of full participation of the total constituency in the ministries of the local church applies to healthy churches.” (See Bilezikian, Community 101, pp. 82-128).

Would a man's return to work following the birth of a child be questioned? While we are fundamentally quite different from men, Sarah Palin seems to have the family support she needs to perform her duties; returning to work while still maintaining her family structure. Why, as women, are we questioning this woman's ability to perform her duties, when, as far as I can remember, that questioned has never been posed before of a man in the same situation? The very questions posed here seem divisive and sexist. How many times has the role of husband and father in any male candidate been questioned prior to now?

As a Southern Baptist female (although I prefer to think of myself as an evangelical Christian who believes the scriptures and depend on Jesus Christ as my Savior), my Bible tells me the qualifications for a pastor. "The husband of one wife", leaves no need for further discussion. The Bible also gives clear and concise leadership roles for the family. It is when we, individually, or within the family structure, do not live up to the standards He set for us that we most suffer in this wonderful relationship He designed for us to enjoy with each other. The failures seen in "modern" times are ours as humans; they are not due to the design of God.

I still fail to grasp how the discussion of women as pastors should be used as a springboard to further discuss Sarah Palin as candidate for vice-president. These are two completely unrelated issues. Again, I believe the way this was introduced was meant to be divisive.

I could not imagine that a women or man, who had sound judgement would throw their family (who are having some MAJOR issues going on) to wolves the way Governor Palin did unless their ego was the size of China.

I would not trust the judgement of this woman even if she was a man. Do any of you realize what this job of VP or president entails? The life of the world sits in your hands!
Look at what the past 8 years have brought us from a man who has lacked poor judgement.

How many of you have daughters? Do you like the thought that, if Sarah Palin had her way your girls would never be able to have a choice on what to do about a pregnancy forced on her through the brutality of rape or incest?

I for one do not like that thought and I DO think a women could be a mom and a VP or President but not this one. No way!

I am a working mother. I have raised my adult son alone since he was 2 years old. Granted I did not have to lead a country or even a state. But I think we lose sight here of an important element. Sarah Palin appears to have a very supportive husband. By questioning her priorities are we not dismissing the impact a father can play? Sarah Palin's children do not appear to be neglected. Her husband seems genuinely proud of his wife's accomplishments. Sarah Palin has demonstrated that all families face certain challenges. Being conservative does not guarantee that you won't have challenges. Palin's courage to face the 'world' with her current challenges makes me admire her more.

Wanda, very thoughtful and well-written comment. I am having trouble reconciling why, according to the Bible, women are not capable of heading/ leading a household/ministry, but are capable of leading a country of disparate race/religions/ nationaltieis. I think it would be a logical assumption (leap of faith?) that if (as the Bible seems to infer) women are not capable of leading a small amount of people (like a household or church), they would not be capable of leading a large amount of people (like a country). Or is that a leap of faith that is out of context?

I can appreciate that a lot of folks see themselves in Sarah Palin. I, too, attended multiple colleges during my undergrad years. I, too, played basketball in high school - and softball. In fact, I earned academic/athletic scholarships to two of those colleges. I am a 20 year career woman who has managed a global organization. I consider myself a normal, average woman with class, intelligence, values, and respect (towards others). However, if offered the opportunity to be VP, I would have to put my country first and decline on the basis that I am simply not capable of serving my country in the manner in which it deserves. The Presidency/VP is an incredibly demanding job. It is not Accounting Manager or Sales Executive or Adminstrative Clerk. It is a 24/7 job. As a Mom, knowing how much we give of ourselves to properly raise our families (because, let's face it, it is us women that keep it all running smoothly), do we really think that the country is going to get the best of Sarah? It's not that we don't like her, or that we don't think she is smart or not caring. She IS likable; she IS smart and she IS caring. Knowing what is required to properly raise a family - and understanding the demands of the VP - I think it fair to ask whether or not the country is going to get the best of Sarah. The subordinate role given to women by way of the Bible makes this a valid point of conversation. It is not offensive; it is pragmatic.

Is it possible, that at 3 A.M. when Sarah Palin's child is sick, her husband just might be caring for that child? Or is there some unwritten rule that states that any vomit or diarrhea must be relegated to the woman of the house?

I would encourage anyone who fears God and does justice to the human mankind and the Word refers very clearly that no man is perfect unless he clenses him self everyday and reconizes his mistakes and change himself in the way of the Lord I pray that this will work because nothing is impossible for our Mighty Lord
Blessings

All I have to say is that as an independent who was leaning toward voting for Obama. The attack on a female's 'suitability' as mother and VP by left only pushes me away from the Obama camp. Hmmm Obama snubbed Hillary, and then liberal supporters attack Palin... Go Palin, go... You are winning over my vote more every day.

YOU ARE AN ELITE, SELF CENTERED FOOL...
YOU SHOULD GET OUT OF YOUR TINY WINE AND CHEESE BUBBLE AND SEE EXACTLY WHY WE LIKE SARAH...
AND DISLIKE YOU AND YOUR ILK SO MUCH...
WE ARE TIRED OF HAVING TO LISTEN TO YOUR SO CALLED COMMENTARY THAT IS SO BIASED AND IGNORANT...
FOOLS...
GO AWAY AND OUT A SOCK IN YOUR MOUTH TO CUT DOWN ON YOUR CARBON OUTPUT...

SAY WHAT?????
IS THAT SO? WHAT HAS BEEN COMING OUT OF YOUR MOUTH, ANY CARBON OUTPUT? SOMETIMES THINGS NEED TO BE SAID REPEATLY UNTIL THOSE LISTENING GET THE POINT, NOT A HARD CONCEPT TO UNDERSTAND, OR MAYBE IT IS FOR YOU.

I'm a Southern Baptist minister's wife and I am more than happy to be so. I'm intelligent, strong, and I'm NOT a doormat that is being bossed around by my husband. I have a worthy life and am respected by my husband and the other men I know in ministry/society. It baffles me that this is even print-worthy! Sarah Palin is more than qualified to be America's VP or President for that matter. Just because she is a mother?!! What? I work and hold down a job as do many women in this world.
Your connection to her official office and the SBC beliefs of positions held by women don't match up. Southern Baptist aren't saying what position women may hold in our country....only in our homes and in our churches (hence the Bible instructs us as followers to do!!).
What a poor article, full of errors and mistruths!
Anne Graham Lotz is a fabulous ministry leader/speaker. She admits herself, she is not a PASTOR! Maybe you should interview HER yourself to get her perspective on the role of a woman. She will tell you......I'm not a pastor.
That role is to be held by a man.....and that's not decided by man (it's Biblical). Her ministry is different than that of a pastor.

I pray for Sarah Palin, her life will never be the same after this adventure. But for you in the media to make personal claims as to how she will function as a mom and a leader....that's ridiculous! She's human! She will have to do the same as everyone else would.....make tough decisions and keep moving on. Just like EVERY parent (not just moms but dads too).
Oh...and the judging her for how and when she delivered her babies and then went back to work....again, I say......ridiculous!

This article is twisted and conservative smearing! I would be honored to have Sarah Palin serve my country as VP! She represents class, intelligence, values, and above all respect.

Let this be known....I'm Southern Baptist and a woman.....and I believe the role of pastor and head of the household is to be held by a man.

YOU ARE AN ELITE, SELF CENTERED FOOL...
YOU SHOULD GET OUT OF YOUR TINY WINE AND CHEESE BUBBLE AND SEE EXACTLY WHY WE LIKE SARAH...
AND DISLIKE YOU AND YOUR ILK SO MUCH...
WE ARE TIRED OF HAVING TO LISTEN TO YOUR SO CALLED COMMENTARY THAT IS SO BIASED AND IGNORANT...
FOOLS...
GO AWAY AND OUT A SOCK IN YOUR MOUTH TO CUT DOWN ON YOUR CARBON OUTPUT...

Sally, Thank you for the sad reminder in requesting only The Base (I think the Arabic translation is 'Al Qaeda') respond. We are currently experiencing the impact of these folks who have decided the last two elections - these folks that are so easily distracted by new, shiny objects (read:Sarah Palin). Given the poor economy, failing infrastructure, The War With No End, and Cheney's disasterous energy plan one can only hope that at some point, these folks will figure out that Rove and Bush and Cheney and McCain are LAUGHING at them and using their ideology AGAINST them. That crowd has fooled The Base TWICE and they are trying to do it a THIRD time. We look at the blind allegiance of the soldiers of Bin Ladn's Al Qaeda and wonder how those young folks with no hope blindly follow ideology and work against their own interests. It is sad that the same dynamic is at work here in America - blind allegiance to an ideology, with no consideration given to evidence that contradicts that belief.

Your question just doesn't make sense. It's like asking, why can men be trusted to have a seat in the Oval Office, but not in the Ladies room. I was raised a Southern Baptist in a small Alabama town (Northport), and I do not recall any talk, ever - and I mean ever - regarding a women's place in the secular world. Remember, we became Baptists exactly to get a way from the rules and conformity handed down from on high in the Catholic hierarchy. In the Southern Baptist world, each congregation and each pastor are free to make and attempt to follow their own interpretations of the Gospel and of God's Word.

Jerry from Cheshire, Ct. ~ All great points! Thanks for the briefing on both Obama & Palin. I'm cutting and pasting right now ~ good arguements.
I'm a registered Independent and I wasn't excited about either candidate until Sarah stepped in. The only qualifications I've heard that Obama has are much the same as Ms. Quinn gives, that he's been running a successful campaign for almost two years now and that he's been a community leader (but excerpts from his books that I've read he says he couldn't get much done, not enough power), so I wasn't wild about Obama at all. The only other good points they've pointed out is how articulate he is, he's well-spoken, he delivers good speeches, (and Biden pointed out that he's clean and well-dressed), all that does nothing for me. McCain I respect and admire, but he left me wanting to. I liked all your arguments for Sarah Palin's experience. It's funny to hear Obama run against Sarah anyway, I think he forgot that John McCain is his opponent.

I listened to your interview on Don Imus this morning and while I don't condone any hate mail or other types of inappropriate comments you may have received, I think the reason you elicited such strong responses is that you crossed a line by going into Sarah Palin's personal life, her fitness as a mother, and her daughter's personal issues. These questions are inappropriate and do not belong in political discourse.

Commenting further on your interview this morning with Imus, I strongly disagree with your assessment that Palin is in any way less qualified to be President than Obama. The fact that Obama has been "studying to be President for 19 months" by running a campaign is not real governing experience. Yes, I am sure he received a lot of intelligence briefings and has given some good speeches, but he has not had to make any real governing decisions that affect other people's lives. It's true he has run a good campaign and if he had not, that would be a major concern. However, the fact that he has done that, doesn't mean he will be a good President. As I recall, Jimmy Carter ran a good campaign in 1976 and beat the incumbent President Gerald Ford. We all know how "well" that worked out. Palin on the other hand has two years experience as a Governor of Alaska in which she cleaned house, negotiated a $40 billion gas pipleline deal, and administered a state budget of $11 billion. She was the chief executive in a state that represents half the US land mass, borders on Russia, has a population of $670,000, and is the major domestic source for oil and gas. She was also in charge of that state's National Guard and by all accounts took that responsibility very seriously and did an outstanding job in that capacity. Now that's real executive experience! Her five years of experience as a mayor also certainly trumps Obama's experience as a "community organizer." You are right to be worried about whether any candidate has enough experience to be President but the one you should be worried about is Obama, not Sarah Palin.

Sally,
I heard you interveiw with Don Imus this morning on the radio. I think it would be a very good idea if you printed some of those insulting emails you received from the "Christian women". I shudder when I think that people can be so limited and hateful. Where is the right to one's opinion and respect for free speech ? What a shame for our country. We are in serious trouble if this is what we have been reduced to.

Sally,
I heard you interveiw with Don Imus this morning on the radio. I think it would be a very good idea if you printed some of those insulting emails you received from the "Christian women". I shudder when I think that people can be so limited and hateful. Where is the right to one's opinion and respect for free speech ? What a shame for our country. We are in serious trouble if this is what we have been reduced to.

When are you Democrats going to learn that most Americans don't give a fig for 'party' affiliation? We don't care what gender, race, creed you are. Most of us care about our families, and our daily lives, making a living, and we care about which candidate we can relate to. We want someone OUTSIDE of Washington, someone who is just like us, and right now for most Americans, that's Sarah Palin. We can relate to her, she's us.
I'm a 54 year old, very traditional stay-at-home mother of five (now grown) children, two grandchildren now (one a product of my unwed daughter ~ I suppose that makes me a very bad mother in your opinion), and I LOVE Sarah Palin. I love that she is adept at multi-tasking. I do not see where her family is suffering in the least. If you want to perpetrate that ridiculous argument that her job is the reason Bristol is pregnant, that's your right, but it's an insane argument, as I stated I am a mother who did not work and I was very involved in my kids daily lives and it still happened in our family. And if people want to argue that Sarah's abstinence-only preaching is the reason for Bristol's pregnancy, that's an insane argument too because I DEMANDED that my children use protection if they were going to be sexually active and it still happened. Kids don't listen, you can take them so far and then they are going to do whatever they please at some point.
Why don't you stop trying to run Sarah Palin's life? Why don't you stop playing God and stop judging her? If you don't like her politics ~ don't vote for her. It's that simple. But this insane tirade that you and others in the media have heaped on her is most unfair. If you can't debate her on the issues alone then step away from this profession. This need for you to attack her personally says more about you, Ms. Quinn than it does Sarah.
You do nothing to promote women when you behave like the green-eyed-monster. You just sound so jealous. I feel like I'm back in high school only it's on a national level, the media are the 'clique' jealous of the 'new' girl, and they try to get everybody else in school to shun her. I didn't buy into it then, and I'm not buying into it now.

Heard you on the Imus radio show this morning. Never heard somebody whine so much because they didnt get what they want or think is right. I suggest you go to a get together in Washington, a cocktail party in Manhattan or a gay-lesbian protest in San Francisco if you want to whine about Sarah Palin. The people in those places will agree with you. The rest of us, the working people who pay the taxes to support what this country is about, will continue to support our country, like Sarah Palin, without the whining.

You are a moron.

I heard you on Imus this morning and you totally convinced me why Sarah Palin is infinitely MORE QUALIFIED than Barack Obama for ANY position! Thank you for clarifying that.

I'm 52, my wife & I own our business. We are neither Inp - Rep - Dem. We are just Americans that love our country and the opportunities that it offers. Neither one of us had come from money so we have earned everything by working for it. That is why we support McCain / Palin this year. We've voted for both Georges - Bill twice & Ronald. Ms Palin seems to be a very strong person that has worked her way up thru good old common sense outside the normal way of doing things. Listening you you this morning on Don Imus's show you spoke of the crazy's on the right, well they are on the left as well. We all know that they are out there but they are few. Middle America does not like the far Left or Far Right. They are in the North - South - East & West. How about just far questions about the issues. I do not care about their Pastor's points of views. Their kids are thier kids. Either Obama or Palin will have more than enough help with their kids once they are in office.

Respectfully,
Bruce C. Lawrence
Berlin MD

SALLY:

FIRST, LET ME SAY THAT EVERYONE WHO CALLS OR REFERS THEMSELVES AS CHRISTIANS, ARE NOT CHRISTIANS. ANYONE CAN CALL THEMSELVES CHRISTIANS AND THEN USE PROFANITY AND ABASE YOU FOR WHAT YOU WRITE. I AM A CHRISTIAN AND I BELIEVE YOU MAY BE WRONG IN YOUR OPINIONS, BUT I WILL NOT ABASE YOU OR PROFANE YOU OR YOUR OPINIONS. PLEASE DO NOT ACCEPT EVERY OPINION FROM SOMEONE WHO CALLS THEMSELF BY THAT NAME. THE BIBLE SAYS THAT YOU WILL KNOW CHRISTIANS BY THEIR LOVE. PROFANING YOU AND YOUR OPINIONS IS NOT LOVE. PROBABLY NOT SENT TO YOU BY A TRUE CHRISTIAN. PLEASE DO NOT TELL THE PUBLIC THAT CHRISTIANS ARE WRITING AND ABASING YOU. THEY ARE NOT. THE BIBLE ALSO SAYS THAT ANYONE WHO HATES IN MY NAME (GOD), IS NOT OF ME. THESE PEOPLE ARE MISGUIDED AND TO DISREGARDED.

SORRY FOR ANY DISCOMFORT THESE IDIOTS MAY HAVE CAUSED YOU.

Sally, you are one of many who are mixing up what MAN thinks and God has SAID. Remember men wrote the constitution so anyone who is "an American citizen" can be president. Man can also CHANGE that to include non-Americans if they so choose.
God has written the Bible because it's HIS Church, not man's. Unlike most things in America where "new ideas" lead to new ideals, the Bible is not to be changed to allow "new ideals". There are absolutes in life; we all die and go somewhere- that somewhere will be decided on whether we CHOOSE to follow God's unerring plan or not. We only have ourselves to blame for choosing "new ideals".
As for Sarah Palins' decision; walk a mile in her shoes, if you cannot don't criticize out of your lane.

Respectfully submitted,

Mr. Kelly Venden
Tampa, FL

You just made a huge fool out of yourself on the Imus in the morning show. Unbelievable.

I just heard you on Imus this morning, 9/9/08. How can you say with a straight face that Obama has more experience than Sarah Palin. You actually said he has more experience because he has been running and campaigning for the past 18 months!!! That makes him qualified to be president? Give me a break. How stupid do you think Imus's listeners are? As stupid as you? I hope not.

You are such an elitist phony it is painful. This morning you are backtracking on Imus. You admitted you spoke hastily and that she was more qualified than you thought, however, she was not ready to be President because her experience the past two years wasnt enough. Then you had the audacity to say Obama had plenty of experience due to the fact he had been running for President the past year against formidable opponents. Do you or have you ever thought before making such idiotic statements? Were you born with that elitist liberal foot in your mouth?

Sally,
You requested evangelical or southern baptist women to reply to your article. I am both. You raise questions that primarily confuse me as to your stance on women's roles in society. Does a woman who works full time always make work her first priority? Further, does a man who works full time make his job priority over his family? For both, the answer should be no. Should a woman who is pediatrician and receives an emergency call at 3am be called into question of her priorities if she has a bottle in the fridge and a husband willing to feed the baby while she's on call? I guess what I'm getting at is that it is not necessary to make your family "second place" in order to do a job well. And Is it even our place to determine what her priorities are based on an outside look, in?
I am convinced by the Bible that a Christian woman's priority should be to help her husband and care for her children first. However, when her husband is loving her and considering her giftings and abilities, they may make decisions regarding employment-- that is their choice together. As Dr. Mohler mentioned, the Bible does not speak to whether a woman should hold public office. However, it does speak to women as the authority in the home and churches and forbids it. This is good by design--not degrading or devaluing women in any way. In fact, the woman described in Proverbs 31 is incredibly efficient, industrious and capable. Churches who hold to the Bible's teaching on women not being pastor, regularly encourage women to teach women within the church. Aren't women just as important to be taught as men? Shouldn't it be an honor for a woman to teach other women? Or are men so much more valued that a woman can only be truly fulfilled if she teaches men too?Finally, your comment about a woman "answering" to her husband makes this God-ordained husband-wife relationship sound more like a line of command in an army, rather than a home--full of love and mutual care.
As for Sarah Palin, I'm thankful she is running for VP because I like her politically. I will vote for her because I think McCain is the best choice for president, and I think she would be a better president, if necessary, than Joe Biden. I would think surely it will be a strain on her family, but no more than governor, however. And that is the choice for she and Todd to make.

It is people like Sally Quinn who has created not only the glass ceiling for us, but always chained our ankles as we attempted to do and be the best we can. I could never figure out the motives behind these women who always viciously attacked other successful women. There is nothing uglier than woman who is jealous of younger successful woman.

Female Neurosurgeon and Registered Democrat

I think Paul's admonition to women to be silent was a cultural matter and probably a solution to a problem existing in a specific time and place. Complete silence in church throughout the ages would be ridiculous. If we believed in that, women couldn't make announcements or give testimonies, which they do. Women who are as gifted as Anne Lotz truly is will become pastors. At the present time, most churches do better with a male because of our culture. Men don't like to be led by women (my observation). Remember the church is a volunteer army where people support it financially. What people want, they usually get. In conclusion, God has never stopped the female species from carrying His Word, but men have defined the way women can do it. Let's face it-men are pretty territorial...sad to say.

Sally I am so happy to see you stand up regarding the issue of Sarah Palin. It appears that some people are blinded by what they see and what they want to believe (an energizing female with some good credentials). I say good credentials because I don't see her as someone prepared to step into the President's position on day one should something happen to McCain. If the republicans could be honest with themselves they would admit the same. Otherwise, they wouldn't be so hesitant about her having unscripted interviews. On the motherhood issue, I don't believe those who support her are considering the stress factor and the demands of the highest position in the land. There have been studies conducted and the President of the United States is rated as the worse working environment and listed as number one for its stress factor. If people do their research they will read comments from the current and past Presidents on how stressful the job is. It's 24/7 stress - it's evident just look at how the Presidents appear to have aged after being in office for a short while. Now perhaps Gov. Palin can learn/handle the job but she'll definitely have to choose between her family and the job. Well it's evident that she has already made that choice, she'll be known as a "special occasion mom." There is a big difference in being President of the US and President of a corporation or Governor of an isolated (sheltered) state like Alaska where life is slow pace and the air is crisp and clean.
On the other hand, I don't like the idea of having two mavericks in the White House, one known to be a "hot head" and the other a self proclaim "pit bull with lipstick." A good leader would have chosen someone of a different personality type for balance not someone who thinks and acts as he does. From a spiritual stand point I believe most Christian/Evangelical groups (Baptist, Southern Baptist, Evangelicals, Non-Denominational, Assembly of God, etc.) use the same Bible (manual) and in that Manual, God establishes a "Pecking" order! If a woman chooses to marry and have a family then her first priority becomes her family! That is not to say she can't or shouldn't work, but any work that she takes on should not interfere with her role as a mother and a wife. We are free agents with the freedom to choose and that's God's Plan but of course, man has his own plan. Considering the demands of a position like President of the US I agree that Sarah's priories are definitely out of order.

M. Coleman
Richmond, VA

In the past 50 years we have not had a Presidential candidate who was prepared for Foreign Affairs.
Bill Clinton was not prepared and did a very poor job.
Jimmy Carter was only experienced at being Governonr of Georgia where he did not do a good job.
Ronald Reagan did not have experience but he had principles that carried him into being the best President on Foreign Affairs in perhaps the past 100 years.
I see the same kind of principles in Sarah Palin and would not hesitate to put the country into her hands.

Ms. Quinn,

As a self described "Washington Insider" I suspect that you have limited knowledge of and experience with evangelicals and conservatives.

I have been a member of The Assembly of God (an evangelical donomination), The United Methodist Church, and am now a confirmed member of the Episcopal Church (USA).

I am not a Washington insider. I am an ordinary citizen of fly over country. I am a conservative Republican. (I used to be a Democrat.) Allow me you give you some of my opinions and insights.

Not all Christian denominations are evangelical. Not all evangelicals are Southern Baptists.(I don't think Sarah Palin is a Southern Baptist.)
You don't have to be evangelical nor even Christian to abhor abortion.
You don't have to be Christian, evangelical, Republican, nor conservative to feel that the inside the beltway media is unfairly attacking Sarah Palin and her family.

It is just as unfair for liberals to say that Palin isn't qualified to be VeeP, as it is for The Southern Baptist Convention to say that she isn't qualified to be pastor.

Why do liberals despise Palin? Is it because she has risen to high office without espousing the sacrement of abortion?

John McCain's base is not necessarily Southern Baptist, evangelical, nor conservative. My guess is that his base is independents, moderate Republicans, and conservative Democrats.

McCain's campaign is saved by Palin attracting white conservative men who don't like McCain, rather than her attracting liberal women (which won't happen).

Ms. Quinn, I saw you twice on FoxNews The O'Reilly Factor last week. I appreciate your insights into the minds of inside the beltway media, and I encourage you to return to FoxNews frequently.

Sincerely and respectfully,
Brent Edwards
Martinez, Georgia

I find your comments, discussing. Sarah has proven herself not only as a mother but as a women who has love for her country and family both. She has a husband who is willing to step in an do everything to help make sure that the children are well taken care of and loved. Her oldest son is in the service, her daughter will be married, that leaves three.Get off your high horse Sally. Plus, who made you -OD. You and so many left wing liberals have John McCain dead and buried.
Roy

That's like asking when did God became a Christian

Ok you Democrats out there, you have an excellent opportunity to loose A LOT of votes for Obama by voicing your individual opinions on this issue.

Women's rights have always been at the top of my list of important issues when I choose who to support for the Oval office.

Why not point out that the Republican platform is always about taking the government out of our personal lives? (except of course when it comes to "Choice")instead of adding an unnecessary hot-topic issue for Obama to have to handle in addition to his already iffy experience record.

It seems to me that some things about our personal lives and decisions shouldn't be anyone else's, business at all..ever!(especially NOT the government's or the media's)

By supposed loyal democrats having ANY discussion about what a woman should or shouldn't do regarding her familial choices and arrangements is an oxymoron as far as the Democratic Party is concerned.

Maybe you shouldn't be a Democrat if you think it's any of your business how a woman in the political arena conducts her personal life. Do you make it your personal business to know how every elected person (Man or Woman) in the executive branch handles their child care and other problems within their family? How dare you...you are damaging Obama more than your grandious opinion will ever be worth.

Thanks a lot........ever heard of a..."nanny". I'm sure Governor Palin will be able to afford the best (if she so CHOOSES)... and YOU are helping her get elected.

Sincerely,
now an undecided....

Lisa Storey

As a Democrat, a woman and a former Hillary supporter (now Obama supporter), it never occurred to me to question Sarah Palin about her abilities as a mother. Women make their own decisions (with their husbands hopefully), and if she feels her children are better off with her as VEEP then so be it.....I have problems with her POLITICS, not her personal life.....I would have the SAME problems with her if she was a man!!!

Governor Palin,

After a week of the Republican convention speeches and sundry media coverage, I feel not only compelled but also uniquely entitled to express my feelings regarding John McCain's selection of you as his running mate in our upcoming election. You see, I am the grandmother of an incredible almost two year old little girl with Down syndrome .Unlike you, my daughter and my son- in- law did not have five months to ready themselves for dealing with this diagnosis. But if they had, I'm pretty sure my daughter would not have hidden her pregnancy "under a scarf", nor would she have neglected to mention it to other members of her family. Instead, my daughter and son- in -law immediately rallied through their tears and became the "generals" in their child's army. My granddaughter's various therapies began almost immediately upon coming home from the hospital. It is hard to imagine shifting the very complex planning, coordinating and participation in these multiple and intense therapies to the hands of any surrogate, even the father.. Although I have not discussed this with her, I know my daughter would not have considered occasionally bringing her daughter to work with her as a substitute for actually retiring from her high powered job so that she could give her daughter what she needed and deserved. And I am proud to report, this precious child has been a joy and a triumph every step of the way.
No- "courageous" would not be the adjective I would apply to you-incredibly ambitious would be far more apt. Having -versus really and truly raising five children, one with a disability, are two entirely different things. They are not just a litter of kittens. You impress me as someone who can "talk the talk" but cannot "walk the walk", as evidenced by the predicament in which your oldest daughter finds herself. Of course these things happen, but when you place yourself in the position of being a moral authority, you look pretty disconnected and inept when an unplanned pregnancy happens under you very nose. It appears your thoughts and efforts have been directed elsewhere.
I really do wonder what will happen to two of your children if John McCain is elected in November? I think your judgment and priorities are indeed questionable and that is a pretty disquieting thought for someone who might be "a heartbeat away" as they say.

Zanna Tilson
Kennett Square, PA
610-444-9874

Ms. Quinn's "breed or lead" mentality is enough to make any woman ill. Since when did our choice for the 20th Century become motherhood vs. career? You say it's not about women working, but that's exactly what it's about. The element you forget to address is having a good support network--a husband/father that steps up and a family that cares. As an Alaskan, I can tell you that Ms. Palin's motherhood was never a consideration in making my decision to vote for her as Governor of our Great State and it won't be a consideration when I vote for the McCain-Palin ticket in November.

I would like to hear what Sally Quinn thinks of Obama's priorities. Does Sally believe that Obama's first priority is as a father or as a senator? Will his first priority be as a father or as a President?

If the phone rings at three o'clock in the morning and his young daughter is sick what will Obama do. I want to know what men would do in that situation, or what they, and Sally, would want Obama as President to do.

IMHO, Sally Quinn is jealous of Sarah Palin who is younger, more attractive, more positive, more talented, more loving, as well as having a more supportive husband.

Dear Sally:
It was most disturbing to read your writings
about Sarah Palin. My first instinct to reply
was to be as nasty as you. After thinking about the situation for a while I decided that you are
in need of some kindness.So that you can make an
attempt to send it out to all WOMEN regardless of
their political persuasion.

My very bst wishes for you and your family.

Regards,
Alice Chirichella

DITLD, "Dear Sally Quinn

I do not kmow if it is possible to apologize for other people's rudeness, but if so, I would like to try.

I would to apologize for all the rude and hateful comments of the the Born Again Crhistians directed at you on this thread. You can hardly expect any better of them. They don't love their neighbor; they only love each other, and even in that, not very much.

They are a very, very low brow crowd of unaplogetic hypocrites. You could not expect much more from them. September 3, 2008 9:05 PM |
*************

What a considerate and sweet thing for you to do, you are a hero.

It's hard to understand the mean and nasty comments about Sarah Palin, her maternal responsibilities, and her political run for vice-president from women pundits such as Sally Quinn (and others) on Sunday's talk shows without considering the possibility that such females truly resent Sarah out of just plain jealousy. How dare some other woman handle a difficult and confused life with aplomb, humor, acceptance, and love when Sally's whole life story has been how impossible this task is for almost all women, excepting a few brilliant liberal politicians, and of course herself.

The most refreshing thing about Sarah Palin is that she accepts her family's humanity,with its gifts as well as its problems, and allows each member to make decisions which they then live with. Sarah deals with the life around her, which can be messy, and gets on with her own life, offering to the American people her superb promise and gifts. Sally Quinn thinks Sarah should stay at home and mind the children. How ironic!

Had Sarah's daughter chosen abortion, like millions of other daughters, many perhaps from prominent families, we would never have been aware of her pregnancy. Bully for her for accepting the life she has created, bully for the family who supports her. Sally wants choice, but only if its her favored choice, abortion. Any other choice alters her aristocratic nose high into the air, while the tsk tsks are abundantly aired.

It is very surprising that Ms. Quinn developed such an opinion without appearing to have full knowledge of Ms. Palin. However, it is shocking that Ms. Quins has changed that opinion based on hearing a speech that was read from a teleprompter.

Ms. Quinn,

I happened to see you on CNN this morning discussing Sarah Palin, and I could not have been more disgusted and appalled. I suppose I should thank the media for one thing: all this time, I thought that it was men who were holding women back, afraid to see us succeed. Now I realize it’s other women, such as you.

The burden of self-hate you must have been carrying for so long has clearly embittered you. Honestly, if you’ve been so terribly guilty about working as a mother, the answer is simple: get out of the newsroom. Allow other women who are capable and self-confident enough to handle two jobs—one outside the home and one as a mother—take your place. Just don’t tear those women down as you have been doing to Gov. Palin. The amazing hypocrisy of a working woman attacking another working women is truly stunning, and proves that one doesn’t have to be a man to be sexist.

(And if your husband has been that incapable of stepping up to the plate as a father, it’s not because men and women are so different and men are incapable of doing so; you simply chose poorly. My husband, despite being a Naval officer and commander of a U.S. Navy warship, more than does his share in raising our children.)

Here’s a thought as to why women think they should feel guilty for exercising their full potential both inside and outside the home: because we’re told we should, by the mainstream media and by women like you.

For the work you did today, you should truly feel ashamed. Unfortunately, it’s becoming quite clear that the media will never feel ashamed of their sexist positions and double standards, because they seem unable to see them. Rest assured: the people do.

My wife and I have always shared the supervision of our children. Several years ago my wife got a high paying position. I was working as a teacher. I took over the primary care of our two children. I resent your assertion that a wife must be present in a family. I nurtured our two children every bit as well as my wife could. Both children received schloarships to prestigious prep schools and were recruited for college athletics. My daughter is attending Mt. Holyoke College where she will be studying science. This summer she told me I was her best friend. You are sexist to men and woman and should take a closer look at your own life before you start directing other people how to live theirs. I doubt you could be half the mother I was to our two children.

Ok, did you not state that Dr. Merritt of the Southern Baptist convention said that only two posistions were for men only (head of the house and Pastor of the church)? So why are you having a problem with the idea that a woman can be VP?

I am DISGUSTED WITH SALLY QUINN AND THE WASHINGTON POST!!!
YOU SHOULD ALL BE ASHAMED, BUT YOU WOULD NEED TO HAVE A HEART AND SOUL FOR THAT, WHICH, BY YOUR ACTIONS YOU DO NOT.
I AM NOW VOTING FOR McCAIN, BECAUSE OF TRASH LIKE YOU.
YOU ARE "NOT" GOOD AMERICANS, BUT SOCIALISTS. RUSSIA IS LOOKING FOR PEOPLE JUST LIKE YOU. I WILL BE DELIGHTED TO HELP YOU PACK.
AMERICA DOES NOT WANT OR NEED LIARS AND TRADERS.

Ms. Quinn,

I'm still steamed about how quickly you dismissed Sarah Paelin, and her committment to serve. I'll bet you are a card carrying member of that venerable organization "N.O.W." (National Organization for Women....only the name is inaccurate. It more correctly should call itself
National Organization for LIBERAL Women.....Conservative need not apply. Clearly the same barriers we all fought to bring down are still very much in place if you are a COSERVATIVE woman, in your opinion. Got news for you....you're a fraud.

On the issue of women pastoring I would not expect a liberal feminist to understand, for they don't have the spiritual comprehension to understand. I cannot believe a feminist would differentiate between the role of a working mother and the vice-president which is a job. After all it is the motto of the feminists movement to put women in the work place and if they choose not to work they are condemned for their decisions.

Would you like to know why country-loving Americans instantly adored Sarah? It's because she's not only one of us, she represents the best in us. She is so full of love, it runs over. Every kid sees in her, Mom at her very best. Every husband sees in her his wife at her most beautiful. Other moms see a pal and ally. She is not only willing but capable and has proven it. Smart, brave, committed, and guileless...go ahead, try to diminish Sarah Palin, you sanctimonious beltway hyper-hypocrites, Americans are watching you under microscopes and taking notes.

you are an incredible waste of space... go home and cook clean and do the dishes since that seems like what you think Palin should do... PATHETIC

Sally,
I find it astonishing that all of a sudden feminists like yourself are condemning a working mother. Indira Gandhi was Prime Minister of India and had children so did the late Benazir Bhutto. Her son was just entering college when she was assasinated but her children were still young when she was in office/power so for you elitists in the media to navel gaze over the Sarah Palin's decision to be VP is both disingenuous and hypocritical.

You also are desperately trying to compare oranges and apples when you compare the church not allowing women to be pastors compared to a committed Christian being a vice-presidential nominee for the highest office in the land. Of course they can become presidents. The Bible speaks against women pastors not women presidents. Christian women run successful businesses and are CEO's of their company...and have families. Your demeaning tone on evangelical women is typical of the New York, San Francisco NOW gang - (or NAGS as Rush Limbaugh more accurately calls them) they are just so clueless of the inner power of evangelical women, the close family ties born of sacrifice, faith and love. Do not underestimate this strength. Do not ever forget, women like Sarah Palin, are like the strong frontier women of centuries past, who defended their homestead with a gun in one hand and a Bible in the other, and yes, they wore skirts to boot.
Unlike our howling, whining, angry, birkenstock Hollywood, Harvard, Yale educated women, burning bras, stringy hair, striding about wearing pantsuits like men, evangelical women have an inner strength you will never know. They are equals with their husbands and are not afraid to speak their minds. Their husbands are loving, (as Christ loves the church) supportive and their relationship is like you and your boss. You are both equals but you defer to your boss where the company is concerned. In Sarah Palin's case, I suspect that her husband is fully supportive of her work and is willing to take on a greater role of running the family while she sets out to clean out Washington. So who are you to say otherwise?
John Adams said "The foundation of our society and our government rest so much on the teachings of the Bible that it would be difficult to support them if these teachings would cease to be practically universal in our country." For those not familiar with our Founding Fathers - I suggest you study them.

As for the "humiliation of Bristol Palin"...there are consequences for your actions and the sooner our young people learn that the better. We have become a society of adults pampering our sweet little darlings, not wanting them to face any consequence at all; we coddle our young Americans that they end up becoming pretty stupid adults - the ME generation. Sarah Palin does not coddle her kids which I find admirable and Sarah should be a role model to all mothers across the land. Bristol didn't kill her unborn child just because it would look better for her mother, - murdering an unborn child is another form of coddling in our society. Far too many women in this country walk guilt-ridden after an abortion because deep down, they know that they will always be the mother of a dead child - a child willfully killed by their own hands. Sarah didn't want her daughter Bristol to carry this guilt with her, hence she had to face the consequences of her choice. Nothing humiliating about that rather it takes courage. Courage you have no idea about.

So in conclusion, how Sarah Palin is going to juggle family, a Down Syndrome baby and the demands of the VP office is really none of your business or anyone elses in the media for that matter. Do you honestly think she and her husband and family didn't discuss this before she accepted the position? P L E A S E!! So fret not..."with man this is not possible but with God ALL things are possible." You see, the Creator of this Universe knows Sarah Palin better than you do. And He will see her through...not you!

Sally,

You have no idea how snooty you looked on Bill O'Reilly. You would not have atacked any Democratic woman whether she had Sarah Palin's extensive experience or not. You might find this hard to believe, but I do not consider you very smart. You might be rich and famous but so is Britney Spears! My mom raised six children by herself after my dad died at 36. And by the way she did not have any nannies or cooks. Your opinion of yourself is much too high. Have a good day!

Here in America, women have been preachers, teachers and pastors for hundreds of years, starting with the Quakers in 1600's & 1700's, continuing with the Methodists of the 1800's who traveled the mountains on horseback, preaching and pastoring in rural communities to the Pentecostal movement of the early 1900's.
Today there are countless women preachers and pastors from world-wide ministries and mega-churches such as Marilyn Hickey, Joyce Meyer, Victoria Osteen, and Darlene Zschech to the many small and mid-sized churches where women teach, preach, pastor or co-pastor with their husbands. Some are ordained, others are not. Geraldo Rivera, for example, has an aunt? who preaches and pastors a small church in Brooklyn. In my own church of several thousand, both our pastor and his wife are ordained and considered the senior pastors.

Biblical precedence includes Deborah and Esther functioning as political and spiritual leaders of Israel in Judges 4 and 5, and the Book of Esther. The first century church had many women leaders in addition to that first group of women Jesus sent to preach the gospel referred to by Annie Graham Lotz. Some of their names and titles are listed in the Bible, such as Lydia, Phoebe, Priscilla and Junia. Others are spoken of in historical documents of the time. But by 441 A.D. the Council of Orange directed, "Let no one proceed to the ordination of deaconesses ANYMORE."
In the 19th century, many of the founding evangelical leaders including D.L Moody and Charles Phinney, the Christian Missionary Alliance, the Free Methodists and the Salvation Army all promoted women at varying levels of leadership, from preaching to pastoring, teaching and serving on executive boards. Rev. Luther Lee of the Wesleyan Methodist Church preached a sermon entitled "Women's Right to Preach the Gospel" at the ordination of Antoinette L. Brown in 1853, America's first fully ordained woman. The American Baptist churches also ordained dozens of women in the early 1900's.

Unfortunately, like the first century church, these churches became more institutionalized and gradually voted women out. Dr. David Yongi Cho, pastor of the world's largest Christian church in Seoul, South Korea, with 700,000 to 800,000 members, where the majority of the pastors are women, theorizes this might be because men can be more concerned about preserving power while women are more concerned about getting the job done.

A fascinating book to read on the subject is "Women of Destiny" by Cindy Jacobs. Chapters 8-12 especially deal with the Biblical and historical traditions as well as the scholarly aspects of St. Paul's instructions about women in church leadership, while the first 7 chapters are more anecdotal.
Sorry to be so long winded, Ms. Quinn, but I hope it helps.

This woman is doing something unique for all woman, something we didn't think could be done. They were interviewing some Govenors about her and a few said they could remember seeing her at the governor's meetings working while holding the infant. We've been told for years WE CAN'T DO THAT. We have to seperate or should i say amputate a huge part of who we are as woman if we want to work. She should not be held back from a higher position until her children are grown.
That's ridiculous.

Also, all this talk about 5 kids, PLEASE! One is in the army! Two are in highschool. As a mom, there are only two children that will really be effected by her taking this job.
If her husband stays home, they are in better shape than most single parent households.

Thank you for coming back on television and admitting you may have prejudged this woman. As a breastfeeding, working mom I was really shocked by your comments.

We don't want working woman to think that they should not do what is in the best interest of their children.

Like all of us, her children will come first and that is why she will work so hard for our country. She is someone who deeply cares about the future.

I wouldn't want a president or vp who didn't put the love of his family first and i don't see this as a job conflice, actually the opposite.
You would never ask a man to put his job before his children, why do you want that from her.

Thanks again for having the "boobs" to say you may have been wrong. Respect that!

This Governor voted to slash funding for Special Needs Children by 40%! Not only is she a mother of a Special Needs child herself, but she is also an aunt of a Special Needs Child.

She seems detached from her family and their needs. The issue isn't that she is a mom that works. This is a mom of 5 children and a grandchild on the way. This is different than most working moms. They may have one or two children, but not 5 and a pending grandchild under the same roof!

He believes in abstinence and no sex education. Well look at what happened. She has a teenage daughter who is pregnant.

Religion seems to be a tool she uses to her advantage. Christ is compassionate and teaches love for all. From what I can see, she is not able to be responsible as a parent. What mother could go back to work a few days after having one of the most precious gifts of all.

To use the words of the late "Mr. Roger's", can you say Sally Quinn is a village idiot. Typical comments from a woman with low self esteem. Clearly Quinn is jealous of those more fulfilled than her.

The idea that Sally Quinn is a working mother in a league with Sarah Palin is a joke. Sally Quinn is a prima donna who lives off her big shot husband and hosts snob parties. I saw her tout her hunting skills. Does Sally talk about her marksmanship skills with her snotty crowd? Get real Sally, Sarah is the real deal, you are definitely not!

Sarah Palin isn't a Southern Baptist. Your entire article is disjointed and reaching.

Yet again, we raise issues about Palin that we don't ask of other candidates.

BTW - John McCain's mother is still alive. It's obvious that he has genes for longevity. What's your concern there...?

Once again, I find myself frustrated, reading about whether or not Sarah Palin can juggle mommyhood and the vice presidency. While being VP is a more demanding job than your traditional M-F, 8-5, its still a job. Overtime it has become the norm for there to be two working parents in the home...with our economy in the shape that its in, what choice is there anyway? We con't complain about other mothers who must work full time and raise their family. Why should Sarah Palin be any different? Anyway, what about the fact that Barack Obama has two children and is running for President of the U.S? I don't see anyone questioning him and his ability to be a good father? It is a double standard. Parenthood is a two-person job involving the mother AND the father equally. It has been expected that Michelle Obama will just step right up to the plate, as expected, to care for the children when Barack Obama's obligations with the presidency become demanding. Shouldn't we expect the same from Sarah Palin's husband? My answer is "yes, yes, yes".

On the issue of women preaching in church or leading a church, I have no answer. I don't know the answer. I do however know that Southern Baptists have a way of getting too tied up in tradition and "the way things have always been". I believe the Bible is clear that we (Christians) are all charged equally with spreading God's word and witnessing to others. There seems to be no problem with women who serve in other church leadership roles or speak to others about God, so why should standing on the pulpit be any different?

I do not come from a Southern Baptist tradition, and while those folks are embraced under the Republican umbrella, which is inclusive of many faiths and many beliefs, I disagree first of all with the statement that "these are the base." A part, sure, but even those of us who chose to stay home with our kids while they were young understand that others make different choices. Acceptance of diversity is not limited to liberals only.

Secondly, the constant discussion of John McCain's age must be somewhat discounted when gazing upon his 96 year old mother. Yes, he has survived cancer, and the Viet Cong. He probably can survive four more years of the liberal media.

As for Sarah's "judgement" in exposing her daughter to the ridicule of the press, I guess I now know that she's an optimist, who assumed that the hands off treatment normally given the candidates of children would apply to her and her children.

Knowing that she refused to run for Governor several years ago over the objection of her son, I would guess that she would have turned down the nomination had her daughter objected. That tells me that she trusts her (nearly adult) children and gives them the opportunity to have some voice in decisions which affect them.

It's actually not Sarah Palin's judgment that should be in question, but rather, the judgment of the media in going after a 17 year old girl in order to take down her mother.

So, Sally, what do you hate about Sarah Palin the most. Is it that she is a successful woman, a member of the NRA, pro choice, has five childern that love, trust and repect her, or she is a christian?

The crazy Laura Ingraham was all over you on right wing radio yesterday. It would have been funny if the issue of Sara Palin as leader of this country was'nt a possibility. I am very scared of this woman becoming president.

I'm impressed that you went on the O'Reilly Factor and admitted you were too quick to judge Sarah Palin. Well Done! However, you went on to say you still believe Sarah Palin hasn't even started to find out what is needed to care for a special-needs child, implying she shouldn't take the job.

Since Palin's sister also has a 13 year old special-needs child, their families are very close-knit and supportive, and Palin's parents taught and worked in the public school system for many years, it seems you have again criticised Palin's knowledge and judgement too soon about what is needed to care for her son.

Even with five years in college as a special education major, I fought for many years to be treated with RESPECT about my choice to stay at home with my kids and later to homeschool them. PLEASE! We should at least reserve judgement until all the facts are in. Or better yet, as Barak Obama and Joe Biden have wisely suggested, we could all try minding our own business and stick to the POLITICAL ISSUES of the campaign!

I rarely follow your comments because I find most of your World View too narrow, very Washington Elite based! Heard what you said about the Alaska Gov, read it and found that you are still a Washington Elite Post opinion wonk. But I found it interesting that you are also anti-woman, if that woman does not fit into your narrow mold. I have known many women who have several children, and have broken through the glass ceiling in their field and are truly representative of the woman's movement and effort to become as replacing as men in all jobs. How dare you say that Gov Palin or even president Palin is not worthy of being the US VP or President because she has children. Where do you get your wonk ideas and one has to wonder if you even know what goes on outside of your narrow circle of "in" friends and associates. You would not have said this about a male, why say it about a woman and a mother.

Thought you were not worth reading many years ago and, low and behold, you proved me right again. YOu owe Gov Palin an apology!

From an average woman who has done it all and is
darn pruod!

Respectfully Ms Quinn...? In Regards To Your Appearance On The OReilly Factor. You Really Should Find Out About Things, BEFORE You Offer “Your Learned’ Opinions. Once Again You Have Spoken Too Quickly. This Time Re: Mrs. Palin & Her Lack Of Understanding Re: Time & Special Needs Children. As I Myself Learned On Day Three Of The RNC, Sara’s Sister Has A Special Needs Child That Is Around 13 That Mrs. Palin Is MORE Than Familiar With.

I Expect…? That Many End Up On Your Site Looking For Information. Wouldn’t It Be Nice…? If They Left Your Site Well Informed? Rather Than…? Ohhh… I Don’t Know? Filled With Gossipy, Opinionated, Tabloid Style Innuendo.

I Came Across Your “Previous Opinion” Soon After You Made The Verbal Mistake That It Was.
Sad… I Thought The Newsweek/Washingtonpost Was A LEGITIMATE News Organization.

Take Heart That Sarah… Is Most Likely Not Bothered The Least By The Treatment.
Sarah’s Own Words Re: Some Of Hillary Clintons Past Complaints Suggests That Reasoning.

The Mothers & Fathers, Of Millions Of Daughters Though..? Most Certainly Are.

Be “Old School” Ms. Quinn! If You Think Before You Speak…?
You Should Be Satisfied With The Person You See In The Mirror Every Morning.

We Can Only Hope…

=^_^= I Hope Next Week Goes Better For You.
(Leif... Pronounced “Life”)

Dear Ms. Quinn,
I appreciated that you admitted you were wrong on your first view of Sarah Palin. However I still disagree with your sumation that " will Sarah put family first or country first." Do you ask that question of John McCain, Obama or Biden? I hope the answer for all four in very perilous times would be "put country first"-in other times country and family can coexist quite comfortably for either president or vice-president. Our men and women in the military these days have had to deal with this.
My father died when I was two leaving my mother with five children-one with spinal bifida. She had to work- but she was still a great mother giving us the time she had. We were blessed with a great extended family and a church family that helped to produce educated, productive children. The Palins seem to have these qualities. They are survivors and will make the best of what ever difficulties they may face. Why? Maybe because of their Christian faith and values!!!
I am eager to watch Sarah Palin these next two months. I haven't decided for sure which way I will vote but being a mother of a special needs child will not be a factor.

Sally Quinn views and opinions have been exposed as wholey inappropriate. Frankly, we don't care what she'd like to know regarding Sarah Palin and her priorities. Sarah is REAL ( American & mother & reformer & leader & much much more) and will make appropriate choice when situation arises.

On other hand Sally Quinn fails to recognize real because she and those around her are immersed in their own self-importance.

We need to clean out Washington, the newsrooms, the classrooms of people like Sally Quinn.

Wow Sally Quinn you are sooooo HOT. I don't care if you're completely off of your rocker when it comes to politics and religion....you're still hot and have such a "fun" sense of humor.

I'm just a fan of your sexiness and personality based on your two recent appearances on Bill O'Reilly's show. I wished he would shut up and quit interrupting you. And kudos to you for returning and sorta retracting some of your harsh, biased views on Palin. Too bad I can't stand the Wash Post to want to come back again though. Hope to see on Bill's show again. :)

There's no reason at all why Gov. Palin would not be a terrific President. She has proved that she knows how to get things done -- she has taken on oil companies and won. She has been extraordinarily fiscally responsible. She -- of ALL four candidates -- is the only one who has used executive power and used it to the betterment of her constituency.

It is no black mark against her that she believes in abstention from sex before marriage and doesn't believe in contraception. The fact that her daughter has an out-of-wedlock pregnancy has nothing to do with that -- teens who have contraception devices and are taught planned parenthood get pregnant, too. Teenage passions just get out of hand sometimes. The Palin family shows their love by giving their support to life. What anyone else thinks is irrelevant.

The role of a minister is vastly different from the role of President of the United States. The minister deals in faith and matters of the soul; the President deals in protection of the nation, economics and legislation. In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul tells us that men are uniquely equipped for the ministry -- we take his word as a matter of faith.

My question to you is, did you ask these questions about Hillary? Isn't this just a round about way of implying that women of faith should be disqualified from seeking the Presidency simply because they don't agree with you?

Since our Founding Fathers did not address the situation and since women have handled state governments, we can assume that women, no matter what their religious beliefs, can handle the Presidency as effectively as men. Sarah Palin has certainly proved that she can.

Ms. Quinn,

What Gov. Palin's priorities are regarding her family is none of your business just like your family priorities are none of hers. For you to question her on this matter makes me believe that women contribute as much to their disavantaged status in society as men do. Why can't you be happy to see another woman live up to her fullest potential in her chosen profession? She already has so much in society working against her. This is especially true when you look at how girls are socialized to later take positions in society that are subordinate to men. She really doesn't need other women trying to stand in the way of her success. The attitude that you have taken is evidence of the blatant double standard that women are constantly burdened with. When John Edwards came out with his dying wife by his side and indicated that he was continuing his run for the presidency, I didn't see you publicly question his parenting priorities. Never mind that he would be leaving his wife home alone on her deathbed, to care for their two small children ages 5 and 7. This is outrageous. No one told him to get off the campaign trail and go home to care for his very needy family. Why did you only feel it necessary to do it to Governor Palin and not to John Edwards? John Edwards went on to cheat on his dying wife, alledgedly father a child with his mistress and ruin Hillary Clinton's chances for winning the nomination. He's even of bad character and is undeserving the unfettered opportunity he was given. Stop taking positions aginst Gov. Palin that only serve to devalue her accomplishments. Its destructive and can only serve to make it harder for women to gain equality in our society. Even if you are jealous of Gov. Palin because she is young, successful, powerful and beautiful, you shouldn't let it show in public. I assure you it is very unattractive.

sally quinn, you wouldn't/didn't say the same things about single parent joe biden as you did about sarah palin. sarah doesn't care what you think, and neither do i.

Sally, I am a 45 year old working mother of 3, I have watch, read and listen to your sound bites and snipeds and you are a typical Washington Elitis and out of touch with main stream Americia. I'm starting to think you may have been the result of a Botched Abortion - GO PALIN!!

While the Bible offers specifics on the roles of men and women in the home and church, no where does it forbid women from political or business leadership. In fact, it refers to a few women leaders and business owners.

One of the best examples is Deborah. Judges 4 speaks of Deborah and a guy named Barak (no "c" in his name, but kind of ironic if you ask me). Deborah is a wife (Judges 4:4), mother (Judges 5:7) and a leader chosen by God. She gives a military order to Barak and Judges 4 tells the rest of the story.

Also, looking at this from a structural perspective, our country doesn't have a queen or king. The President and VP have the same vote as we do. Their governing is limited thanks to our brilliant founders. So, to have a female President does not mean men will be in subjection to a woman. We are blessed to be subjects of a country ruled by a document, not a person.

Women have been arguing for years that they should receive equal pay for equal work. Thank you, Sally, for clarifying for us that women are not capable of performing equally because they are distracted by family concerns. I think an immediate 10 - 15% pay cut for all women is in order.

I'm a working mom sally, I think Sally Quinn is the Result of a Botch Abortion, maybe a late term one where she had her brains sucked out!!! Sally you are out of the main stream and you have shown over the past few days you are a True Washington eletis!!!!!! GO PALIN !!!!!

You need to get on EVERY TV channel and say over, and over, how WRONG you were about Sarah Palin!!!

You are too "sophicated"... and that you would have said the same thing if she were a Democrat is just now believable.

Anyway I'd like to see you apologize.

When Rick Davis, McCain's campaign manager, was asked this morning EXACTLY what the MSM had said about Palin that was SO DREADFUL as to warrant her not being put out there before the MSM to answer ISSUE questions, he couldn't answer! This is a SHAM by the McCain group - a 'red herring' of sorts - an EXCUSE to keep Palin safely tucked away from the press. The McCain people know she is NOT READY FOR PRIMETIME!! Look, she admitted she doesn't even know what a VP does!!! This is a Karl Rovian TRICK! The question is is the MSM going to let them get AWAY with it? I hope the MSM follows the brilliant ROGER SIMON of POLITICO who has honestly labeled this for what it is. He said on TV tonight that if Palin can't stand the heat of the MSM how can she ask for our votes to be a heartbeat away from the presidency???

Why must we suffer this over-the-hill hag's prognositications? Don't you have any reporters or columnist born in the latter half of the 20th century?

Ms.Quinn: Tonight on Fox you said that Sarah Palin should tell the voters who she should put first her Family or Country

That's like the old one "Did you stop beating yore wife" How LOW and One Sided can you get.

Ask Obama the same question

The self-righteous and know-it-all attitude of Mary Quinn regarding Sarah Palin's "priorities" was AMAZING! Even though Ms Quinn tried to hide behind "her concern" for Mrs Palin's family, her real intention to raise questions about Ms Palin's priorities/abilities was perfectly clear. I was not aware of Ms Quinn's existence before this matter came up - I don't subscribe to the Post since leaving the Northern Virginia area - but I'd be willing to put money down that Mary Quinn is a dedicated Liberal Democrat. I only wish I HAD been taking the Post so I could let her bosses know I was cancelling my subscription because of her idiocy. All I can do is send this comment and hope this helps discredit this "woman" (and I use this term loosely).

My congratulations to Sally Quinn for appearing on the O'Reilly Factor to say she was wrong about Sarah Palin. It takes a big person to do that. We can disagree about political positions all day long, but should not attack politicians with regard to their family situations.

For all the left-leaning media knows, Governor Palin's husband and/or parents may be signed up to help care of the children should Palin become VP.

I find it very insulting that Sarah Palin's ability to be a good mother and vice president is being questioned. Women have been working and mothering for a long time now quite successfully. This should never be an issue in the present day. Women have progressed way beyond this thought process. When has a man ever been questioned if he has the ability to be a good father and vice president? Shame on you, Sally, for bringing up such a issue. This would never have been questioned of Hillary Clinton and the many other women in high positions. It is time to break the glass ceiling and women like you are only stopping the liberated women of America. We want equal rights until it goes against our party. What kind of double standard is this?

You obviously decided to say you were wrong on your opinions about Sarah Palin to save your career. You were so transparent on your appearance on the O'Reilly factor, wanting Bill to call you by your first name (he didn't). Don't try to make friends, you are a snob, an elitist, and can never be anything on your own. In addition, you will never be respected for your opinions when they are only propaganda. You will never be anything close to a person like Sarah Palin, because you have no backbone or character.

Sally, how nice to see you eating crow on The Factor with O'Reilly tonight. You convinced America that you are indeed a Washington elitist bigot. Hopefully someone with brains is raising your son and not you.

Sally, What does any of this have to do with being VP. I suspect her children have had better care during her term as governor then most children in America. And I'm sure Chelsey Clinton would tell you that living in the White House was a great experience. Feminists have insisted successfully on a society in which women work on an equal basis with men and now you are suggesting that a woman can't hold down a job because she has 5 children and one child with a disability. If Sarah Palin applied for a job with General Motors which she was exceptionally qualified for and she was turned down because she had 5 children I think Sally Quinn would help her defray the costs of her EEOC suit against the "discriminating bastards". Just say you don't like her politics and don't demean yourself this way.

Ms. Quinn,

The Southern Baptist Convention is not the base of John McCain. There are m illions of evangelicals in the USA.

Dear Ms.Quinn,
You have a new fan and admirer. Not only are you forthright about your own foibles, but you are woman enough to share the fact that you misjudged, perhaps, Gov. Palin. Thank ypu for sharing your views with Bill O'Reilly, and the rest of us who watched. Ypu merit the respect of all fair minded people who love our country and who want us to do better as a society.
Respectfully,
Louis Diaz
Brooklyn, NY

On Bill O'Reilly you stated that Sarah Palin asked what the VP does? Did you really hear her say that? I did! If you would have heard the follow up sentence, you would have heard her say that she is used to being active and not just being on the shelf so to speak. In other words, she is interested in the job of VP if she can be an active part of the administration. Please do not quote people out of the context of their conversation.

Just saw you on Bill O reilly. You make me sick.

You are a snob. "You can't do it all". What gives you the right to tell Gov. Palin that she should stay home and take care of her kids - that she does not know what it takes to take care of a special needs child!!! One of the problems with the US these days is that people don't try at ALL. What is wrong with trying to do it all? Do we all now have to check in with you to make sure that our actions are politically correct according to your standards and make sure that we do not try to hard to make a better life for ourselves and our Country. SNOB!!

SHAME ON YOU SALLY QUINN! You have set women back 100 years with your comments about Sarah Palin and her ability to be a VP and raise 5 children.

I cannot relate to the religious aspect of your column as I am Jewish and we do have Jewish Rabbis in reform and conservative congregations.

However, I can relate to the Mother questions and concerns. As a Mother & an eduactor, I feel strongly that children need their Mommies MORE than the time that might be available should she become VP. In particular her PG daughter and special needs child need extra attention. I am also at a loss to understand why any mother would have 5 children and decide they were not her first priority.

I must add that as the mother of a special needs child, how could she stand up and say that she will be am advocate for special needs children when she cut funding for special needs children.

There are so many other areas of concern, but I doubt that you have time to read and hear. I just hope you and the media will press forward in informing the public about Sarah Palin----as it appears that Senator McCain is intent on keeping her under wraps and the public in the dark. Seems like 4 more years of George W Bush. OH NO!!!

Joan Kuperstein
Hollywood, FL

I am the mother of five children; my oldest just graduated from the Naval Academy (unlike John McCain, my son did well and graduated with high honors). I own my own business and brought all my babies to work with me until they crawled around too much; all were nursed for at least the first year.
I think it will be impossible for Sarah Palin to be a committed vice president AND a committed mother at the same time. It is way too hard to have a full time job and be there for your children. I AM SPEAKING FROM EXPERIENCE. At work you think about your children; at home you think about work. Is she going to uproot her family and move them to Washington? Or is she going to take extended trips away from DC to be with her family? You can't have it both ways!
Sarah Palin is like a "Barbie goes to Washington" doll with her "razzle dazzle hairdo". She clearly hasn't been paying enough attention to her children already, with her teenage daughter pregnant.

frankly sally, i don't think you really want to know and do not believe any amount of 'explaining' would convince you because your mind is pretty much made up. you think like most d.c. elitists. you somehow view a wife 'submitting' to her husband as being a form of slavery. no honest Christian husband would do that. maybe you don't know any. i can't say.

my wife has been teaching deaf ed. for many years and we have 2 teens who currently live at home. my wife has her grad degree and may one day pursue a doctorate. i have my undergrad and i am pursuing a grad degree. i can speak for the both of us in this regard, Sarah p. is not going against any Scriptural precedent. i can say this because i am a theology major. yes sally, a southern Baptist. i am sure if they had it to do over the palin family may have avoided the teen pregnancy but i am so proud of them for not aborting that precious baby and i will support them and pray for them and my wife and i are both thrilled with the choice for rep. v. p. Sarah has character sally, something most beltway leftist know nothing of. thanks for your time.

Sally is a jealous scorn women that is unhappy with what she has accomplished in her life so she has to attack Sarah. Sarah is changing the world for the better. While Sally is being an out of line judgemental reporter like all the rest. I dont even think Sally has the credablitity to work for TMZ. My advice for Sally is to grow up and let the mother of five change America.

Obama skipped an important vote during his tenure in the Illinois Senate and claimed his daughter was sick with the flu. Obama was on vacation in Hawaii at the time.

Obama didn't help his record in Springfield when he failed to come home from a Hawaiian vacation to vote on the Safe Neighborhoods Act. His vote wouldn't have made a difference, but Obama's been a strident supporter of gun control, so a lot of voters thought he'd disappeared when his voice was needed most. Obama takes his family to Hawaii once a year to visit his 80-year-old grandmother, Toot. Both his parents are dead, and Toot is the only living relative he knew growing up. This year he almost canceled the trip because the fight over the Safe Neighborhoods Act went on until December 22. The Obamas managed to get out of town on Thursday, December 23, and planned to fly back the following Tuesday, so Barack could be in Springfield when the legislature reconvened the next day. But on the day of the flight, Obama's 18-month-old daughter came down with the flu. He decided to stay in Hawaii one more day. If Malia seemed to be recovering, the Obamas would go home together. If not, Barack would fly out alone. On Wednesday Malia was well enough to fly, and the family returned to Illinois.

"I made an assessment based on the fact that I didn't want to leave my wife and daughter alone without knowing how serious her condition was, and my assessment was based on the fact that this was a largely political vote, in the sense that either Pate Philip was going to agree to a compromise, in which case the bill was going to pass, or there were going to be negotiations taking place," he says. "We put our families through so many sacrifices in this process anyway that every once in a while you have to make a decision in terms of what you think is best for your family, and I think that this was one of these decisions. Politically, I took a big hit."

Obama was castigated by the Tribune's "Inc." column (the headline: "D-U-M"), and by callers to Cliff Kelley's show on WVON. He had to answer for his missed vote at a January candidates' forum in the Tulley Park field house.

"If you initiate a lot of ideas and at the time of a vote you're not there, how can we count on you?" Kevin Tyler asked.

Obama gave a curt answer. "If you look at my record in Springfield, I don't miss votes. I missed one as a result of my daughter being sick. That's an exceptional situation that doesn't arise often."

Tyler didn't buy Obama's excuse.

http://www.chicagoreader.com/obama/000317/

Sally- remember when you stepped forward to defend Obama's Pastor Jeremiah Wright?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0DbSwMneX4

Men and women have traditional roles in society and in families. Alot of people like those traditional roles. But these traditional roles do not suit everyone. Some women would like to go beyond those traditional roles. And so would some men. And if that is what they want, then they should be able to do so.

But if it were not for Democrats and the Democratic party, there would be no choice today in such things; everyone would be confined to the Republican-Evangelically prescribed trational roles. There would be no woman governor of Alaska, nor of any other state, and no woman Vice Presidential nominee.

It just seems a little hypcritical for Conservative status quo traditional types to scream bloody murder that liberals do not like Sarah Palin's politics.

Quite frankly, I was surprised by your attitude when speaking with Bill O'Reilly. You basically said Sarah Palin should be barefoot and at home with the kids. I am 56 years old, have lived through a lot of the male chauvanistic pig thinking and was angered to hear a FEMALE spewing out the same garbage. Other countries have had women leaders - Queen Isabella of Spain, Queen Victoria, Margaret Thatcher, Indira Ghandi, etc., etc. Why are Americans so afraid of it. Maybe they are jealous because in Sarah Palin we might just find a woman who can have it all - the family, a career in politics, and actually make a difference in this world. If her husband willingly shares in the parenting duties, what's the difference if it's a role reversal to small-minded people? If she can kick butt and get some positive change going, more power to her!!

JESUS WAS A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER

Anonymous:
Sarah Palin cannot be relied upon to secure USA, if she cannot secure her own child, Bristol.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How would you have her "secure" her daughter? Put her in a chastity belt? My parents preached "abstinence until marriage" from the time I was old enough to know the difference between boys and girls. It didn't stop me from becoming sexually active at 17 or from getting pregnant while single at 25. My concern is the logic (or lack thereof) in allowing a couple of 17-year-old kids to marry. Teenagers are old enough to make a baby, but are seldom mature enough to be good spouses or good parents. They cannot reasonably expect to be able to support a family, unless they're going to be living with and/or supported by either the Palins or the boyfriend's parents. But if their families are willing to help support them, then they may stand a chance.

I saw Sally Quinn on CNN this morning and was very excited by her calm questioning of Sarah Palin's decision to essentially leave the parenting of her newborn and oversight of her other children in the hands of her husband and parents. I was almost as excited as I was when I saw Sally defend Barack Obama when he said Rev. Wright was like a father to me. Sally, I am so grateful for finding that you have a faith column... the greatest gift of this election is to tear away at the stereotype that believers reside on the political right only. Blessings Hermine Clouser

Sarah Palin is not just No Hillary. She's a joke. As a woman, I don't see how she has any courage or conviction. She's as duped with the whole male supremacist ideology when it comes to her politics as the wives of the Texas Polygamists are when it comes to love. Women have no choice or voice in the Republic party. They're just used as puppets. B/w, Doesn't McCain look too frail to be President? He looks like he's barely able to keep his balance.

Los Angeles, CA

During your recent appearance on the O'Reilly Factor, you said "it's not about liberal or conservative" when commenting about Sarah Palin. That's akin to saying "it's not about the money." I have no doubt that your criticism of Sarah Palin - Republican, would have never been leveled if she were Sarah Palin - Democrat. Anyone with an ounce of intelligence can see straight through to your agenda. It's a shame that you and your leftist friends in the media are seeking to destroy an honest, hard-working woman just because you don't share the same values and ideology.

Any church or nation that tries to limits the Holy Spirit working in people gets into trouble. Two excellent biblical scholars from the evangelical Gordon Conwell Seminary, Richard and Catherine Kroeger, have done a fine online Bible study on women serving as leaders in the Church, check it out at http://www.pcusa.org/womensministries/history-theology/women-elders.pdf

Grace and Peace,
Bruce Gillette

Bruce & Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, Co-Pastors
Limestone Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, DE

newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/pamela_k_taylor/2008/09/leadership_in_church_cuts_away.html#comments

for "the soldiers in the land forces suicides" i can think that they are getting into Islam in Northern Iraq the Heaven and Garden of Eden in the Bible.

for the children in Ethiopia and Somalia, the land of Enoch, other than water, the children need food and meals, on the table.

Sally Quinn,

You realy do not have a clue about family. Any mother that works outof the home, is going to see less of her family. However Sally, she has a husband, no kidding, a husband who seems to be more than capable to help with the raising of their family. Do not insult the families who have working parents, not only is it demeaning it makes you out to be meany. Take your journalistic talents and write about something important.... American needs the Palins, all of them.

lets go on with the graphical design. if my wife is in an affair with another man, then i can think that she is going to Church, as MAry was before her marriage.

www.sabah.com.tr/haber,E45E207F64FD4D56813C0FAEC3B2BBD4.html
www.sabah.com.tr/haber,05D18C14621B43918188BCA9B4C9C304.html
www.sabah.com.tr/haber,629722F652B244AB9BB70F65891D5DF6.html
www.sabah.com.tr/haber,BDE1B4847EA145AAB564D437D4A1243D.html
www.sabah.com.tr/haber,F5DCCC1EF60E4DE8A72A6F30CA83364E.html

the flag of the city of President Abdullah Gul is Eagle of EAst and West, Armenia has changed the flag of Football Federation back to EAgle of Both Sides. President had been honoured by Queen Elizabeth.

It never ceases to amaze me how liberals and feminizis can be so hipocritical towards other women that do not make the same choices they did.

Gov. Palin is more than capable to take on the responsibilities of VP or President should that come her way.

Sally, you insult all working women with your comments in this article. We women are extremely strong and yes, we can balance work and family. What the h... ever happened to a woman having it all? Is that just for liberals and dems?

Your hipocrisy is appalling!

Obama Is Losing Support Among Moderate Evangelicals

The moderate evangelical vote is slipping away from Barack Obama.

All year, Sen. Obama has worked hard to win evangelical voters. They’ve run campaign ads, distributed literature about being a “committed Christian,” and offered numerous outreach events at the Democratic convention. At stake are about six million voters - moderate evangelicals who voted for George W. Bush last time but were intrigued by Sen. Obama.

“Because of the emotional/social hot-buttons of the traditional evangelical community, things just got very difficult for Sen. Obama,” said Joel Hunter, the Republican pastor who gave the benediction at the Democratic convention. “I am not sure of the shelf-life of ecstasy.”

Earlier in the week, Mark DeMoss, a supporter or John McCain who had earlier predicted Sen. Obama could get as much as 40% of the evangelical vote, revised his estimates downward. Was it “game over?” I asked. “Yes, I think so,” he said.

Several things have battered Sen. Obama’s standing with moderate evangelicals:

1) His poor performance at the Saddleback candidates forum, especially (or perhaps entirely) his comment about it being “above my pay grade” to know when life begins.

2) The selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, an appealing antiabortion figure and the perceived attacks on her by the media, which led evangelicals to think the “elites” were against them. This sentiment has been skillfully stoked by the Republicans.

3) The Democrats’ decision to run radio ads championing Sen. Obama’s abortion-rights position without discussing his abortion-reduction agenda. “Unless the Obama campaign will stop emphasizing abortion rights and strongly address the major common cause issues with a spirited vision and practical details, the Republicans can continue to scoop up a ton of votes,” says Hunter.

4) The Obama campaign’s failure to combat effectively the charge that he opposed giving protection to infants who survive abortions. It’s now become a standard part of the Republican litany that Sen. Obama supports not only abortion but also infanticide.

5) Quiet concern among evangelical leaders of faith-based groups that Sen. Obama’s faith-based initiative would leave most faith-based groups in the cold because he wouldn’t allow them to hire only from their particular faith.

It’s certainly possible the Obama campaign could turn the situation around. In a sign that Democrats realize just how much damage has been done, the liberal religious group Matthew 25 released a statement accusing Gov. Palin of acting in an un-Christian manner. “In questioning not only Barack Obama’s policies but also his motivations, and mocking his career, Palin went far beyond what could be considered acceptable disagreement and into what looked like open hatred for her political opponents,” the group stated Thursday. “The name of Christ should never be associated with hate or contempt for one’s fellow human being, but last night, in Sarah Palin, we believe it was.”

But counter-attacking won’t be sufficient. Sen. Obama will need to address the core anxieties that have arisen, some because of misleading attacks and others because of his own decisions.

http://blogs.wsj.com/politicalperceptions/2008/09/05/obama-is-losing-support-among-moderate-evangelicals/?mod=googlenews_wsj

You are pathetic. A conservative woman shows up on the scene and you liberals dont know what to do. You are terrified that she will return women to power in an honorable way and destroy this pathetic point of few that you have. You are not a feminist you are just trying to force your political agenda. Shame on you.

Thanks!MY VIEW: When I heard you on CNN this morning, I ran to read your article. I had the same thoughts about Palin, and it's nice to finally hear it from another person. This is not a work/stay at home mom issue. Staying home with children can be a draining 24/7 job in itself, and it's generally known, mother's handle more of their children's issues. This is a question of Palin's ability to BE THERE physically and mentally issue (which I would find hard to do and therefore, questioning). I'm not saying Palin can't be effective, I'm saying it's valid to question one's ability to handle stress (including McCain's). If her husband was a stay at home dad, this may not be an issue for me. Family IS personal, our medical conditions are personal. We question McCains age/health to make sure he can be effective so why not question Palin? Every candidate has different issues to be questioned. I'm not saying ALL women should be questioned but there are times that it may come into play. This isn't CEO, this is VP, possibly President. When were VP resumes the same as CEO's? DO CEO's get vetted? With corporations trying to become more family friendly, Palin's I can do it ALL, is not helping.
Thank you for your article.

Wonderful. I agree with your concerns about a nursing mother being in charge of the nation's security. This is an absurd and wrong idea. The children need the attention of a mother when they are infants, and yes, at age seven.

But Sally, what bothers me most is hearing her held up by Cindy McCain last night as a virtuous woman, a "pistol packing" mom.

That is an oxymoron, isn't it? I am so flabbergasted by Cindy McCain's appellation that I can't even think straight today. It seems to stand on its head everything I thought was moral and right about women and families and peace and virtue.

It is an incredible, incredible statement. Please write about this from a faith standpoint!! I want to hear your voice on this.

Ms. Quinn,
News flash.....women with children can have the same job as a man and their family will be fine!
Maybe Gov. Palin gets strong support with the children from her/his parents. Also her husband, obviously something you lacked,will happily handle more parental responsibilities than yours to help her fulfill her next position as VP of the USA-that idea probably gives you a "nauseated sensation." Gov. Palin isn't divorcing her family-they will remain together. The children appear to be very close to both mom and dad and I along with many other American families wish them only the best and know that it can work.

Anonymous, your parents are Catholic and surely have different values compared with Sarah Palin who is evangelical.

We are free even as children to choose our own religion. We are not raised under dictatorship. Catholic countries are mostly ruled by dictators simply because Catholicism taught them that even at a very early age. They get baptized by their PARENT'S CHOICE.

Freedon of Conscience is a principal baptist doctrine. The child get to choose if he be baptised or not. NOT his/her parents.

Im sure Sarah and her husband do not force their daughter to take care of her baby brother as your parents did to you.

Are you for real????? A liberated liberal woman such as yourself, questioning a woman's balance of life and carreer. A little hypocritical don't you think Sal. In essence the Liberals aren't really for the success of "Women" and Minorities, because when either of these is a Republican or Conservative, it all goes out the window doesn't it. You people are pathetically transparent.

I am anonymous out of my respect for my aging parents who were of high profile and income in Washington in the 60's and 70's.

They were religious as well and had nine surviving children of whom I was the eldest child and a girl. My parents came from professional families and had only one sibling each. They knew very little about what they were getting themselves into as they held fast to their beliefs against birth control.

However from a very young age onward I was left at home to be the surrogate parent to my 8 siblings. My mother spent most of her days shopping at Riziks, Garfinkles, going to her weekly salon appointments and decorating the altar at church.

My father was very prominent in his profession and had lots of free time to persue his personal hobbies and sports. They had their last child when I was eighteen.

When I saw Sarah Palin's daughter holding her mother's infant across her own pregnant young body, something hit me like a deep truth long buried in my psyche. Luckily at eighteen, I acknowledged within myself clear rejection of my parent's religious beliefs and located a doctor who was willing to give me a prescription for the pill. But I still carried my mother's child around for her.

I was, as many of my friends were at the time, relegated by family duty to do the childcare at the cost of my own childhood. My parents were narcissists. Their children were secondary to THEIR achievment, their affluent lives, and their pleasure.

I am not impressed by the wonderful image of Sarah Palin that we are expected to swallow... hook, line and sinker. I think there is a good chance her daughter's pregnancy is a cry of rebellion for attention and love. Now she is being forced into marriage with this young man!

Sarah Palin was a beauty queen for god's sake. A self-absorbed, ambitious woman perhaps...it needs to be considered. Since I have raised many children, three of my own as a single working mother, some of them special needs children, I am not speaking out of ignorance.

Joe Biden said something very profound when asked about why he made such an effort to be at home as much as possible, putting his family first. He replied that communication, real communication within a family with children, occurs unexpectedly, spontaneously, and rarely during designated "quality time" and that he did not want to miss out on that. Those are words of wisdom I believe.

I have not touched on the issue of the special needs of a Downs Syndrome infant, but I am pretty sure Sarah Palin and her husband have the best child care professionals they can identify, at arms length, at all times, at this point.

But speaking as one, who's nurturing love came from housekeepers until I became of age to assume many of their duties with regard to my younger siblings, (around 9-12 years old) in my childhood home...permanent damage is left as a mark upon children when they intuit that their needs are secondary to mom and dad's successful and important lives.

Thank you Sally Quinn for raising this issue for discussion. We so often overlook the human rights of those unable to advocate for themselves.

I beleive that the bulk of these shrill and nasty posts against Sally were actually a Republican inspired and orchestrated spam attack against this site, designed to intimdate the press.

These posts have been much more numerous than usual. Many of them sounded alike. Many of them expressed "outrage at Sally's viscious attacks on Palin," even though Sally did not make any such viscious attacks. Therefore, these must be the views and opinions of people who did not even read Sally's essay. Many of these posts express disgust and even hatred for Sally, even though there is nothing disgussting about her, nor anything about her to hate, but instead, that she seems fairly benign, if not like-able, even good, kind and sincere. That is what I get from reading her essays, which I may not always agree with.

Finally, and at last, several people have broken through this spammy mess, and have actually addressed the questions that Sally asked in a sane and reasonable way.

Erin O'Sullivan, a Presbyterian minister's wife and yet so ignorant of the Bible.

Well, I'm not from the base of either McCain or Palin but I'd like to add my voice to the discussion just the same.

As my husband, a Presbyterian Minister, and I scratched our heads over the Palin choice last weekend, I posed the very question you ask today--Is there some contortionist reasoning that must go on in the conservative Christian realm that would deny a woman full ministerial rights or an egalitarian approach in her home yet wholly approve of her taking the office of the presidency? This would suggest a new kind of "Christian Think" regarding the separation of church and state--one that empowers women only in the secular realm, while marginalizing her in the sacred. Somehow, I doubt that they--the evangelicals--have thought it through that far. I think they tell themselves that as long as she stays in the "mommy" role of veep, they can heartily endorse the ticket. (possibly Palin is secretly being forced by the very base that plans to put her in Washington to sign an agreement that she will never assume the presidency)

Quickly, on the topic of motherhood, a huge thank you to Sally Quinn for daring to speak on the touchy topic of parenting--mothers and fathers are simply not the same and the biological bond between a mother and her young is sacred. I think the post-feminist balance check occuring on the left--one that applauds feminism while honoring child rearing--is markedly different than the nascent feminist movement on the right which still has much to "work out"

I believe that a mother's priority are her children. To paraphrase Jacqueline Kennedy, "If you bungle raising your children, then whatever else you do doesn't matter very much."

As a mother of three sons, I entered the workforce after going back to graduate school for a master's degree when my children were in their mid-to-late teens. I am a certified public accountant with a demanding schedule during tax season. As I assumed more responsibilities and advanced in my professional field, it would have been virtually impossible for me to manage their schedules and look after them properly had they not gone away to college and become independent.

I cannot comprehend how Sarah Palin will perform her responsibilities as Vice President, and God forbid, President and function as a mother. She will more or less have to designate others to assume her duties, and then I question who will offer the mother's love and attention so needed in nurturing children. I am sorry but women cannot just have it all.

I watch intelligent women in the accounting profession trying to balance their demanding work and race to their children's activities, many of the women returning to the office late at night when their husbands can assume the role of caretaker.

Actually, I think that this is selfish on the part of Sarah Palin at this point in her life.

I believe that a mother's priority are her children. To paraphrase Jacqueline Kennedy, "If you bungle raising your children, then whatever else you do doesn't matter very much."

As a mother of three sons, I entered the workforce after going back to graduate school for a master's degree when my children were in their mid-to-late teens. I am a certified public accountant with a demanding schedule during tax season. As I assumed more responsibilities and advanced in my professional field, it would have been virtually impossible for me to manage their schedules and look after them properly had they not gone away to college and become independent.

I cannot comprehend how Sarah Palin will perform her responsibilities as Vice President, and God forbid, President and function as a mother. She will more or less have to designate others to assume her duties, and then I question who will offer the mother's love and attention so needed in nurturing children. I am sorry but women cannot just have it all.

I watch intelligent women in the accounting profession trying to balance their demanding work and race to their children's activities, many of the women returning to the office late at night when their husbands can assume the role of caretaker.

Actually, I think that this is selfish on the part of Sarah Palin at this point in her life.

My wife is a professional and I am a stay home dad. You comments on CNN this morning are crazy and I am done with the Washington Post. My wife is an excellent mom and still can run her company.

i am an evangelical christian in her 60's and i believe woman can be a leader, in church as a pastor ( our pastor's wife is a co leader with him} and a leader in govenment. in the bible debroah was a prophetess and a leader who had a great victory for israel----- i think you dont like sarah palin because she is a christian woman, where you are working yourself and have children. what's your problem, are you afraid of the light ---

Ms. Quinn:

I'm a conservative Catholic, so you may regard me as someone even more strange and foreign to you as the the evangelicals and Southern Baptists you want to hear from. Goodness knows you've got issues enough with the Catholics these days.

Don't think we Catholics don't hear our own fair share of horrified "feminist" flutterings at our daring to have faith in an institution that has served mankind for thousands of years but fails to conform to the politically correct hegemony of the last thirty.

There are more parts of Catholic belief than the requirement that priests be men. In all facets of life in and out of the church, women have a distinct and valued relationship with God. Men and women are not "better" or "worse." My faith fulfills me. Why would I care about not being a priest? I have my own role.

I have never felt less-than as a Catholic woman. Every role has its own challenges, rewards, and sacrifices. We all face the challenges of sometimes not getting what we want for seemingly arbitrary reasons. Our job is to learn to accept the things we cannot change with good cheer and seek God's plan within whatever limitations exist. Not everything is a fight, and I certainly don't want to fight with God.

I have never felt the need to look at another's share in church life and compare it unfavorably with my own. I have no doubt that the majority women of evangelical and Southern Baptists faiths feel the same way. The purpose of a church is to worship together, not to one-up each other. It is not a competition between the sexes. It is not church leaders versus everyone else. Women in conservative churches are not slaves plotting to overthrow their masters. Everyone has his or her own role.

Christianity is a community, not a cult. Tell your friends!

So to answer to your questions, which I am assuming you've asked in good faith:

1) A woman has no right to be a Catholic priest. No one has the "right" to be a Catholic priest. That calling is not open to women. Many others, co-equal in dignity, are.

2) As a general proposition, Catholic husbands and Catholic wives have different roles within the marriage and different relationships with the children.

3) Sarah Palin has a responsibility to God and her family. She also has responsibilities to her country and to keep her promises. Fathers have responsibilities toward God and their families as well. Sarah Palin has accepted the task and given her word to serve as a public official. If she and her family feel that their needs can be met despite her decision to serve the public, then that is between her and her family. Many men are primary caregivers by choice or otherwise and they do just fine. If Todd Palin has agreed to do so in support of the larger goal, then he owes it to his family to live up to his own word.

This position could also benefit her family as well. Perhaps Ms. Palin feels that this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity can serve a much greater goal, to be an example to the world (and her daughters) of how to a woman of faith conducts herself on a world stage.

Presumably, the governorship has given the Palin family a test-run of the practical considerations. At any rate, I don't presume to have the knowledge to judge what the requirements of her family are. That's personal. Neither you, nor I, nor the public has any means with which to judge what the Palins, rightly or wrongly, have chosen to embark on. We simply don't have the information necessary to know. There's a reason for that: IT'S NOT OUR BUSINESS.

4) You ask what I think of Sarah Palin's priorities as a woman with five children, still breastfeeding, one pregnant, and who's made (what you have decided) is a "risky" decision to fly to Alaska to have a child and then go to work days later. What do I think of that? I think it's ADMIRABLE. I think it's INSPIRING. I think that her family is going to sacrifice mightily, but they see some purpose and perhaps reward in following this path. It's a high risk with a chance of great reward. Some people are more risk-averse. Others make history.

5) You ask whether I believe her first priority will be as a mother or as a governor or vice president. I think that her first priority is, obviously, to God. This is clearly a woman who feels that she's been blessed with an opportunity larger than herself. She has actually already proven herself willing to sacrifice a child on behalf of her country through her encouragement of her oldest son. Presumably, she thinks that the good is worth the risk. I would expect that the good she feels she can do as VP will outweigh the costs to her children and family.

6) You ask what I think about her judgment in accepting the role of vice-presidency while her family situation was chaotic. We don't have the information to judge whether her family can handle it or if they wanted to. We don't know the costs and we don't know the benefit that she is seeking. As to her judgment, time will tell, I suppose. It would obviously not be good judgment to think that there would be no costs to her family or her relationship to her children. I don't think there is any indication whatsoever that she hasn't considered that.

But this is a judgment question insofar as it presumes that she has improperly calculated the costs and benefits. It's a judgment question insofar as it presumes that family obligations are the immovable object that all else must accommodate. Her religion does not require that this be so. The fact that she has conservative beliefs does not mean that this is a judgment call she's made. If she has chosen her course in spite of the costs, then that is a values question. Should she value her children's comfort, privacy, and happiness less than her official duties, that would not disqualify her for office. This unstated implication in your questioning of her choices is what's causing the right to cry sexism. The value a parent places on their children ought not be part of the job interview.

As to the judgment aspect, I don't think there's any way for us to say that the older members of the family, including the eldest daughter, don't have their own opinions that they've made known. I can't imagine being a pregnant seventeen year old girl and having the weight of my parents' hopes and dreams and the potential course of history hinging on a moment of poor judgment. The guilt would eat me alive. I don't think we can say that her decision, on its face, is evidence of poor judgment. If she proves to be a bad mother, well, then that is between her and her family and God.

So those are your questions, but I don't think those are your concerns. I think you're wondering whether she's taken on too much. You're wondering whether she has any idea what she's getting into and what's going to happen to the country if she realizes that her do-it-all Supermom plan isn't going to work. From what I can tell from your last column, I'd bet that you and I both have had the experience of planning a tour-de-force return to the workplace after having our first and only babies, only to find that while our skills remained sharp our desires were gone? And it comes back, after awhile, and you get used to the new normal of being separated from your kid during the day and of trying to make the evening hours as "quality" as possible, (whatever that means). I work as an attorney in a major metropolitan area and I've got a baby at home. Most of my friends are female attorneys. Unlike the male attorneys we know, whose wives care for their new babies, the families of women attorneys seem to be more dependent on their incomes. So we're sad, but we go back to work, and yes, we cut corners in our jobs, especially during the first few years of our babies' lives, because it's really hard to bring yourself to care about work under the circumstances.

I think you're concerned about what's going to happen if Sarah Palin tries to cut corners in her job. After all, she has a baby at home, and one who's going to require a different kind of care than most parents have to deal with. Still, I'm not concerned about the choice she's made for the following reasons:

1) She's done this before and knows the demands of her family. She's a woman with five children, and anyone whose spent time around large families know that you can love your children equally, but where everything is strange and foreign with your first precious snowflake, by the time you hit kids number three and four you've got a better understanding of what to do and how rugged and adaptable kids really are. She's also got a good understanding of the way their family works and the extent to which her husband, parents, and extended family will be able to provide for her children in ways that her job prevents her from doing. The fact that her youngest has Downs suggests that he's going to need more care, but does not necessarily require that she personally be the one to give it. She's also had four months to get used to his care and learn about his condition - his need for additional care is not going to prove overly shocking while she's in office. She is going to have access to doctors, nurses, nannies, and tutors, not to mention cooks, maids, and drivers (yes, yes, leaving the speech aside). If she only sees Trig for a bedtime story most nights, it's not like he's going to starve to death.

2) I think your concerns also assume that if there came a time when she had to choose between her family and her job, that you're assuming she would choose her family. I think the reason you make that assumption is because of your own experience and your understanding of what's required of evangelical women in relation to their family. I don't think that is an assumption that can be made. For one thing, the assumption that the evangelical belief limits her to cooking and cleaning is too narrow. I'd bet that her family is viewing this as a shared family endeavor and that all are on board and willing to share her burdens. So long as someone is providing the love and care to her children, her duties to them can be discharged.

The main problem with this concern is that it presupposes an incredible amount of naivete about the burdens of the office. Sarah Palin is cute, but she's a political animal. She's been working to raise her national profile ever since she's been elected governor. I think everyone, including her, was surprised that she rose this far this fast. I do not believe she hasn't give serious clear-eyed thought to the burdens and costs. But given that she's been savvy enough to politic and sell herself to, at the very least, McCain, I have trouble believing she would be that naive.

3) We all have to worry about what happens if, after all, she can't reconcile her obligations to her family and her obligations to the job. There may come a point for Sarah Palin, that she just can't do both. You're concerned that she'll give the job short shrift. I don't think it's a given that the job is what she'll necessarily choose to sacrifice. But this isn't a concern limited to Palin. What if something happens to the Obama girls, or McCain's? What if the president or vice president commits a criminal act, or suffers mental health, or criminal issues? We can only hope that whoever is president or VP will have the integrity to step down if they ever reach that point. That's not something that's limited to Sarah Palin. As I've laid it out above, I don't think that situation is as likely as you seem to think. But moreover, I've seen no reason to doubt her integrity.

Sally - may I call you Sally now? We're practically friends now - after both conventions, it looks like this election is going to degenerate, as so many do, into an all-out culture war. It's fair for you to raise questions, but the vitriol coming your way stems from the assumptions underlying your concerns (the naivete, the lack of integrity, the simple-minded understanding of the role of formal religion). It's particularly galling to be called to account for one's faith to, of all people, the founder of "On Faith"! But I hope that you are able to get some answers to your questions and examine your own assumptions before making judgments about people. I've no doubt that I've misunderstood some critical point of yours, and hope that you'll let me know so I can examine mine.

Thanks for your time,
A. DePaul

McCain's and Palin's energy policy seemed quite clear cut More drilling, involving the lifting of us bans and rules, while we economically diversify into other sources, such as Nuclear power.

There "health policy" is also pretty clear cut, freedom and free market. To call that no health policy is to deny the legitimate existences of freedom and self-determination.

The war policy is the same as McCain’s long held policy Victory what ever it takes.

The economic policy is largely tied to the energy policy as energy is the key problem. the other part is embracing free trade to foster greater competition.

He even has an education policy, called free-choice and competition in schools. Under the idea when school and teachers stop getting their pay no matter how bad a job they do they will start improving it.

It seems all bases are covered to me. Not saying I like all bases, I’d prefer the federal government stay out of energy, education and health care. I think those are natural rights that belong to the Individual, and the state has no right to impose its values and choices in theses matters upon anyone, with your their money.

Retraction of quote-
this is what John McCain said verbatim-

in his indictment of Republican admin.

"We were elected to change Washington, and instead we let Washinton change us"

I guess Palin didn't actually have any talking points on policy or new ideas for people to parrot-

McCain had no pan- or ideas at all- just vagueness, that osunded comfprtable familair to republican ears (and democrats too ,who have heard it from, well-- republicans)

His attempt to distance himself from Bush- and criticism of theGOP in Washington (people come to Wahsington hoping to change it and instead get changed ) was met with uncomfortable silence-

I wonder if he alientaed his base a bit there-

His address fo the economy was just a BUsh politics as ususal laundry list-
I don't know how the independents will regard that as change or reform-

He spoke at length about the maverick he used to be-
But never mentioned the reformer he will be in the future-

But John never was much on the stump- he doesn't exactly rise to oratory heights- but his audience was certainly receptive.

His personal story is definitely compelling- but you cannt keep singing that same tune when real questions on policy are asked.

Non-existent on in policy- long on personality-
I am not looking to be entertained (as in Palin's speech) nor looking forward to 4 more years of the same old GOP policies.

Ms. Quinn you ought to be a shame of your self. For a well- educated woman you really have lowered yourself. I'm a man and we have not done so well the last few years so as Obama says "CHANGE" let us do it put a woman in charge. She would do a lot better than Obama. You and Gloria are from the same liberal cloth.

Saintly true xtian Arminius sez-

"You said, "You are really out of touch with "typical white people"

So you don't like blacks? Ya got yer white sheets on, bigot?"

You are OUT OF TOUCH old man. I was razzing you by using your candidate's words:

Obama's "typical white person" makes waves

"Sen. Barack Obama's description of his grandmother as a "typical white person" in an interview with WIP (610 AM) wound up making waves from the online Huffington Post to YouTube and Larry King Live."

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20080322_Obamas__quot_typical_white_person_quot__makes_waves.html

And you slander me and call me a bigot??

I too am very tired and angry about the double standard for Joe Biden vs Sarah Palin. Biden was called a hero for serving his country during a time of personal tragedy - taking him from his kids who had just lost their mother. Meanwhile Sally Quinn & others are questioning Palin's judgement and abilities to take on this job when she has the live capable support of a loving husband! Also, why isn't Michelle Obama being questioned for her maternity?
I am an educated woman who is fed up with power hungry politicians like Obama. He scares me with his socialist views. I made my choice last night. I think it takes a heck of a lot of courage to have and raise a Downs syndrome baby - and I applaud her decision to not abort the baby.
I am an evangelical but I am NOT subservient to my husband like some have been said evangelical women are. I think for myself, vote differently than he at times, and have studied the issues independently. I have 3 children and I am a professional therapist. I have a great husband of 25 yrs and I know he'd support me were I to take on an amazing opportunity like mayor, governor or VP. Sally, please don't set woman back as we have come so far. Please try to embrace this woman & celebrate her refreshing spirit.

Oh Useless Spidey,

You blathered, "Those are good titles but you forgot to list what you are now. "1968-1970" is not a great number. It projects fickle-mindedness. 2 years?"

And that means what to anyone with more than 3 neurons to string together? Nothing. But I waste my time, you will simply accuse me of being too stupid to understand. Man, - er, boy - you are the most feeble-minded debater I have ever had the misfortune to meet. Please get professional help.

I have better things to do than argue with bigoted idiots.

Te futue atque equum in quo huc vectus es.

There are 2,380 delegates in attendance at the Republican National Convention. Of these 36 are black.

Even I am a little shocked. I could see it was a white people's conference from watching tv, but this is almost beyond belief. You would think with all their money, the Republicans could hire some black actors or models to pretend to be delegates. Or they could bring in some of their own personal servants, just to add a little color.

The whole thing is just too weird and freakish for words. You would think that in this day and age, people would be ashamed to be associated with this whole phoney operation. But apparently, this white people's Republican Party suits alot of Americans just fine.

One word: Excellent.

Coward Anonymous, afraid to take a name:

You said, "You are really out of touch with "typical white people"

So you don't like blacks? Ya got yer white sheets on, bigot?

A woman can be president, specially in a democracy.
But there is no democracy in mostly religions. Most religions are actually theocracies.

Arminius wrote "I am a veteran, US Army, Combat Engineer, 1968-1970. "

Those are good titles but you forgot to list what you are now. "1968-1970" is not a great number. It projects fickle-mindedness. 2 years?

"So you worship the newly ordained 'The ONE' of the religious right, St Sarah."

Wake up old man Arminius.

Its that Sarah Palin and her family are just like us that makes her so appealing.

She didn't grow up in a foreign country. She didn't go to an ivy league school. Both of her parents are still married to each other. She sells things on eBay. She eats moose burgers not arugula.

You are really out of touch with "typical white people".

Spidey -

Your attempts to block me were, as I prophesied, useless.

I am a veteran, US Army, Combat Engineer, 1968-1970. Do you have that on your resume? I doubt it. I would much rather take orders from a good poker player (Obama) because poker depends on a good knowledge of people, than from a pit bull (St Sarah), which is incapable of coherent thought. But, of course, you are as usual incapable of understanding that, since 'Who would Jesus Bomb?' rules your sad life.

So you worship the newly ordained 'The ONE' of the religious right, St Sarah. As usual, you have my pity. If you doubt her as the repub 'the One', a delegate was quoted, after her speech, as saying, "We've got an Obama now!".

Go figure. If you can.

During Bill Clinton's term, Al Queda was training here in America to fly planes right under our noses.

Obama and Clinton are the same. They are both stupid. The same characteristic these two guys (Daniel in the Lion's Den and Arminius) exhibits here.

Im not a fan of George Bush in handling this war. His strategy became stupid because he listens too much to people who has the same ideas with Bill Clinton's. Instead of raining bombs from planes, what we saw are foot soldiers holding small Armalites to fight against AK-47s.

They let the enemies dictate the tone of the war.

I know Sarah is a PITBULL. And Pitbulls always go for the kill. No room for enemies to counter.

If Im a soldier, I would be very much at ease with taking orders from Sarah Palin than Obama.

Values people are protected by God while people of no true Christain values always fail as history always shows.

If Im a soldier, I would very much at ease with taking orders from Sarah Palin than Obama.

Values people are protected by God while people of no true Christain values always fail as history always shows.

At this present moment no one has the right to tell Palin how to arrange her life. Stress here is on 'present moment'. Obviously she can farm out the kids to whomever, and it won't be so bad for anybody, we all hope and expect. She can probably handle it well as VP.

But it eventually comes down to this: one heartbeat away from the oval office. If that, God forbids, happens, then everything changes. Everything. No longer does family come first - America comes first. Always. 24/7.

Here's why.

If you are a member of the armed forces, and you have orders to report to duty in the Sandbox, you will go. It almost always never matters what is happening at home, you go. Now. No one quarrels with this.

But, you say, the office of POTUS is a civilian job! WRONG! Check your friendly local Constitution of the United States of America. The president is the Commander in Chief of our armed forces. He/she is a soldier, like it or not. So he/she must be always ready to respond, instantly. Can't stay at the ranch or golf course, can't keep reading 'My Pet Goat', can't dally with interns, can't do anything else but report to duty. Now, soldier!

I am a woman, an independent voter and reader of Newsweek. Your reporter Sally Quinn should be ashamed of herself for her brutal and sexist attacks on Sarah Pallin. Sally calls herself a feminist but she is only for women if they believe and value the same ideals she does. Shame, Shame on Sally Quinn and the publications she reports for.

Sally Quinn has the audacity to make the condescending pronouncement only a liberal would make to judge how Sarah Palin ought to arrange her priorities. Sally, I have a piece of advice for you. It is none of your business as to how Ms. Palin orders her life!

Sally Quinn has the audacity to make the condescending pronouncement only a liberal would make to judge how Sarah Palin ought to arrange her priorities. Sally, I have a piece of advice for you. It is none of your business as to how Ms. Palin orders her life!

Saw these comments about Sally Quinn's article on Governor Palin. Was very disappointed in Quinn. She was someone I used to really admire so many years ago. From NoQuarterUSA.net:

Sally Quinn Projecting on Palin

I was puzzled by the crazy attack that Sally Quinn launched on Sarah Palin, Republican V.P. nominee, because it was so over the top. Sally’s view? A woman with five kids has no business being Vice President. (Of course, no one made that argument to Joe Biden when he was a widower and single dad working in Washington as a Senator. But I digress.) Here’s Sally’s latest ranting:

Sarah Palin has five children. She is nursing her fifth child, an infant with Down syndrome. Her 17-year-old unmarried child is pregnant. Palin has spoken against sex education or the teaching of contraception. When her water broke with her Down Syndrome baby she got on a plane and flew eight hours back to Alaska, making it only hours before the birth, a risky decision for a pregnant woman of any age. After delivering one child she went back to work the next day. After the birth of her fifth child, she was back in the office after a few days.

..............

360-degree-trashing.jpg

So what’s her problem? Well, to use her logic, she’s a lousy, irresponsible mother. She was working as a journalist at the Washington Post, had a fling with the boss and married him, and then, at the advanced age of 41, had a child.

According to Wikipedia Quinn Crowninshield Bradlee was born in 1982 velo-cardio-facial syndrome. The National Institutes of Health describes Velocardiofacial syndrome (VCFS):
.............

Quinn wrote about her son and his medical challenges in a 2006 article “What My Son Taught Me About God.” Well, God may have been teaching but she didn’t learn jack. Let’s face it, Quinn blames herself and her work ethic for her son’s physical and mental limitations. She probably blames herself that she waited too long in life to have a kid. I think she is being unduly hard on herself, but that’s her choice. But she has no right to dump her guilt on Sarah Palin and try to smear Palin for doing what Palin thinks is right.

Quinn is a cruel person. She could have drawn on her experience and come to Palin’s defense. Nope. Not an inkling of a charitable spirit or human kindness. Sally, pay attention to Sarah Palin in the the coming days. Take notes. Maybe God couldn’t teach you anything but I think Sarah can. YES SHE CAN. YES SHE CAN.

To Bitter American and (bitter) Anonymous

There are two parties in America TODAY:

One of them is the party of deiversity and pluralism.

The other is the party of the elites, the snobs, the exclusionists, the racists, and the persecutors of minority groups.

Pick the one you like best. Don't blame me for the flaws in your own character, for the bad and wrong choices that you make.

Your article demonstrates that you have lost all connection with mainstream America and have no clue about the Baptist Faith. It is true that in the Southern Baptist denomination that we do not have women pastors. This is our choice. Women in the Southern Baptist arena are given a great deal of responsibility and respect. We serve in many roles. We ARE NOT subservient to men. We do believe that in marriage the man is the head of the household and the woman is its heart. Neither the head or heart can act independently of each other and live. They each need each other and respect each other. Recognizing differences in men and women and some of their roles in life does not denigrate women nor make them subservient as you like to imply. We are equal with important roles to fill. Also, in our faith, there are many households (just as in others) where the woman is the breadwinner and the man stays with the kids. No one in our faith looks down on that. There are many households with only one parent and numerous instances of teenage pregnancy. We embrace, love and support all.

Your comments about Sarah Palin are out of line. She is bright, articulate, has more experience than Obama, and simply spoke the truth last night. She is capable of taking over the presidency if required. To question whether or not she can still be a great mother and VP or Pres. is ridiculous. Would you ask a man that? Would you ask a man that may be raising his children alone that? No one makes it in this life alone. I am quite sure that Sarah has all of the love and support necessary around her to still be a great and effective VP or Pres. I raised my son as a single mother and it was the love and support of my family that helped me while I worked a very responsible full-time job (that required travel) and my 23 year old son would tell you that he thinks I was a wonderful mother. Sarah Palin is a wonderful example for all women.

Respectfully,

Susan Wesler

I like the question you started to raise (or at least I THINK you started to raise): If women can't be pastors, how can the same base endorse a woman as VP or potentially president of the U.S.?

But then you veered off into really dangerous territory. You say this is not about whether moms should be allowed to work, but in fact your questions about whether her priorities should be her family/children first ARE about whether EveryMom has the right to make her career her priority.

No one has asked these questions about Obama, who also has 2 young kids. Is he being a "good father" by aspiring to the presidency? What if his kid is sick when he gets a call at 3a.m.? Are we saying that good-old-Michelle will just accept her role, while of course Todd wouldn't be expected to?

And what about household help? Why is it wrong for a working mom to employ household help, nannies for example?

I think these questions set women back 50 years. Even though I oppose everything Palin stands for (and her hypocrisy in advocating for her own career while undermining other working moms), I just don't think these kinds of questions are right to ask of one candidate and not the other.

Anonymous,

Congratulations, you are right down there with Rush Bimbo, the master of the most subtle lie - the half truth.

Much of what you list is pretty true, but you leave out too much history. The democratic party of the south was indeed racist - this was post Civil War, and they were not about to be for any civil rights or switch to the republican party. Note this well: I do NOT excuse any of their actions, they were despicable. No democrat today will deny this. Also note that when Nixon instituted the 'Southern Strategy' in 1968, most of these racist Dems soon converted to the republican party. Curious, is it not?

Question: where was the republican party when all this was happening? Did they ever act against it, or even speak out against it?

Byrd long ago recanted his involvement with racism.

LBJ, despite his early opposition to civil rights, worked hand-in-hand with MLK to get those monumental civil rights bills passed.

Truman had early dealings with the Klan, but later, as president, forced the integration of the armed forces.

Reality is much more complex than we like to think it is, and seldom agrees with what we wish were true. There are no absolutes in history. We're all guilty - let us try to stop beating each other up, and together find a way outta this mess.

Dear Sally,

Since you asked, in your article, Sarah Palin's Priorities you said, ..."This is John McCain's base. This is Sarah Palin's base."

Amongst many others! See my signoff.

"I would like to know what you think about Palin's priorities as a mother and public official," you say.

I am not a member of a Southern Baptist church, but consider myself a conservative Christian with a biblical perspective (as opposed to one affiliated with the National or World Council of Churches), so I feel my opinion should be counted as similar to many of theirs.

Difficult times call for extreme measures! We are already in the war of our lives, although not many seem to realize it yet. (Doubt me? Read "America Alone," by Mark Steyn!) In the best of all possible worlds, Sarah Palin would still be just a hockey mom and PTA president. It is precisely because she realizes the depth and extent of America's peril if we continue with the Good Ol' Boys' business as usual that she eschewed an easier life in order to go to battle with evil. (Yes, some of us Christians call a spade a spade, and the corruption Sarah has been battling and defeating is EVIL!) Will her children "suffer" because of her sacrifices in the name of a better world at large? I sincerely doubt it. A family as large and loving as Sarah's (eat your heart out if you haven't been able to achieve this!) will support her and each other and will stretch to cover any and all needs her service to our country may require.

By the way, our military people, both MEN and WOMEN rise to the task in their own sacrifices to keep you free no less than Sarah will, and are separated from their families far more than she will be. Would you denigrate the choices they made and will continue to make for YOUR SAKE? Sarah will do no less! They don't go to war just for the fun of it, and Sarah Palin is not going to fight for the American cause just for the fun of it, either. Did you ever see herself putting herself "out there" (look here, look here, look at me, John McCain?) or writing her memoirs to promote herself even once, let alone TWICE for national office? No, McCain went and found her!

I think she will continue to be an enviable and wonderful mother and an incredibly effective Vice President.

You said, "I would like to hear what women think of her priorities. Do they believe that her first priority is as a mother or as a governor? Will her first priority be as a mother or as a Vice President or a President?...Do women believe she should relegate her job to second place or her children to second place? Does she have to make such a choice?"

See my paragraphs above. Sarah will do what she has to do! Her family will be the center and the bulwark of her personal life, giving her strength and resolve to do whatever she needs to do for the good of the country. Country first in times of peril, family second! (I was a Navy wife for 27 years until my Navy officer husband retired. I know the drill!)

You also said, "I would like to know what women think of Sarah Palin's judgment in accepting the role as McCain's running mate, knowing the pain and humiliation the publicity would cause her daughter, the boyfriend and the soon-to-be-born grandchild."

Same answer, In a better world, this question would be moot. NO PERSON OF HONOR would harrass her. Sarah has taken the measure of her family and found them strong and resilient, and has insulated insofar as possible the children she loves from the EVIL without, through teaching of her faith and love at home. The person(s) receiving a verbal tarring should not be her hapless daughter, but the national press and anyone else making salacious political hay from the girl's situation. And in the end, we Christians know that her daughter's baby will not be a "punishment" (Barack's words!) but a beloved and blessed child.

YOu went on, "In a piece I wrote earlier this week I asked the question, if the phone rings at three o'clock in the morning and her baby is sick what will Sarah Palin do."

Sarah Palin will rise to the occasion for you and for me! Without question. Her family are counted along with you and me!

You say, "Lotz herself, a talented a dynamic woman, has said that women should not be senior pastors. Women can be presidents but not pastors? I don't understand. I would like somebody to explain this to me. I would like to hear from John McCain's and Sarah Palin's base."

Sally, why do you even care about what the Baptist Church tells its women about being (or not being) pastors? DON'T YOU BELIEVE IN THE SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE? DON'T YOU REALIZE THAT CHRIST TOLD PEOPLE TO RENDER UNTO CAESAR THAT WHICH IS CAESAR'S AND UNTO GOD THAT WHICH IS GOD'S?

Jesus doesn't have a dog in this fight, Sally. Relax and enjoy the great improvements we are going to begin enjoying when the new administration gets to work to remake the Washington scene and root out corruption the way Sarah beat back the corruption she found in Alaska!

By the way, your assumption that only undereducated and uninformed women will be attracted to Sarah could not be further from the truth. The electric surge of enthusiasm among all the people I know (male and female) has to be experienced to be believed, since she was presented as the VP candidate.

Sincerely,

Marlys Isaacson, Ph.D.
(also, B.S., M.Ed., and developer and publisher of Picture Me Reading! materials for teaching beginning reading)
Spring Valley, CA

Dear Sally,

Since you asked, in your article, Sarah Palin's Priorities you said, ..."This is John McCain's base. This is Sarah Palin's base."

Amongst many others! See my signoff.

"I would like to know what you think about Palin's priorities as a mother and public official," you say.

I am not a member of a Southern Baptist church, but consider myself a conservative Christian with a biblical perspective (as opposed to one affiliated with the National or World Council of Churches), so I feel my opinion should be counted as similar to many of theirs.

Difficult times call for extreme measures! We are already in the war of our lives, although not many seem to realize it yet. (Doubt me? Read "America Alone," by Mark Steyn!) In the best of all possible worlds, Sarah Palin would still be just a hockey mom and PTA president. It is precisely because she realizes the depth and extent of America's peril if we continue with the Good Ol' Boys' business as usual that she eschewed an easier life in order to go to battle with evil. (Yes, some of us Christians call a spade a spade, and the corruption Sarah has been battling and defeating is EVIL!) Will her children "suffer" because of her sacrifices in the name of a better world at large? I sincerely doubt it. A family as large and loving as Sarah's (eat your heart out if you haven't been able to achieve this!) will support her and each other and will stretch to cover any and all needs her service to our country may require.

By the way, our military people, both MEN and WOMEN rise to the task in their own sacrifices to keep you free no less than Sarah will, and are separated from their families far more than she will be. Would you denigrate the choices they made and will continue to make for YOUR SAKE? Sarah will do no less! They don't go to war just for the fun of it, and Sarah Palin is not going to fight for the American cause just for the fun of it, either. Did you ever see herself putting herself "out there" (look here, look here, look at me, John McCain?) or writing her memoirs to promote herself even once, let alone TWICE for national office? No, McCain went and found her!

I think she will continue to be an enviable and wonderful mother and an incredibly effective Vice President.

You said, "I would like to hear what women think of her priorities. Do they believe that her first priority is as a mother or as a governor? Will her first priority be as a mother or as a Vice President or a President?...Do women believe she should relegate her job to second place or her children to second place? Does she have to make such a choice?"

See my paragraphs above. Sarah will do what she has to do! Her family will be the center and the bulwark of her personal life, giving her strength and resolve to do whatever she needs to do for the good of the country. Country first in times of peril, family second! (I was a Navy wife for 27 years until my Navy officer husband retired. I know the drill!)

You also said, "I would like to know what women think of Sarah Palin's judgment in accepting the role as McCain's running mate, knowing the pain and humiliation the publicity would cause her daughter, the boyfriend and the soon-to-be-born grandchild."

Same answer, In a better world, this question would be moot. NO PERSON OF HONOR would harrass her. Sarah has taken the measure of her family and found them strong and resilient, and has insulated insofar as possible the children she loves from the EVIL without, through teaching of her faith and love at home. The person(s) receiving a verbal tarring should not be her hapless daughter, but the national press and anyone else making salacious political hay from the girl's situation. And in the end, we Christians know that her daughter's baby will not be a "punishment" (Barack's words!) but a beloved and blessed child.

YOu went on, "In a piece I wrote earlier this week I asked the question, if the phone rings at three o'clock in the morning and her baby is sick what will Sarah Palin do."

Sarah Palin will rise to the occasion for you and for me! Without question. Her family are counted along with you and me!

You say, "Lotz herself, a talented a dynamic woman, has said that women should not be senior pastors. Women can be presidents but not pastors? I don't understand. I would like somebody to explain this to me. I would like to hear from John McCain's and Sarah Palin's base."

Sally, why do you even care about what the Baptist Church tells its women about being (or not being) pastors? DON'T YOU BELIEVE IN THE SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE? DON'T YOU REALIZE THAT CHRIST TOLD PEOPLE TO RENDER UNTO CAESAR THAT WHICH IS CAESAR'S AND UNTO GOD THAT WHICH IS GOD'S?

Jesus doesn't have a dog in this fight, Sally. Relax and enjoy the great improvements we are going to begin enjoying when the new administration gets to work to remake the Washington scene and root out corruption the way Sarah beat back the corruption she found in Alaska!

By the way, your assumption that only undereducated and uninformed women will be attracted to Sarah could not be further from the truth. The electric surge of enthusiasm among all the people I know (male and female) has to be experienced to be believed, since she was presented as the VP candidate.

Sincerely,

Marlys Isaacson, Ph.D.
(also, B.S., M.Ed., and developer and publisher of Picture Me Reading! materials for teaching beginning reading)
Spring Valley, CA

Daniel in the Lion's Den:

The problem is that you cant see past color. That is evident by you calling the RNC the white convention. I myself am a black american and by the way I believe in Jesus. Yes I will admit that there were only 36 black delegates at the RNC, but what does that have to do with real issues? I also noticed that it is a fact that the DNC convention had a lot of Hollywood celebrities. So who does the Democratic party have more interest in? The black community or Hollywood? Stop acting on emotion, do your homework and dont judge a book by its cover.

The Democrats' Missing History

The DNC Web site section labeled "Party History," linked here, is in fact scrubbed clean of the not-so-little dirty secret that fueled Democrats' political successes for over a century and a half and made American life a hell on earth for black Americans. Literally, the DNC official history, which begins with the creation of the party in 1800, gets to the creation of the DNC itself in 1848 and then--poof!--the next sentence says: "As the 19th Century came to a close, the American electorate changed more and more rapidly." It quickly heads into a riff on poor immigrants coming to America.

In a stroke, 52 years of Democratic history vanishes. Disappeared faster than the truth in the Clinton administration. Why would this be? Allow me to sketch in a few facts from those missing 52 years. For that matter, lets add in the facts from the party history before and after those 52 years, since they aren't mentioned by the Democrats' National Committee either.

* * *

So what's missing?

• There is no reference to the number of Democratic Party platforms supporting slavery. There were six from 1840 through 1860.

• There is no reference to the number of Democratic presidents who owned slaves. There were seven from 1800 through 1861

• There is no reference to the number of Democratic Party platforms that either supported segregation outright or were silent on the subject. There were 20, from 1868 through 1948.

• There is no reference to "Jim Crow" as in "Jim Crow laws," nor is there reference to the role Democrats played in creating them. These were the post-Civil War laws passed enthusiastically by Democrats in that pesky 52-year part of the DNC's missing years. These laws segregated public schools, public transportation, restaurants, rest rooms and public places in general (everything from water coolers to beaches). The reason Rosa Parks became famous is that she sat in the "whites only" front section of a bus, the "whites only" designation the direct result of Democrats.

• There is no reference to the formation of the Ku Klux Klan, which, according to Columbia University historian Eric Foner, became "a military force serving the interests of the Democratic Party." Nor is there reference to University of North Carolina historian Allen Trelease's description of the Klan as the "terrorist arm of the Democratic Party."

• There is no reference to the fact Democrats opposed the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments to the Constitution. The 13th banned slavery. The 14th effectively overturned the infamous 1857 Dred Scott decision (made by Democratic pro-slavery Supreme Court justices) by guaranteeing due process and equal protection to former slaves. The 15th gave black Americans the right to vote.

• There is no reference to the fact that Democrats opposed the Civil Rights Act of 1866. It was passed by the Republican Congress over the veto of President Andrew Johnson, who had been a Democrat before joining Lincoln's ticket in 1864. The law was designed to provide blacks with the right to own private property, sign contracts, sue and serve as witnesses in a legal proceeding.

• There is no reference to the Democrats' opposition to the Civil Rights Act of 1875. It was passed by a Republican Congress and signed into law by President Ulysses Grant. The law prohibited racial discrimination in public places and public accommodations.

• There is no reference to the Democrats' 1904 platform, which devotes a section to "Sectional and Racial Agitation," claiming the GOP's protests against segregation and the denial of voting rights to blacks sought to "revive the dead and hateful race and sectional animosities in any part of our common country," which in turn "means confusion, distraction of business, and the reopening of wounds now happily healed."

• There is no reference to four Democratic platforms, 1908-20, that are silent on blacks, segregation, lynching and voting rights as racial problems in the country mount. By contrast the GOP platforms of those years specifically address "Rights of the Negro" (1908), oppose lynching (in 1912, 1920, 1924, 1928) and, as the New Deal kicks in, speak out about the dangers of making blacks "wards of the state."

• There is no reference to the Democratic Convention of 1924, known to history as the "Klanbake." The 103-ballot convention was held in Madison Square Garden. Hundreds of delegates were members of the Ku Klux Klan, the Klan so powerful that a plank condemning Klan violence was defeated outright. To celebrate, the Klan staged a rally with 10,000 hooded Klansmen in a field in New Jersey directly across the Hudson from the site of the convention. Attended by hundreds of cheering convention delegates, the rally featured burning crosses and calls for violence against African-Americans and Catholics.

• There is no reference to the fact that it was Democrats who segregated the federal government, at the direction of President Woodrow Wilson upon taking office in 1913. There \is a reference to the fact that President Harry Truman integrated the military after World War II.

• There is reference to the fact that Democrats created the Federal Reserve Board, passed labor and child welfare laws, and created Social Security with Wilson's New Freedom and FDR's New Deal. There is no mention that these programs were created as the result of an agreement to ignore segregation and the lynching of blacks. Neither is there a reference to the thousands of local officials, state legislators, state governors, U.S. congressmen and U.S. senators who were elected as supporters of slavery and then segregation between 1800 and 1965. Nor is there reference to the deal with the devil that left segregation and lynching as a way of life in return for election support for three post-Civil War Democratic presidents, Grover Cleveland, Woodrow Wilson and Franklin Roosevelt.

• There is no reference that three-fourths of the opposition to the 1964 Civil Rights Bill in the U.S. House came from Democrats, or that 80% of the "nay" vote in the Senate came from Democrats. Certainly there is no reference to the fact that the opposition included future Democratic Senate leader Robert Byrd of West Virginia (a former Klan member) and Tennessee Senator Albert Gore Sr., father of Vice President Al Gore.

• Last but certainly not least, there is no reference to the fact that Birmingham, Ala., Public Safety Commissioner Bull Connor, who infamously unleashed dogs and fire hoses on civil rights protestors, was in fact--yes indeed--a member of both the Democratic National Committee and the Ku Klux Klan.

Whitewash.

(more at link)

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121856786326834083.html

Anonymous

You miss the point. Of course the Dems are marketing Obama that way. And now the Repubs are doing the same with Palin. This has nothing to do with religion or which parties are behaving properly, this is reality. Politics is all about marketing, and both parties are marketing what they see as hot products, taking advantage of every media upsurge. Each party wants to win, at least the last time I checked.... and the more they get a product in front of the bleating public, the better chance they have. Obviously, few of us look at the real issues.

I totally agree with Sally, how can a mother
who just gave birth to a newborn child,
with special needs, care for the child adequately
and run a country like the States as Vice President. The truth is she will
allocate the care of the baby mainly
to her husband and her other children.
Which begs the question how much
do newborns really need their mothers???

Yes we have been told by MALES that
we must not discuss children, I personally
believe that teenagers that are too
young to have kids themselves
are not at fault they have not been
guided or protected, some may
say that there will always be teen
mothers and they would be right
but I don't think it should in any way
be encouraged. They are quite simply
to young to be 'robbed' of their childhoods
and just not mature enough physically
and mentally to deal with the burden
of being responsible for another child.
Having said that I am prochoice but
believe that young mothers should
always be encouraged to keep their own babies.

I don't think that Ms Palin has
any knowledge of foreign policies
and it is crucial at this time with
the current global climate
that we have people in power
who know how to deal with
violent extremists and how
to deal with situations like the Iraq
war. She has absolutely no experience
and apparently never even ventured out
of the country until recently.

I think it would be irresponsible
for the American public to vote
someone into office with the background
she has and without the adequate
skills and knowledge to undertake
the job of Vice President.

Daniel ITLD,

Yes, I noticed right away that over 2/3 of the posts were direct bashings of Ms Quinn, without any real attempt at rebuttal or answering of questions.

I have backed off from On Faith lately because of the horrendous tidal surge of bigotry and hatred here. But it has reached the point that any member of another country with an IQ above 70 or so would wonder if a plague of national insanity were indeed possible. Hell, I'm beginning to believe it myself. Somebody's gotta say something about it.

MS. QUINN YOU AND THE REST OF THE BELT-WAY CROWD ARE SO UPSET OVER THIS WOMEN BECAUSE YOU'RE SUFFERING FROM EIGHT YEAR'S OF NO COCK---TAIL PARTIE'S

Arminius

These people are not grinding me down; I am grinding them down.

They made me angry when they all ganged up on Sally and expressed their "outrage" at what she had written.

But it is obvious, that most of these people did not even read what she wrote.

At least the Sally bashing is just about over, and maybe now the coast will be clear for more decent people to comment here in a reaasonable discussion.

"Palin is undergoing an apotheosis by the right wing. What this means is that the religious right has found their own "The One" in St Sarah (PBUH)."

Arminius are you deaf dumb and blind?

Obama has marketed himself to his followers as the long-awaited "one".

Sarah Palin is clearly just "one of us". That's why so many are identifying with her and embracing her.

Sarah Palin is the antidote for Obama.

Bitter American

If there are so many black Republicans, then where are they? I don't see Condoleezza Rice or Colin Powell at the Republican Convention. I see them running for the exits, to get out of the Bush administration as quick as possible; this anti-black Republican administration, which has severly damaged their reputations.

I am not race baiting. Your party is almost all white. So you listed 5 or 6 prominent black people who are Republicans; even they would not be caught dead at this convocation and celebration of the white race.

This is the way it is. You cannot change facts. So, you have a choice: either accept it, or try and do something about it. But don't make me into some kind of ogre because I have enough sense to notice that there is something freakishly weird about the Republican Party and its fascination and flirtation with relgious fantaticism and its Jesus-mania.

Hi all-

Take The White Party Quiz and learn something today:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEUfxfJbtAM

Daniel ITLD,

Hang in there, dude. As the saying goes: Don't let the bastards grind you down.

It just occurred to me, and apparently no one else has commented on this: Palin is undergoing an apotheosis by the right wing. What this means is that the religious right has found their own "The One" in St Sarah (PBUH).

Daniel in the Lion's Den:

You have been race baiting this whole time so since you really want to know... Who's the only black American currently on the Supreme Court? Clarence Thomas. The first black Secretary of State? Colin Powell. The first black woman ever to be a Secretary of State? Condi Rice. What party helped these prominent black figures get into these positions? You guessed it, the Republican Party!

Other prominent black republicans
J.C. Watts
Armstrong Williams
Don King
Janice Rogers Brown
Michael S. Steele
Lynn Swann
(If you want more just ask)

Dont give me any of the "they are sellouts" mumbo jumbo because you know that is a weak arguement. If you do... well that says a lot about you.

Oh and in case you forgot... The Republican party was founded in 1854 by anti-slavery expansion activists and modernizers. Go look it up for yourself.

You have been race baiting this whole time so since you really want to know... Who's the only black American currently on the Supreme Court? Clarence Thomas. The first black Secretary of State? Colin Powell. The first black woman ever to be a Secretary of State? Condi Rice. What party helped these prominent black figures get into these positions? You guessed it, the Republican Party!

Other prominent black republicans
J.C. Watts
Armstrong Williams
Don King
Janice Rogers Brown
Michael S. Steele
Lynn Swann
(If you want more just ask)

Dont give me any of the "they are sellouts" mumbo jumbo because you know that is a weak arguement. If you do... well that says a lot about you.

Oh and in case you forgot... The Republican party was founded in 1854 by anti-slavery expansion activists and modernizers. Go look it up for yourself.

Whether you or I agree with Gov Palin's priorities or not misses the point. It is her life to live. She is obviously a quite capable woman who knows how to juggle. Why is that you are able to live you life as you live it, with a handicapped son, but she should not be allowed to be all that can be.

Which brings me to the point of allowing women into the pulpit. Why not? There is no where in the Bible, despite what the Southern Baptists, and others say, which explicity says a woman cannot be a pastor, let alone a senior pastor. These people are manipulating Biblical writings to their own agendas, weaknesses, and insecurities. As too many so called Christians do.

One of the problems those who call themselves Christians have is that most do not trouble themselves to actually read the Christian Bible and to see for themselves what it really says, or worse, they read it superficially and just interpret the way their leader says to. This problem is not isolated to Christians. It is a problem with all of the world's religions. People tend not to think for themselves but to follow someone else like a willing sheep to the slaughter. They need to be more like goats...they scream and bleat all the way!

Bitter American

There are 2,380 delegates in attendance at the Republican National Convention. Of these 36 are black.

Even I am a little shocked.

I could see it was a white people's conference from watching tv, but this is almost beyond belief. You would think with all their money, the Republicans could hire some black actors or models to pretend to be delegates. Or they could bring in some of their own personal servants, just to add a little color.

The whole thing is just too weird and freakish for words.

You may be proud of this party and think that it represents the good ole fashioned values of America. That says alot about you.

Wow, I can't believe how unreal this article is. I think it's pretty typical in what I have observed in the media since I began paying attenting in the early 90's. If a reporter agrees with a candidate - they give them a pretty good pass and don't ask questions or dig for facts. If a reporter does not idealogically agree with a candidate - they ask unwarranted questions, make personal accusations and try very hard to discredit instead of relying on actual facts to determine what they should report.

I am disheartened that Sally Quinn would attack a woman who has shown herself to be a strong woman who loves her family, her country and her God. There are many women out there - including myself - who have children, work hard every day to provide for our families, with the support of our husbands (or sometimes without that support.) I love my children very much and am glad that there are good role models out there, like Sarah Palin, who can lead the way for my 2 daughters. Sarah Palin embodies the beliefs that my family has, and is not afraid to go out there and tell it like it is.

The generalization statements about Christians based on something you've heard from one group or another is wrong. Different churches have different doctrines, yes, but to lump everyone together and imply that Christianity hates women could not be further from the truth. Jesus loved women, He brought equality in His teaching by showing how He came to bring freedom and forgiveness to everyone (unheard of in Jerusalem 2000 years ago.)

Sarah Palin is the face of many women and families in the U.S. and I am very glad that she is John McCain's running mate. For me, character and wisdom beat out political rhetoric, Harvard degrees and Hollywood stars any day.

This is sucha hot topic..it's kept me on the phone with my Christian girlfriends for hours. Evangelical leaders will have to come up with a line that makes this jive with all the Biblical womanhood stuff they've been teaching for decades.

I feel that Sarah was sent to America for these troubled times! We're headed toward communism with Obama & Biden; can't you see it? It took a woman with five children to get us back to the Real America; the America I once knew~ If you newspeople don't love the best country on the face of the earth~~~why don't you go somewhere like Russia or even closer; Cuba? You couldn't hold a candle to Sarah! You're all jealous! I would never buy your paper.

There sure is a lot of media trying to dig up dirt on Palin. I wonder how many are reading the William Ayers documents that were just made public? In case you didnt know William Ayers is an unrepentant terrorist and personal friend of Obama.

Well Sally, you've nailed McCain's poor judgement square in the middle, by viture of his selecting Palin to succeed him in the event of his death in office.

This was a most misbegotten choice by man with no vision beyond getting elected - a man that would be President.

Was this based on her qualifications for the job, or her appeal to fundamentalists and evangelicals?
Talk about pulling a name out of thin air!

I think you just heard from the McCain/Palin base in these 500+ comments.....they love it.

OMG!!!! What planet are you from, Sally? Oh, maybe you are just one of those pathetic good ole boys in disguise. Ok for YOU as a woman to succeed, but not for anyone else. In my school, Sally, we'd call you a mean girl

Hey Daniel in the Lion's Den,

Do you have any facts yet??

Caught your sinde remarks concerning Governor Palin on O'Reilly's show. You have your job at the Washington Post because Ben Bradlee's your wife, period. Sarah Palin was elected governor by the people of Alaska, not because her husband was a commercial fisherman there. Also, these are probably not the kind of people you would invite to your swell dinner parties in Georgetown. After all, the governor's husband works with his hands.

As a husband, father, nurse and a voter, I am saddened but not suprised by how out of touch you are with the real world. My wife balances a demanding career and family with grace. I balance a demanding career and family with much less grace. You need to get out and talk with real women who work real jobs and ask them how they do it. It is called balance. You will not always do it perfectly. You will learn from your errors. You love your children and you love your country. We need more people like Sarah Palin so idiots like you will shut up. It is done everyday.

The sentiments expressed here against Sally reveal the common chip-on-the-shoulder syndrome of Conservative Christians and Republicans who are cocked and ready to go off on anybody who even looks at them sideways.

Talk about bitterness...

Wow. Where are the feminists?...Amazing how the nasty attacks are going from women.Maybe sally you should quit your job also since you have a family. I cann't beleive you leveled such a sexist attack implying she's a bad mother. Shame on you! I can only guess you don't like republican's. Reporters would never raise this issue with a male canidate.... So why did you?.... You should say you were out of line or resign. Did you tell Nancy Pelosi with 5 kids to not be speaker of the house. Your hypocrisy is phenomenial...... My wife and I resent how you treat this sucessful women. My wife is very sucessful as mother, a boss, and a great human being. We our democrats. but we don't have any use for people trying to beat up sucessful women.

I take offense to your comments. I am a working mother of seven. I am the breadwinner of our family. My husband and I made the decision to have children and said whoever could be the better provider would continue to work. I am a pediatric dentist so I continued to work. I have my own practice so if I am not at work my employees can not be there either. Ten families depend on me being at work, consequently I return to work less than a week after having my children. I like Sarah Palin have nursed all of my children, so I pump at work. I like Sarah could not return to work without a dedicated husband. I take great offense to your suggestion that she can not be a good mother because she returns to work so soon after her children are born. I feel I am just as good a mother as anyone else, in fact better, because my children are my priority. My spare time is spent with my children, not shopping and having me time. Like many doctors I do have to make choices between an emergency and a baseball game or school performance. I have missed many games, but children know I love them. As for Sarah Palin her children know what her job is and they know she loves them. Have you ever questioned a VP or President that was a man what would he do a 3am if the phone rang and he had a sick child? I know my husband is just as capable at 3am as I am. I know what she would do, she would do like every male she would take the 3am call and leave her sick child with her spouse. The old saying goes behind every great man is an even greater women. How about this, Behind every great woman is a fantastic man. I was very offended that you would even suggest that women are not as capable as man.

Dear "Mrs. Bradley",
Thanks for setting us back 30 years. My 14 yr old daughter saw your comments and said she better decide whether to be a doctor or a mother because obviously she can't do both. I am outraged by your comments. I now have more respect for Mrs. Palin than I do for you or Hillary. Both of you got to your positions of power the way women have been doing it for centuries...ON THE BACK OF A MAN! In fact I think I hear Ben's cocktail glass jingling for another refill, so as a wife and mother, you better run home and put on your pleated skirt, apron and high heels, and stand by your man!!!

I agree with the other posters, Sally, you are not in Sarah Palin's league. She is a gifted politician who happens to be female-

PUMAs and NOBAMAS please see this:

At a NEWSWEEK forum on Women in Leadership last March, Alaska governor Sarah Palin was asked if she thought Hillary Clinton was being treated unfairly in the press.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9Y8FKAsxmk

You brought up the 3am phone call scenario for us. (in some article you wrote)
How brilliant of you.

Well what does a man or woman do when there kids are sick and they are half way across the world serving our country in Iraq or delivering Aid to Georgia.
What do they do? They do the best they can and meet the challenges in front of them. Thats what we all do.

As far as I can see, Sally is not the one believing women should be chained to the home and obey their husbands - but many churches are, and she is wondering how Palin, ultra right wing Christian, makes that connection in her head. It's a legitimate question.

spiderman2 wrote:

Europe is a doomed continent and it's not a wonder if they would dislike Palin's Christian views. They don't like Jesus' views either, I believe.

and:

Common sense wrote "Our Northern European friend tells it right - the USA is now officially the laughing stock of the Free World -"

I'm not so sure what you mean by the "Free World". Free like being freed by America after WW2 and after communism's fall under Reagan?

Laughing coz they believe their greatgranddads were monkeys?

Or are they laughing coz men marry men and women marry women?

Or pulling out babies before they mature?

It's called "CRAZY WORLD" and that's where you and Eaten in the Lion's Den belong.

REPLY: Oh,most of us agree with the humanitarian things Jesus taught, even if we are not Christians. We just don't see any of those teachings honored by the Christian right in the US - or here, for that matter, but America is extreme. All that creationism and hostility towards ordinary, everyday science is what constitutes a narrowminded sect here. I doubt very much Jesus ordered you people to be dumb as posts.

We are looking wide-eyed at the talibans and Iranian theocracies on one side, and noticing the stark similarities with the American ultra conservatives on the other. America has so much intelligence, energy and brilliance, but not there.

Yes, we do come from the monkeys. And the world is actually 4,5 billion years old. You can prove those things, just like you can prove what water consists of, and the air. Evolution is working as we speak.

Europe is far from doomed, although we certainly have big problems. But we are watching US in horror, as it slowly undermines what once made it great - the very idea of freedom and democracy.

Anonymous wrote:

asoders22-

That's why we consider you to be living in a post-christian culture. Europe has a problem with opening their doors to an extremist religion and deluting their political stability (hint: its not those nasty Palin Christians)(another hint mosques are popping up like mushrooms).

Most Americans think it may be over for Europe's beautiful western culture. Are we (God and gun Americans) going to have to come save your @sses once again??

REPLY: I am very happy we are living in a post-Christian culture - not all of us, but a lot. You have mosques in the US too, I presume? Fanatic islamists is a huge problem, here and everywhere - they only listen to God, you see, not to common sense - just like the far right wing Christians.. They want their beliefs to be law and they refuse to reason. (I'm talking about the fanatics now, not the everyday moslim or everyday, normal Christian.)

We will save you beautiful American culture for you, until the sensible side has won.

I'm already sick of Palin! Mostly vote democratic but have voted republican in the past so do not have a totally closed mind.

I'm a mature, married, family oriented,financially conservative woman. Prefer Obama over Hillary and absolutely hate the present republican agenda.

Seems like no lie is too large, no hypocrisy too great, etc.

And no I don't think Reagan was a great president. I don't think cutting mental health care to the point that the mentally ill are now a danger to themselves as well as the public is in the best public interest. I don't think union busting (air traffic controllers for example) has been a great public service or improved the lot of the working man.

Isn't it about time our government had a little more interest in it's people and a lot less in big business and the military machine.

Sorry for the rant, but our current situation in this country is unbelievable but true.

James Klich-

When its been on the TMZ site for three days

Its not a NEWS FLASH

Its stale-- DOOFUS!

We've finally reached a point in the USA when any perfectly ordinary person could be President - unfortunately, we saw how that worked out with George W. Bush.

Let's hope and pray that we never find out how the female version of GWB works out - and John McCain is making that perfectly possible with the Palin selection.

These days the world is a complicated place - we need extraordinary intelligence and wide experience in those that would govern.

There is only one choice - vote Obama/Biden.

News Flash. Sarah Palin looks exactly like Peggy Hill from King Of The Hill. Sarah Palin is no Peggy Hill!

Sally, you, Gloria,Maureen and Huffington need to get real and into 2008, Sarah is today's woman, she is one of us. You girls are the past and you just never caught up into the real world. Get over yourselves.

The Southern Baptist Convention doesn't believe ill of women - they simply believes the Bible. The Bible teaches women are equal to men and can do any roll in the church except senior pastor. You don't have a problem with Southern Baptists - you have a problem with the Bible. That's your choice- but don't misplace your blame. And the Bible no where says a woman can't be a political leader. What I hope you and others understand is that we just want to obey God on roles in church government. It has nothing to do with having a lower view of women. That is why evangelicals are supporting Palin. And that is why it is shocking to see so many "liberals" tear her down. Makes you wonder if liberals are really pro-women or just pro-power.

It's amazing how the elite are bending over backwards to try to discredit governor Palin. I can't believe that NOW is not out fron and center defending this onslaught of sexism. Why don't you write an article about Biden and his need to stay home, as an only parent, instead of becoming a senator. Where was his responsibility as a single parent, who watched his kids. The things liberals will do to promote their cause, even erase the advances of women and attack in such ways that are despicable. If Palin was a democrat, she would be the nominee and heralded as the greatest example to woman but since she's conservative she's the enemy and must be taken down. It's disgraceful!! The good news is that the level of attacks clearly show the potential she has. I think we're looking at the first woman president of the United States.

It's amazing how the elite are bending over backwards to try to discredit governor Palin. I can't believe that NOW is not out fron and center defending this onslaught of sexism. Why don't you write an article about Biden and his need to stay home, as an only parent, instead of becoming a senator. Where was his responsibility as a single parent, who watched his kids. The things liberals will do to promote their cause, even erase the advances of women and attack in such ways that are despicable. If Palin was a democrat, she would be the nominee and heralded as the greatest example to woman but since she's conservative she's the enemy and must be taken down. It's disgraceful!! The good news is that the level of attacks clearly show the potential she has. I think we're looking at the first woman president of the United States.

Biden on Palin: Children are off limits

Sally, don't throw stones if you live in a glass house. This incident happened five year ago and they are refloating it. There is more to this and I pray to God it doesn't come out:

Biden's Daughter Arrested in Drunken Craze After Throwing Bottle at Police

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFucx5lJJuI

** Palin Nabs Highest '08 Broadcast TV Convention Ratings **

(fair use excerpt -- credit TV Week By Andrew Krukowski)

[.. Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin’s speech during Wednesday night’s Republican National Convention bested Democratic speeches from Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden and, in some cases, Barack Obama in preliminary ratings.

Speaking last night, along with former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, Gov. Palin took in a 5.4 rating/8 share on NBC, according to preliminary overnight household data from Nielsen Media Research, measuring 55 markets across the United States.

In terms of this year’s conventions, the preliminary rating for NBC’s coverage last night is higher than any other night of the convention on the broadcast networks, including Sen. Obama’s nomination acceptance speech on Aug. 28. ..]

http://www.tvweek.com/news/2008/09/palins_speech_powers_highest_0.php

Spiderman

Ok, I will try to stop being idiotic.

How dare you? Sally Quinn.
You want to know what your women readers think of her Sarah Palin priorities. I am a democrat, and I am appalled at your statements. Don't try to hide behind "I'm just asking the questions", you are reprehensible.

Daniel wrote "Why don't you spend the rest of your day doing something away from the computer and away from this "on faith forum?" I know you would feel better if you did."

I would feel better if you straighten up you brain and write with sense. Stupidity is my enemy so please don't be idiotic. Ok?

On the same high standard for parenting shouldn't Biden have shelved his political ambitions and chosen to work closer to home so that he could spend more time and take better care of his young injured motherless children?

If that question didn't occur to you, why not?

Sarah Palin has a supportive spouse who is going to rearrange his life so that he can spend more time parenting. It is high time this society realizes that men have both the capability and the responsibility to parent.

As to how Bristol feels about all this, I first thought as you do but wouldn't Bristol feel far worse if her failure at self-control were what barred her mother from running for vice president? I was not present at this family's discussion and on this topic am not prepared to judge them.

As to abstinence education, God tried the just say no policy in the Garden of Eden. I keep wondering why the right thinks we can do better than God.

I saw your interview on Bill Oreilly. You were condescending, contradictory, and sexist, as well as grossly uninformed about Sarah Palin. Well, Sally, Sarah Palin kicked our ass.

Mary Cunham wrote "he (spidey) rants and raves and hates everyone."

Everyone? What a stupid accusation. I hate STUPIDITY. If it seems that I hate everyone , maybe because there are too many STUPIDITY in this blog floating around.

Miranda,
Oh did Thatcher and Reagan have out-of wedlock sex too? It's shameful the way Palin is parading her
17 yr old pregnant daughter as some kind of example. This makes almost the same kind of statement that Pres. Clintons sexual behavior in office made to the nation. It was deplorable then and this is deplorable now. As the mother of 2 impressionable daughters I am deeply offended.
And this, from the values crowd?? Shameful!

sally,

have you read proverbs 31 lately ! i would suggest begin reading in verse 10. the world looks at the outward appearance of individuals but GOD looks at the heart ! she is BEAUTIFUL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE! A REAL WOMAN WHO LOVES THE LORD AND CHERISHES AND STANDS FOR LIFE !!!
thank you 1

Sally,

It's ridiculous to believe that Sarah Palin's husband cannot be the primary nurturer in that family! Leaving Palin to focus on the big "3AM decisions." Good heavens, what century were you born in!
More and more I see that women like you who have been Queens in male universes are not really interested in expanding opportunities for other women. Your resistance to strong competent female leadership seems just as extreme as that of the male neanderthals who have officially hijacked the Democratic Party.

Dear Mr. Spiderman

I am sorry if I hurt your feelings. I really do have some empathy for you and even like you a little because I think I understand your "problem."

However, someone like you should not be posting here, at all, at least not for awhile.

Why don't you spend the rest of your day doing something away from the computer and away from this "on faith forum?" I know you would feel better if you did.

She's only running for VICE president. Obama is the lightly experienced pol running for president. As well, she showed very good sense by making Ireland the first European soil she touched down on.

Hopefully Sarah will return and next time get off the plane. She will receive a very warm welcome. The Irish like fiery women! (Or at least they're used to them).

Common sense wrote "diatribes against sanity and reason. "

Let me guess. SANITY like forking out fetuses and REASON like Mr and Mr Jones. Which of the two becomes the "first lady" if one gets to be president?

Common sense? In your world, is the common denominator STUPIDITY?

sally,

have you read chapter 31 of proverbs lately ? i would suggest that you begin reading at verse 10 . sarah palin is a proverbs 31 woman !!! someone said that ronald reagan was smiling down on sarah as she was speaking but i believe that GOD is smiling down on her !! she is a real woman !! as scripture so aptly puts it: the world looks at the outward appearance but GOD looks at the heart. she is beautiful inside and out ! thank you !

How can a person who just traveled outside the U.S
for the first time in 2007,(it is reported that is when she got her first passport)be put in such close proximity to the presidency?. I don't care that she is a woman, or has 5 children,or a daughter pregnant out of wedlock, or what her religious beliefs are. Republicans can spin it however they want. But this should be a serious conversation about credentials. I watched her last night and was trying to imagine her negotiating detente or sitting across the table from Mededyev, Putin or the North Korean dictator.
I'm sorry, but I am a woman who is very scared and concerned about her lack of foreign policy experience, in the the realistic possibility that something should happen where she would have to assume power. By the way I am a woman with 4 kids.

To Miranda -

I always thought there was a special love between Reagan and Thatcher. What a great pair.

"A tribute to the "married couple of Conservative politics"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jItfrOWRF74

Sally, when I was pregnant with either my second or third child (can't recall which) and employed full time as an attorney, a classless and graceless bean-counter woman from the other end of the building actually took a shot at me in the presence of colleagues as to whether I should continue to work after more than one child. There was no discussion or conversation to invite this personal attack, it was just indicative of what an idiot she is. SALLY, YOU HAVE BECOME ONE AND THE SAME TO ME. As an American woman, Sarah Palin and I have the right to choose where we worship and what we believe. We have the right to choose how many children we raise. We have the right to choose whether we are gainfully employed or whether we toil at home exclusively for our families. NO DESPERATE THREATENED LIBERAL LIKE YOU WILL TAKE THAT AWAY FROM US. You want to pick at Palin's choice of church and ask if that is consistent with how whe lives her life in her family and profession. She may have an honest disagreement with her church yet still choose it for other reasons, you have no idea. If you do not want to be governed by a Christian, do not vote for one, plain and simple.

Spidey usually limits his insults to Catholics but every once and a while he goes the whole hog. At least he doesn't coat his words in relativistic nonsense, he rants and raves and hates everyone.

So don't take it personally.

Well, Daniel, I think there are more attractive role models than Sally Quinn but to each his own. But her role in this feeding frenzy of abuse was appalling. Sally was at the head of the pack in as "shameful out-of-control, frenzied, angry, condescending and pathetic" example of journalistic malpractice I've seen to date. (I didn't say that Yuval Levin did).

Every one of the so-to-speak important institutions of the political press joined in & you all should be heartedly sick of yourselves.

Sally Quinn doesn't need to be defended. She needs to apologize!

Spidey - you'd make a great speech writer for McCain/Palin.....you're just crazy enough and sufficiently lacking in eloquence to create some very memorable diatribes against sanity and reason.

You have all the right beliefs, and of that there is no doubt. You are indeed 'eat up with Jesus', as we say in the South.

Wow, what a maniac!! And the perfect born-again republican.

Sally honey--

You missed the real scandalous story but after Sarah Palin's speech last night it has become an open secret:

Sarah is the lovechild of Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan (ideologically speaking).

She has her dad's love of America and good-looks and her mum's strength and fortitude paired with a biting dry wit.

I knew he would have facts. Later Daniel.

Eaten, what are you doing with your spare time? How many fingers do you have? I know how many fingers you have but I want to hear it from you. That way, I would have an idea how twisted your brain has become.

Guns and God? Have you even touched a gun?

Also, since all of the Royal family and most of the upper class are enthusiastic slaughterers of game birds of all kinds and stags, boars &tc., and since most English and Irish *long* for the type of fishing one can find in Alaska, we are hardly in a position to point a finger and Gov Palin and spouse.

More like envy, although this is diluted by the fact it probably rains more in Juneau than in does in the British isles.

I am going to take a break for awhile because this NON-SENSE is wearying.

But at least I seem to have moderated the mindless diatribe against Sally.

Only, now everyone hates me, for not hating her.

Yes Spiderman; CRAZY is the key word.

Spiderman is "eat up with Jesus."

That is a phrase that is used in the South to describe people who have a Jesus-mania.

I do not think that ignoring a mental illness and resisting treatment for it, and being a royal pain to anyone and everyone who seeks to help you, is anything to be proud of.

If Conservative Christians need the defense of a raving lunatic to shore up their belief system, then I think that is an action, which once again, speaks louder than any words that I could think of.

Sarah Palin has received good press here in England. Like Harry Truman, she seems an authentic and eloquent American character. The more conservative papers have compared her determination and exuberance--as well as her savaging by the liberal media--to Thatcher. (This is a complement).

Alaska has also been featured as a wild and beautiful place.

Her acceptance speech received as much coverage as Obama's and has been praised. I cannot speak for the rest of Northern Europe.

Common sense wrote "Our Northern European friend tells it right - the USA is now officially the laughing stock of the Free World -"

I'm not so sure what you mean by the "Free World". Free like being freed by America after WW2 and after communism's fall under Reagan?

Laughing coz they believe their greatgranddads were monkeys?

Or are they laughing coz men marry men and women marry women?

Or pulling out babies before they mature?

It's called "CRAZY WORLD" and that's where you and Eaten in the Lion's Den belong.

Anonymous

Guns and God?

Shoot a Democrat for Christ? Is that your religion?

What a foolish fellow you are.

Sally, I really enjoyed listening to your perspective on O'Reilly last night. I am an independent 56 yr old female voter who voted for Bush (out of fear) in the last 2 elections. I only watch Fox to see how they spin, as I am fully aware of their agenda. I completely agreed with your perspective last night, and thought you were terrific going head to head against O'Reilly.
I am voting for Obama in 08.
The choice of Palin by Mc Cain shows real desperation from his campaign. I am offended that he is putting this person so close to the presidency. His judgement is frightening. What an irresponsible political ploy. I am writing this after watching her speech last night.
Susan from Chicago.

asoders22-

That's why we consider you to be living in a post-christian culture. Europe has a problem with opening their doors to an extremist religion and deluting their political stability (hint: its not those nasty Palin Christians)(another hint mosques are popping up like mushrooms).

Most Americans think it may be over for Europe's beautiful western culture. Are we (God and gun Americans) going to have to come save your @sses once again??

DILTD - I for one appreciate that you're hanging in as a (solitary?) voice of reason, when other excellent posters have fled.

Looks like most of the threads are being taken over by rightwing fundamentalist whackos as well -Palin really brought the cave dwellers out into the light of day, didn't she?!

Our Northern European friend tells it right - the USA is now officially the laughing stock of the Free World - Bush was no abberation after all.

Nope, the same crowd loves McCain/Palin all over again - just as though Bush never happened. I try imagining a secessionist hockey mom from Alaska as the potential Leader of the Free World, especially a born-again Pentacostal that loves creationism and the rest of the fundamentalist insanity.

What would Vladimir Putin say, I wonder? Hopefully he'll be conversing with Obama/Biden ...

asoders22

My apologies to Scandanavia.

As I said, I realize that some of those VERY white people at the Republican Convention are probably very nice people.

It is just a little creepy to see so many white people representing a national organization.

I mean, good grief, it doesn't look like something you would see in America; it looks like something you would see in Berlin, Germany.

While many denominations of Christianity still keep women out of the pulpit, as a Methodist I am proud to say not all of them do. My personal belief is that those words referenced were written for those specific women in that specific time and were not meant to be applied to all women everywhere. There are far more references in the Bible of women preaching and leading (Deborah in the old Testament led the nation and the army, Esther talking the king into changing domestic policy to name just two).
In regard to Sarah Palin, while socially I don't love some of the things she stands for (anti-Abortion and abstinence only sex ed just to name two), as a mother of one with another on the way and a part time employee minister in my church I commend her and wonder how she's managed it.
While the career driven mom persona that I see so much around Washington (I live in Arlington) has never appealed to me, I fully respect every woman's decision on how they will raise their child. It is the parents and only the parents decision on how they will raise their children because they are the ones responsible for those decisions. While I would not and have not made choices that lend themselves to a career driven path, I think it is a wonderful testament and example to my daughter and even to myself to see that you don't have to sacrifice family, femininity and marriage in order to have a high powered career. I'm a little tired of the societal line that says if you're going to be successful in politics you'll have to become completely unfeminine and give up everything else that you may want in your life. While I respect women like Janet Reno, Condoleeza Rice and Geraldine Ferraro; I can identify far more with Sarah Palin because she hasn't given up those same things that many many women want.
While there are always sacrifices that must be made (my guess is she hasn't had a full nights sleep in many years and someone else is cleaning her house) we cannot sit in judgment on her decisions because we are not the ones responsible for them. Only she and her husband are in that position and if they feel ready to take this challenge then all I can say is Bravo!
And so, in answer to the question, women can be both. My own senior pastor is the mother of an adopted daughter the same age as my own. While their are no shortages of challenges that come with those positions, that is what grown ups do. We take the challenges that come with careers and raise our children the best way we can. If she can live with those decisions, so can I.
Plus as a nursing mother, I would just love to see a breast pump in the White house! You go girl!

Ms. Quinn,
Your absurdly sexist comments about Sarah Palin must be driven by envy and political bias. And it is said that men fear a strong, successful woman. Accept your own failure to attain Palin's level of success. If you only knew how foolish your comments sound you would pray for forgiveness!

Bitter American

So?

What is your point?

I never mentioned Bush or the economy.

If everything is so great, then why are you so bitter? Even if things on earth are bad, faith in Jesus Christ should should nerve you against the hardness of the world. So, why are you so hard, bitter, and afraid?

I thought the trend here was to trash Sally with evrery kind of mean and nasty taunt that the unruly people posting here could think of. I was merely seeking to offer some counter-balance.

So that makes me a bad and wicked person; maybe I should by lynched.

You're sick...and wrong! How could you say the
things you did about Governor Palin? She's
everything you are not (now)- young, vibrant,
beautiful, smart and loves her family and her
country. She just (last night) broke the
glass ball and the ceiling!

Good look on getting old; I'm 91.
Dot Sweat
dotsweat@comcast.net

Daniel is probably gathering his facts from some left wing site.

Sally Quinn is sexist at best. She has held elected office, not been CEO of any major corporation, and has not been a commander and chief of anyone but her own pathetic, self centered live. Frankly she needs to stay home & bake cookies instead of questioning if Palin can be an effective VP and raise her family. I'm so glad Sally Quinn has her nickers in a wad, just like all the career slugs in Washington, D.C. Why wasn't Biden slammed when his tragic circumstances left him with 2 sons to raise, he held office & no one questioned his abilities. Obama is running in the top spot and he has 2 daughters, do you hear Sally Quinn or any other media asking the same questions of him, NO. Get a life Sally Quinn, stay isolated in Georgetown and attend your elitest Washington, DC parties. Middle America would have you for breakfast, you are so out of touch.....

The Lion must have ate him....

Europe is a doomed continent and it's not a wonder if they would dislike Palin's Christian views. They don't like Jesus' views either, I believe.

Daniel in the Lion's Den:

Facts! Facts! Give facts to support your posts! So far your posts have been irrelevant without them. Let me give you an example.

In 2006 before Democrats took control of congress:
1) Consumer confidence stood at a 2 1/2
year high;

2) Regular gasoline sold for $2.19 a
gallon;

3) The unemployment rate was 4.5%.

After Democrats took control of congress:
1) Consumer confidence plummet;

2) The cost of regular gasoline soar to
over $3.50 a gallon;

3) Unemployment is up to 5% (a 10%
increase);

4) American households have seen $2.3
trillion in equity value evaporate (stock and mutual fund losses);

5) Americans have seen their home equity
drop by $1.2 trillion dollars;

6) 1% of American homes are in foreclosure.

You cant say "Well George Bush was President". Remember it's Congress that makes law not
the President.

America voted for change in 2006, we got and are paying for it!

DDNL is just in a bad mood coz the Republican's VP candidate turned out to be a STAR sucking up Obama's light.

Republicans are VALUES voters and it's not the party's fault if many blacks seem to have no values coz they tend to align themselves with a party which supports Abortion and Gay Marriage.

Daniel in the Lion's Den: Now you have covered Sweden and Iceland! ;) I am eagerly waiting for Norway and Denmark, since you seem to know geography.

I live in Northern Europe, and I can tell you Iceland is a lot whiter than Sweden, because Sweden has received many, many refugees - many of them from Iraq, but also Somalia and other countries.

I understand what you meant, but let me clearify one point anyway - people with Republican-like views in Sweden are called extremists and superstitious, even by the average Christian. No political party there that wants to be taken seriously, could ever flaunt Sarah Palin's views. She would be seen as ridiculous even by the party to the right.

Ms. Quinn , I just wanted to say thank you for the questions you asked about Sarah Palin . I think they are both honest and legitimate . When I saw you on CNN discussing these issues it only confirmed my opinion . Enough with the political correctness , these question must be raised .

Dear Bitter American

So I have half a brain; I suppose that makes me elitest?

If I were you, I would not be so smugly proud of my ignorance.

You are not so superior as you suppose yourself to be.

"You need to learn the Constitution and the Bill of Rights before you will know the truth of America and Americans."

The problem is, many Americans don't recognize the Constitution when they see it. They think it is Communist propaganda.

Life and nature are very beautiful. It has nothing to do with proving there is a God, though. I have no problems with believers, but the fanatics take away from the beauty of life and nature and make life three times as difficult for women, kids and gays than it should be.

And please all haters from the right wing, learn what Liberal and Communist actually mean. They are two different words and liberals are not communists.

Right wing Christians show again and again they have no respect for their fellow human being, or the constitution, or the beautiful nature - they gladly rape it for money - or respect for other nations. Heck, they don't know anything about other nations!

Bitter American

I am not a left wing bomb thrower. Just because I do not cling to Jesus to promote hate against Sally and Obama, that does not make me a left wing bomb thrower.

You ARE bitter. Religious people are the bitterest of people; relgious people are always in a bad mood; they condemn and judge; they talk about love, but actions speak louder than their empty words.

America is not just for white people, although you would never know it to watch the Republican Convention. It could not be any whiter if it were held in Reykyvik, Iceland.

How am I wrong? What Convention have you been watching on TV?

Sally, you are so unbelievably out of touch. Every man that I have spoken with about Sarah Palin is excited for her and her family and the country. She did it all on her own. And is going to bring more change to this county than any other politition in the next decade to come.

Why don't you pick apart Democrats the way you pick apart Republicans? Where is your scrutiny of John Edwards and his affair, Bill Clinton and his affairs? Where is your scrutiny of Obama's limited experience and his less than one year service in the Senate and his OBVIOUS lack of qualifications for the presidency? You're just a lot of liberal hot air. Why don't you get a real job.

The problem is not if she can handle both jobs. The problem is that she does not have the experience to be VP and possibly president-whether she has children, or not.

"Call me names, call me an idiot, say that I am not American, go ahead; but that will not change the truth of what I have said."

Daniel in the Lion's Den-

You need to learn the Constitution and the Bill of Rights before you will know the truth of America and Americans.

To Daniel in the Lion's Den:

From a bitter American who clings to his guns and religion... I say you need to go and find out the facts before you say stuff like that. Left wing bomb throwers like you will see the truth if you actually do your research. You need to state specific facts, not what you find on left wing sites, the cold hard facts. The truth will set you free.

BTW.... No one pays attention to your posts. I just wanted to let you feel like you were being heard.

Palin has made it to the top on her own.

Do you think Sally Quinn married Ben Bradlee for his looks?

I have heard SARAH PALIN'S speech. I believe the Republicans have a FUTURE PRESIDENT OF AMERICA 5 years from now.

I thought I was tough until I heard this tough lady speaks. She truly is a PITBULL.

Tough and at the same time with very wonderful VALUES. VERY SMART TOO. What more can I asked for.

Keep her speech run on TV again and again and we'll see Obama's star shoot down.

For all of those who say man wrote the Bible obviously doesnt read it. Man put the pen to paper but God inspired the writings. 2 Tim 3:16-17 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."

For all of those who dont believe there is a God. What about radio waves, the air you breathe, and gravity? You cant see them but its there! You can however see the affects of them. The same is true for God.

Most God fearing people do not belittle the beliefs of those who do not believe in God. Most of us just ask why do you believe it. We can point out Bible book chapter and verse, the miracle of birth and the beauty of the creation to prove our God. What can the non-believers prove that there is not?

Congratulations, Sally!

You have successfully proven yourself to be an IDIOT!

I know this won't get posted because you Liberal Communists want everyone's right to say what they think to be honored, except when it conflicts with your opinions.

Sally, I really feel sorry for you as such
a conflicted liberal feminist! All
your life you have been waiting for
a woman to achieve the status of
Sarah and now its a main stream lady
like her that almost every woman in
America can relate to!!

Just say "no" to the Republi-Klan.

The poor pitiful Republicansm; just like every Republican Party Convention in the past, they have more black people speaking on stange than they have black delegates in the hall.

If the Republican Party is so "inclusive," then why are they ALL WHITE? Of course Republicans love black people, so long as you a black person, who walks, talks, and acts white, who has white sensibilites, who has no black experience, and who puts the needs and political views of white people firt. But then, pathetically, doesn't that bring them right back around to an exclusively white people's party, with nothing but white people in attendance at the convention, and only a VERY few token blacks to appear on stage, to trick and fool the viewers at home?

I mean, the Republican Party Convention looks like a little slice of Sweden, not a slice of America.

Call me names, call me an idiot, say that I am not American, go ahead; but that will not change the truth of what I have said.

The problem is not if she can handle both jobs. The problem is that she does not have the experience to be VP and possibly president-whether she has children, or not.

The Bible is a BOOK. It is a BOOK. Written and discussed and edited almost 2000 years ago. Interpreted by men. Nobody has to follow it and certainly not try to impose it on others.

The idea that women should listen and obey is ludicrous. (Just look at where it has brought the world, btw. War and mass poverty.) Everyone knows that, especially Sarah Palin, who brought enough kids into the world but is herself not taking care of them, and who as governor is the boss of her husband. And all the cheering conservatives know it - they are fully prepared to forget about the Bible if it is to their gain, as they often do.

The only rules of the Bible that the Christian right emphasize, are those that will keep women down and allow the Conservative elite to become rich. It is heartbreaking that so many sincerely Christian women buy into this and try to find peace and harmony in the struggle with life denying themselves the proper tools to deal with it - their own common sense, for one.

I really, really hope McCain/Palin will lose come November.

In response to ... As the mother of an infant, one of five children, is Palin's first priority to her children or her country?

If the country doesn't get taken care of - what will be left for our children?

Caring about this country is putting our children first!

** BREAKING NEWS **
After watching Governor Sarah Palin deliver her Vice Presidential nomination acceptance speech at the Republican Party convention last night, Democrat VP nominee Senator Joseph Biden challenged her to a single debate on November 5, 2008.

When Senator Biden was asked if perhaps he had misspoken, noting that date was the Wednesday after Election Day, he replied, "I do not wish to take unfair advantage of an inexperienced speaker. Besides, I will probably have nothing else to do that day."

Only laughter was heard over the phone when Governor Palin's spokesman was reached for comment.

Sally Quinn:

You should be ashamed at your treatment of this very attractive woman candidate, especially the abuse of her family.

You, and left-wing press and blogs, crossed the line here. Several times.

However, when Margaret Thatcher was subject to such abuse (although, bad as it was, the abuse was never directed at her family, we have libel laws here regarding that) it energized her! And rather than wilting at the abuse, Gov. Palin seemed to relish it last night, so she seems in the Thatcher mold.

Good deeds can be punished but sometimes bad deeds are too. And *your* bad deeds will hurt--not Sarah Palin but you.

I have the unique and wonderful position of being not only a Pentecostal "Evangelical" but also of Jewish background with a different outlook on the Bible and women's roles than most Baptist, and Pentecostals have.

The Bible is full of examples of women who were in leadership roles throughout the history of God's people. It is through the efforts of these bold women that history went the way it did.

God gave Moses, Aaron AND Miriam as leaders to the Israeli people (Micah 6:4). Although Miriam overstepped Moses's position (Numbers 12), she was never removed from her position as a leader. Rather, she was only reprimanded for her words. She was struck with leprosy, which was a punishment the sages tell us was given to people who were arrogant, greedy,or spoke slander of another.

Another woman, by the name of Sherah, the daughter of Beriah, and granddaughter of Ephraim was a builder of cities. (I Ch 7:24)
Today, women are still told that they are to remain at home with the babies, instead of pursuing careers and living out their full potential as not just mother's but also as leaders in the communities within which they live. I wonder what Sherah would have thought if her mothering capabilities had been questioned just because she built cities?
Building cities is no small feat, especially in an era in which bulldozers were non-existent.

Deborah is another woman who led the children of Israel (Judges 4 and 5). This woman was a judge. Judges over Israel not only judged cases, they also governed the people and led them to victory over their enemies. Deborah was no different. She led the armies of Israel to victory, and was given credit for this instead of Barak because he wouldn't go to war without her. If he had gone without her, I guarantee she would still have been given credit in the Bible as a judge of Israel. Today, Deborah would have been a president.

Last but not least, we have the example of the Proverbs 31 woman (Prov 31:10-31) who is not only a mother, she is a woman proficient in business, who balances with grace her role as wife, mother, and business woman. She provides for her household and holds a place of honor in her family, and within the gates of the city she lives in. Certainly, Sarah Palin as VP of the United States would easily fit the role of a Proverbs 31 woman.

As a woman, a wife, and a teacher of the Word of God, I have to say that over centuries the Bible has been twisted to such a high degree that people have forgotten that woman was created as man's equal, not his subservient. In fact, she was created negedo (against him). This means that when man is obedient to God, his wife will help support and encourage him. When he is disobedient she is to be against him in such a way, that she does not usurp his authority, but she causes him to return to obey the Lord. This can be a balancing act.

The first woman mentioned in the Bible, Eve, was told that her desire would be for her husband and that he would rule over her. This does not mean that women are required to submit to every Tom, Dick, or Harry. It also does not mean that a women can not have a role as apostle, pastor, teacher within a church body. The New Testament has a few examples of women who were apostles.

If people were to look at such Scriptures as ''women should keep silence in the church'' in their context rather than picking a verse from a chapter and making a doctrine out of it, they would find that Paul, and the other apostles never intended for women to be "silent in the church''. In context, that verse is about judging prophecy, not about speaking in the church. It is a little strange that most of the church forgets that just a few chapters earlier Paul said that women could prophecy and pray in the church (I Corinthians 11).

As far as Sarah Palin is concerned, I believe she is a great example of a Proverbs 31 woman. She is an accomplished mother and still has a career.
As far as guilt goes, I think that this guilt has been a socially and culturally imposed guilt upon mothers. This is a travesty. It causes women to second guess the desires God has placed in their hearts to go out and make differences within their communities.

What will Sarah Palin do if the phone rings at 3 o'clock and her baby is sick? She will most likely have that figured out. I am an ''on call'' baby sitter for one of my friends if her child needs care, when she can't provide it. No doubt Sarah Palin has the care of her children high on her list of priorities, and will make sure that they are being cared for if she is needed elsewhere. Implying that this makes her less of a mother, is to say that the countless other women who rely on a support system to help them with their children makes them unfit mothers as well.

Men have just as much responsibility to care for their children as do mothers. There seems to be a great deal of concern about Sarah Palin being a mother and the VP of the United States. Where is the concern about Obama's children if he becomes President of the United States?

What about Biden, who was unmarried when his children were young, and he worked in Washington. He reportedly drove four hours every day to get to work. His children had no mother, until Biden remarried later. Was his presence or lack there of while he pursued a career in politics wrong?

One last thing. If I remember correctly, and I believe I do. On the day of Pentacost a number of people were filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4). Among this number were quite a few women, even Mary the mother of Jesus. It seems to me that if God thought to fill women with His Spirit, He also intended them to prophecy, teach, and be used by Him in whatever capacity He desires. After all, the prophet Joel prophesied that God would pour out His spirit upon all people, not limiting this outpouring to just men. Men and women both should not put women in boxes, and decide in what capacity they can be used by the Lord. Who knows for what purpose Sarah Palin has been given this opportunity. Perhaps it is "for such a time as this" (Esther 4:14)

Now that Ms Quinn has failed so spectacularly and miserably in her pathetic attempt to slime and discredit Governor Palin,she can now go back to what she does best....licking the cheese out of Rodham's panties and pretending that people actually give a fat baby's but what she thinks or says

I think the entire conversation is absurd.
Shouldn't we be discussing the fitness to rule and the varying stances of the nominees?

This conversation demeans our intelligence.

As I just e-mailed Ms. Quinn, when Nancy Pelosi was installed as the first female Speaker of the House, all the talk about her was as if she were Superwoman. How she raised 5 children and is grandmother to more grandchildren while she has served in the House for years. Now the additional responsibility of being Speaker. Amazing woman in how she manages that. Wow, etc, etc.
I don't remember one of the media including Ms. Quinn ever question whether Pelosi had her priorities in the right order.

Dear Ms. Quinn:
I am a conservative woman (living in Los Angeles, yes, there are conservatives out here!) responding to your piece on Sarah Palin's priorities. The public has only known about her for less than a week but I read about her in VOGUE sometime in 2007 or early 2008. I think her priorities are reflective of millions of women who take care of their children and work outside the home. It's not that women should "do it all" but that some women can. Sarah Palin happens to be one of them. Your article minimizes what so many women have aspired to become...accomplished individuals in whatever career they choose in addition to parenthood. It's not one or the other and it doesn't have to be. And yes, the Palin children do have a father. I wonder if anyone ever asked your husband if his priority was his child or his work. He would have laughed out loud at such an insulting question. What I think you have a problem with is Sarah Palin's politics. If she were liberal, your piece would have had an entirely different tone. The article was much more a reflection on you than anything else.

Just a note for you readers, my last post purposely started as "Sarah Quinn" to draw attention to the post, and yes, I know it's really Sally Quinn, the one who has no clue about responsible journalism and just wants to help her organization sell more papers!

Please help me understand the value of this website? Is there any reasonable discussion here or is this whole thing slanted?

Please offer both sides.

Sarah Quinn....you should be ashamed of yourself (of course you won't due to your ignorance) for slamming Sarah Palin and the comments you've stated on several national news programs about Mrs. Palin and her family, her lack of ability to run for VP and not take care of her family. I'm a male and I hope every Mom and female has a negative impression of you after your comments. She's maybe not experienced in the "Washington game" but that's what's great about her and she has actually led reform and governed, two things Obama and Biden have never done. The attacks from the media and idiots like yourself on Mrs. Palin's family and the issues that they are working through are unacceptable. Family issues always are brought out in political events, but a family pregnancy and a special needs baby are private, family matters and they have no place in politics and have no bearing on the election process or any gauge of how a person would perform in an elected office. Mrs. Palin is energizing this campaign and election and she should be praised for her contributions to reform and not blasted by media personnel like you just trying to raise or create issues just to sell more papers. Shame on you and your organization should reprimand you for your comments. If you're a Mom, you should definitely be ashamed of yourself.

As a Mother, Wife, Grandmother, U.S. Citizen and WOMAN, I am thoroughly offended and insulted by your comments re: Sarah Palin.
No need to rant here. Just let it be known that you truly have NO idea. NONE!

I just saw Gov Palin's speech at the GOP Convention. I like this speech she made in Alaska better:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QG1vPYbRB7k

Don't be ignorant. You know nothing about the people that support republicans. Apparently you are completely uneducated in the matter of people that are in the republican party. They come in all different shapes and sizes and color, as well as financial backgrounds and religions. Just because you saw a bunch of white people at a convention doesn't mean that there aren't people that are black that are in the party, or poor people, or people that aren't religious. How ignorant do you have to be to make such a ridiculous statement? You know NOTHING about people in the party. Are you telling me that you know everyone's personal background that's in the party? I doubt this, think about what you say before you say it.

"A Baker

The Republican Convention looks like a meeting of the Scandinavian White People's Party. I am sure there are probably some good people there. However, I would be ASHAMED to belong to such an obviously discriminatory and exclusive party. It is they who are the elitist, the racists, the snobs, and the hypocrites."

So the anger in these comments are against calling
out the proponents of patriarchy to explain how
Ms Palin fits their values? A second reading
suggests.....a second reading...by the critics.

What is Bristol Palin's birhdate?

A Baker

The Republican Convention looks like a meeting of the Scandinavian White People's Party. I am sure there are probably some good people there. However, I would be ASHAMED to belong to such an obviously discriminatory and exclusive party. It is they who are the elitist, the racists, the snobs, and the hypocrites.

How dare you liberals question whether a woman can handle a family and hold an additional important job? Since when are you so concerned about families anyway? I thought you guys relegated raising a family to "the village" anyway. Your hypocritic double standard shows that you're not really about women having opportunities, you're about promoting liberal values--that is, big government. You use women the same way you use African Americans--not really because you want to improve their lot, but because keeping these groups convinced that they are oppressed leads to dependence on government. I know you are the press, not government; but you in the mainstream media constantly carry water for the liberals.

We have heard SARAH PALIN'S speech. I believe the Republicans have a FUTURE PRESIDENT OF AMERICA 5 years from now.

I thought I was tough until I heard this tough lady speaks. She truly is a PITBULL.

Tough and at the same time with very wonderful VALUES. VERY SMART TOO. What more can I asked.

Keep her speech run on TV again and again and we'll see Obama's star shoot down.

Obama was right; I feel sorry for the bitter Conservative Republicans. Christ sure does not seem to be much comfort to them.

Sally Quinn = Hypocrite

I'm sorry, did Phyllis Schafley hijack your computer, Sally? I can't believe you actually went there with this ridiculous post. I guess you should tell Nancy Pelosi to go rip out the breast-feeding rooms she installed (and is so proud of) in the Capitol for all of the Congresswomen and staffers who have given birth recently yet still work in the Capitol. I guess I should have sneered instead of being inspired when I read a recent article on liberal darling Debbie Wasserman Shultz who is a Congresswoman yet is (how amazing!) raising children at the same time! I guess you would send her packing too. Ahhh, but THEY are Democrats so its all ok. Love the hypocrisy-- its SO obvious-- and this American woman sees right through it. You don't like Sarah Palin because she's a Republican, don't try to justify it by insulting working women and setting us back 40 years. Shame on you!

Ms Quinn- Your bizarre posts amaze me. To all of those talking of being with children when young- Sure, some people want that, but many have other callings too and most cannot afford to do that. The Palins are not rich, and she appears to have always worked outside the home. So people do what works for them. Aren't you liberals- don't you support choice? I am pro-choice, but am starting to worry that the left has become obsessed with killing fetuses over all else. Honestly, the logic. Your beef with her is that she is pro-life. So women should have the right to abort fetuses, but not to have the baby and work an important job. My husband and I arranged our jobs and schedules before having a child so that we SHARED IT. Thats what worked for us. Some people use daycare and nannies, some family members. By getting a women into high office, we may see these issues discussed and find ways to work on them.

When I look at pictures of Sarah Palin's family I see an incredibly good looking family. Each member and now the new fiance too. Is there something in the Alaskan air?

When I look at pictures of Sarah Palin's family I see a family in crisis. Sarah Palin has a 4 month old child. Where are her priorities? No father equals a mother. And her older daughter needs attention as do the other THREE children. Added to the fact that she has NO WASHINGTON EXPERIENCE, what is McCain thinking. How can anyone expect her to run this country? This is one Republican that will NOT BE VOTING FOR MCCAIN. Thanks for standing up to oreilly today.

Philip Delgrosso:

Didn't you realize that the media was the fourth branch of government?

"they run the oldest candidate who has ever run for president and tell us to accept this person with absolutely no foreign policy experience."

Just a tad bit prejudiced against age are we?

And what foreign policy experience would Obama have? Of course inner city Chicago is more like a foreign land than America so I guess that would count...

Disgraceful, old hag with so much botox her upper lip is frozen. Stretch that face any further and it might split. This remark is meant to be as shallow as sally quimm.

Dear "Daniel in the Lion's Den"

Give me a break. This stuff is mild compared to the horrible things liberals smear and spew all over the internet.

Sally Quinn turned on a woman for no reason. None. She has failed to give any reason for her unwarranted attack and we called her on it.

Stop with the phony, uber-elitist, "better then them" attitude.

We see you for who you are.

My immediate visceral reaction to hearing of the choice of Sarah Palin was total repugnance.How could a mother of a 4-5 month old baby with Down Syndrome even consider such a possibility.I quickly scolded myself for being so politically incorrect.I am one of the poorly parented,under educated,lower income,white women over 50 Hillary Clinton supporters you have all been hearing about.So I am already feeling kind of bad about my uncool self.I have however succesfully raised 4 children...adults now.An ordained minister and a graduate student in Comparative Literary Studies among them.And yes I had to work while they were children.I am now a very hands on grandmother.....Next came the news of Palin's pregnant 17 year old.Palin belives in abstinance only education.She now wants to be vice president denying women the right to choose. She will have a son in Iraq, 2 teenaged daughters, an elementary school aged daughter and 2 babies under a year old one with a very serious disability.so....this irresponsible attitude toward parenting makes me ill.After all the scare tactics republicans use against Democrats...they run the oldest candidate who has ever run for president and tell us to accept this person with absolutely no foreign policy experience...just because she is a female.I will proudly cast my undereducated blue collar vote for Obama.

Congratulations Sally! Once again you've proven your hypocrisy through a healthy dose of liberal spew. A cursory viewing of your propaganda, clearly missing both substance and logic, proves that your kind (all flash, no bang) will revert to intellectual suicide when your perverted idealism is challenged. I'm confident in knowing - by way of the majority of the comments - most common sense women (and men) see through your liberal trash as another dose elitist babbling.

Your question was "Women can be presidents but not pastors? I don't understand. I would like somebody to explain this to me."

Here's your answer. Yes. Why? Because God didn't ordain presidents, but he does ordain the pastor who ultimately answers to Him for how he leads the flock. That's made very clear in the scriptures. It's sad but apparent that you can't understand how God has made men and women separate, distinct, and equal; but that men have the role of authority because God designed the family that way. That doesn't mean that women can't lead, think, and excel or that men can't love, nurture, or feel. It just means God has created men and women to do those things better than each other. However, in the true nature of liberal rebellion, you attempt to tip the scales and place women above men. This is no different that errant religions that place men in a domineering position where women are subservient.

If you truly understood what Christ did for His church you'd understand what the command "husbands, love your wife as Christ loved the church" means and its vast implications.

It's hysterically funny that Sally Quinn is angry that SHE and her liberal media pals was not given the opportunity to properly vet Sarah Palin because as we all know, we need Washington phonies like her to do our thinking for us because we are unable to do it ourselves. Let's see if I have this right - Sarah Palin has too many duties as a mother to be a VP candidate but Sally Quinn can be a columnist, blogger and talking head and still be a mother. Hmm- I see it clearly now...

When I saw the interview tonight with Bill O'Reilly and read your article in the post, I was
angered at first. However when I read Sally's bio
and looked at her age, it was apparent she doesn't
really have a problem with Sarah Palen, I think
she has unresolved issues with her creator and just possibly might be a little jealous? Anyway
Sally given the choice character for character
and acomplishment for acomplishment Sarah wins.
And Oh by the way, I have raised 5 children with
the help of my wife Susan...it is a team sport.

I think it's hypocritical to assert that Sarah Palin is unfit to be the Republican VP candidate because she has a lack of experience, is a mother of 5 children, has a child with down's syndrome and other contrived inadequacies. Unlike Obama who has never managed a budget, she has been the elected Governor or a state overseeing a multi-billion dollar budget and has more experience than simply being a community activist like Obama which simply means he handed out patronage jobs to his pals. If Sarah Palin was a liberal, the media would treat her the same way they treat Obama - like Caesar returning to Rome after a successful campaign.

I am shocked by sally quinn's remarks. she insinuates that sarah palin is not in touch with her children because her daughter is pregnant and that sarah cannot hanndle the position and take care of her family. Sally quinn cannot relate to sarah palin since sally does not have a real career but is known for throwing parties. women executives like sarah palin have a support system in place. What has Mrs. Palin been doing as govenor? Also, let those without sin cast the first stone (Gov. Palin's daughter could have had an abortion and no one would have known about her pregnancy). TV stations are really desperate when the only person that they can interview is sally quinn. Please let me know sally's achievements...I guess she knows the best caterer/party planner in town

Ms. Quinn,

What a pompous hypocrite you are! Sarah Palin's the living example of what all you Dem women, and many of us Rep. women have fought for...the chance to excel in all the areas in which we are competent!

Her priorities seem to be sorting themselves out just fine, thank you very much. She does not appear to be the least bit subservient to her husband; her husband seems to be extremely supportive of her....as it should be. As for her daughter Bristol...she's putting her values into practice by supporting her daughter in a most loving way. Conservatives advocate abstinence; we have no delusion that it is perfectly practiced, but we believe in taking responsiblity for our choices.

I happen to be Pro Choice, but like many Rep. women, that doesn't mean I'm Pro Abortion. Are you?

By denying that Ms. Palin should have this opportunity, it is you, madam, that is turning back the clock 100 years.

Ma'am...you're full of it! and very full of yourself!!

I am shocked by sally quinn's remarks. she insinuates that sarah palin is not in touch with her children because her daughter is pregnant and that sarah cannot hanndle the position and take care of her family. Sally quinn cannot relate to sarah palin since sally does not have a real career but is known for throwing parties. women executives like sarah palin have a support system in place. What has Mrs. Palin been doing as govenor? Also, let those without sin cast the first stone (Gov. Palin's daughter could have had an abortion and no one would have known about her pregnancy). TV stations are really desperate when the only person that they can interview is sally quinn. Please let me know sally's achievements...I guess she knows the best caterer/party planner in town

I think it's hypocritical to assert that Sarah Palin is unfit to be the Republican VP candidate because she has a lack of experience, is a mother of 5 children, has a child with down's syndrome and other contrived inadequacies. Unlike Obama who has never managed a budget, she has been the elected Governor or a state overseeing a multi-billion dollar budget and has more experience than simply being a community activist like Obama which simply means he handed out patronage jobs to his pals. If Sarah Palin was a liberal, the media would treat her the same way they treat Obama - like Caesar returning to Rome after a successful campaign.

Sally: Thanks. We have have spent decades trying to raise tough, independent, smart, motivated daughters and now you imply they should avoid significant challenges and opportunities if they have a family. Has the far right slithered under your skin or are you trying to mount some misguided, motherhood-first campaign? Or, are you attempting to highlight hypocracy in a not-so-subtle fashion on behalf of the left? Regardless of whatever nuanced and delicate literary effort you had in mind, you have done your gender (and my daughters) no favor.

Finally, someone seeing the obvious and from a liberal no less. Wow! I can see we are way out-numbered here Sally -- and interestingly enough we are coming at this from totally opposite ends of the spectrum.

I am sorry that the conservatives have not only been silent on this -- they have been gushing! Unbelievable!

Come on people, there are working mothers and then there is Sarah Palin. She is in a league all by herself. Most over-achiever types go ahead and have the token child but she has to have FIVE! Please! And then, after you have 4 children you risk birth defects to have #5 at 44 years old. I guess being Gov. of the great state of Alaska wasn't fulfilling enough.

And I am tired of hearing how men have children and are governors and vice presidents. Yes, because their wives are home with the children. I've heard about the myth of the stay at home dad. I've never met one -- and the ones I've read about do it temporarily until they can find the job they really want. Mr. Palin is not a stay at home dad.

I would just love to know when someone (a feminist) decided that children don't need mothers -- real, honest to goodness mothers who make lunch, kiss boo boos (real and imagined), make them share, listen to them fight and teach them how to make up and make their way in a world that sometimes isn't so nice -- all day long, for 18 years. I don't understand why we don't realize that our culture has suffered an irrepairable blow but telling the mothers of the world that their children are only a part-time daliance and that you must work to be fulfilled.

I am a conservative mother of 2 and I am against women being ordained (just so you are sure how conservative I am). My husband and I only had children when we could afford for me to stay home with them full time (that took 10 years!) No, you cannot have it all! I know what it is like to be good at a job and be dedicated to my children, but not at the same time. I personally chose children. I respect women who choose a career (there is a difference between a job and a career). I don't respect women who attempt both. I know lots of working women who would stay home if they could.

Just weeks ago I had to set my 10 year old daughter straight. She planned on having 5 children and a career -- her daycare plan -- grandma! I thought I was teaching by example but our "you must work to be worth anything society" has even gotten to her. I explained that 5 children was indeed a careeer and I would be supportive but she would have to care for her own children. We plan to educate our 2 daughters to be able to support themselves or assist their husband in supporting their home. But they will know that if they have children, those children deserve a full time mother.

I thought the stay-at-home mom was gaining some respect -- Sarah Palin just wiped that all away.

I have 5 children and had the last baby at 39. I went back to work shortly there after. I feel a woman can doing she sets her mind to doing and can do it well with the support of her family and Sarah Palin has that in Spades.
I had 2 daughters who have had children out of wedlock and I gave them Sex Education and the schools they attended gave them Sex Education, but like Sarah Palins' daughter Life Happens. You support them and do the best you can to get them through it and I was married when I had my first child and I was 20 years old at the time. We all as parents want our children to listen and do as their told...but at about 16 or 17 they develop an Independent Streak which of course they are supposed to so they can fly away from the Nest...Only problem is sometimes they fall and we are there to pick them up. So to will Sarah Palin and her family get through this and as all American Mothers and Fathers have faced. It is not the end of the World People...Sheesh!
She will make a Fine VP and a Great President if the need arises...We all rise up to meet any demands that are placed upon us or we might as well Crawl in a Hole. Sarah Palin is a Lady and Mother who seems to me to be someone who is up for the Challenge of Whatever Life May Throw at her. I Applaud Her for Being a Strong Woman and Hope The Best for her and her Family...God Bless America!!!

I am SO very happy to see that intelligent men and women have turned out to this site to call Sally Quinn out for what she really is...

Shame on Sally Quinn for attempting to reverse the progress made by women over the last 40-50 years.

I almost feel out of my chair while watching her on Fox News and couldn't get to my computer fast enough to call her out on it!

How insulting to all woman - stay at home working moms or those balancing a family and work outside the home.

Ms. Quinn's suppositions, allegations and Benedict Arnold brand of misogyny regarding Gov. Palin is an insult to legitimate inquiry. Not only does she not know what she’s talking about with respect to the vetting process but has set herself up as the ultimate judge of what mothers are entitled to be working mothers. (Doesn’t her friend Nancy Pelosi have five children?)

I wish Golda Meir and Margaret Thatcher were here to instruct Gov Palin on how talented powerful women manage political opposites masquerading as reporters. Ms. Quinn is beneath contempt.

Ms. Quinn's suppositions, allegations and Benedict Arnold brand of misogyny regarding Gov. Palin is an insult to legitimate inquiry. Not only does she not know what she’s talking about with respect to the VP vetting process but has set herself up as the ultimate judge of what mothers are entitled to be working mothers. (Doesn’t her friend Nancy Pelosi have five children?)

I wish Golda Meir and Margaret Thatcher were here to instruct Gov Palin on how talented powerful women manage political opposites masquerading as reporters. Ms. Quinn is not even worthy of contempt.

Shame on you, Sally Quinn. Your blatantly leftist bias is stamped on your forehead in neon lights. I'm 59, and I first started observing feminism in college in the early 70's, and the message was always directed at encouraging women to live a life somewhat like....yes...that of Sarah Palin! By your definition, I guess for women to "have it all" is a privilege accorded only to liberal Democrat women such as yourself. Admit it Quinn, Sarah's main "sin" is that she's a conservative, and my gosh, Hillary was aced out of a slot by Democratic party machinations (think about the caucuses) and the Republicans beat Dems to the punch in putting a women on a top ticket. Almost too hard to take, isn't it?? The sliming of Sarah by media women such as yourself is quite pathetic to behold and frankly, it reeks of a certain desperation. Sarah must be mighty threatening to you folks on the left to elicit such an unparalleled and vicious frenzy of media attack dogs. By the way, are you planning to do similar articles criticizing any Democrat political moms such as Nancy Pelosi? Since in a leftist world men and women are said to be completely equal, how about questioning Obama's ability to serve as President given that he has two children? And how on earth can Michelle Obama fulfill any duties as First Lady? The hypocrisy of the left and its media arm is breathtaking to observe, fully transparent to all who may have previously doubted it.

What's up with this???

"George said:

"America's founders held God and guns in high regard."

This is true only in George's mind.

Otherwise, as far as I know, it is COMPLETE fabrication."

Daniel itld- have you ever heard of the Bill of Rights?

"The Bill of Rights protects FREEDOM OF SPEECH, FREEDOM OF RELIGION, the RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS...

The Bill of Rights plays a central role in American law and government, and remains a fundamental symbol of the freedoms and culture of the nation."

Where were you educated? Are you sure you are an American?

Dear Sally Quinn

I do not kmow if it is possible to apologize for other people's rudeness, but if so, I would like to try.

I would to apologize for all the rude and hateful comments of the the Born Again Crhistians directed at you on this thread. You can hardly expect any better of them. They don't love their neighbor; they only love each other, and even in that, not very much.

They are a very, very low brow crowd of unaplogetic hypocrites. You could not expect much more from them.

I am a 72 year old Christian woman and belong to an evangelical demonination that does have women serve as pastors. I disagree with the men that women are not to hold this position. In the 1st century church women were deacons. I also agree with Anne Graham Lotz comment regarding Mary Magdalene. If Jesus told a woman to deliver the good news of His resurrection why can't other women? Men want the two most influencial places (the pulpit and the White House) to be for them and them alone. As far as Gov. Palin - none of us know what conversations were between her and her husband but for them to still be together and him to stand beside her, public office is bound to be something they discussed and so the divison of family work is their own personal matter.

In this the 21st century in the US of A, it is more than just amazing that you or for that matter anyone else would be supporting the double standard. The tone of your article of 9/3/08 is mean spirited and shallow. I am sure your attempt to smear Governor Palin will get you kudos from the extreme far left. I am also sure your smear campaign will have ordinary people look at you much differently. Your article would make one believe you would like to prevent women from life's challenges outside the home. Where were you when Archie Bunker needed you?

Mrs. Quinn, since you decided to open your trap about the Republican's VP choice and and said she is not qualified, please tell me how is the other moron running for the Democratic Party qualified at all? It seems to me that the Republican's #2 has a lot more experience than the Democrat's # 1. Come on Mrs. Quinn, be honest to yourself and our country. We all know all this "Change we can Believe" garbage is only change we WILL all regret.

You obviously are thrown for a loop that this woman has been nominated for VP. Conservatives are not all Baptist! There are many other denominations that encourage women to live to their fullest, allow them to be pastors and have other rolls within the church and yet their members are conservative. My Presbyterian churhc is very evangelical and most of us are supporting Sarah Palin.
I do not like the way you try to use scripture to justify your biases.

It is sexist to insinuate and question the ability of a female to hold a Sr. / VP role and manage a family at the same time.

Again, these questions would never have been asked of any man, even if he had 10 kids! I guess the media assumes there is a stay at home wife taking care of the house / family duties.. is that it?

It is an embarressment that a professional woman, such as yourself are making statements to the effect that a woman can work and have a family, but NOT do so and maintain a high visibility role/or a role that is critical in the United States.

To question a woman's experience for a role is one thing, but for the media and other left wingers to question her competence and commitment as a mother in pursuing this once in a life time opportunity is insulting to all career women.

This is 2008 NOT the 1950's !!

A working professional female that manages house and home..

I think this is a case of a woman bashing another woman who apparently is more organized, efficient, and capable than she is. Why do some women show so much jealousy and hatred toward other women that are more capabable than them.I know women that would pick up the sick baby, answer the phone at 3am with the baby on their hip and keep right on taking care of business. If you aren't capable of handling it all don't assume she isn't either.

You should know that John McCain does not have cancer. When you have melanoma cancer it is cut out and then you are cancer free. You have to keep check and make sure you don't get another one. I am a melanoma survival and I resent that you talk about what you do not know. Joe Biden has had two brain aneurysms and they are far more dangerous than melanoma cancer. You offend all of us that have survived melanoma and ones that waited too long to be checked and died with it. You are not the person you think you are and you offend me really bad. Get a life and think of someone besides your self.

I just saw you on "The O'Reilly Factor." I have to say, when I first heard that John McCain had chosen Sarah Palin as his running mate I was taken aback because I am a pro-choice Republican. I do not believe that "Roe-v-Wade" should be overturned, ever. Women should have reproductive rights over their own bodies in my opinion. I have been going back and forth on this choice in my mind for the past 5 days. I have not made a decision yet, but I may still vote for the McCain/Palin ticket. John McCain has guts picking this woman on a certain level. She is a gutsy woman who questioned the status quo in Alaska. Also, I doubt that Roe will be overturned in the next four years, but if it were, the states would then have the right to decide whether or not to ban all abortions I believe. I live in an extremely progressive state (NJ). We are also highly taxed in this state which is run by Democrats. I doubt it would be banned in this state or many others. I am willing to wait to hear more about this woman from the media and the woman herself.
I also grew up in a family where the girls were told they could not attend college because we should just take a secretarial job and be satisfied with the status quo. (Our husbands could take care of us, why did we need higher education?) I am a few years older than Sarah Palin. She is doing what women a few years ago could only dream of. I am sure she will be able to have her husband care for their down syndrome baby. She also has the option of hiring nannies, etc. to care for the child. As far as breastfeeding is concerned, most woman stop when the child is under a year of age and switch to bottles. (Why is that your business?)
We need to get over questioning whether women can be leaders in this country and still be good mothers. This question would never be asked of Barack Obama, he has 2 young children. I believe Sarah Palin would not put her baby before the responsibilities of being V.P. However, if there is any question of her putting her baby before her responsiblity as V.P. I trust the media will be able to report on that as well. We will have to look at her record in AK (at least she has a record to look at, unlike Obama.)
If I do decide to vote for John McCain and Sarah Palin in the end it will be based on not wanting the Democrats to have total control over our government (House, Senate, Executive). I do not want Obama, Biden, Pelosi and Reid running the government unchecked. We need energy security (McCain is willing to drill for oil in the U.S.) Obama's energy plan is to fill our tires with air and put a carbon credit tax on energy, raising the price of oil, electric, etc. We need common sense solutions on energy, etc. Not the pie-in-the sky solutions of the Democrats. (they have no solutions, they want conservation and ridiculously high prices which is stifling the economy).

Peter said

"You know nothing of religion nor of anything Christian...you are a dried up old woman, with a pathetiic life...you will stand before your maker and you will answer for your sins.."

So much for Christian love. This was written by someone who can only be described as a Christian goon. How dare this person PETER speak, for Christians, in this way. He does not speak for Christians; it is people like him who dragged Christ out and nailed him to a cross.

Christianity is being dragged down by this low-brow simple-minded Fundamentalism.

It is absolutely aburd that the majority of posters here hide behind Jesus, and use him as an excuse to beat up on Sally and on Obama, and on the whole black race. to cast this ugly judgement in the name of the Lord is to take the name of the Lord in vain.here

If you are going to be throwing that word "abomination" around, then I think that Peter and each and every person who has commented like him is a gross and disgusting abomination,

For those who may have missed this:

"Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Sarah Huckabee (daughter of Mike Huckabee) and Sally Quinn (columnist) discuss Sarah Palin as McCain's pick for vice president."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SN1K6Ac1N4k

Please don't be little Palin for being a Mom and a hard worker. Since when can't a woman do it all in your mind? Most of us woman have been doing it all for years and McCain is a wise man to know and understand that. I personally can't tell you how much I have juggled at one time, many times over and nothing that has ever come my way to deal with had ever been a distraction. Why is it that Hillary could be President but Palin is being cut down for the VP pick? Perhaps it's jealousy on all you Dems part!!! Perhaps you and other Dems should take a hard look at yourself and your past and remember when there were some busy and complication situations that seemed to hit the fan all at once and you realize that you made it through just fine. Palin will too!!! She is a strong person who seems have a much better head on her shoulders than most men in Washington who spend thrift our tax dollars into debt.

Sally if you and your liberal cronies are angry because the Republicans are going to be first to have a woman in the White House...

Get over it!

YOU HAD YOUR CHANCE, AND YOU BLEW IT!!

Ms Quinn: I just saw you on the 'O'Reilly Factor' on FOX News and was absolutely appalled at your remarks and comments on the pending Vice Presidential candidate, Sarah Palin from Alaska.

One of your comments was that 'most of my friends do not work' - what does that have to do with your idea that Mrs Palin would not make a good candidate for VP? That comment was totally useless. You did mention, I believe, that you had worked for 26 years and I commend you for that, but lets be real here - you undoubtedly had a lot of domestic help in your home that the 'average' American mother is not privileged with during their working years.

I was appalled with your comments because of your elitist attitude discussing Governor Palin, who has a new baby with Downs Syndrome and a 17 yo daughter who is five months pregnant. Where do you have the audacity or the judgment to even make comments about something you have no idea what you are talking about? You are ASSUMING this woman will fail. How would you feel if the general public, even at this time of your career, considered you an egotistical, selfish, and conceited person, because you have chosen to realize some of your personal and professional goals? Personally, I would hope you would ignore them - as I hope all persons who are willing to give Governor Palin the CHANCE to fulfill some of her goals !!

Unfortunately, you are most ignorant in your assumptions you discussed with Mr. O'Reilly about women and their 'roles'..............you need to get out more often to see what is really going on with American families. They are making it with their livlihoods, not especially thriving, but they are at least giving themselves the chances to do something with their lives - that is what Governor Palin is striving to do. I find it very unfortunate that you are so narrow in your views. Perhaps it is time for your retirement!!

Sally, you're an idiot. You know what you've tried to do with this piece on Palin. It's a weak attempt and an idiotic reversal of any decent view of women and women's rights. What's wrose, you don't believe anything about what you've said. The backlash will bury Osama Bin-Biden. Smart going! And thanks!

Ms. Quinn, You are a hypocrit! Just like every major news organization. You call yourselves journalist, that's a lie you are propagandist. Mrs. Palin has been asked, and excepted the position of Vice-Presidential running mate. She has only been in this position for 5 days and all of the socialist's in the country are trying to crucify her because she is conservative. If this woman were liberal, the puff pieces would be abundant. You need to do your job, I think that is called reporting, but I digress. The only reporting I see, and I use reporting very lightly, is when you want to trash the right. When it comes to exposing the left, their socialist, anti-american, bigoted, racial ways, there is not a peep. There are tons of examples and you know it. Your credibility has been compromised, I will never believe people like you. Your, so called "news", is nothing more than propaganda! The freedom of the press has become a joke. I have a son fighting in Iraq at this very moment and people like you do nothing but embolden the enemy, put my son in harms way. He fights so idiots like you can dis him and try and put a guy in power that is a Marxist. The very opposite of what our Founding Fathers were establishing as My, obviously not yours, constitution. It makes me sad that there are people in our press so anti-american that they would trash talk a married women of 5 children, committed to her family so much that she ran for office to fight corruption in her own party. Then you have the gall to attack a 17 yr old. Change Bristol for Chelsea. I don't think you would go there and you know it. You are dispicable. I could go on and on but it won't make a difference. If you want me to start listening to what you have to say start reporting "the dirt" on both sides fair and accurate, until then your a hypocrit.

Sincerely, Steve Redman

Come down to earth and join the little people you elitist snob. How many rich high-society d*cks did you suck to get where you are?

I once admired you. Now I think you are a moron with a hypocritical view. If it isn't a liberal view, you discard it. Does one have to check their brains now to be a Dem? Shame on you.

I just listened to you on Fox news.
You are wrong about Sarah Palin.
What about Barack Obama, He has two young daughters, how will he father his daughters being President of the United States?

I am so proud to be called a woman like Sarah Palin. I want my grand daughters and daughter to have the same opportunities as this woman. Maybe be President of the United States.

You are being judgemental. I am very disappointed in what you said. I worked with small children, I had my first child when I was 18 years old, I have been a business owner for 25 years, our children have had more love and attention than a lot of children. I have been married for 43 years to the same man.

You are wrong.

Ms. Quinn, I just heard your views with Mr. Bill O'Reilly. I am appalled of your stance which lacks true understanding as well as fairness. Ms. Palin has five (5) children. So what? 2 or 3 are, or almost adult ages which nobody seems to point out. Furthermore, she seems to have balanced well with a family and still govern Alaska. Ms. Palin is the only one with Executive experience; therefore, the most experienced over Obama, Biden and McCain. Ms. Quinn, it is very evident that you lack the objective (proper) judgment in what is truly best for America. Ms. Palin WILL go to Washington, D.C., bringing fresh and new ideas which are very badly needed due to a Congress with little care about how ordinary Americans are living. In conclusion, Ms. Quinn, you are absolutely wrong about Ms. Palin and the future will prove you wrong if given the chance--a McCain/Palin administration will CHANGE Washington, D.C. The "true change" is a vote for McCain/Palin on 4th November 2008!

Ms. Quinn, I just heard your views with Mr. Bill O'Reilly. I am appalled of your stance which lacks true understanding as well as fairness. Ms. Palin has five (5) children. So what? 2 or 3 are, or almost adult ages which nobody seems to point out. Furthermore, she seems to have balanced well with a family and still govern Alaska. Ms. Palin is the only one with Executive experience; therefore, the most experienced over Obama, Biden and McCain. Ms. Quinn, it is very evident that you lack the objective (proper) judgment in what is truly best for America. Ms. Palin WILL go to Washington, D.C., bringing fresh and new ideas which are very badly needed due to a Congress with little care about how ordinary Americans are living. In conclusion, Ms. Quinn, you are absolutely wrong about Ms. Palin and the future will prove you wrong if given the chance--a McCain/Palin administration will CHANGE Washington, D.C. The "true change" is a vote for McCain/Palin on 4th November 2008!

Sally: It's amazing that a blog and interview on O'Reilly can generate so much hatred and vile language and thought(in the comments I saw). I disagree with your view that she would not be able to deal with two crises at once at 3am. Men can have the same conflict or be torn by something analogous and deal with it. Would your view be different if her politics were more liberal? I like your question but I think it is wrong to assume that a woman in her circumstances is unable to get past family conflicts to do the job. Would you have disqualified a younger Golda Meir from serving her nation? I just don't think you can say categorically she can't serve.
BTW, I went to school with your brother Bill at TASIS.

You and your friends are out of touch with reality. As you kissed up to Bill O'Reilly and highlighted your gun-toting childhood, did you feel like a participant in a porn movie? You and your friends hate Bill O'Reilly. So why the artifice? Why act so chummy? Is this how people in Washington act? Shaking hands while trying to stick a knife in the back? No wonder the entire country hates you Washington insiders. Finally you are going to get your due. The garbage you wrote on Sally Palin betrayed a prostituted personality so out of touch as to conjure a Hitler-like fatalist in the bunker wondering where it all went wrong.

You have a lot of nerve. What makes you feel that you're a better mother than Sarah Palin? Who are you to judge a woman? Everyone makes mistakes and I am sure you have too. Should we all judge you because you were prior "atheist"? As a parent myself I know that you can parent all you want but ultimately your child is their own person and makes their own decisions.

Shame on you, Ms. Quinn!!!! You do not speak for most American women....as a 55 year old grandmother, I'm so excited to have such a competent women on a ticket. Finally, we've made it, we have a wonderful women that is fulfilling our dreams and you're there to knock her down...shame on you!!!

Wikipedia bio... Quinn is married to Benjamin C. Bradlee, the former editor of the Washington Post, her former boss. Quinn and Bradlee have one child, [Josiah] Quinn Crowninshield Bradlee who was born in 1982 when she was 41. They have acknowledged that he was born with velo-cardio-facial syndrome, and Quinn wrote of her son's learning problems and attendance at special schools in her 2006 article "What My Son Taught Me About God."

Just because you can't handle more than one kid and being a mother of more than one child and a career, don't take it out on Palin. If you want to get critical, how nasty that you married your boss. You slept with your boss!!!

It is extremely wrong not to give Gov. Palin a chance. You have demanded she be a stay at home mother because she has a brood of 5 children. No work or politics for you Gov. Palin! One thing is certain if someone at the Washington Post had not given you a chance you would not have your current position. How about a little thinking before the pen hits the paper. You write about Faith? Hmmmmm.

Sally,

You knew that Ben was married . . .why didn't you send him home to his wife

Enough about the Palins, Sally

Palin to bash Obama this evening....excerts of speech leaked

ST. PAUL, Minnesota (CNN) -- Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin directs a sharp jibe at Barack Obama in her speech to the Republican National Convention Wednesday night, according to excerpts released by the campaign.

Contrasting her resume with that of the Democratic presidential nominee, she says:

"I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a 'community organizer,' except that you have actual responsibilities."

It is so nice that you want to vet the GOP's Vice Presidential candidate for them.

How much vetting did you do of Barack Obama?

Did you check into his relationships with known domestic terrorists Bill Eyre's and his wife?

How about the pledge he signed at the racist congregation he attended and his relationship with that well known racist Reverend Jeremiah Wright? And hey, how about the $35,000 Barack and Michelle gave to the above mentioned racist?

Then there is his brother George living in a one room roofless shack in Africa while Barack, Michelle, and the kiddies live in a mansion a convicted felon gave them money towards?

Plus Obama has two young children. How is he going to find time to be President and raise his daughters?

Isn't it time we have a little fair reporting when it comes to Obama?

Thank you for reading this.

you have no business being a religious writer

I just saw your performance on the "Factor". The entire time you spoke you appeared arrogant and "full of yourself". What have you ever actually accomplished that ha a true purpose? This country was established, grown, and defended by the very people at whom you look down your nose

Sally Quinn is ridiculous. "Feminists" exposed for what they are - moronic babbling leftists with MASSIVE double standards. Since Sally has never been within a light year of spirituality or religion its pretty funny to see the critique of all her awesome knowledge about evangelicals and the "religious right".

More evidence that all of our "elite media" andif the shoe fits wear it Wash post (i will be shocked if this comment survives) is totally corrupt and slanted. If it fits your script maybe you report on it after torturing the facts in whatever way is required

We all know - you guys are going to end up out of business

Hear you on Bill O'Reilley's program on Sep 3, and looked for your column on Sarah Palin.

Seems that Palin's greatest failing is that she is against sex education, and has firm religious beliefs. The fact is that she failed with her daughter Bristol.

Your comments to O'Reilley were correct. She has too much on her plate, when she decided to keep the fetus with Down's syndrome. She should have resigned her post as governor. But, she will farm out the child for the next few years until she has her fill of public life.

As a woman, I have never heard such a sexist and disappointing commentary from a columnist as I just read by Sally Quinn. The only conclusion I can reach is Ms. Quinn just isn't ready to see the generation of women, following her's, who can happily and successfully embrace both career and family. I hope the Washington Post brings some new columnists on board who are living in the 21st century.

Sally Quinn you are the "quintessential" mean girl. You think you know what is best for everyone else. You think you are a Goddess, don't you? I can tell by the way you smile at yourself on TV. If you're so special why don't you run for office? Leave Palin's family alone! You sick woman!

It is good to know that the Washington Post and NY Times fear Sarah Palin so much. With Dan Quayle, you wanted him to stay on the ticket. You guys must be lighting candles hoping McCain dumps her. Plan to use a lot of wax.

Funny, I have never heard a Post reporter question a liberal Democrat's parenting skills. Or did I miss Ms. Quinn's condemnation of Nancy Pelosi or Gerry Ferraro?

At least in the old days, there was some subtlety in the implementation of the double standard.

What's up with this???

"George said:

"America's founders held God and guns in high regard."

This is true only in George's mind.

Otherwise, as far as I know, it is COMPLETE fabrication."

Daniel itld- have you ever heard of the Bill of Rights?

"The Bill of Rights protects FREEDOM OF SPEECH, FREEDOM OF RELIGION, the RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS...

The Bill of Rights plays a central role in American law and government, and remains a fundamental symbol of the freedoms and culture of the nation."

Where were you educated? Are you sure you are an American?

I just heard your interview on Orielly on fox news
I can't believe you just put a block on women "there is a tipping point" so what you are saying is that we women can succeed but not to much? According to you we can achieve to a point but as long as we as women if we have a 17 year old daughter that is pregnant and a down syndrom child it is time to pack it in and give up on our careers. I'm glad that Sarah Palin is running for Vp and I hope she prevails in whatever she tries to achieve. As I hope all women will do yes even you. I do not support your views and I am sorry that you are that close minded.

How stupid you must be. I would be ashamed to show my ignorance on the national level.

Unbelievable.

First, that your comments were made by a woman!

Second, it has been made abundantly clear these past few days that liberals embrace LIBERAL women that work, but not conservative women.

For liberal women to throw all of your work out the window just to make a snarky point about a beautiful, accomplished and smart woman tells me more about you than you know.

Shame on you!

Shame on you for attacking another woman with baseless, insincere remarks. Shame on you for insisting you are only "concerned".

The American people are on to you all: liberals and the horribly biased liberal media.

I cannot believe what I just heard from Sally Quinn on Fox. Basically, she is setting the ceiling for women! It is hard to understand why The Washington Post would let her continue this inane discussion. Basicalloy stating that Ms. Palin should be at home with her children! The Kennedys have a large family - I doubt that should set the same standard if Carolyn was running for VP. She is so obviously biased.

I am assuming that you do not buy this rhetoric, but rather, you are expousing what you believe the evangelical rhetoric is.

Please let this be so.

The evangelical rhetoric, like Palin's lack of belief in evolution is frightening to me. We could wind up with another Bible thumper in the White House. Not, a thumber who respects the mythology of the Bible, but one who takes every word literally. Like the BBC interviewer who spoke with Carly Fiorina, I wonder also, how this philosophy will be tolerated on the highly sophisticated world stage? Will America be intelectually disgraced again? Will our President once again believe that God is suggesting war? Yikes!

Not to mention that this woman wants to take our right of choice AWAY from us. It isn't enough for the Evangelicals to have their choice on birth control and abortion. Oh no, they want to take those of us who believe deeply in these rights, and deny us our choice. NO!

Sarah Palin is a wolf in sheeps clothing.

The Evangelicals can have their rhetoric, but they can never cram it down my throat.

saw you on oreilly
what a elitist !&#!!. i would say you should be ashamed...but that would be lost on you. you powered right through the fact that nancy pelosi has 5 kids. you seem to want to say that the bar is the executive branch of govt for women with 5 children. how convenient! and really worst of all to my thinking, is that you and the rest of your elitist liberal media pals seem to think that your are america's arm for vetting the candidates. that's something you all made up in your stuck up elitist pointy little heads. if you all had done a proper job with john edwards, he would not have even run for president. along with your still horrible job of properly vetting obama you have all as a group relinquished any perceived right to act as anything for anyone. you are the biggest bubble head i have seen in a long time.
you suck

I am sincerely dissapointed that one would judge a woman or a man based upon their family. Who is to say what a family structure looks like? Can you authentically state that your family structure is superior? Why are we not questioning Obama's housing situation? We are so focused on a 17 year old that is pregnant and planning to marry. But wait a minute, wasn't Obama's mother a single mother? State the facts and do not be judgemental. Please look at Michelle Bachmann and so many other women. "liberal double speak"... she is such a threat to you.

Think you are a little outdated Sally? How about coming into the world today. I believe Sara Palin will make an excellent Vice President.

You didn't notice Hussein Obama's skin color. Get real please, and be honest.

I say hurray John McCain and Sara Palin - I am not a registered party member, either Republican or Democrat. I vote MY conscience.

Thank you for this opportunity to voice MY opinion.

Could you possibly be more transparent? Ms. Quinn your days as a journalist and over. You are nothing but a hired gun. Whose pocket are you in?

It is clear you are fool. You proved it on FOX news this evening.

That is the most ridiculous statement ...so what you can hunt..are you jealous?..and to say that is the most important decision McCain has ever made in his life.. try and decide to stay in a POW camp.. you are a pig.

You are the most Jealous woman...who cares if you hunt...you are a terrible person..you will have to sit in hell for what you are doing to peoples life..if Obama has to have people like you to win he doesn't deserve to win...You need to get a life..woman during world war 2 had to work and breast feed and they had no men at home ..you are a wicked woman ...and you do not speak for American woman

PW-PC-FL

As a woman, I have never heard such a sexist and disappointing commentary from a columnist as I just read by Sally Quinn. The only conclusion I can reach is Ms. Quinn just isn't ready to see the generation of women, following her's, who can happily and successfully embrace both career and family. I hope the Washington Post brings some new columnists on board who are living in the 21st century.

Ms.Quinn,

You are not giving Sara Palin a chance to prove herself. You are an eliteist. I am a working mother of six and the head of three travel agencies. I do have a stay at home husband and we manage fine. There are women out there that can handle family and job. You obviously are a democrat and sorry that Hillary did not get vetted. Hatred is a sad thing and will backfire on those that use it in the longrun. She is more qualified than the man running for President on the democratic ticket. The dems should of had the guts to put Hillary on their ticket. Oh well!

I think it is interesting that you seem to think you know about something--in reality you are completely off base. Thanks for letting women that do want it all down--thanks.

You are simply stupid stupid stupid. She is more qualified then terrorist lover Obama. You are typical liberal hack. What is a community organizer. They deliver crap papers from door to door. You are a simply a moron. Thank You
Rosa

Sally Quinn is a hateful, ignorant biotch.

What a joke you are. Saw you on O'Reilly and you looked like a stupid women.

You are the biggest hypocrite at the Post, and lady, that is saying something.

I think you are very unfair in your views on Sarah
how come Dem's who have kids are okay and Rep's
should stay home. Maybe your mind is out to lunch and you should stay home.

you should debate facts not your bs agenda. please leave forever

Ms. Quinn,

I want you to go to the nearest mirror and take a good at your face and then your figure. Next, get yourself af full length picture of Gov. Palin and compare yourself for brains,beauty and overall femininity.

Kind makes you sick to your stomach doesn't it?

You are homely as sin and should not attempt to criticize a lady like Sarah Palin. If you need a good plastic/reconstructive surgeon.

Otherwise, Go To Hell!!!

As a woman, I am beyond insulted that another woman would even ask such questions in this day and age. I guess we haven't come all that far!! I am a single mom and worked my butt off while raising my family. I didn't sit home barefoot and pregnant as Ms. Quinn seems to think I should have. Today I'm an executive and my kids are grown and successful too. Ms. Quinn your take on Sarah Pailin is horrifyingly antiquated.

Here is some advice for Ms. Quinn. In the words of Lincoln, it is better to keep your mouth shut and let others wonder if you are a fool, then to speak and remove all doubt. Whenever Quinn opens her mouth, she removes all doubt. How dare she questions whether a woman with five children can be the Vice President. Have you ever asked this question of any liberal women? Quinn is a phoney feminist. Journalism is dead in America and has been replaced by partisan cheerleaders.
So called feminists cheer liberal women, but trash successful conservative women. Feminism has nothing to do with women. It has everything to do with the liberal agenda.

As a mother with a career, your comments are stupid, insulting and reveal your lack of objectivity.

Sally Quinn is a typical phoney liberal feminist. Has she ever questioned whether Hillary Clinton, Diane Feinstein or Barbara Boxer could balance work with family? Apparently, this is a question only posed to women who are not liberal. Haven't feminists told us that a woman could have a career and family? I sure thought I have been hearing this for years. Quinn is not a journalist, but a liberal hack.

Mizzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Quinn...

You know nothing of religion nor of anything Christian...you are a dried up old woman, with a pathic life...you will stand before your maker and you will answer for your sins...but in the mean time, there are plenty of us sinners out here to abuse you and your way of life and to expose the skeletons in your background, I am sure if one is to check your checkered past there would be nothing of improtance and that you pretty much lead a nothing of substance lifestyle...but the real joy is knowing that there will be a REAL WOMAN in the White House and there is nothing you will be able to stop her...looking forward to your passing...just like a cow pass's wind ....there won't be much left, just some hot air....which matches the crap that comes out of your mouth...very pathic ....enjoy your frustration and anger in knowing there won't be a DemocracK in the white House....

I'm not a member of "the base" but I do have an opinion: focus on personal values and experience, knowledge and skills. Leave the family and other things alone.

I'd like to encourage the Obama backing Palin bashers to whip themselves into a frenzy again. Their posting has slacked off. Their vile attacks on Palin's private life are cementing Obama's failure in November- so please nasty Obama backers step up to the fight- but remember payback is a b itch.

Spirit is man...woman is flesh.....All these so called spiritual pastors are not spiritually mature....SCRIPTURE IS CLEAR....woman/flesh is to be quite....HAS NOTHING TO DO with your SEX....amazing I decern this...I seldom go to church and I am a wine salesman....point of views such as this is why I have HOME CHURCH....as a matter of fact I have never read scripture that divides us into demonations...I have never read scripture where Jesus got paid for preaching:)

Sally Quinn's comments on ABC's morning show today indicate just how far liberals will go to find ANYTHING to cast muck upon Republican candidates and the Republican party. Sally, did you throw up just a little when you said that men and women were just different??? ... when you questioned Sarah Palin's ability to be VP because she has 5 children? Just how many children would make it "ok?" 2.2 perhaps??? ... when you questioned her priorities because she has a special needs child??? I know many such Moms, and having a special needs child doesn't impact their ability to be good leaders or good decision makers. ... when you compared her special needs child with your own??? How dare you!!! You of all people should understand that such experiences cannot be compared. Shame on you, Sally Quinn, for such irresponsible, ridiculous comments.

I strongly believe from the core of my being that Sarah Palin's first duty is to be a wife and then a mother and then whatever else she may have time for. But she chose to be a WIFE first. If she wanted to be Vice President then she should have not gotten married or had a family. A Vice President's office is who you are solely devoted and married to. I would not want my Vice President devoting any of his/her time to anything else other than me (the entire country and it's issues) I don't believe any human being can possibly give 100 per cent of themselves to this job if they had outside distractions like what she has to deal with. Already her hands are full full full full. A woman is a helper and physically the weaker vessel and is limited to what she can do anyway. What about going through the change of life....menopause....a real scary time of life...who wants anyone going through that physical change of life making national decisions that could cost us our lives. Not me. There are just tooo many problems that she comes to the table with even before the game gets started. Besides she really hasn't gotten her feet wet as Governor of Alaska. Let her do her tryouts and make successful changes in Alaska as governor first before she moves to the White House.

Read these two new articles from Alaskan newspapers and if you can accept human nature, it is pretty much a slam dumK that Salin is a LIAR and committed a huge HOAX on the Alaskan people and made a huge error in judgement by trying to do the same on the american public.

Secret's out: Palin pregnant (03/06/08)
http://www.adn.com/front/story/336402.html

Palin says she felt safe flying to Alaska to have baby
http://www.newsminer.com/news/2008/apr/22/palins-flight-labor-falls-under-scrutiny/

SLAM DUNK CHECKMATE > Leave town Sara

I think your attack on Sarah Palin was disgusting and hope you are ashamed of yourself.

Sexism to ask the question? “America First” or “Family First” Which will it be?

Governor Palin may be able to take her baby to work with her and nurse during a meeting as Governor of Alaska - a state with a population of 626,000 people. It is a different story being the VP of the United States. I think a woman with children is certainly capable of being the VP or president of the US.

Her husband, Todd, is employed by BP as an oil field operator and works in Alaska's Northslope oil fields nearly 1300 miles away from the Governor's mansion in Juneau, AK. I hardly think he is the one to stay at home with the kids when they are sick or take the the day off for medical appointments for the newborn.

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Mr. Palin goes back to Prudhoe
http://www.ktuu.com/global/story.asp?s=6965360 by Mike Ross
Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2007

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- A decision by Alaska's first family is raising concerns about a possible conflict of interest involving Gov. Sarah Palin and the oil industry. The governor's husband, Todd Palin, is back on BP's payroll.

Gov. Palin says his return will not influence her decisions involving the oil industry, but one former lawmaker who wrote an ethics guideline for the administration believes it's a bad move at the wrong time. "You know, we've never hidden the fact that Todd had a job and he's created to work," said the governor. "He wants to keep working..."
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There is a difference in what God mandates and what people mandate. Politics and God's business have very little in common these days. You madam, are a hypocrite and obviously don't understand what "real" women do or you would put your feminist money where your mouth is. I was under the impression that feminism was all about equality and that women (no matter what number of children they have) are capable of doing anything a man can do. Obviously that only applies to liberal blowhards.

"George said:

"America's founders held God and guns in high regard."

This is true only in George's mind.

Otherwise, as far as I know, it is COMPLETE fabrication."

Daniel itld- have you ever heard of the Bill of Rights?

"The Bill of Rights protects FREEDOM OF SPEECH, FREEDOM OF RELIGION, the RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS...

The Bill of Rights plays a central role in American law and government, and remains a fundamental symbol of the freedoms and culture of the nation."

Where were you educated? Are you sure you are an American?

Would Ms. Quinn ask these same questions of a man?

She apparently feels that only women who support a secular-progressive agenda are qualified to hold office.

No wonder a majority of Americans hold the "elite media" in such low regard.

"Am I making an sense here, I'm really just thinking some things out here. We all need to stop for a moment and step back. I don't believe either side really wants to do harm to this country. Let us all take a deep breath and think all this out."

Actually, I am going to just step out and not come back. I am sick to death of the criticisms from immature adults. They need to grow up.

I am wondering how they think that they have a right to comment on the situation, somebody give them “privileged” information to use as an attack against someone? How rude for them to take trusted and privileged information and use it against that anyone. They certainly are lacking in courtesy.

Thanks for the advice.

Real Reason why McCain chose Palin : Sexist and condescending

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apdFC-vh6Ng

Also his poor record of voting against equal pay for women and opposing Equal Roles for Women in the Military
should be the business of American women voters.

Thank you for supporting choices that women make in their lives. You are a hypocrite. If Sarah Palin had aborted her down syndrome baby, you'd be praising her. There are different opinions, but you as a liberal don't see beyond your limited view of what feminism entails. You actually are doing her a favor because you will bring more support of this brave woman. Women can be the harshest when in comes to supporting other women who make different choices.
Did you praise Hillary for staying with Bill after his affair? I didn't hear alot of people denouncing her after that choice.
Sick of women like you who do more harm than good.
Thank you for reading this.

There is no reason why a woman can’t have a career and a family and be successful at both. The fact that Palin's husband is a stay home Dad allows her to be more involved in her career because the children are spending quality time at home with there're Father.

The idiot that posed as Bill Clinton and ask the question "You are a complete idiot. How did you ever get a job” needs to take a look in the mirror. Anyone that can make a statement like that to someone out of nowhere and not have a valid reason for such an obnoxious statement deserves what he gets. What makes you an authority on the hows and whys of someone that got a job?

Someone who thinks more highly of themselves then they should. I suspect that this individual thinks that he has an “inside view” of things. Am I right, Bill?

And good lord, this comment is the biggest over-inflated ego trip ride of the century “even if you have backdoor your way into a philosophical position you've been fighting for years.”
News flash, opportunity existed before and was never taken, I don’t see any actions of “rush” occurring for the opportunity in my opinion.

I suggest that in the future if you want to make assertion about someone’s admirations that you check with that person and “verify” their supposed intentions, because you just might be surprised when you hear the truth in their answer and it very well may be that it is not at all what you think that it is.

Things are not always what they appear to be and people’s intentions have been misread before. “Nothing” will be unless both agree and that has not happened.

I'm as conservative as they come. I just find both sides of this issue amusing. Everyone needs to step back and take a look at exactly what they are saying.

I know that if this were Hillary Clinton and she was running for Pres or VP and her teenage daughter were pregnant, conservatives in general would have been knocking her as unfit. You may not agree but I believe that is what would be happening.

On the other hand, you have liberals who want people to be liberated (especially from concrete moral standards) and they have a problem with a teenage girl getting pregnant. I should say they have a problem with a mom, Sarah Palin, for letting this happen. Is it not her daughters free choice to have sex or not?

From what I can gather most Democratic supporters arguments comes from the fact that Palin supports abstinence programs and now her daughter is pregnant. So abstinence programs must not work is the conclusion. Sorry, I just don't follow that argument. I will say this that I don't believe it is the governments responsibility to teach my kids about either abstinence or birth control. It is my responsibility as a parent to teach both. I'm sure there are many though that have taught both and guess what their child still got pregnant. In my belief it is called HUMANITY people. From a Biblical perspective it is called sinfulness. It is not someone elses problem it is ALL of our problem.

The big question is can we legislate morality and if so whose morality can we legislate? It is a difficult question. As far as a Bible believing Christ follower I'm commanded to be a witness of the gospel ("good news") that Jesus Christ died and rose again. That is my main purpose in life. However, I have the priviledge of living in a society where as a citizen I have the right to vote and elect our leadership. In most societies I wouldn't have a voice as to who was in leadership or what laws were passed, I would simply have to do what the Bible teaches and submit to the governmental authority that I was placed under. So I could sit by and do nothing and let what will be be and live under the leadership of whomever is elected or I can vote for or even run for office so I can see that laws are passed that I believe best serve the entire United States.

Am I making an sense here, I'm really just thinking some things out here. We all need to stop for a moment and step back. I don't believe either side really wants to do harm to this country. Let us all take a deep breath and think all this out.

There are a lot of complex issues to deal with in this world and not just abortion and homosexuality. How do we handle agressive nations who hate us? How do we get ourselves out of debt? How do we conserve energy resources? How do we invest in new energy sources?

Just for the record:

I don't think Bush has done the best job in managing the country. I'm no economist so I can't speak to all the issues but I just don't follow the extreme debt our country is in. That does not mean I support raising taxes to get us out of debt. As one of my mentors in business said, "Most companies failed not because they could not bring in revenue...it is because they failed to control expenses". Whoever is elected has to get spending under control. Hey, Republicans, this means we need to figure a way out of spending 10 billion a month on the war. As my 9th grade basketball coach used do to me when I made a bad move and tried to explain it away he would yell, "Don't give me no E X C U S Es!" Stop with the excuses.

Sorry with all my rambling, one last point I am pro-life and believe as a citizen I have the right to vote people in office that support that position. I believe that the life in the mother's womb is a seperate human being from the mother. I believe that this human being has the right to life which I need to protect as I would protect any other human being. I also believe that this life needs to be protected once born by having adequate access to health care, food etc. How that is done is another question? I try to give to the needy but how much the government should do versus private individuals is another question.

Feel free to coment or discuss. Let us stop attacking each other.

Energy conservation note: Turn off your lights when your not in a room and adjust that thermostat so you aren't running your heat or a/c constantly!!! I love to look at my neighbors gas and electric gauge and see that I am way below his energy usage!!!

See even us Evangelicals can be eco-friendly :)

There is a time and a season for everything under heaven. Although it is not impossible to raise your children and have a career - it would be very difficult to respond responsibly to the United States of America in a time of crisis. A mother should always be available to her children. Although my husband and I both have responsibilities to our children - I feel that as mothers we were created to nurture and it is a mistake for Mrs. Palin to put her children 2nd. Proverbs 31:27 says it well: She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.

A pastor is a spirtual leader of a church. The President is a sectual leader of a nation. The Bible lists several requirements for pastors, teachers and leaders within the church which many are spirtual in nature. (1Timothy 3, Titus 2) The Biblical list for "kings" are more practical in nature, ie. justice, protect the unprotected, do right. (2 Chron 9:8)

Ask Mrs. Challenger if you can find her. I'm for turning the whole government over to the women. The men can continue to screw the world up using the church and charity like they've been doing for centuries. That's why there are 150 million orphans not being part of a family because they don't deserve that. Then you have the men who leave their own wives and children, creating pseudo-orphans out of something more precious than anything I could imagine. So were all worked up over who will be the next big chief of the world and who will take care of the kids if a woman become vice president. He didn't leave his kids and he can care for them. That's more than you can say about a lot of men. That tells you something about the woman. A good woman is good. What is meant to be will be. Find homes for the orphans and go back to your wife and kids. There is a challenge. There's enough love for all and they need you. I have work to go to and that's all I have. That's all you need unless you are a kid. Take care of business.

Sally Quinn on faith? If you actually had any, you wouldn't be pretending to ask these questions. PALIN ROCKS!

Anonymous:
Bill Clinton:
You are a complete idiot. How did you ever get a job?

I'm sure not with your help so STFU.

How Sarah Palin balances her parental and governmental duties is her decision. Whether it is ideal is it's own question.

Many of the McCain-Palin supporters recognize that each member of this ticket is more experienced (Military service, years of Congressional & Senate experience, mayoral & gubernatorial experience, and achieved reform) than the head of the Democrat ticket...and that this ticket, of the two choices, represents the values closest to our own.

In short, when weighing the content of their characters, John McCain and Sarah Palin each outweigh the downy feather in the wind that is the Democrat nominee for the most-powerful position in the world.

Oregon voter:
I appreciate the respect you have shown me during this debate. I hope I have shown you the same respect. I think debate on this (as with any topic) is great because it brings out new ideas.

I welcome the debate on abstinence-only education. It works for those who follow it. Those who do not follow it are the ones who made the decision not to and are more likely to get pregnant. Teaching that sex is ok as long as you use birth control is like saying you can go over the speed limit and not get caught as long as you have a radar detector, but there are still huge risk associated with it such as wrecks. Avoiding speeding will help decrease those risks. The same is true for teenage sex. There are risks associated with teaching teens to use birth control. Birth control does not guarantee that you will not get pregnant. Even if you encourage teens to use birth control the risks include STDs and pregnancy. So the best option is to teach abstinence. Practicing abstinence is the absolute best way to avoid unwanted pregnancies and STDs. The is no doubt about that.

When you consider the work environment, a mayor, a governor or a president are ideal jobs for a mother of a young child. They get to choose their hours and make up their own work rules. If they want to breastfeed at work they don't have to worry about what the HR department will think. If they want to come to work at 10 am, they can do that. If they want to have their staff meetings at their homes instead of at an office they can do that.

I am thinking that we need more mothers in office, not fewer.

These Southern Baptist Covention preachers can make the Bible say anything they want it to.
They rail against women, gay people, liberals and others just lilke Adolph Hitler did when he convinced the German people that Germany was an immoral country..
Hitler railed against abortion, gay people, women and other undesirables.
As the rersult of Hitler's bigotry over 6 million people were gassed to death.
These fundamentalist preachers appear to be a pack of sex obsessed inbreeds.

If you thought Palin would fail and drag down the
Republican ticket, you would stay
silent and accept her candidacy.
Your actions show that you fear she will succeed.

All the arguments about Sarah's failed abstinence beliefs assume that poor Bristol was completely ignorant about birth control. I rather doubt that. She was 17, not 13. The information is readily available on the internet, and kids have their own information network.

Lets ask her what she knew and didn't know about birth control. Then we can ask her whether her pregnancy resulted from ignorance or from a decision to have sex.

If she already knew about birth control then your arguments don't hold water. I am not saying that we shouldn't have a debate about the question, but lets not use this as a political anecdote when you don't know the actual facts about the situation.

What did you do with your child? Why do you hold a different standard for Sarah Palin than for yourself? Yes, she is going to have a very important job, but then again she is already doing this balancing act. Women across the world manage to put in many hours working and still be a mother to their children.

Ask yourself this: if Chelsea was 13 instead of in her 20's, would it have disqualified Hillar from being President? The real issue for you is that Sarah Palin is a Republican.

The Post is been an arm of the Democratic Party for decades. I don't really mind this. Its still a great paper. I just hate it when you pretend to be neutral. Just be honest, you'll do anything to get Obama elected, even if you have backdoor your way into a philosophical position you've been fighting for years.

ZZIM - of course I expected nothing less from a devoted rightwinger - but be that as it may, Palin's got nothing much but the element of surprise going for her. Looks like her politics are somewhere to the right of Antonin Scalia - that's not really mainstream where I'm from.

I only hope Biden doesn't talk down to her if they debate - he will need to be very careful on that point....we wouldn't want to see the best man lose for beating up on a woman. Boy or boy, would I have loved to see Hillary tear her a new one - well, ain't gonna happen. Joe can handle it - with a little finesse.

Ron Paul will be pulling McCain votes faster than the GOP operatives can tamper with the voting machines - and it serves him right. I guess we'll see who's stupid in November.

to DB -
Respectfully, I think we are having different arguments here... you're arguing that it's not Palin's fault that her daughter got pregnant. I agree with you about that... parents don't control everything their kids do. But I'm arguing that Palin's promotion of abstinence-only education leads to more, not fewer, unwanted teen pregnancies.

I don't want Palin for VP not because her teenage daughter is pregnant, but because she supports policies that will lead to more teenage pregnancies. And while it's not her fault that her daughter got pregnant despite Palin's best attempts to steer her in the right direction (I assume), I think the fact that her daughter is pregnant is Exhibit A in the argument that abstinence-only education does not work.

To further your car analogy, not teaching teens about birth control is like not teaching them to wear their safety belt; they may be okay without either, especially if they follow their parents' instructions about how to drive (or how to live), but they sure will be a whole lot safer if they use them.

And while the bible may mention in many places that your God is against pre-marital sex, I view the bible, and religion in general, as a human construct, that we have developed during our human history and pre-history in order to cope with life. If a president (or anyone) gets strength from his or her beliefs, that is wonderful. But if they use those beliefs to create policies that negatively affect the lives of believers and/or non-believers, that is not right, and that is what the separation of church and state should protect us from.

Bill Clinton:
You are a complete idiot. How did you ever get a job?

Who is an idiot?

I would really like a few more questions answered. Why is Bristol Palin´s pregnancy off limits? Sally Quinn refers to the Republicans die-hard Christian base--which advocates abstinence as the best form of birth control while denying teenagers the right to sex education and contraceptives. This is a matter of policy--this would be part of President Palin´s policy platform. If her own daughter is a testiment to the failure of abstinence as policy, as are millions of teens across America and the world, than why should this daughter and her pregancy not be an issue? Abstinence fails, but then there are no sex education classes nor contraceptives, so how do poor, fatherless teens, whose boyfriends dump them and take off, deal with unwanted pregnancies? If "life happens" for Bristol, it certainly "happens" for others less fortunate than she? So, will President Palin force these young girls to have their children, since she denied them the contraceptives for "life happening"? And is she ready to spend government money, "maverick spend cutter" as she is alleged to be, to help these girls cope with their babies?

To Paganplace:

So I guess if the same "abstinence only" education works for her other children is she still considered a hypocrite? And if it works for millions of others teens compared to the 750,000 of pregnant teens Would you call "abstinence only" education a failure? My father taught me and my 2 brothers to stay away from drugs. One of my brothers got into drugs and ruined his life. Me and my other brother stayed away from them and we are both successfull. Would you say my father was hypocritical for teaching "say no to drugs" to me and my other brother when he taught all of us the same way?

Teens know that speeding, sex, drugs, etc.. are wrong but the parents are not at fault for bad decisions their teenagers make. If all of their children made those bad decisions it would be a different story.

You are a complete idiot. How did you ever get a job?

What am I missing here?

ΜΕ ΜΕ ΜΕ ΜΕ ΜΕ ΜΕ ΜΕ ΜΕ

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Geraldine Anne Ferraro -- former member of the United States House of Representatives -- 1st first female Vice Presidential candidate representing a major American political party.

....and

mother of three children, Donna (born 1962), John Jr. (born 1964), and Laura (born 1966).

In 1974 she joined the Queens County District Attorney's Office full time (60 + hours a week).

Is Ferraro's first priority to her children or her country?

Dan

If you say that it is an abomination when other people's kids get pregnant out of wedlock, but it is ok and nobody's business when it is your own kid, then you are a hypocrite.

Perhaps I am a little too precise in my definition of the word hypocrite, but that is how I see it.

If you never give anyone else a break, or some slack ever, but accuse, accuse, accuse, and judge, judge, judge the personal and private lives of others, until it is your private life being commented on, and then everyone else can kiss your butt, then why isn't that being hypocritical?

What am I missing here?

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Why is it that the media is portraying a woman who is against sex-ed as an unfit potential vice president? The reason we have unwanted pregnancies is because parents fail to do their jobs and educate their own children on abstaining from sex until they are old enough to handle it. I commend Sarah Palin and her family for standing by this 17 year old and not advising her to get an abortion. Liberals are always "do as I say not as I do." At least this woman lives by her convictions and is not a hypocrite.

This is just Republican racism, pure and simple, against Obamba.

No wonder Condoleezza Rice is running for the exits just as soon as the Bush administration is over.

The Republican Party has trashed both her and Colin Powell's reputations, FOREVER!

And now, on these threads, I can almost hear the "N-word" when people call Sally a vile and horrible person, because they suspect that she might support Obama.

"You still are missing the point. Using your logic the parents are at fault if a teenager who just got his drivers license and gets a speeding ticket on the first day he drives on his own. Even though he was told by his parents not to go over the speed limit, the teenager made a decision to go against what he was taught."

Well, what it *does* say is that it's exremely hypocritical to run on a platform of 'abstinence-only' 'education' when you'r own daughter is living proof it don't work.

I know, picky, picky.

Hi-
I am definitely not a fan of McCain/Palin. I consider myself a feminist and a Christian. I am also a realist. First, I believe babies belong with their mothers until they are weaned. This is not sexism, this is biology. It is the best thing for the child. After the child is weaned, the child can be cared for by either mother or father equally well. Any person not the mother or father is second best, assuming the parents are mentally healthy people. Again, this is best for the child. (Just ask any child who they would prefer to be cared for by.) I think it is hypocritical in the extreme for Sarah Palin to say she is part of a religious group that reveres motherhood and act like she is acting. A person cannot be in two places at once, and if she and her husband work full time, they are not with their children. It is impossible to do both jobs well; something has got to give. If Sarah Palin was in the position of VP, both the country and her family would lose (though it sounds to me as though her family has already lost.) Thank you.

to Oregon voter:

You still are missing the point. Using your logic the parents are at fault if a teenager who just got his drivers license and gets a speeding ticket on the first day he drives on his own. Even though he was told by his parents not to go over the speed limit, the teenager made a decision to go against what he was taught. By the way, I certainly hope that any president seeks guidance from God and uses their religious convictions as the basis for policies. Anyone who seeks a guidence from a higher power than they has my admiration.

So you say sex before marriage is not "categorically" wrong? And is only wrong for those who choose to follow a "religion" that says it is? I hope people do not follow a religion but choose to follow God. Any God believing, Bible reading person knows God sees sex before marriage as wrong. But dont take my work for it... Take God's (See Acts 15:20; Romans 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:1; 6:13,18; 7:2; 10:8; 2 Corinthians 12:21; Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 5:3; Colossians 3:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; Jude 7) The proof is in the pudding....

Gee Sally, I wonder what Barry Obama would do if he had a sick kid at 3 a.m. when the phone rings? Since when did the feminist movement become so sexist? Why aren't any of these questions asked of Barry, your messiah? I guess the messiah's kids don't get sick.
I don't think it is any of your business as to how the Palin family deals with the situation of their daughter's pregnancy. Perhaps the pregnancy itself is fair game but your questioning of the family's approach to the problem is putting your nose where it doesn't belong. Then again, you are a woman and since genetalia and skin color are so important in this year's election, perhaps the stereotypical description of women loving to gossip is applicable in your case. Get a life.

George said:

"America's founders held God and guns in high regard."

This is true only in George's mind.

Otherwise, as far as I know, it is COMPLETE fabrication.

This is George's picture of America? Guns and God? Not even apple pie, or TV-watching?

You know what? I am glad that McCain picked Palin for his Vice Presidential nominee, because having such an incompetent person on the ticket is just one more reason NOT to vote for him.

You've got to be kidding me...

I suppose the idea that a woman can be both an effective Mom and work outside the home only applies to liberal women.

Aren't you, with your "questions" and misplaced concern for Gov. Palin's family doing exactly what you are railing at Evangelicals about?

What a crock!!!

You are a disgraceful person and should be ashamed of yourself.

You are an Obama supporter... we get it. Just go ahead and say so and stop this sham of "objective journalism."

pontificator:
ZZIM - so then, let's ask this question: Who's more qualified to be President of the USA? Palin or Biden - because that's what the issue comes down to. Had McCain made a more broadly informed choice, this particular question never would have surfaced.

=============================================

I love when people ask stupid questions. Palin is equally as qualified as Obama. McCain is equally as qualifies as Biden. The Democrats are criticizing the Republicans for having an under-qualified understudy to their qualified leading man. But they themselves have a fully qualified understudy serving under an underqualified leading man. Weird.

Palin has a lot of plusses. Yeah, it's sorta a "Hail Mary pass," but if it succeeds it'll be brilliant. The McPalin Administration could easily go for 16 years. If McCain goes for 4 years or 8, I think the experience issue will have been dealt with. On the bright side, Obama is still young enough to run in 2022.

Obama was right:

There is an awful lot of bitterness among the Conservative Christian community.

The bitterness that is being expressed on this thread against Sally is pretty creepy, and a little weird.

You can't build yourself up by tearing other people down. Even if any individual can "out-nasty" everyone else with their rudeness, just what is it they think they have won?

I think that Sally, over all, is a pretty reasonable person. If you HATE her, then maybe YOU are the one who discriminates against women who think for themselves.

It is more religious hyprocrisy, being played out here.

America's founders held God and guns in high regard (something Obama apparently wasn't taught in Indonesia). He had no constraints when he flippantly dismissed the backbone of America with the words:

“And it’s not surprising then they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren’t like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations.”

Once spoken- his words called out to be challenged. Governor Sarah Palin is a strong defender of God and guns. Paired with McCain- she is the perfect foil for Obama's wussy far left-leanings.

"And in 1987, after her youngest child became a high school senior, she decided to run for political office." - wikipedia entry about Nancy Pelosi

For comparison's sake:
Nancy Pelosi ran for public office for the first time after her youngest child was about 17 years old.
Sarah Palin is running for the 2nd highest office in the US with 4 children ages 17 and under, including a 4 month old infant.

Now, I do question Pelosi's decision to have 5 children (as I questioned Palin's decision below) but at least Pelosi made that choice at the end of the 1950's when our resources seemed unlimited. Palin made her choice during the past 2 decades (and last year, most recently) when much more has been known about resource limitations.

Apples and oranges.

I don't question either woman's right to make her own choices about her work and her family, but I can still question Palin's judgment.

People like Sally Quinn are exactly why I stopped subscribing to the Washington Post.

Sally insults my intelligence. The woman is shamelessly in the tank for her beloved Democrat Party, but will not admit it.

So what's the point of reading her?

Advocates I can deal with, but not with liars.

If males are also invited to comment on your column Re: Gov. Palin's sense of priority, the article reminds me of the abject apologies made on cable tv this A.M. by prominent former Clinton White House Counsel Lanny Davis for the comments of your fellow Democratic journalist-commentator, Mark Shields,the latter to the effect that Gov. Palin was putting ambition ahead of her maternal duties. Could it be that,in this Obama-generated "post-partisan"(pun intended) age that sexism has reared its ugly head in that venerable bastion of liberalism known as The Washington Post?

dear Sally,
My heart goes out to the Palins children.why does she need to run to work the next day or a week after giving birth, they have the financial means, so what is the hurry, this is very troubling who is she trying to impress.
My husband and i are professionals with two children but after birth i usualy stay home for three months to bond with my baby no question about it. i'm a cathoilc and i do believe we haven't heard it all yet,i read your atticle and fill uneasy. there is something very troubling with Palin family.
vivian nj.

Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, has five children:

Nancy Corinne, Christine, Jacqueline, Paul and Alexandra, and seven grandchildren.

Is Pelosi's first priority to her children or her country?

to DB

Of course a 17 year old knows the potential consequences of having sex. 17 year olds are not stupid. However, a parent who preaches abstinence and thinks that that is enough to stop those 17 year olds from having sex? Not so bright.

And a 17 year old should know right from wrong, but does that mean they have the self control necessary to make the right decision in the heat of the moment? Not necessarily. That's why education and parents are important. Education to give teens the info they need to make the best out of a "wrong" decision, and parents to instill values in their children to help them make the right decisions.

Come on, no one is saying that the 750,000 American girls and young women who get pregnant each year didn't realize the potential for pregnancy. But how many of those girls come from families where use of birth control and honest discussion about the facts of life are probably taboo?

And by the way, sex before marriage is not categorically "wrong" - it's only "wrong" for people who choose to follow a religion that says it is... Sex between under-age teens? That is what is wrong, and my point is that that's what our policies and educational system should be addressing- using programs that work, not programs based in theology or religious doctrine. And my fear about Sarah Palin is that she will use her religious views as a basis for policies (such as abstinence education) that clearly don't work.

What should I tell my granddaughters?

I'm a little perplexed.. Until the last few days, I was under the impression that premarital sex by teenagers and out of wedlock births by the same are something that society generally does not approve of.

But now we are going have the spectacle of a teen aged unwed mother and the sperm donor (to use Dr Laura's term) being feted on stage during a national political convention. To the best of my knowledge this has not happened before.

I have one pubescent and one almost pubescent granddaughter and I'm wondering what their grandmother and I should say to them should the question of premarital sex and out of wedlock births arise, particularly so in light of the upcoming situation at the RNC. Y'all are aware, I'm sure, that children tend to ask awkward questions and I could really use some help in trying to come up with answers.

Could some of you social conservatives help me out here? I know y'all are the arbiters of all things moral and I'm just an old liberal/progressive, atheistic dirty, smelly hippie who has no clue when it comes to morals. What is the party line on unwed teen sex and motherhood these days?

To say that John McCain's "base" is made of Evangelicals who don't believe women should be pastors is as sensible as saying all citrus fruit is the same, and Delicious Apples, taste the same as Granny Smiths!

No, No, No!! We are not as foolish as the Southern Baptist Church is believing women cannot be pastors. We don't believe we must "answer" to our husbands any more than he must "answer" to us. We are a team. Women are gifted in many ways, including the gift of Pastor.

This is so far out, that I am wondering if you are out of touch with what life is like away from the East. You should visit the West, where men and women are strong, honest, and would never put all apples in one basket in order to paint someone in a negative way. Come on out West!

What a silly question.

Of course Palin should follow the norm of US politics, which is that the officeholder piously expresses constant reverence for the role of closely knit families in the national fabric and the vital role two parents hold in raising strong citizens.

Then, in their real lives they sell out their families for their 18 hour a day duties as political animals. The kids wind up needy zombies or severely overachieving robots and their homes and marriages become props for each election cycle.

Rudy's kids are good examples of this.

Sally,
You would like to hear from Southern Baptist women, well you’ve got one. I am Seminary trained with Masters of Divinity and I have spent the last 6 years of my life serving as an Associate Youth Minister at a large and well known Southern Baptist Church in Texas.
The question of woman’s subservient role has been posed for generations. In interpreting scripture, however, one must not separate the writer from his audience. Yes, Paul tells women to remain silent throughout many of his New Testament letters (i.e. 1 Corinthians 14:34-36), but many scholars assert that these letters were speaking to specific fractions in the New Testament church, rather than to all women for the rest of time. Paul’s praise to other women such as Priscilla (who is often mentioned before her husband Aquilla), Lois, Eunice, and Phoebe (Romans 16:1) cannot be ignored. These women were esteemed by Paul as influential and crucial leaders in the spread of Christianity. Furthermore, Jesus himself was a liberator of women (i.e. Mary Magdalene and the woman at the well). As a believer in Jesus Christ, I ascribe not to man- made interpretations of Scripture but to the Holy Spirit who guides believers in interpreting His Word. I believe (though I am a born, raised, and educated Southern Baptist) that people and their interpretations are fallible and I am deeply saddened when I hear stories of men turning their backs on Godly women who speak truth-this does NOT honor Christ or His Church! If scripture explicitly said that women could not be “head pastors,” I would willingly believe, but this is and will always be a gray matter.
On to the next matter at hand: Sarah Palin. The quote from Ann Graham Lott is right on. The path the Lord has for each person is different and cannot be judged and picked apart by on lookers. Based on this stance, whatever the Lord calls us to do, we should do it regardless of social norms and expectations. Sarah Palin is being picked apart, degraded, and questioned by the liberal media, not because she’s religious, or a woman, or a mother, or has a small child, or has a pregnant child, but because she is a Republican. The argument that she cannot manage her children, based on the fact that her daughter is pregnant is full of holes. Her daughter made the choice to have sex and in case you’ve been outside the world of teenagers for too long, here’s a wake-up call, many teenagers are making that choice. In fact, they are engaging in a lot of sex and oral sex with a lot of partners, without protection, and without their parents’ knowledge. Here’s a kid who made a choice with a consequence and she is taking responsibility. This does not mean Sarah Palin is a bad mother. It’s sick that the media is covering every web page and newspaper and newscast with this child’s picture. SHE’S A KID, GIVE HER A BREAK!
Furthermore, I imagine that Sarah Palin will manage her public office and her priorities at home much the way a male vice presidential candidate would. I don’t seem to remember any talk of Chelsea Clinton during her father’s tumultuous impeachment hearings. She’s the same age as me, and I’ve got to tell you, if my dad and a young mistress were strewn all over the media, it would mess me up. There are so many double standards in the media. Let’s be honest, the real issue is not female pastors, female ministers, Biblical authority, female politicians, or female politicians with young children. The real issue is Democrats v. Republicans. Let’s just be honest, and deal with the real issues only!

If it weren't for double standards, Quinn would have no standards at all.

I don't think this is a conservative/Southern Baptist issue. Liberals like Ted Kennedy and Joe Biden are Catholic, a church led by males. Why not extend your comments.

A very critical legal and political principle derived from the First Amendment of the United States Constitution defines the separation of church and state.

It's a legal doctrine that government and religious institutions are to be kept separate and independent from each other.

The concept refers to the combination of two principles: the secularity of government and the freedom of religious exercise.

If her church says she cannot be a pastor, then it is her every moral and legal conscientious right to accept or reject that teaching.

If she rejects - she is free to go elsewhere and participate in another religion or church.

If she accepts - it has no bearing whatsoever on whether she can be governor or president or hold any office in our secular government.

I am somewhat appalled that the author fails to comprehend this most basic principle of our republic.

Sally Quinn;
What a nut. You don't have any standards!

Like it or not, it's valid question. There seems to be an automated response that everyone who disagrees with Gov. Palin's choices, is immediately being "Sexist". It's not a 1950's mentality to expect that a Mother of a young baby will need to dedicate time to her child. It's not sexist to acknowledge that Gov Palin will have limited time to spend with all her children as she hopes to become VP. Both jobs (childrearing and being a VP) are 24-7 positions, besides that fact she has a 4 month old with exceptional needs. There is only so many hours in a day.

In a family with 2 parents, Children need lots of attention, from both their parents, the Mother and the Father.

Both Men and Women take time off to be with their families when they have a newborn. The Family and Medical Leave Act was created just for that reason. Parents want to be with their newborns and make time for that.

AND absolutely No one is saying here that Women have to stay at home. I would never assume or expect women to not have career choices - Women have great opportunities and can choose work from home or at the Office. It's just a fact that the VP job requires working massive hours and something will be sacrificed, family time.

It also concerns me that a healthy mother after giving birth did not take time off to bond and spend true quality time with hew newborn. Going back to work 3 days after having a son with high needs ?? Come on, something doesn't add up.

The church is governed by scripture and God's plan. The United States is governed by the constitution which allows a women to be the Vice President.

Not all Evangelicals are against female pastors. Sarah attended Assemblies of God churches for a good portion of her life and they have female pastors.

This has got to be some of the most incredible gobbledegook I have ever read. Quinn, you need a permanent vacation.

"I would like to know what women think of Sarah Palin's judgment in accepting the role as McCain's running mate, knowing the pain and humiliation the publicity would cause her daughter, the boyfriend and the soon-to-be-born grandchild."

The pain and the humiliation is coming from the looney left. What in the he11 are you people thinking? This is yet ANOTHER column from you, Quinn, that is trying to crucify an intelligent, educated, successful woman based on her CHILDREN. for God's sake.

The scene being played out in Palin's family has been played in millions of homes across American.. both Dems and Repubs. This is nothing new. The problem is you wanted Palin, and you want her daughter, to have an abortion instead of living up to their basest human responsibilites.

There is so much of your column that is pure drivvel, I hope you were wearing a bib when you wrote it.

You, Quinn, are an unconscionable hypocrit.

Dear Ms. Quinn,

This is written in haste, but the recent history of the Episcopal Church might shed some light. As you know, the Episcopal Church struggled with admitting women to holy orders in the early 1970's, but the division between the Catholic and Protestant arguments within the Church were side-stepped by an "irregular" ordination of women in between sessions of the General Convention (which governs Church life). I do remember reading an analysis beforhand which distinguished between the Protestant ministry and the Catholic priesthood, but regrettably this was not fully vetted for the edification of the person in the pew.

In regard to the role of husbands, it seems to me that they are to love their wives as their own flesh, or words to that effect, which is usually left out of discussions about the place of wives in traditional Church theology.

What should be of more concern to the American public is the role of the Episcopal Church in the abortion debate. Over the last 40 years or so, the General Convention has consistently supported legal abortion. However, most parishioners assumed this would be a pastoral matter. Therefore, as a life-long Episcopalan of some commitment, I was shocked to discover in 1996 that former Presiding Bishop Browning had signed an Interfaith Letter - drafted by the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice - urging the members of Congress not to overturn President Clinton's veto of an effort to ban the partial-birth abortion procedure. By this action, it seems to me, the Church declared its distinterest in the fate of the unborn in deference to a woman's right to choose and removed that member of the human family from the conscience of the Church.

Because of the prominent role of the Episcopal Church in this country - to say nothing of National Cathedral as the symbolic church for the nation - this history really should be conveyed to the American public, especially during this critical election season. (By the way, I wrote a joint letter to Mr. Meacham and Canon Lloyd about this issue after your appearance at the National Cathedral forum.)

I first read about the Interfaith Letter in The Living Church magazine ("Calling for Civility" Feb. 16, 199) which is avvailable on their website. Because the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church represents the Church to the world, this must be thought of as the most recent and authoritative statement regarding abortion that I am aware of. In this regard, if there is to be a Democratic presidency and congress, the place of the unborn in Amierican society will likely havae to remain outside of Washington.

The issue is not whether she is a good mother but if she is qualified to be vice president. Is she ready to become president if necessary?

She was elected Alaska's governor a little over a year and a half ago. Her previous office was mayor of Wasilla, a small (under 7,000 people) town outside Anchorage.She did not oppose ear marks for her town when she was mayor.

She has no foreign policy experience.

Palin is strongly anti-choice, opposing abortion even in the case of rape or incest. She opposes sex education in schools (which might lower the number of abortions).

She supported right-wing extremist Pat Buchanan for president in 2000.

Palin thinks creationism should be taught in public schools.

She's doesn't think humans are the cause of climate change.

She's solidly in line with John McCain's "Big Oil first" energy policy. She's pushed hard for more oil drilling and says renewables won't be ready for years. She also sued the Bush administration for listing polar bears as an endangered species—she was worried it would interfere with more oil drilling in Alaska.

How closely did John McCain vet this choice? He met Sarah Palin once at a meeting. They spoke a second time, last Sunday, when he called her about being vice-president. Then he offered her the position.

CW, "I'm sure she doesn't go to cocktail parties, get manicures and pedicures, wear designer clothes, or live the elitist life. But she is real, lives the American life that is connected to reality, morals, true character and still sees her country as a power to protect and enhance - not destroy."

Since when is a woman that attends "cocktail parties, get manicures and pedicures, wear designer clothes, connected to reality, morals, true character and still sees her country as a power to protect" not considered an American?

What a bias opinion and how dead wrong you are.

Conservatives cannot engage Sally's conversation nor answer her questions. All they can do is register their most heart felt Christian hate for her.

What religion! what Christians!

If this is all that Jesus is good for, then he is not good for much.

Mixing religion and politics as the hypocritical Republicans have done and as he hypocritical Christians have done is a total TRAIN WRECK for this country.

christian conservative republican.

Disease. Often fatal.

"sees her country as a power to protect and enhance - not destroy"

Sorry.

DILd-

You obviously don't understand, or even try to understand, Christianity.

The crux of it is the following- God forgives people. So do Christians. We don't specifically call out people by name with their sin, generally if it is done is it done in the context of a group of people. So to call out Palin's daughter for this indiscretion is really out of line, even Obama has said so.

Given the pro-abortion dogma YOUR party is tied to, and its M.O. of condemning everyone outside of the socialist mind - think, I would think you would pause before making such asinine statements as you did in your post below.

By the way- there is always an "out" when it comes to sin - its called the redemption in Christ and his death and resurrection on the cross.

Christianity is about forgiveness, and inclusion , my friend. It doesn't seem to work for you and other illogical atheists because there a common sense rules that come along with God's way of doing things you just don't get or just don't want to get.
-----------------
Last time I checked, the Democratic party in socialistic Sacramento Ca took the nice office away from a fellow democrat for not following the dem's dogmatic party line and vote.

Now think about judgment in that context , dude.

"sees her country as a power to protect and enhance - not destroy"

Seeing others as enemies out to destroy you and your way of life is a political behavior shared by Sarah Palin. People who have actually observed the consistencies in deviant human behavior sometimes identify this behavior as paranoid, a sickness that separates the afflicted from the reality that supposedly normal people experience. Paranoid behavior is disproportionately felt, and supported in others, by the contituents of one of our major political parties. This is why Democrats must, gently but firmly, remove persons showing this kind of behavior from public office.

In Sarah Palin we have a woman that has done what all you women libbers have demanded of her, except get an abortion.
She is successful outside the home, she has not allowed herself to be pushed arround by the good old boys, and she can take care of herself. So what do you do you pull her apart. She does not want to be a baptist pastor as far as I know so what a weak point to pick on.
I don't know if you are married or if you have children I do know, that as a woman, I would not point to you when talking about strong women.
You are a sniper, a talk over the back fence, soap opera watcher, whisper behind your hand type. The type real women hate, I bet you go out with your friend and point at people that you feel aren't dressed to your standards, or at some local that uses the wrong fork.
Wow I bet your parents are proud of you, you have used the education they gave you to put people down so that you can feel above it all. You are the lowest of humans, the ones that do nothing to help anyone, unless you give your used clothing away.
I for one would rather have a pregnant daughter than a lobbiest son. You do not have to worry about taking communion God welcomes all especially the sinner.

To Anonymous who responded to DB:

Come on.... Do you really think a 17 year old does not know that one of the possible consequences of having sex is getting pregnant? How do you know she didnt use birth control and it failed? You are missing the point. The point is that a 17 year old knows the difference between right and wrong. Palin taught her daughter to not have sex before marriage but her daughter made the decision to have sex. Parents let their 17 year old daughters go on dates all the time unsupervised. When my wife and I dated at that age we made a conscience decision NOT to have sex. Palin's daughter made that decision on her own and she is accepting responsibility for it.

When you are a mother, your role is to care for and protect your children, among other things. How can a woman with a Down Syndrome infant leave that child for the campaign trail. Oh sure, the father is there. I believe, and so do many others, that no one can substitute for a mother's care. That is where her first priority should be found, and who can say that they are "pro-family values" if they are not physically present to attend to the awesome needs of a special needs infant. And who would expose their young and vulnerable 17 year old to the glare of the media and the judgment of everyone who will read this story. I do not judge the daughter. I judge the mother and find that her willingness to expose her daughter to the onslaught of the public in general and the media in particular is total abandonnment of her responsibility to that child. We are accountable for our repsonsibilities to our children who are entrusted to us by God. If you do not want to accept that responsibility, do not take it on. You do not have to go to the Bible to find out what to do- read Thomas Carlyle who said that our greatest responsiblities were the ones closest to us. I think Sarah Palin showed such terrible judgment as a mother, that I am not giving her another thought as vice president.

Anonymous at 9:50 AM 9-3-08 states:
"Sarah Palin cannot be relied upon to secure the
USA if she cannot secure her own child..."

I have a question for you: did you make this same judgement of Bill Clinton when he clearly showed he couldn't even secure his own impulses???

Who "controls" their teenage children? You teach and guide them, but ultimately their choices are their own. Are you saying she should have "secured" her child by promoting condom use or taking her for a behind-the-media-scene abortion??? This family has handled this with grace, dignity, and class that others (media, included)can only observe from afar.

As for "political ambition" mentioned by others: What about another term..."service"? No where do I see in her life story any thread of burning, calculating political ambition. I do see a stepping up to the plate (from the PTA to the Governor's chair) when the time/situation called for a servant heart of sacrifice - something the Liberal Left cannot grasp.

P.S. There is a thread of such service mentioned in the Bible.

After seeing Sally Quinn's interview on CNN, I cannot even begin to say how offended I am. How does a professional journalist get by with stating information as fact that is nothing more that supposition and guesswork? I am speaking directly to her comments including "subservient" wives and stay-at-home moms in Evangelical families. Beyond the fact that all Evangelicals cannot be lumped into a single mindset any more than any other group, it is absurd for Ms. Quinn to assert she has her finger on the pulse of the Evangelical group. Ms. Quinn - PLEASE do not take it upon yourself to speak for any certain group unless it has named you its official mouthpiece. I would not be surprised if an Evangelical considered you less a mouthpiece and more a blowhard.

ZZIM - so then, let's ask this question: Who's more qualified to be President of the USA? Palin or Biden - because that's what the issue comes down to. Had McCain made a more broadly informed choice, this particular question never would have surfaced.

Democrats could really care less about her family issues - it's the national issues down the road that raise all kinds of red flags about her qualifications. In the end, this 'strategic' last minute selection by McCain says volumes about his competency to be President, or lack thereof. This must have alot of republicans fuming about now!

The man has potentially serious health issues (recurrent melanoma) which could very easily prove fatal during his term in office. There are many republicans in the wings that could easily step up to the Presidency - and each bringing far more governmental experience than Palin.

However, his first choices of Joe Lieberman and Tom Ridge are both pro-choice, and he couldn't risk the wrath of the evangelicals and born-agains.

They threatened to disrupt the convention had he picked either of these widely experienced gentlemen. Or, he could even have picked Condi Rice, another person with significant federal experience when compared to Palin.

But no, he picked a complete unknown with a background that is being picked apart for good reason. Now maybe this was clever politics, but I have a very strong feeling it won't win him the election - folks will step back and think twice about Palin's capacity to be President......and will vote accordingly.

I heard audio today of Ms. Quinn's remarks on Gov. Palin. I didn't know whether to laugh, cry, or yell.
I am a working mother of 2 children, one being severely disabled. I am also a Christian and the church I go to has a large disability ministry; so I know plenty of mothers--working mothers--with children who have disabilties.

Ms. Quinn, your remarks are insulting, ignorant, elitist and sanctimonious, to ALL women.

I never thought I'd see the end of journalisum in my lifetime. Thank you.

I think there is reason to question Sarah Palin's judgement and priorities reagarding her family. She is young and she has a young family. Couldn't she wait another five or ten years before one of the most time consuming positions in the world...that of vice president? This is not to say she cannot work or work in politics. But how much time, really, can she have for these five children, including a pregnant 17 year old and an infant with Down Syndrome? I find this incredibly selfish.

Sarah Palin is a breath of fresh air for we Christians that value life! She is a real person and your judgment of her and her life is totally unfair. Additionally, if her daughter Bristol suffers from this career move - it is not her fault it is the media that takes such great delight in destroying women that are Christian and conservative! Sorry, but since you admit you don't have a clue about "faith", you shouldn't be allowed to do a column under that name. I'll pray for you.

"Women can be presidents but not pastors?"
Churches are private clubs, they have all kinds of rules they decide on for themselves. Some churches/denomoinations say women can't be pastors. None of them, that I know of, say that women can't be V-POTUS.
Sally, you are making a fool of yourself. You are using anti-feminist arguments to run down McCain's pick for VP. Don't you feel a little dirty? She can't work AND nurture her family? Did you ask the same about Mrs. Clinton (wasn't she co-president during Bill's presidency?, didn't she work tirelessly and endlessly for the nation as first lady?) Or even Obama himself or what about the late, great JFK, a house full of tiny crumb-munchers. How could they as responsible DADS possibly have time for both duty and family? Your argument is completely absurd, and laughingly archaic. Besides, Palin is running for VICE president (attend state funerals). And for a cancer survivor who gets checkups very, very often Mr. McCain could very, very likely hang around for quite a while.

"Every woman, and particularly every woman who works, including me, understands that the conflicts and the guilt are always there in a way that they are not for men" You know this do you? You know all about men's guilt? ALL men's guilt? Seriously Sally, how utterly arrogant. This line of argument completely qualifies you as a sexist.

"the birth of her fifth child, she was back in the office after a few days."
Isn't that what women back in the 60's and 70's said they WANTED to be able to do?

Since when did you become Miss Susie Homemaker?
Put simply, you don't want an evangelical conservative Republican of any stripe anywhere near the White House, Neither do I. That you take the lowest road, pretending that it's your concern for her family that has you against her is incredibly transparent, sophomoric, and frankly, embarassing. Why not just take her to task on her ideology, not some fake, trumped up concern about her kids.

I am astounded by the sexism shown in this article. Let me get this straight... Quinn asks how S Baptist women feel about not being able to be a pastor as if that is offensive to her and then at the same time suggests that a woman cannot handle being a Mother and have a demanding career... Have you never heard of a Nanny? Would you ask these questions if Mr. Palin was the VP nominee? How about Nancy Palosi and her 5 children.. is she capable of having children and a demanding job? Yes I am a conservative and my wife is a mother and a doctor.. is that ok with you Sally or are you confused how that can be possible? My suggestion is for you to get out and actually meet the people you trash with these utterly ignorant views. I just can't describe at how flabergasted I am with these views. You question views and values that you don't understand suggesting that because you don't understand them they must be wrong. You probably think that aborting a completely innocent life because the mother is too selfish to have it adopted is perfectly understandable, but are probably totally against the death penalty for the people who have proven to be the worst of our society. Maybe you should blog about how your views make sense and quit bagging on people you obviously don't care to understand. P.S. Don't you like how I assumed things about you without knowing you?

Conservative "types" both politically and religious are basically white people, mostly white men, who do not support the advancement of minorities or of woman, but who would pick a token black or a token woman, incompentent or not, just for show, and for no other reason.

It is not sexist to oppost Sarah Pallin if she is not qualitifed for the job. And since she has promoted the birth of her Down's Syndrome baby in a poliitcal demonstration that she opposes abortion, and because she also promotes Conservative Christianism in politics, then I think it is only fair to wonder why Conservative Christians do not regard her unmarried and pregnant daughter as an abomination, and why they do not oppose her with the smarmy chant, "hate the sin, love the sinner."

The Democratic Party operates under a different paradigm, so to ask similar questions of it and of Obamba is absurd and disingenuous. Obamba rose through the primaries to be the national choice of the Democratic Party, and is not a token black choice; he has never involved his children in politics, and Democrats do not engage is such idiomatic word play s as "an abomination in the eyes of God" nor "love the sinner, hate the sin," and they do not threaten their policial opponents with a wrathful God who will cast them into a "Lake of Fire."

The Conservatives are self-righteious hypocrites, who freely and harshly judge everyone else, but yet get all bothered and bent out of shape, hufrfy and hurt, when the EXACT same standard of judgement is turned against them.

Hey Sally, we have separation of Church and State here in America. If a person is called to public service, what has that got to do with the Church?

Nothing.

There is no conflict here. The entire purpose of this discussion is to raise doubts among conservative Christians about whether a woman should be running for VPOTUS. I don't recall this blog ever questioning the right of Hillary Clinto to the office of POTUS. Why now? What is different (in your eyes) about Governor Palin? Why are you asking your readers to justify Palin's run for office? Why are you asking people to raise doubts?

Good luck getting to heaven Sally. Don't be in a rush, that's why there are Russians. Good day to you.

It is amazing how people will pick-and-choose on what they will comment. Clearly, Sally's larger question here is how a political party whose "rock" has been the religious right for so long can reconcile its biblical teachings against the actions of a female politician with young children -- and one with special needs.

If Billy Graham, the conscience of the Republican Party, had issues with his daughter abandoning her duties at home in an effort to fulfill a religious calling -- a calling that was denied her by religious doctrine -- how can the same religious right embrace a woman as a potential VP who has abondoned her primary duty to home and family?

The over-arching question here is not whether Palin is competent or whether Obama should be asked the same questions. The question here is whether the religious right is capable of consistency in its policies? Were Palin interested in becoming an ordained minister, would she recieve the same amount of support from the same conservative voices currently singing her praises?

Sally wouldn't run a false flag operation. That's what we do and we have the paper to prove it. You can't find it here though. I have it here and the real flag to prove it. The devil has nothing and talks a big game. We shoot big game and eat meat. Shoot to thrill and play to kill. Our flag is still here with extra quality care. Don't get burned and complain that the sun is too hot. It's the sun, that is what it does. It bounces off the moon too. The flag was up there and that isn't hell. The devil is a fool, he ain't fooling us he's just fooling himself. Rock On

I am appalled by your stereotyping Sarah Palin. I know, I'm sure, many more Southern Evangelicals than you do and NONE are doormats to their husbands. We are helpmates to our husbands and each other and respect each other's role and position. Who are you to question whether Sarah Palin has too many children to be Vice President? She obviously is a very competent woman with passion for her family and her ideals. I'm sure she doesn't go to cocktail parties, get manicures and pedicures, wear designer clothes, or live the elitist life. But she is real, lives the American life that is connected to reality, morals, true character and still sees her country as a power to protect and enhance - not destroy.

Sally Quinn makes a great case for the candidacy of Sarah Palin. The old adage if you want something done give it to a busy person certainly applies. Yes, Palin knows how to set priorities. She is not unlike the certified nursing assistants (CNAs) who drop off their children for daycare (often nursing children) in order to arrive at their 7 a.m. shift to give care to nursing home residents. Nor is she unlike the women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan who left their children in the care of others to give the ultimate service to this nation. Then, there are the physicians and teachers, who have a bit more flexibility in their schedules than CNAs and military personnel, who also combine children and work and family activities and family trials. Sally Quinn perhaps does not understand the way this nation works because she has not had to quite roll up her sleeves and get going in the way that others have. I'm very excited about Sarah Palin's candidacy and I will be voting with enthusiasm for McCain/Palin.

"When her water broke ... a risky decision for a pregnant woman of any age. After delivering one child she went back to work the next day. After the birth of her fifth child, she was back in the office after a few days."

After her water broke she took an 8-hour plane flight, drove for an hour, then had an induced labor 7 hours later. In other words, she was in no danger of giving birth on the plane.

I hear that labor and giving birth are areas in which only women are allowed to have opinions. So I will shut up now after providing the facts that Ms. Quinn cleverly left out in order to sway your opinion.

Ms Quinn
Obviously the position of a pastor and the president or vice-president is completely different. A pastor's duty is to lead the people of the church according to God's Word. A president or vice president should lead the country representing the people that VOTED him/her in. As a christian I believe that women should not be a pastor because that is what the BIBLE teaches. God's ways are not our ways. I believe that Gov Palin is a remarkable woman and has already proven that fact, it is very obvious to America that she has already shown what her priorities are concerning her family and career. It is also obvious that people like you, Ms Quinn, are very hypocritical when it comes to working mothers that has a large family and conservative values. Furthermore, stick to the issues of the economy, energy independence,illegal immigration, and protecting the citizens from terrorist not IF a woman can serve aa a pastor, that's NOT what we are voting for.

"When her water broke ... a risky decision for a pregnant woman of any age. After delivering one child she went back to work the next day. After the birth of her fifth child, she was back in the office after a few days."

How do we know these are the facts? Only because Republicans tell us they are. Republicans do not generally have a good track record for honesty.

I was severely taken back by the magnitude of rude, harsh, and relentless hatred that was unrestrainedly posted yesterday. This is an opinion blog and sometimes people do get side-tracked, which is understandable, but opinions should be rendered in their exact sense, as an opinion. Not post with name-calling, severe criticisms, demeaning character bashing, belittling of a persons opinion, taunting, and threatening that so and so will meet their demise, or fall from grace, or end up losing it all, and on and on it went.

I used to come and read the articles, read others comments posted and could take something away in the form of obtaining new knowledge, a new outlook on a topic, or I could relate personally with the person’s comment. But not anymore, the post are full of sexual innuendos, name-calling, bashing someone’s belief system, put-downs, and plain outright rejection based on someone’s beliefs or comments made.

Debating an issue with stating your own opinion and the reason why you agreed or disagreed is a given in this forum, but the way it is being done is indecent.

I mean really what does Pahin’s looks, body, and sexual attraction have to do with her being a Presidential candidate? Post after post referred to her in a sexual manner and all who posted such are shallower then a “kiddy pool” for making Pahin’s looks, body, and sexual attraction a consideration regarding her candidacy.

I had nothing but pure disgust from seeing that yesterday and it was very disheartening.

I feel if women choose to have children, they should be their top priority. This is the most important job parents have is to raise their children! To be at home with them and raise them with their husband, if they have one. If they want to work, then work part-time when the kids are in school, so they'll be there for them when they return from school in the late afternoons. That's where a lot of our problems with kids are these days, the parents are not there for their kids at all. The children are unsupervised. I understand lots of women need to support their families these days, they can still be there for their kids 100% in the evenings & on weekends! If it works out for the wife to work & the husband to stay home, as long as one of them is home with them that's what counts!! Kids are a gift from God, entrusted to us to raise. What job would be more important?

If Sarah Palin becomes president and becomes pregnant, will she go out on maternity leave?

This women is not worth the time it takes to explain to her how ridiculous and out of touch she is. Just have her tune into Rush and maybe he has time to waste on her ingnorance. We working mom's that are contributing something to the world do not!

to DB-
"Sarah Palin admitted that her daughters pregnancy is no fault other than her daughters."

So Palin is not at fault at all for apparently not teaching her daughter about birth control?

And she won't be at fault if she becomes VP or President and the rate of teenage pregancy in our country continues to outpace that of the industrialized world?

According to the Center for Disease control, 1/3 of girls gets pregnant before the age of 20. ONE THIRD! That's about 750,000 girls getting pregnant each year. And according to the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, 81% of those pregnancies are to unmarried teens.

It is clear that the Women's Liberation movement only applies to liberal women. When a conservative woman succeeds she is skewered. The hypocrisy of the left wing liberal press is appalling and this post is the best example. How many children should a woman have to qualify for president? none, one, two...? What is going on here is character assassination of a capable conservative woman for only that reason. The media should be ashamed, but of course they are not.

God did not right the bible, Man did, God has not directly spoke to his people so there are some who won't believe; instead they will question. In Politics we can only go with what we all believe to be true and we must compromise with what others believe. Since we live in such a big world with lots of people, the debate between religions will never end so why don't we just compromise and elect a leader who knows how to compromise. I know neither of the candidates don't compromise; so it's up to the people to make the compromise.

Your discussion on MSNBC questioning Sarah P. abitlity to govern because of her family was absolutely pathetic. At what time in your life did you become such an authority on women with families in the workplace. I haven't read many of your writings however, the ones I have read make me wonder if you shouldn't consider staying home with your family.

I love the thought of women ascending to high office. While women haven't hit the executive office yet, many fine and talented woman have been in the Senate, Congress, and cabinet positions for decades. As a child of the 70s I myself am abundantly gifted with the benefits of the 70s woman's movement. But the thing that bothers me about Sara Palin is not that she may be attending to her own ambitions over the needs of her children (whatever the story is with that), for that is the prize that the womens' movement left on Sara Palin's doorstep: the right to choose her own path, be it singularly motherhood, or singularly career, or both. What bothers me about Palin is the word "conservative," and how she waves that flag at any moment she is not waving a flag that says it is her right to ascend. It is very difficult to wave both of those flags at the same time!

Here is a woman who is such a great beneficiary of that time and movement where our mothers fought for equal pay, equal rights, equal status and opportunity in all areas of society. But as a social conservative, would she afford those same rights to any other woman? If she truly is the social conservative that she says she is, how could she but deny woman rights? No, she couldn't be a pastor in her own church... and I would guess she would be loath to "reform" that.

As nearly every socially moderate woman in America would say, it is not for me to decide what another woman chooses. That is the basic social tenant of the moderate. I myself have become much more "conservative" in my own life as I hit middle age, have two growing children (11 and 14), and maintain our lives as a stay at home mom. I understand the grace and good fortune allow me this privilege. When I sense judgement from working moms about the fact that I "don't have a job," or when I feel the urge to validate myself with a working mom by explaining about the bookkeeping I do for my husband's business, I bristle because my educated mind tells me that was the flipside of the fight our moms fought -- the right to choose. Sara Palin benefits from the battle trophies of that earlier era... and yet, would she share those gifts with other women, or would her socially conservative credentials block the way?

This is not just about abortion. What Sara Palin chooses for herself, or her daughter is her business. Do not just lest you be judged. Sara Palin is being judged now, at this time, because her conservative label identifies her as one who judges.

The Glass House idiom may be more pertinent than the Glass Ceiling idiom. When Obama and others say Palin's family is "off limits," they miss the point. People are not critical of Palin because she is ambitious, or because her daughter is pregnant, but because her conservative label makes us feel judged.

Ms. Quinn: You asked, "Women can be presidents but not pastors? I don't understand. I would like somebody to explain this to me. "

This is simple to answer. The rules regarding who may serve as president are set out in the constitution of the United States.

The rules regarding who may be pastors come from the denomination or the particular congregation, determined from how they chose to interpret the Bible (there are many denominations that allow women pastors).

Surely you know that these two offices simply cannot be compared. I suspect that you do not even wish to have a discussion regarding women pastors (though the Bible is very clear on this). You merely wish to incite your readers.

To Oregon voter:

Why was people outraged over Bill Clinton's character? He committed adultry and blamed it on the right wing. He didnt hold himself accountable for it. Sarah Palin admitted that her daughters pregnancy is no fault other than her daughters. Her daughter knew right from wrong. Didnt you when you were 17? Sarah Palin is supporting her daughter for taking accountability for her actions. Choosing NOT to have an abortion is owning up to her actions. Something that we can all admire.

I am sorry you are so sexist against other women. Maybe you're jealous of beautiful people or your mom didn't breast feed you. But anyway, get a life of your own and stop messing with other people. Maybe you're sexually frustrated or something. But thanks for helping the men see women as less than. By the way, I hope they fire you and you have to actually do something but spread crap, but then you're old so no one will want you.

Well then - who would we rather have as President? Palin or Biden? Even the fundamentalists have to admit Biden's infinitely superior capabilies in government and foreign affairs. The man is a natural leader.

By pandering to the fundies and evangelicals McCain has shown the entire country how little he cares about anything beyond his own immediate concern of getting elected. His ambitions are easily matched by those of his VP choice, as Sally points out.

He is clearly as poor a Presidential choice as Bush, and will continue taking us down the same road to ruin. Some folks don't learn by experience.

We could only hope that McCain survived long enough to finish his term. The alternative is very grim indeed.

Sally Quinn,

I would love to see opinions and investigations into Obama's background. Where is his birth certificate? Is he an American citizen? What ties does he have with terrorist/black supremacist? A lot of us are tried of the one sided news telling.

GOD Bless America! Not GOD Bless Obama!

Perhaps a segment of voters will favor a VP candidate who knows more about guns and huntin' than furrin' affairs or fisikul policy. If a TV debate moderator asks Palin some convoluted question, and she can only blink, and answer that she would simply "trust in God and keep the gun loaded," those same voters might also empathize and get all teary-eyed. Shotguns and weddings share a long history in American matrimony, after all.

Perplexed and pro-life:

Do you believe Obama can solve our financial, global security and moral issues? Let's here his stance w/out a teleprompter. Being a good orator doesn't mean you'll be a good president. I guess we're up a tad: McCain has more experience than Obama and Biden, Sarah Palin has more executive experience than Obama and Joe Biden has more experience than Sarah Palin. Would you not agree...or do we want to continue this biased back and forth. It's crystal clear: Hillary - liberal; yes, they'll take her: but Sarah Palin: she's not experienced enough. Hmmmm...Women: NO, Liberal Women: YES...that's what they're saying by all of the criticism to her private life...

Oh yes, Glen, I agree! Evangelicals are always so touchy when you call them stupid. Why, I wonder? I am never touchy, but then I'm never called stupid because I'm an atheist and everyone knows atheists are very bright people. (Especially atheists themselves!)

I think the Christians are SO misguided in remembering Sally's last articles. They should forget what Sally said yesterday and concentrate on what she said today. Which is that Christians who don't believe in women preachers/priests shouldn't believe in women vice presidents! It's simple, simply false logically of course, but still simple.

I'm not sure if vice president's even IN the Bible because I've never, ever READ the Bible, so I'm a little ignorant here, being an atheist. Of course, so is Sally but that doesn't stop her writing nifty, if ignorant, articles. Helps if you have friends in high places, which Sarah does not but Sally does.

Yours intelligently,
Anna

To Dave Ferguson-

No one is saying women don't have the right to have 5 children... I'm merely pointing out that given the resources that most Americans consume on a daily basis (including food, energy, etc.), the decision to have 5 children is not one that demonstrates consideration of our resources. Clearly it's a choice that she made (or maybe there was a decision not to use birth control, which is also a choice, one that us "liberal women" support as well, despite the fact that our taxes end up paying for the choice not to use birth control), and it illustrates for me a lack of concern for the environment.

http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/sally_quinn/2008/09/sarah_palins_priorities/all_comments.html

And yes, I am worried about the possibility of a McCain/Palin win since we have clear evidence from the last 2 elections that at least half of the American voters are unable to pick a decent president. And the rest of us have to live with that lousy choice.

And to defend Sally, I don't think she was criticizing Palin's choice to run for office despite having a young baby. I think she was questioning the hypocrisy of doing so as part of the party that promotes "family values". There's a big difference between pointing out hypocrisy and attacking someone for their decisions.

However, if character is something important in a President (and apparently many people think it is, given the outrage over Bill Clinton's actions while in office), why isn't it fair to question Palin's character, based on the choices that we see she her making? Is she somehow off-limits because she's a woman? If so, isn't that the problem that many people have with affirmative action? The idea that a less qualified person deserves a job simply because of their sex or skin color?

The left has no moral compass, so you have no basis, Ms. Quinn to comment on Mrs. Palin. You ignore the guttersnipe cheating men in the democratic party and make these ridiculous statements about Sarah Palin. I am a Missouri Synod Lutheran, we are Christians and you are clueless. You represent a socialist view and have no foundation beneath you. We are onto all of you non-free-speech robots for Obama.

I will pray that you see the light.

Very interesting "association" between Graham's daughter and Mrs. Palin! So, that's the problem, Mrs. Palin is not quite righteous, and she has no moral chance to have a higher office. She has too many children, a sick children, a unmarried daughter with an unborn children from an unrighteous affair, a busy schedule and so on. How she dared to accept to be a running mate, when we saw very clear that "her home wasn't clean, her children weren't well-behaved, her husband wasn't happy and nobody is supportive"?

Dear Mrs.Quinn, I think that your comments are out of reality. Why don't you find out a benedictine nun to be a running mate; she has all the time in the world and the most important thing is that she is spotless and will be a the first Vice-President saint!

I heard Sally Quinns little speach about Sara as well as reading articals from the left wing. I find it interesting that you are attacking Sara when I can list a page of dems starting at the top with John Edwards, Bill Clinton, the kennedy's on down the list who were public officials who are liers and cheaters. It's not about woman and men, this election is about America and how we can change this country so we start taking of Americans. Frankly I am discussed with these kind of speeches and articals and often wonder if we should start digging a little deeper into the backgrounds and histry of the writers and the media who report this garbage. People who live in glass houses should'nt throw stones but based on past history many do! The only reason the left is going after her is because your are afraid of her. I say good luck to her and I hope she can help clean up the terminal cancer in Washington DC.

Amy, thank you for your post. Yep, they don't realize, they are energizing us and feel we have no power. We'll have to show them on November 4th...

I heard Sally Quinns little speach about Sara as well as reading articals from the left wing. I find it interesting that you are attacking Sara when I can list a page of dems starting at the top with John Edwards, Bill Clinton, the kennedy's on down the list who were public officials who are liers and cheaters. It's not about woman and men, this election is about America and how we can change this country so we start taking of Americans. Frankly I am discussed with these kind of speeches and articals and often wonder if we should start digging a little deeper into the backgrounds and histry of the writers and the media who report this garbage. People who live in glass houses should'nt throw stones but based on past history many do! The only reason the left is going after her is because your are afraid of her. I say good luck to her and I hope she can help clean up the terminal cancer in Washington DC.

Wow. I mean, WOW. How Orwellian. Women should be able to work like men, should be men's equals in the workforce ... but just not as equal. Men are more equal than women. If a woman aspires to be as equal as men, then she's a woman with poor judgement. Did this thinking apply to Hillary when she was elected co-president and Chelsea was just a child? I don't seem to recall all that.

What is the purpose of having a vice-president, likely a president?

To make us feel vindicated in our values, that we feel are so threatened by the modern world?

Or to fix our country's severe problems?

Do we have the courage to prevail in the 21st century?

Or have we such a need to feel morally superior (the easy way out) that we will sacrifice everything else?

Sally,
As an evangelical, conservative mother of two, I find your comments about Gov. Palin to not only be insulting and shameful but they also seem to be completely out of touch with what evangelical Christians really believe. Yes, we believe that God has placed our husbands in a position of authority above us, but God has also placed a mutual submission between husbands and wives. In Ephesians 5:25,28-29 the Bible says "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ has loved the church and gave himself up for her...In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church". I don't read anywhere in scripture where it condemns or forbids women to work and leave their children in someone else's care. In fact, I would have expected you to applaud Gov. Palin's decision to pursue a career and make a name for herself and a difference in this world for women! It seems to be OK for liberal women to be career oriented and have children at home. However, you imply that because she has pursued a career she has made the wrong choice. The media's reaction to Gov. Palin (including your own) has drawn attention to the VERY obvious double standard that exists in favor of liberals in this country. For decades, we have been told that women should have equal rights, equal pay, and that they should be able to choose whether or not they should stay home with their children. In fact, those women who have put their careers first have been applauded and praised. For instance, there is no discussion of Speaker Nancy Pelosi's ability to raise 5 children and also be the 3rd in line for the Presidency of the United States of America! Gov. Palin is the exception and I'll tell you why. Gov. Palin is the epitomy of "feminism." She is all woman: feminine, classy, strong, determined, accomplished, and very much in touch with women across the country. I personally believe that it is the choice of the Palin family to determine how their children are to be raised. It is none of the media's concern. Furthermore, how dare the media crucify her before she even has an opportunity to speak for herself and show the world what she is made of. It's obvious to me that the negative reaction to Gov. Palin is nothing more than fear that evangelicals and conservatives across the country will be energized by her nomination. Well, they should be fearful...we ARE energized, we ARE involved, and we ARE going to elect Senator McCain and Gov. Palin in November because they best represent the values of middle America!!!

Ms. Quinn,

You are one the most ignorant, ill informed and totally BIAS so called journalist.

God help you.

It is interesting that you never once question the priorities of Barack Obama who has two beautiful young girls himself. As for understanding Palin's base you can start by reading the Bible. You will find examples of strong women such as Deborah, Ester, and Priscilla just to name a few. As for why women cant be pastors, God made that rule... not man. See 1 Cor. 11:3; Eph. 5:22—24 for proof. The Bible teaches that men and women are equal, but each has different roles in the church and in the home. I hope this helps but dont take my word for it... take Gods.

Glen -

Exactly! You clarified how they are all misreading her article. They are so angry and confused!

In case you didn't know, most Christians are not Southern Baptist. (Funny it never bothered you that Jimi Carter was one or that Roslyn wasn't all she wanted to be.)
The fact that you got a journalism job not because you were qualified, but because you were co-habitating with Ben Bradley says all we need to know about you, like you have a right to look down on anybody! What did you ever do to prove you were an independant woman who could accomplish anything but by hitching your cart to a male, so to speak, ala Hillary?
You really make me sick. Your face looks like the portrait of Dorian Gray and you and the rest of the pseudo-liberted NAGS are so envious of this powerful and attractive woman, you truly cannot
see straight. I haven't bought a Washington Post
since the phony crack head story. Why would anybody buy a publication that someone with Ben Bradley's lack of judgment has turned into total tripe? Who hires "journalists" only to supplement his own income and advance his own personal lack of morality?
May the Washington Times soon be DC's only paper. They're already DC's only legitimate newspaper.

PS:When do we get to see your social security number?

To say that Sarah Palin cannot be a mother and a terrific VP of our country is ridiculous!! Her pregnant teenage daughter has nothing to do with her being able to perform her duties as the next VP.

You are a joke as are all of the people who are saying awful things about her.

This is going to backfire on you because I believe the American people are much smarter than all of the "liberals" think they are.

People here seem to be missing the question Quinn is posing, however clumsily or offensively she does so: how do conservative evangelical women reconcile support for women in the presidency but not the pulpit? Maybe it's not a very interesting question, and not as provocative as she thinks, but Quinn's purpose was to address these women specifically, not to question working mothers. Quinn herself is not critical of Palin, but only trying to point out that the ideology of her political base seems to call for such criticism. I would like to see conservative women respond to this question, rather than rant in support of working motherhood, which Quinn, despite her hamfisted analyses, does not object to.

Are you kidding me? How is it that you folks on the "left" are for freedom of choice as long as it is your choice? Mrs. Palin apparently is very threatening to the liberal left, or there would not be such a hubbub over things that have nothing to do with the issues. Mom being at home watching over her children all the time was left a long time ago. You have no right to impose your values on her anymore than what you folks claim the "right" has a right to impose any of their values on you. You can't have it both ways. Leave her family alone for crying out loud. We need some traditional values in the forefront these days. Our country has already lost too much. You don't pick on the kids and your most certainly don't pick on a disabled baby for crying out loud. You are showing yourself in a horrible fashion.

What is the purpose of having a vice-president, likely a president?

To make us feel vindicated in our values, that we feel are so threatened by the modern world?

Or to fix our country's severe problems?

Do we have the courage to prevail in the 21st century?

Or have we such a need to feel morally superior (the easy way out) that we will sacrifice everything else?

I sense great fear in your article and the article of several other writers. The very idea that the first woman VP could possibly be a woman who doesn't hold the same values you hold. A woman who doesn't believe in abortion. A woman who went ahead and had a child who had Down's syndrome. And so because of this, you are trying desperately to destroy this woman and her family. But, you know what, this woman has a strong faith that will hold her up through it all. You ask what she will do if the phone rings at 3AM. You seem to forget that she has a strong husband who could care for a sick child. And I do believe, you have seen other strong women, in your image, who have nannies and run involved businesses. I don't recall hearing any of you bring up these arguments about Nancy Pelosi, who also has five children and many grandchildren. I don't recall hearing this about any Democratic woman running for office or running a business. You need to go back and re-read your articles and see honestly what you are saying. "thou dost protest too much."

Ms. Quinn-
You do not know what you are talking about. You want to hear from the Conservative Base. Fine. Evangelical women are not required to be home any more than are Liberal women. Conservative women are encouraged to use their God-given strengths. In Sarah Palin's case, it's to be a Governor of a state; further, to be a public servant perhaps a VP. They are not to be "subservient" to their husbands- as you say. The particular verse in the Bible that you are conveniently taking out of context is often quoted to make Christian women seem archaic. The Bible is clear as to how husbands are to treat their wives, as well. I never hear that quoted.
Sarah Palin has the right to achieve as much as she is able to achieve- which I thought was one of the precepts of the women's movement. Apparently it is only afforded to Liberal women. What Sarah Palin does and does not do is between her and her husband. She mothers her children- not you. Importantly, Joe Biden went off to Washington at a very critical time in his boys lives. He is not demonized- the Dems wax poetic about his courage to get home at night.
You have revealed yourself to be both ignorant and biased. Further, you are a disgrace to women.

"How convenient that these preachers like to quote a passage from Paul. Jesus never forbade women from preaching and, in fact, the early church often had women conducting services. It wasn't until Christianity was accepted into the Roman culture that it changed and stopped allowing women to have a leadership role in the church. Look at how many women followed Jesus and how many died for the faith. Paul never learned at the feet of Jesus, he had a "vision" but he then changed much of what Jesus taught. As far as I'm concerned, many "Christian" churches today should be honest and called themselves Paulists not Christians. Paul would have made a great car salesmen but he never learned the true essence of what Jesus was actually teaching. Kind of like Jerry Falwell. When he figured out there was more money to be made preaching to the bigoted masses than working as a lawyer, he suddenly "found" Jesus. I go by what Jesus said, not by what Paul had to say."

***********************************************
You mean you go by what the people who authored Matthew, Mark, Luke and John say that Jesus said.

You say that the early church had women conducting services; this would have been during the time of Paul. Jesus wasn't around when the church was "conducting services".

Whose "Roman" influence? Would that be the "Roman Catholic Church" which didn't have an identity in Christianity until hundreds of years after Paul? Or do you mean "Roman" by ethnic association which would also exclude Paul, having been a conservative Jewish Rabbi with no apparent love for Rome?

And if, for you, the gospel of Luke accurately portrays Jesus words; then keep in mind that the same guy wrote the book of Acts. Why is one book an accurate portrayal and the other not? In Acts we see Paul's conversion (and it wasn't for money) and read about how the original apostles extended the hand of fellowship to Paul's ministry.

So your theory is that Paul, who at the time of his conversion was apparently a rising star in the ranks of the Jewish rabbinical elite, decided he would make more money working for the fringe group that was being run out of town?

So what gives with all the Paul bashing?

Let's show them at the voting polls what we evangelical Christians stand for. Someone who is not ashamed to have mercy and grace in situations like the one Mrs. Palin is in...

Sally Quinn you are a fraud, all these years you have harped about women's opportunities and how they can have it all. Now that Sarah Palin is going to be the Republican vice presidential candidate your objections to her are simply sexist. "She has too many children, who's going to take care of the children or what about her pregnant daughter,she will need her mother, etc. I remember when you and your fellow travelers would have become so enraged regarding these kind of remarks you would have denounced them as bigoted and sexist and mince no words.

Now it's you who are making these sexist comments. What a fraud you are Sally Quinn and you and your fellow travelers.

Btw, you have no real concept about evangelicals, what they do and/or their life styles.

Sorry, sorry person and a fraud that's you Sally Quinn.

Much of the response has the following slant:

"By choosing to stand and acknowledge her teen-aged daughter's pregnancy -which as we can see know - has made both her and her daughter the target of CRUEL INNUENDO....."

No. We are not criticizing the Palins for the messy situation.

We are wondering HOW ON EARTH you judgmental "Christians" are managing to avoid seeing your blatant hypocrisy. It is clear that your mental powers of denial and compartmentalization have been developed to the highest degree.

If there is a logical explanation, it can't be faith. Some liberals prefer to see the Buddist monks and the Dalai Lama take back Tibet from the authoritarian Chinese communists, eventhough the average Tibetans seem to be doing better under the present regime. What kind of logic is that ?

Why hasn't Mr. Gerson come up with a new article to apply his Evangelical Republican spin to?? I'm waiting!!

I want to ridicule not Mr. Gerson PER SE, but the hypocritical gun-toting, meth using "religious right", you know, the people of this earth that are closest to God and believe in "His judgment" for people who have not followed his word.

The same ones who believe in separatism for the State of Alaska, you know what I mean! The same people who invoke the name of God, over and over, in public speeches and elsewhere, just as Adolph Hitler did in Germany before he began exterminating human beings.

This time you and your socialist media elite pals have gone too far and America will not be fooled! You've once again exposed that you have no principles. You don't really care about advancing the causes of women. You only care about advancing your causes at the expense of women that don't fit your mold. I can tell that you are running scared from this "Hockey Mom" who is about check you into the wall. Brace yourself!

Feminist phony, real Americans do not share your beliefs.

If the phone rings at 3 AM, Palin's husband will take care of the sick child.

We all recognize that if Palin were a Democratic VP candidate, your column would not have been written. Therefore, you and the comments of other liberal media are viewed as worthless to most Americans.

Black men cannot be conservatives, and women cannot be conservative VP/Pres. candidates. Right...we get it, and we have for a long, long time, believe it or not.

Liberals EMOTE, Conservatives THINK.

Sally -

I don't think they understand the point of your article!

You and all your feminist friends can't hold a candle to Sarah Palin. You only believe in "equal rights" for liberal women who have no priorities. Do you think so little of your own gender that you don't realize what we are capable of? In your "liberal elite" society are there no fathers or family?
You have insulted every working woman in this country with your ignornant elitist comments. Christians believe in the value of each and every individual and that their value is intrinsic as a child of God. It is apparent the only value you understand is a price tag.

Your comments about Sarah Palin prove that you are an arrogant, hate-filled hypocrite. Your wear on your sleeve -- no, your forehead -- your own personal issues with men, Baptist churches and evangelicals. You could not be more wrong or more hateful. I pity you for your personal preoccupation with hate. You and your ilk accuse others of spewing hate, yet you do more than even the worst of your enemies. You are a sad and pitiful human being, so arrogant and full of yourself. What are you so desperate to hide about yourself? You have no idea just how weak and fearful you are.

Sally,sally,sally,
Wow. Attack another woman that has gotten somewhere. Such hypocritical crap you spew. All you women who are so behind the Hilary's of the world but when a self made conservative woman from Alaska comes along you all feel threatened and pounce/attack. Shame on you for your double standards. Where is your support for your gender, why are you not applauding her for her accomplishments. As far as I see Sarah Palin is a threat to all of you in Washington for the real woman she is.

From a person that Communion makes them nauseaus!
What an elite phony. To speak on Faith, one must have some measure of it. You have lived in Washington too long. Maybe you should visit some real people outside the Beltway.

The commitment to have a Down's child is not just to GIVE BIRTH but to LIVE A LIFE DOMINATED by that child's needs. I have a friend who knowingly had a child with severe Downs, and his life has never been the same; but that was his commitment.

WOW! This left wing attacking will back fire on you people! Maybe you should read Proverbs 31:10-31 to see what God does say about working women!
Remember what she said..."The only difference between a pittbull and a hockey mom is the lipstick"!
GO SARAH!

I see.... only liberal women can handle career and family. If you have children and you're conservative then only the kitchen & staying at will do. Is that it sally? You clearly don't understand. You are attempting to create a contradition were none exists.

Please do you research on a woman's role in the marrige. Yes the man is the head of the home, but that in no way means we are their slaves and have to do as they say. It is clear you do not know the man's role or the woman's role that is laid out in scripture. I ask that you research this more with people that know God's word before you open mouth and insert your ignorance on "Southern Baptist" beliefs. Find out what true followers of Christ, no matter what denomination, really believe before you spout off. Do your homework!

You should be a shamed of yourself! Get in touch with the real world.

I can't believe THIS country is having THIS conversation at THIS point in time! I can't believe that the media - print or otherwise, is so angered by Sarah Palin and John McCain. I put my trust, MOST DEFINITELY in any woman, who can coordinate a family with all the idiosyncracies of family, faith, and a demanding career. This conversation would never take place if Barack Obama were the father of five - one challenged and one pregnant! Good grief Ms. Quinn, you are angry over the fact that you and the rest of the media were blindsided by the naming of Governor...yes GOVERNOR Palin as Senator McCain's VP. The real world knows what hard living and the coordination of daily life involves - we know how to walk and chew gum at the same time and it's pretty clear to me that GOVERNOR Palin knows how to do that as well!

Sally,

This is shameful.

What does a female computer programmer do when she gets a 3 AM call from the data center with a problem with her program? Does she leave her 5 month old Down syndrome baby and go into work and fix the problem, or does she just quit because Sally Quinn does not approve?

What about Obama's 2 daughters? No one in the press has asked how he will handle his parenting responsiblities.

Your question about what is her priority, mother or governor? Better question, what is her priority, her oldest daughter or her youngest son? Can't she take care of both? Can't she take care of all 5? My mother was from a family of 5, and her mother took care of all her children.

This questioning is just outrageous. Sally, you should be ashamed of going down this road. You are saying working mothers have no place in politics.

Shame shame shame.

This is in reference to the comments. Quinn is not being hypocritical she is being real, if Palin is a republican then she believes she is the house wife. What you closed minded commenters haven't figured out is Palin is the true hypocrite and McCain is even worse simply because he is promoting (it's so he can gain Clintons votes). Truly we should all question McCain's values because clearly he is all right with saying one thing and doing another. Do we really need another president like this? McCain is just putting on a show and everyone of you ignorant, closed minded hypocrites is falling for it; so much in fact that you all have completely ingornored why McCain even picked Palin.

To the disgusted citizen, there are many of us out there so instead of pointing your finger at another disgusted citizen why don't you point it at the true problem, you will always be this disgusted if you never know who to blame. An inocent messenger is not even close to the wisest choice.

This is one of the most outrages and ignorant people (Sally Quinn) I have ever heard. She is miss-informed or just stupid in the comments she has made and she is an insult to women everywhere. Why is she even listened to at all. Every comment she has made can be made about Nancy Pelosi or other women in positions of responsibility.

Wow!!!!! Talk about hitting the glass ceiling! You just set women back a number of years. And I thought the Muslims were tough on women!

You are so out of touch with the American wife/mother/career person it is impossible to go through all the points on which you are wrong.

Look at Sarah Palin. She is the American woman of today.

Accidents happen, and since the official Alaska birth control policy is abstinence - accidents will happen. The only thing that upsets me is what will happen to this young couple. Will this young man be able to support a wife and child? What happens to his plans for education? Not my life, not my problem but when my children were teens we told them that we prefer that they wait for marriage to become sexually active but we also told them about methods of birth control if they choose not to listen to us.

Here goes; 1) If you believe Jesus is God then 2) His Word has authority greater than a person's and thus 3)It should be followed even when it is difficult at times("love your neighbor as yourself", "love your enemy" etc.)
If you decide He is wrong, then you are also deciding He isn't God and thus, "why would you want to be a pastor for people about someone that isn't real.
SIDE NOTE - People should read the "whole" bible. They will see that women have been prophets, savers of a people and leaders of ministry. There is plenty to do and a pastor's role is just one of the opportunities available to serve God.

Hey did you ever read Proverbs 31? You sound jealous because she can do these things and do it well. We are not to be subserviant to our husbands. We are to be helpers, just like God says he is. You are off the wall. Thank God all of the women of the US are not like you.

Tradition-minded churches are rather choosy about which Biblical mandates they hold the longest—such as the inequality of women. In fact, much has changed over 5000 years. We’ve progressed past slavery which the Bible took for granted. Christians enjoy many foods forbidden by the bible such as pork, shellfish. A corner stone of our world economy is charging interest---called usury and forbidden by the Bible. In Biblical times, when women routinely bore 8-12 children--and usually died by age 30--they never had time for priesthood or politics. Now, thanks to smaller families and longer life spans, women can shine both inside and outside the home.

Good for Sarah Palin: she’s really smashed the glass ceiling. The only problem is that she has a 4-moth old. Both Biblical tradition and modern child research emphasize importance of a mother’s relationship to her children especially in the early, formative years.

Being a parent of a young baby is one of the world’s most demanding jobs. Many mothers of 4-month olds are still waking for night feedings and nursing every 2-4 hours during the day. Sarah Palin has just taken on another of the world’s most demanding jobs. Someone or something is likely to get short-changed, no matter how well-intentioned and dedicated the woman.

BLA BLA BLAH !
Your opinions only matter to the people you have already indoctrinated with your irresponsible views of many groups. What audacity you have to think you can determine the outcome of an individual's career. Mind your own embarrissing business. We look forward to the pending implosion of you and your annoying colleagues in the greater media that you claim to represent.
Are you nervous about the success of this woman ?
You should be.

Your comments about Sarah Palin's motherhood responsibilities was ludicrous to say the least. You have no idea of the millions of mothers who have three to six children and including a disabled child who is in our work force.

You don't live in the real world of women when you past judgement such as you have. Do you not believe, Ms. Palin's children will be cared for when she is V.P.? How can you judge this. Ms.Pelosi has been in politics since a young woman and had 5 children in 6 years. Is she an incompetent mother? When Geraldine Ferraro was running for VP and I add, the first women to run on a Presidential ticket, was she given the same slam as you and the far left operatives? Even when her husband's business was tried to be tied into the mob, she wasn't torn a part.

Listen, you and women like you should be ashamed. Frontier women were the backbone of this country. During the Revolutionary War, many laid down their lives. The same with the Civil War, Civil Rights.

Get real you are the one who is the joke!

Sally Quinn should be putunder a microscope.

The commitment to have a Down's child is not just to GIVE BIRTH but to LIVE A LIFE dominated by that child's needs. I have a friend who knowingly had a child with severe Downs, and his life has never been the same, but that was his commitment.

Sarah Pahin uses poor judgment and the GOP makes her out to be a hero!
This election should not be about Sarah Pahin not having an abortion.
This election should be about her not using the good judgment to use birth control.
Any intelligent person knows that when you choose to have unprotected sex at 43
you have a very high probability of having a child with Downs Syndrome.
The republicans are making her out to be a hero because she used the bad
judgment not to prevent the pregnancy in the first place.

Sally Quinn is an angry fraud. Sarah Pailn will eat he for breakfast. This sleazy attack by the MSM will boomerang big time very shortly. You are destroying your own prefession by coming up with paternity tests for this down syndrome baby. I am not going into detail but where is your objection to the new pontiff nancy pelosi.

Sincerely,

Arline

Sally Quinn is the most absurd excuse for a journalist I have EVER encountered. It is clear from listening to her rants, that she is obviously a miserable and unfulfilled individual who is simply jealous that a women like Palin can be both an accomplished career woman AS WELL AS a happy and fulfilled MOTHER AND WIFE. The two do not need to exist independently of each other. Also, she should stay away from describing and defining how "evangelicals" think, act and believe because she obviously has no clue. The fact that the Post prints her drivel just shows that it ranks right up there with the supermarket tabloids for its journalistic integrity. Maybe we should do an investigation of Sally Quinn's background, history, and childhood. BTW wasn't Bill Clinton a southern Baptist and wouldn't that mean that Hillary was certainly not subservient enough?

Hate to tell you dear you are not expert on conservative women. Your hate is clearly showing. I work and have kids it can be done. In your world only leftist women can do it. YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE CHILDREN. Please stop speaking on something you no nothing about.

Sally Quinn: It's difficult to believe that you believe it's ok for you to be a full-time working mom, but it's not ok for Sarah Palin to be. It's extremely hypocritical, and I'm tired of the media establishing one standard for themselves, and another standard for anyone they don't agree with. What does the Southern Baptist Church have to do with Sarah Palin?!!! You don't seem to understand that "we the people" are not as uneducated and ignorant as you think, and we are no longer pawns for the media. Why do you think you and the other main-stream media are losing viewership and readership? You are the losers, not Sarah Palin!

Sally Quinn: you have got to be the biggest hypocrite in the world. Criticizing a woman for having children and seeking high office. You, the archtype feminist. First of all, three of her kids are practically grown up (one's in the Army). That leaves two young children. What about Joe Biden, who was sworn into the Senate at the bedside of his two injured children, after losing his wife and daughter. Have you no shame? She obviously must have her older children, husband and other family helping out, sort of like Hillary Clinton's "it takes a village" concept. And while making her daughter's unwed pregnancy an issue, have you considered Barrack Obama was conceived by an unwed mother and had a polygamist for a father? You want to make that a big campaign issue? You are on thin ice on this one. Very truly yours, Not a Fan

You hypocrite. You stinking no count hypocrite. Who gave you the right to define Evangelicals. You say 5 kids are too many? How many are appropriate? 2,3,4 but not 5? You liberals have been and are being exposed for the hypocrites you are. You were never for "women's rights." You are only for LIBERAL WOMEN'S RIGHTS. How can you live with yourself? You are running scared and you know it.
You have Obama so why the panic? Are you afraid he might lose? You know you are going to lose. Sarah Palin is the female version of Ronald Reagon.
Dave Ferguson in Fort Worth Texas

"So what would you get more concerned about - a 20 year old who drank beer and got a DUI or a 20 year old on cocaine?"

Um, maybe the person with the DUI? Because that person could have KILLED SOMEONE?

But really, maybe, just maybe, we shouldn't worry about either because both are just distractions from the actual issues that really should matter.

Oh wait, that's actually why "Don't Forget I'm a Maverick and a POW" McCain chose Palin as his running mate - so that they could motivate the "base", start silly discussions about who did what in their 20's, continue Bush's work of dividing the country (apparently he's actually good at something), and encourage us to be too distracted to discuss ACTUAL ISSUES THAT MATTER. Like the economy, foreign policy, etc.

Sally

You are completely out of touch with the lives of regular Americans. I'm thinking that if she is president or vice president she will have all the resources she needs to care for her children. Why don't you regale against all your wealthy female friends who don't work but still have nannies? Sarah Palin was offered a once in a lifetime historical opportunity and she seized the moment. Her daughter will be just fine. Come November, Bristol will still be pregnant and the Palins will be going back to obscurity in Alaska or to the Naval Observatory in DC. Either way, Palin and her family will flourish. After reading a few of your columns over the years it's clear that you don't like outsiders coming to Washington and interrupting the rigid caste system over which you choose to reign. The Palins will be one big breath of fresh air to the Capital.

Dear Ms. Quinn,
How dare you protray the role of Evangelical women in the household as subserviant to the husband in the marriage. Next you say that it is customary for the WOMAN to stay at home and take care of the children solely without help of the husband. First, when did you first start to notice this Ms. Quinn and second, you severely have misrepresented the Evangelical household. We're households that cherish family values. At times mistakes happen but we still love that person and deal with the mistake, hopefully to help the person learn from it and to make a better life for themselves as a result. You are attempting to destroy a good woman like Sarah Palin and it won't work. In addition circulation for the Washington Post will continue to deteriorate with such distorted rantings as yours.
A disgusted Citizen!

Scared Sally and you should be. You are a lying fraud.

If you think you are an expert on faith - God will prove you wrong. Your comments are ridiculous, generalized lying statements. You need to be pulled from writing or speaking and any topic.

Religion and Politics don't mix, although the more time passes by we are starting to see that we are trying mix the two, both democrates and republicans alike. You should know there can't be a woman pastor simply because it's a religious belief. She probably can hold the grand position of comander and chief but not because she is a woman but simply because she calls her self smart (although she would have to prove it to me). There are many more flaws in this election than just religion poke at those first then work your way to religion. The true question we should all ask is; "Can we survive without any religious values?" (If we can't then religion will always mix with politics, it shouldn't religion has too many flaws)

Don't you think it's a little contradicting to question Palins motherly values and not question Obama's? If a woman can be a leader then a man can be a housewife (we'll have to change that name). If you are a liberal you should already know this. Stop pointing out the obvious and get into detail.

One Prime flaw in this election is the fact that there is a republican that is a women, maybe because of that we should truly question her values. What it seems like is she's a flip flopper; not once has the republican party ever stood up when no one else was standing and fight for the minority. With republicans it's always about the majority (or the rich); if the minority wants to change then why should we when the majority doesn't want to change.

Are there not any other well qualified VP Candidates? Has McCain gone into detail about why he picked Palin? Why hasn't anybody mentioned the idea that this might just be a election scheme?
I'm afraid the closed minded Clinton supporters will vote for McCain and the rest of the voters will be made up of closed minded republicans who think former Miss Alaska is just HOTTT (Yes with three T's).

My Last question is simply; Why have we stopped questioning the candidates values or motives?

Sincerely,
I Can be anyone, but I'm probably the minority.

I have never seen such hypocrisy and sexism: from a media outlet that clearly believes the way to go: is have an abortion and also women on this post should be ashamed of themselves. When your boss tells you: no promotion as you have too many children and you should be home in the kitchen. Also, when your child comes up pregnant, I'd like you to remember the posts on this blog. Reaping and Sowing. Sodom and Gomorah...Sally, you have the nerve. You are a HYPROCRITE AND AN UNJUST, BIASED JOURNALIST...

Incredible!!!!
It is fair to get involved in the woman that very likely could be our president and she cannot take care of her own family!!! Personal failures in all aspects of our own lives reflect our character, and giving honor to God first, then your family then the rest, and we as a country should come after the family. This woman has more daughters, and an infant with downe syndrome. Please a little bit of sense. Nobody is saying that she should be in the kitchen, however we all shuffle work and family, but we are talking about the biggest responsibility of her life (involves 300 million american, not just a husband and 5 kids), if she could not take care of her small universe, but sacrify them if she could wait and would of said no when receive the offer. Saying that even the pick by McCain was terrible, or that no one else could be a better VP for him it is insame and it is only what he has shown.
Thank God the undecided have at least another choice, because if being a maverick is what we need? I know that is the biggest mistake for America and the republicans will pay for another bad choice.

God's word is clear about leadership. It has nothing to do with one's abilities. It is what God has determined from the beginning. When you look at the women in the Bible, the only time they took a leadership roll was when the man failed to do his duty (Barrack & Debera) Both men and women will have to answer for their disobedience.

Nothing in scripture prohibits a woman from working or running a country. So I say "You Go Girl" show the world what a God fearing, talk the talk and walk the walk child of God can do!

My My My how the standards of the media and left change when the woman candidate is conservative and holds to traditional values.

You know the Obama camp is worried when all they can complain about is Sarah's husband getting a DUI when he was 20. So what would you get more concerned about - a 20 year old who drank beer and got a DUI or a 20 year old on cocaine?

I'll say it again, You Go Girl! Knock them dead tonight and show them what it really means to be a child of God who does not compromise God's word under the umbrella of church and state.

Dana Pintago - mother of 4

Wow! so many angry people.

I guess I mistakenly thought that this being America, one could express their opinions without being ridiculed, labeled a hypocrite, etc.
As a Christian, although your views may be different than mine, I respect your right to have them, and state them. Respect mine as well.

How convenient that these preachers like to quote a passage from Paul. Jesus never forbade women from preaching and, in fact, the early church often had women conducting services. It wasn't until Christianity was accepted into the Roman culture that it changed and stopped allowing women to have a leadership role in the church. Look at how many women followed Jesus and how many died for the faith. Paul never learned at the feet of Jesus, he had a "vision" but he then changed much of what Jesus taught. As far as I'm concerned, many "Christian" churches today should be honest and called themselves Paulists not Christians. Paul would have made a great car salesmen but he never learned the true essence of what Jesus was actually teaching. Kind of like Jerry Falwell. When he figured out there was more money to be made preaching to the bigoted masses than working as a lawyer, he suddenly "found" Jesus. I go by what Jesus said, not by what Paul had to say.

Well I appreciate your kind words, Fervent Agnostic. Don't let Richard Dawkins fool you, there are more than a few erudite folks on this side of the debate. I submit that the wrong side of history is the side that Nietzche (sp?) forsaw. A side of history where mankind kicks itself loose of moral authority altogether. Coupled with the technological ability to destroy each other in the blink of an eye - that will send us back to a Stone Age. As David Berlinski aptly points out, it is not religion that has given us napalm, land mines, nuclear ballistic missiles and attack submarines.

First: those quoting the Bible as God's word need to educate themselves on the verses they choose. Timothy and Corinthians are letters written by men, not dictated by God. I Corinthians was Paul's first letter to the Corinthian congregation. Moreover, the quoted verse 14:34-36 is disputed by religious scholars (and believers!) as a later addition to the text and not written by Paul himself. I Timothy is attributed to Paul, but scholars dispute that authorship because the letter is quite dissimilar to Paul's other letters. The point: Scriptures are not the original word of God, they are written by people, and they have been altered over time. Hardly a strong basis for decision-making. BE INQUISITIVE about the Bible if you are to follow it. Following in ignorance is NOT to the greater glory of God.

Second: our Constitution prescribes the separation of Church and State, "In God We Trust" notwithstanding. It is all well and good to have people of faith (ANY faith!) in government service, but they MUST NOT base their public decisions on the dictates of faith. That creates a theocracy. Public servants must act according to the law, the public will (we are a democracy after all), and the national security. You want a Bible quote to back this one up? Jesus said, "Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's and unto God what is God's." (Matt 22:21). Specifically it was about taxes, but in general it is accepted that Christians are expected to submit to secular authority as well as spiritual authority.

Third: regarding the balance between work and family: I think it is completely inappropriate to pursue both a large family and a high-powered career, including doctor, police officer, trial lawyer, military etc. Anything that has long and unpredictable hours, elevated risk of incapacitation or death, and pressures that leave you exhausted, is NOT a good choice for those who would put family first. I have seen this many times over since the 1970s, and the result is an employee always absent or distracted by family issues, and a mom who seems incapable of dealing with family needs. No one wins. It's bad enough when this goes on at a relatively low level, but going into the Vice Presidency, you would effectively have to give up your family for the next four years. I am a mid-level person in a high-pressure job and I TYPICALLY work 12 or 16 hour days. I have not had an 8-hour day for over 20 years. Now imagine doing that, and more, AND trying to raise a family. It's just wrong.

"Next: Sarah Palin has had a facelift and boobjob."

Oh fershristsake- what are you blind? Sally Quinn has had the facelift and boobjob- not Sarah Palin. Get some glasses!

The question raised is primarily one of hypocrisy... it seems to me that conservative Christians feel it's okay to follow the bible literally about some things (like using it as a basic for teaching so-called intelligent design), but not about others (such as scripture saying that women should not be pastors, but somehow it's okay to be government leaders.)

And I don't personally have a problem with Palin because she's a woman. I think it would be wonderful to have a woman as VP or as President. I also don't have a problem with Palin being a Christian. The great thing about America is that we have the right to choose to participate in any religion we want - or no religion at all, although it's somewhat ironic that it's probably impossible for someone to successfully run for president if they said they didn't believe in god.

No, my problem with Palin is that I think her religious beliefs will inform policy decisions such as funding for sex-ed, science education, etc. And I think that her religious views probably will lead her to make decisions about energy policy and the environment that are not good for this country or future generations.

Clearly she is no environmentalist... anyone - man or woman - who has 5 children in our country in this day and age cannot claim with sincerity to care about the environment, regardless of how much time they spend hunting in the woods. With dwindling resources and an increasing world population, how can anyone who doesn't believe in sex-ed claim to care at all about our environment?

I doubt she wants to leave this country in better condition for future generations - I think she is all about resource use and extraction (gotta love that her husband works for BP) and making choices (including policy decisions should she become president) that will get her to heaven. And I doubt that she will hesitate to trample on my rights or on my children's future to get there.

Sarah's base is not just Southern Baptists. Where did you get that idea?

Your concept of the Republican base sounds like Dogpatch and not the real world.

This Catholic lawyer mom is deliriously happy that Sarah is on the ticket. I didn't become a lawyer until my youngest was in high school, but that's because my kids' father had an 80 hr/week job.

One of my best friends is a contractor married to a female physician. They are Catholics. Their situatiion was a lot like Sarah & Todd. While the physician wife was in residency and then in practice, when their kids were little he cut back on his business and had his office at home. He's the one who bathed and fed the kids, took them to school, etc. while doing small jobs part-time. When the kids got older he gradually built up his business again.

Where have you been? This is not unusual any more. I thought Hillary wrote her book "It Takes a Village" about sharing child care. Besides having Todd available, Sarah lived within several blocks of her parents and two of her sibilings. Don't you think some of them might move with her to Washington?

BTW Your information is wrong. Sarah was not in labor while giving that speech in Texas and she was getting advice from her doctor that she followed. While changing planes on the West Coast somewhere, she was looked at by a local doctor.
Back in Alaska, to be on the safe side, the doctor INDUCED labor - Sarah didn't just make it to the hospital in time.

Ms. Quinn,

Pack it up and retire to Gray Gardens.

You know nothing about religion.

PS - Don't illicitly take communion in a Catholic Church anymore.

PPS - What sort of group would cancel one its Sunday services to replace it with a lecture by you? Why the morally bankrupt "national cathedral" in DC. Why do I get the feeling that they also fund abortion? Just a guess but I get the feel of death when I'm there.

I was forced to raise a son by myself. His father left for an assignment in Europe, even though I was pragnant 43 years ago. He(a political fanatic with a law degree)never returned, never paid a penny of alimony. Stranded without relatives, I secured reliable child care that allowed me to concentrate on an executive career in the corporate world.
Behind Governor Palin stands a supportive family who must have pitched in on her behalf all along. Strong woman in general tend to juggle the demands of child raring and work unequivocally better and happier than those focused on the home alone.
She conveyes the solid caliber of a younger, even more dynamic Margret Thatcher, a delectible choice for a trusting VP or Pres.

If you truly do want to understand then you need to include the following in the verses you quote for context.

Ephesians 5:25

Husbands love your wives even as Christ also loved the church and gave himself for it (in death)

Its the mission of a husband to totally serve his wife and she is called upon to give him leeway in doing so. Yes in the hand of a selfish man its a weapon but he is called not to be selfish even to the point of death. I admit my gender has in fact disobeyed that command on many occasion and its a great misunderstanding for a chauvinist to wield.

in regard to I corinthians 14 that needs to be interpreted by yet another verse in Corinthians
11 where tit recognizes the right of a woman to prophesy (clearly talking) in the church.

I know that this will not satisfy you since the Bible does teach certain roles in the church but the clear command for Men to be totally in the service of their wives even to the point of death rebuts the idea that women are viewed anywhere near inferior for it. They are our purpose in life to love.

Most people would not have a problem if I said that women TEND to be much more compassionate than women but many would take it as an insult to say that Men TEND to be more objective in certain areas (definitely not most or all). SO it really comes down to whether you believe there are role differences between men and women. Pastors according to the Jesus unlike what they have become in our culture are called to be nothing but glorified servants not statements of superiority.

Mixing "Macho" behavior with religion gives it more power but any group of men that would rudely stand up and turn their back to any female speaker is just masking one underneath the other

Incidentally the Bible does not even remotely indicate that a woman she hold no position in government. I am an evangelical and whole heartedly support Palin.

IT is Not SARA PALiNs Turn to Be 1st Lady v.P. nor Prez.

---
Ms. SARA PAliN should've said thanks, but "NO" thanks to McCain's vP offer!
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Vote: To Prevent Them (McCains, Palens , Bush puppets or spys etc..) from "Legislating from the pulpit by Proxy", instead of Legislating From The Bench by Right, not Wrong!"

Hence: "Legislating from the Bench" is a Necessary Process (DYNAMiC) & "Legislating from their Pulpit {STATiC) is going no where except into Tribalism & upholding Bible 1st, not Constitution 2nd!!

Please Vote to "STOP" the Republicans, aka EViLGELiCALS Executives et al, , under their Devilish Schemes & Pretexts, from further Theft of Secular STATE Government (not Evangelicals CHURCH) I.R.S. 'Tax Payers MONEY (Reciepts) via their (Religio MAFiOSO's, whom infiltrated the Whitehouse, like Communists) "FAiTH BASED iNiTiATiVE" [FBi], a Usurpational contempt of OUR U.S. Miraculous Constitution, to enrich their SATANiC Churches & Leaderships therein & therefrom & Thereto for another Attempted "Coup D Atat" of OUr National Government (not Theirs), within the very Structure of OUR State SECULAR-Government, not Church as Government! !!!! !!

Please Save $2-Billion Tax Payers moneys (coming from Profit) and make an example out of Them USURing Evangelical Devils! Bush, Chainy etc..!

iNCAMERA(Secret): They , Evilgelical-Armys, will use this FBi money to campaign against any Democrat, 'LiBERT-ARiAN' like in 'EC{LAT}ARiAN". They are in essence Pre-Paying (Tax Free) themselves to take over O.U.R. Government, not Theirs under Pre-Apocalyptic Satanic Religio Versus as if be genuine Excuses!

---

Note: Under "EC{LAT}-i-ON", Holy Cosmic Government, that un-likes of Satans in Secular Clothing, Chief Rabbi RiCk WARREN et al, would've been imprisoned, for an Church-Based 'CONSPiRACY' to Take over this Great Nation via their (never OUR) RABBi/REV JEZUES the YASHUA Mon's) Knowingly & Willingly!

Please see 'RICO ACT' here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racketeer_Influenced_and_Corrupt_Organizations_Act

Hence: Using the Existing "R i C O -- A C T" Against them Eviljealousical's. Includes their SuperStar G.W. Bush, Rick Warrens, Mike Huckabees et al!

--- VOTE for the DESTRUCTiON of the [Mozeus/Jezeus Evangelical Captivated & controlled ] REPUBLiCAN Party!

Vote To FORCE 'ALL' Those so called Church based Institutions(for Profi, zero 'Prophet') to reimbuse, ASAP, ALL that Money RETRO-ACTiVE (about 14 Billion Smackaroos, not George Bush's nor Reagan's nor Clinton's) , who Knowingly ,to compete & Enrich selves, Robbed OUR SECULAR Tax Payers Money! And

Vote: For the REMOVAL of 'ALL" SECUALR Government I.R.S. 'Tax-Exempt" 501c3 Prviliges (not a right) from god Players & vintriliquised wanna be King Makera , Mr. ,Armageddon loving ,RiCK WARREN Churche(s) & their , not only bibles, but Constitution USURPiNG Leaderships & similaryly situated Conspirators!

------- Life is a Beach! So, Time to Hang Them Sons of Beaches! No MERCY! NO GRACE!

Paid For by the "EC{LAT}ARiAN" NATiONALiS on Space-Ship Earth & Jointly ajoined with the "JO{KTAN}-iOn-PARTY, U.S.A. for GRiDARiAN-DEMOCRACY & TRANSFiNiTE CiViLiZATiON, HEALiNG OF NATiON(s), GLOBAL-PEACE & more 2013+.

Sarah Palin has her pants down. Bin Laden is quivering, you know! shush!

What is Robert Mule upto now-a-days?

"This woman is no more qualified to be President than your uncle Bob."

Great point!! After all, we all have Uncle Bobs who have been governors of a state!

Pontificate less, think rationally when you post.

Sarah Palin has been touted as a candidate because, when she learned she was pregnant with a child with Downs Syndrome, she made the choice to carry that child to term.

Choosing to bring a special needs child into the word is a commitment to do whatever is necessary to help that child develop to the maximum extent possible. The choice is more difficult because the commitment and difficulty is greater than for a non-special needs child.

I chose to adopt a non-special needs child and, although I needed to keep working, did not pursue professional opportunities which offered more prestige or money but which would interfere with spending a reasonable amount of time with my child.

I see Ms. Palin as forgetting the commitment she necessarily made when she chose to give birth to this child, knowing his circumstances would require out-of-the ordinary efforts.

"From what I can see... ALL Bible-believers are hypocrites if they think a woman should be running for vice president... doesn't matter if she's got kids or not, that is a moot point. It should be cut and dried, obviously. If the Bible says women should stay in the home, and you believe in the Bible's words, and if you are a woman, you should STAY HOME where you belong."

Umm, this is what happens when people post on their way out the door and have not actually done any reading/research of their own on a topic.

The Bible does NOT say "women should stay in the home". Your entire premise is flawed, and your charge of hypocrisy seems to be misplaced.

Besides...who says she can't be VP from a home office!

Sally -- exellent article. You hit the nail on the head but the problem is you are doing too much thinking for the Conservative base and they don't want to deal with these issues so they will launch person attacks against you. Dennis Prager quoted one of your previous article the other day as an example of how "Liberals" don't understand Conservatives.

Keep up the good work.

While not a woman -- at last check -- I do have a comment. It is clear by your tone that you don't like the idea of certain Christian churches who have the belief of man as the head of the house and the head of a church. What you fail to mention is that the majority of religions hold this same view. Why is this an issue only in the context of Christian churches, Sally? I see hatred in your heart only for the Christian church -- a common phenomenon here in the US. It is wrong to be homophobic, racist, et al, but the Christian church is once again open to any and all attacks by the left. I agree the ideas you pointed out are groundless and silly, but the context of your attack is against conservative Christians. Shame on you.

WHAT A BREATH OF FRESH AIR FOR US WOMEN TO HAVE SARAH PALIN HER FAMILY PROBLEMS ARE NO DIFFERENT THAN ANY NORMAL FAMILY... SHE WILL BE THE SAME MOTHER,WIFE AND WORKING MOTHER SHE HAS ALWAYS BEEN I CAN RELATE TO HER I PERSONALLY HAVE TEN CHILDREN THE TENTH ONE I HAD IN MY FORTIES THE DOCTOR RECOMMENDED I HAVE AN ABORTION BUT I COULD NOT KILL MY BABY HE WAS BORN TWENTY YEARS AGO NOT A DOWNS CHILD .. BUT WE HAVE A DOWNS GRANDDAUGHTER AND SHES A DELIGHT OUR SON AND DAUGHTER-IN-LAW ARE BLESSED BECAUSE THEY HAVE AN ANGEL IN THEIR LIVES EVER DAY WE KNOW WHERE SHE IS GOING WHEN SHE DIES MORE THAN I CAN SAY ABOUT THE REST OF US.. I WILL PRAY FOR SARAH PALIN AND HER FAMILY IM SURE SHE WILL DO THE RIGHT THING FOR AMERICA BECAUSE SHE DID THE RIGHT THING BY NOT KILLING HER UNBORN BABY JUST BECAUSE HE HAS DOWNS SYNDROME......

Of all the recent commentary from the media and pundits about Sarah Palin and her family, I find this "issue" to be the most odious and shameful of all.

What was women's suffrage all about? How about the fight for the 19th amendment?

Did you know that there are literally millions of SINGLE women worldwide who have children at home and work 40, 50 or even 60 hours a week at one or two jobs? What of them? Are they all irresponsible and heartless for leaving their kids in daycare for 8-12 hours a day? Maybe they should have found husbands? is that what you're saying?

Are YOU WOMAN Sally? Can I hear you roar? How about roaring for your sister, Sarah Palin? No? Then why should a woman with children work at all?

Are you suggesting all women with children and family problems should all go back to the kitchen and stay out of man's world?

To this man, it seems that's what women like you are suggesting. I find it repugnant that any woman would even raise such an issue. Time to put away your typewriter, quite your job and get back home. Your husband needs his dinner ready and a good foot massage after a hard day's work.

Sally, you have hit on a sore spot. I pray you are up for the fight (LOL). I'm glad Palin is bringing this dilemna to light. I consulted my mother who is a reverend in a non-denominational, Christian church. She said this subject is much too extensive to deal with in a simple response. For instance, in order to understand the meaning of the scripture, I Corin 14:34-38 quoted by Dr. Sumner, one must understand church history and biblical history. The statement was directed to a specific church, at a specific time in history to address a specific problem that was occuring within that church. The Bible is always true and always relevant so there are situations this scripture will address even today, but one must take the bible in its entirety and not pull out just one scripture and build a doctrine around it.

For further discussion on this topic, I would recommend that you speak with the following:

Dr. Charlene Monk, Senior Pastor and Founder of New Horizon Christian Faith Church in Mt. Rainier, Maryland.

Apostle Betty Peebles of the Jericho City of Praise in Landover, MD.

Another contact is the wife of Roland Martin, the CNN commentator. Although his wife, Rev. Jacquie Hood Martin, is not a senior pastor but has served as a staff pastor, she probably could give further insight.

My mother would love to have this discussion with you. My mother's pastor, Apostle Joan Hicks, is a female. I hope you continue to follow this story because I think Palin's story brings many issues to the forefront and I think it's time for the church to deal with teenage sex and the role of women in the church beyond the walls of the church.

Burn her! Burn the witch!

If only Vice-presidents were prevented from becoming Presidents we could all be more understanding and far less nervous - such is not the case.

This woman is no more qualified to be President than your uncle Bob. McCain is in a relatively fragile state healthwise - given his many bouts with melanoma (a definite killer). So, before you know it, Sarah Palin is your President, and Bob's your uncle.

And we haven't even discussed McCain's judgement in making this selection.......

Think rationally when you vote.

The writer's political agenda (not spiritual concern) is tipped off by the misleading statement "One in three Vice Presidents become President." Barely 20% of VPs have succeeded due to death or resignation of the president; the others succeed by election. The above blog seems a transparent attempt to discredit a strong woman's achievements. It's about time that a woman in high public office gets a fair hearing based on her governing abilities and accomplishments--not by suggesting "that's not her place."

when and if she makes it to the white house, I would fully expect her to make the children her second priority. Her husband is fully capable of taking on the role of stay at home dad. I really do not understand why this is even an issue. I personally could care less if her 17 year old daughter is pregnant. This is pretty much the norm these days. We have lost alot of what is important in morals in the last several years due to what people called "change"....I would like to see prayer back in school and parents not afraid to discipline their children. My children were spanked when it was necessary and they never once gave me the line "that is child abuse, I'm calling the cops" If they had said that to me I would have handed them the phone and told them to hit the speed dial.

What you're asking is one of the biggest questions in the conservative Christian faith--what is a woman's role? Quite frankly, those men who turned their backs to Lotz are not in the majority anymore. Most of us who think that the pulpit is not the place for a woman can also respect those who feel differently.

The difference between the presidency and pastorship is huge--the spiritual aspect. Men are meant to be the spiritual leaders both in the home and the church. Women can be CEOs, presidents, whatever because that is a business or political role. Not even touched on in Scripture. In fact, in the Old Testament, Proverbs 31, the woman took care of a great deal of the business affairs of the home.

It's the spiritual aspect that makes all the difference.

As for Palin, I can't imagine ever choosing to be VP at this point in her life. However, I also don't know her, and I don't know her heart, her motives, or her calling in life, so I can't judge. I hope and have a feeling that she is a great woman with a great future and that she can still be a mother to her children, wife to her husband, and vice president of the U.S.

It continues to puzzle me that church leadership thinks that the word of God cannot be dynamically communicated by a woman. Those that think so, need to look into themselves to determine the true reason they think this way - not by scripture only. Scripture is often taken out of context to support some form a narrow thinking. The new "law" was established by Jesus and it included women. Personally, I doubt that a loving God looks upon whether we are men or women, but soley observes the intention of our hearts in what we do bring to his ministry. It will be a great day when mankind can do the same.

Sarah Palin was, to this liberal (but religiously and morally conservative) observer, a savvy choice for McCain, political hedgers notwithstanding. Instead of appealing to Hillary supporters disillusioned by Obama's choice of VP, McCain, in choosing Palin, appeals to the extreme right-wing--whose numbers are far more than many realize, and who now see Palin, in a sense, as redemption for years of luke-warm conservative power--which means they will turn out to vote.

This point expressed, the very qualities for which she was chosen do allow for questions to arise as to whether she will be VP (or even President) or mother and wife first, for, in order to stand firmly on the right as a WOMAN on the right (the "cult of true womanhood", as it is termed by some academics) her choice must be family first.

Using just one example: Palin supports "abstinence only" education in schools, very "right-wing"--yet her 17 year old daughter is pregnant. What happened here? Did it just not work? Or does she feel that it DID work because her daughter plans on marrying this young man? It almost appears as if Palin is actually USING this situation to further her anti-abortion and abstinence education only stance--a move that is far more political than righteous, I am afraid. One also must note that, being of a certain "class", her daughter, future son-in-law, and grandchild will have choices other unwed or early-wed women and children of poorer classes would not. Why is nobody on the right questioning this? Does Palin feel these programs will work--because she can see no further than her own social and economic class?

I personally feel she has already made her choice, as (in juxtaposition to women who work in order to live or who are open about choosing a career path that will require a choice between family and job) she is succeeding in a man's world while appearing to be a true "right-wing" woman. No doubt in my mind as to what her choice would be--when it boils down to the line, her career will come first. Family responsibilities can be delegated. She, and McCain in choosing her, are far more savvy than many people realize. They are, first and foremost, politicians--everything else is secondary. Sarah Palin has an iron fist in a velvet glove. She is not afraid to use it. I do not support her, or her views, but I also do not underestimate her political savvy.

Well, for the first time in my life, I had to choke back some vomit and agree with that champion of feminism, Ann Coulter, who stated that we are being sexist by attacking Palin. Consequently, I feel the argument of this article goes nowhere. Please let Palin speak. Let her be a parent (like all the other candidates in this race). She has every right to stand up and fight for a political party that has never fought for women's rights. She has every right to stand up and fight for a party that thinks we should never stop drilling and depending on oil. She has every right to parade her children around as political props (like Obama and Kennedy and every other politician) and then get indignant when the media asks for details and explanations. She has every right to take off the gloves, step into the ring, and tell us that what America really needs is abstinance only education, creationism, and no choice for women over their reproductive systems. In short, she has every to stand up, to sell and deliver the same worn out ideas the GOP has forced upon us for 8 years. The same policies that are the reason our country is in the hole it is in now. She has every right to tell the country that she represents a new generation of Republicans that will extend these failed policies, not only for the next 4 years, but into the next generation. She has every right to fight for a party that is using her as a political trap for those who criticize her. Please, let's treat her no differently than anyone else in the race, because in the end, she is no different than McCain. Mr. Palin can watch over the kids as she attempts to move our country in the wrong direction.

I find it dubious that questions such as these arise only when the candidate is a conservative woman. Moreover, I would like to state that no one is fooled by the fact that you ask questions as if the intent behind each doesn’t betray your own personal thoughts. Likewise, the path your questions take from Anne Graham Lotz to Sarah Palin is a crooked one at best and tries to apply an ignorant understanding of a complex belief system to a single individual in hopes of thrashing her credentials. No one asked if Bill Clinton would be a good President or a good father to Chelsea, and if a conservative were to do so to a female Democrat, he or she would be met with outrage from the feminist left.

Likewise, I find your tone to be biased and inconsiderate of the Palin family’s privacy. How can justify feigning objectivity with statements like:

I would like to know what women think of Sarah Palin's judgment in accepting the role as McCain's running mate, knowing the pain and humiliation the publicity would cause her daughter, the boyfriend and the soon-to-be-born grandchild.?

Could one not have asked this same sort of question of Bill Clinton about his affairs; of McCain about his first marriage; about any individual running for office who happens to have people around him or her who are actually human? If you ask this of Palin, why not ask the same about Al Gore putting his delinquent son in the spotlight by running for President, about Joe Biden putting his son in the spotlight during the current fraud investigations? Is having a teenage pregnancy worse than dealing drugs or committing fraud? The reason: we are dealing with a conservative woman, and the media feels that conservatives must be spotless or be shown as hypocrites.

You want answers from woman; well, swallow one from a feminist man, a feminist in that he is willing to stand up to demand that a conservative woman receive the same treatment as liberal woman and men of any political affiliation.

God defines a good leader in 1 Timothy 3:1-7

"Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?).

I say, if Palin cannot manage her own family, how can she manage the country? This is God's criteria for a good leader; not mine.

I wish my fellow evangelical Christians would be honest with themselves and see that McCain doesn't have the temperment to be a good leader; and Palin clearly needs to reevalute her priorities. As a concervative Christian mother, like Palin, I know she doesn't feel good about her daughter drinking and getting pregnant; and I know she doesn't feel good about all the time she has to spend apart from her children - especially a newborn.

I personally don't respect her decisions and I don't respect her. I find her to be a hypocrite. There is so much more to being a good Christian than being "pro-life". Being pro-life but not caring about the poor, the oppressed, the widows, and the "aliens among us" is pure hypocracy. Jesus hates hypocracy.

I am nobody's base I am an American but I am also a mother. The child has a mother and a father sometimes each partent has a role in a childs life. No one would ask a man the questions you are asking us about a woman. I can't believe in this day and age the news are hitting this woman this hard. Many women go back to work as soon as possible. It does not make her a bad mother. Things happen to teenagers, no one has said they did not speak to their daughter about birth control. What makes you the judge of what they say to their children.

Blaming the 'liberal media' for Palin's troubles in the 'family values' arena is hilarious. Everyone knows that the liberal media conspired to force Palin's daughter to date and be impregnated by a redneck Neanderthal (by the way, he should fit in nicely at the RNC). The liberals forced Palin to squeeze every penny of earmark money out of the government to help support her family and network of GOP cronies. The media forced Palin to support the 'bridge to nowhere' and the Iraq War. I'll bet the liberal media will steal the money left for the tooth fairy under the pillow of Palin's newborn.

"Family Values" isn't about a woman choosing to work or stay home. "Family Values" is about a Mother deciding to put aside her ambition rather than having her 17 year old daughter's out of wedlock pregnancy worldwide news.

I cannot believe that people are discussing this in the context of working mothers and balancing family. We are not discussing a 9-5 job here. We are talking about the leader of the free world. Whomever takes this job, man or woman, is *giving up* their family responsibilities for the next few years in favor of their responsibility to the other 350 million of us.

I make no value judgement on the merits of this decision, but lets at least have a discussion based in reality.

Much of the response has the following slant:

"By choosing to stand and acknowledge her teen-aged daughter's pregnancy -which as we can see know - has made both her and her daughter the target of CRUEL INNUENDO....."

No. We are not criticizing the Palins for the messy situation.

We are wondering HOW ON EARTH you judgmental "Christians" are managing to avoid seeing your blatant hypocrisy. It is clear that your mental powers of denial and compartmentalization have been developed to the highest degree.

With all the other things the right likes about Sarah Palin, she does not put her family in first place and therefore has misplaced priorities. This is a character issue and as such should be a serious consideration for voters.
How does she not put her family first? I have a developmentally disabled handicapped child, so I DO know the special situation and extra attention and care they require in the early years. For the life of me I cannot comprehend how any mother can trust anyone else to be responsible for this responsibility for a handicapped child. There is no way that she can take care of her Downe's Syndrome child herself and serve as vice president. The only alternative is to hand the care and extra attention to someone else. I can see getting someone to care for a "normal" child, but one with special needs is an entirely different situation.
Secondly, Sarah Palin's daughter, as a too-young mother, is going to need her mother to be there for her in the upcoming months and years. I do not think Palin can do that on top of the responsibilities, meetings, traveling, etc. of the VP position.
Why can't Mr. Palin take care of these for her? I don't know. Maybe he can, but I can tell you it isn't likely to be the same. Like it or not, there still is a big difference between a mother and father and what they mean to a child. They respond to children differently and play different roles in the children's lives. Father is not likely going to be able to help Bristol know how to mother the children like Ms. Palin. I guess she'd rather run a country than take care of her family.
Or is the country going to come second . . . even if she ends up having to become President?

Anna, I feel sorry for you that atheism is your defining quality/ character trait. Good job!

I believe women are capable of most anything. There are many working mothers who have great relationships with their children. It has been proven that stay at home moms spend maybe 1 hour a day more with their children than working moms. This due to moms day out programs, lunch with friends, tv time, just wasting time basically. I know, I am a stay at home mom. I agree the work Sarah Palin does seems quite demanding, but she is also a powerhouse with more energy than most. Apparently she only needs 3 or 4 hours of sleep a night. You look back over her life, and the family seems OK to me.
She didn't secure her child?? Was she supposed to put a chastity belt on her? Who of you didn't have sex before marriage? How old were you? What family doesn't have normal problems? And by normal problems most families have drugs to deal with as well as sex, have you guys found the drugs yet?!

The judgements from you all is overwhelming frankly. Yes this is a huge double standard!!

And on another note, why is it that protestors who get violent are almost always democrat?? A little self-control goes a long way.

Obviously I'm being facetious to show how silly your argument is.

Of course women should be able to work. Coming from a man, this I might understand, but from a woman??? What are you saying Ms. Quinn?

My goodness. Joe Biden campaigns on his "strong Catholic beliefs" while the Catholic church is the stongest Pro-Life organization in the world. Being Catholic hasn't disqualified him from being on the Democratic ticket. Yet Sarah Palin is supposed to represent every 'Evangelical Christian' viewpoint you find offensive. Seems a little unbalanced doesn't it? As the founder and co-moderator of 'On Faith', I would think you would certainly recognize that Christianity is a big tent, no matter how much some people try to compartmentalize and label it. I will say this. She is unappologetically Christian. This 'decline to state' big-tent believer was sitting on the fence. But the all-out offensive to bring this woman down has made me a McCain/Palin supporter.

AS AN REGISTERED INDEPENDENT, WORKING, MARRIED MOM, I BELIEVE THAT GOV PALIN HAS GOT HER PRIORITIES CONFUSED. PERHAPS, IF SHE HAD BEEN MORE ACCESSIBLE TO HER DAUGHTER, AND LESS DRIVEN BY HER CAREER, HER DAUGHTER WOULD NOT BE IN THE CONDITION SHE IS NOW. I MOST CERTAINLY WILL VOTE FOR OBAMA/BIDEN IN NOVEMBER. IT'S A NO-BRAINER.

Wake up Sally. Sarah Palin represents America more than you can possibly believe.

Unplanned pregnancies... how many Americans can relate to this? Quite a few IMO. Just walk into any public high school in America and you'll find a "good" kid that has had a child. It doesn't matter how much a mom and dad shelter a child. They can't be with their daughter 24/7. There is no such thing as a super parent last I looked. Parents try... unfortunately, kids sometimes make the wrong decision (my brother has one child outside of wedlock). Does that make my mom and dad bad people? We went to church every week. Some kids get it right away, some learn the hard way. I just wish they wouldn't force the marriage on her daughter (no kid is really ready to be married at 17). Let her be a single mom. That is real life there.

How many Americans have gone to Harvard or Yale? Those graduates make for great leaders in their respective professions... why not someone from the University of Idaho? Why does it have to be Ivy League or bust? You gotta love croniesm in the political spectrum.

I don't want to turn this into a bashing contest... I could bring up O'Bama's cocaine use from his early days or Palin's husband's DUI from three decades ago. People do things in their 20's that would obviously not do in their 40's. The mind is still maturing during that period of an individual's life.

The real point of this election is getting the ship's course straightened out. America seems like a ship lost at sea. The credit and housing crisis. Corruption in the government. Iraq. Too bad the American media plays sides. The common person in America just wants honesty. We could care less about party politics. We care about ensuring our kids have a meal on their plate at dinner and a safe and productive future.

Palin offers a fresh change. O'Bama is not necessarily a bad change of pace either. But maybe journalists should stop playing politics and really comment on the issues. What will these candidates really do for America? Yeah... McCain was a POW. That was yesterday though. Being a POW isn't going to clean the economic problems in America.

Honestly... the conventions are dog and pony shows. America is sick of it. How many of those delegates really represent their constitutents? Yeah... they got elected, but most people can't relate to them though. It's a fun party for both sides these last two weeks. But America doesn't need a party. America needs a solution.

FWIW... I make six figures. I'm single, educated, and have no children. I grew up per se on the "South Side" of the tracks. I've played my cards right and have worked my way to a better lifestyle. Not everyone has that opportunity though. This is what the candidates need to recognize. IE... How do you revive a stagnant economy like Detroit? When a candidate can answer such a fundamentally simple question that affects millions of families, maybe then we'll have someone who truly represents America.

Well, fervent truth seeker, I must admit to some surprise and pleasure at finding a reasonable and erudite voice on the other side of this debate. Unfortunately, I have to get some work done. See? I don't eschew everything coming out of a religious tradition (e.g. Protestant work ethic). But I have jettisoned a lot of it. And therein lies my point. Even the most committed fundamentalists have been forced to leave behind many of the Bible's unequivocal proscriptions; no one stones their female relatives to death for adultry anymore. As reason and knowledge replace ignorance and superstition, more and more of the Bible, which was perfectly reasonable at the time it was written, comes to be seen as quaint at best and abhorrent at worst.

I submit to you that you are on the wrong side of history. The trend I pointed out will continue as long as we don't allow a catastrophe that sends us back to the Stone Ages (here, chosen carefully). And it will continue to be painful to watch people like Sarah Palin justify the anachronistic parts of their tradition (the woman should be subservient to the man in the household) while living in the modern age (a critical mass of people are ready to be lead by a woman).

In fact, Sally, you too should stay home, and not work, because you too are a woman.

Go Obama. Down with republicans that think women should join the workforce.

I'm on the way out the door to go to work, so have only read some of the comments.

It does appear that many of you Bible-thumpers are not staying on topic here. Sally asks some simple questions, and asks Bible-believing people to answer them.

From what I can see... ALL Bible-believers are hypocrites if they think a woman should be running for vice president... doesn't matter if she's got kids or not, that is a moot point. It should be cut and dried, obviously. If the Bible says women should stay in the home, and you believe in the Bible's words, and if you are a woman, you should STAY HOME where you belong.

In this, Sarah Palin is a hypocrite of the highest order and all of the other Bible-thumpers out there are too, if they honestly believe she should be in politics.

Why are you attacking Sally for pointing out what YOUR good book says??? STAY ON TOPIC, people. All Sally is doing is pointing out the truth... and if you can't practice what the Bible preaches, then change your religion!! This is America, you CAN break free!!

End of story. Cut and dried. Either you walk the walk, or you don't. I would hope that most Americans can see the EXTREME duplicity of the evangelicals.

Sally Quinn-

You are desperate, desperate, desperate...

Next: Sarah Palin has had a facelift and boobjob. She is clearly NOT qualified to be VP.

Keep it coming.

Oh Yes! Bob. You are SO right. Sarah should stay home, nurse baby Trig and concentrate on her moose stew.

What you conveniently failed to say in your comments is that Sarah Palin is a member of a
Pentecostal Faith that has a long tradition of
femail pastors and leaders.
What does Anne Graham Lotz have to do with
Sarah Palin ?
You could have just as well compared her to the
Pope.

I have to say that I agree with Sally Quinn that women SHOULD stay at home in the kitchen, baking and doing arts and crafts with their kids.
Way to go Sally! You're finally speaking for the masses!

It has already been demonstrated that women with families can be effective political leaders in a democracy. Although it hasn't happened here yet, it did in Israel (Golda Meir) and the United Kingdom (Margaret Thatcher), and in other democracies. So this focus on the female candidates' gender is really overblown and simplistic.

As to the opinions of religious leaders, why does anyone take seriously their views or the scriptural quotes they offer? Why should the social mores of the ancient Roman Empire and its conquests be the focus of any discussion we might have concerning social mores today?

Dear Sally,

I'm with you! Sarah Palin has no business running for VP. I'm an atheist, but if I were an evangelical I would remember St. Paul saying women should keep quiet in church. Voila! You can't keep quiet in church and run for vice president.

And although Jesus said those without sin should cast the first stone he didn't say anything whether the mother of the sinner should run for VP. So you are right to say Sarah's a bad parent and shouldn't run. Voila!

YOU should be running, Sally. I would certainly vote for you.

Yours expectantly,

Anna

I completely disagree with just about everything Sarah Palin and John McCain stand for but ENOUGH ALREADY!!!! Question the woman for her apparent abuse of power while in office, decry her stance on reproductive rights even in the face of rape and incest, be outraged at the thought of teaching creationism in place of established science in our schools but DON'T YOU DARE question her commitment to family! Why do I love America? Every citizen has a God-given right to make her own decisions based on the cirumstances of her life and NO ONE has the authority to veto them. The proposed question is quite simply un-American.

- Obama 08.

A large percentage of evangelicals do not accept that women cannot be pastors or preach in church. I do not know the exact number, but I would guess that George Barna has polls on that. 1 Cor. 14:34-38 likely does not even address the issue of preaching. It is more likely that it refers to the situations in the synagogues of Paul's day, where women were physically separated from men and in the back of the room, and were often talking among themselves on nonreligious topics while the men were discussing religion. Certainly the structure of the church's of Paul's day were based on the synagogue model. Historical context matters in understanding the Bible.

Other passages in scripture, and the message of the incarnation as a whole, have done more to liberate people from identity politics than any other ancient world view, as reflected in, for example, Galatians 3:28 "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus." Christian belief did not in and of itself end slavery, racism, and sexism, but it created a world where such things have become possible.

To Anonymous at 9:54am 03 September

Bristol's pregnancy IS a PRIVATE matter... Because Barack Obama says it is. If you are truly in his camp, please respect his wishes.

Oh, and Levi must have been very brave, very stupid, or very enamored with Bristol. I wouldn't have wanted to risk tangling with her parents when I was his age!

Obviously it's more important to be a good mother (or father)than president. Bill, Hillary, and Monica taught us that.

but make sure the NANNY is vetted properly! :)

I feel that she has put her family front and center. Is God Please. I don't think so. America better wake up. We need to pray.

silly people...one word answers the question...NANNY...these people aren't poor...NANNY...

Sally, good article, and I don’t understand why some readers are crying sexism because of your words. It is ridiculous.

Had a male candidate decided to accept a VP ticket for an evangelist party, and he had a pregnant teenager at home that would soon be fodder for the world wide media, I would question his wisdom and priorities. Parents (mother or father) should put their children first.

(And yes, even the pg daugher of a male VP candidate would get wide media attention, especially if daddy was for the far right and promoted no-sex education.)

I read an Obama interview in People Magazine, where he discussed the campaign experience and how it affected his family. His response: “If I ever thought this was ruining my family, I wouldn’t do it.”

Compare the pictures of Obama’s children and Palin’s teenage daughter. Obama’s girls are happy, bubbly and having a time of their lives. Palin’s daughter looks as if she feels miserable, and would rather be anywhere else.

It is obvious Palin does not share Obama’s family first priority. Strange, since she is representing the party that shouts about “family values”.

But let’s compare VPs. When Biden lost his wife and daughter in a tragic accident, after winning an election, his first impulse was to resign his job and stay home with the children. It was only after friends and family convinced him they could work it out, and he needed to stay in office, and he made supreme personal sacrifices to get home to his children every night, that he stayed in office.

Palin’s first impulse, after being offered VP was to accept the job, in spite of the tremendous pressures at home and needs of a special needs baby and pregnant daughter.

Looks like the Democrats are really the family value party.

Dear Ms. Quinn,

I read with interest your post dated 9/3/08 and as a Christian - am happy to give you my opinion.

You had asked "evangelical and Southern Baptist women" if we believed that a woman has not right to be a pastor and what we think about Gov. Palin's priorities as a mother and public official".

Rather than question Gov. Palin's priorities, why not commend her for her ability to lead despite her what the media views as less than ideal circumstances (5 children, an infant with Down Syndrome, a pregnant teen-aged daughter)?

I admire Gov. Palin because her choices have shown me that she is able to confront issues and make difficult decisions. By choosing to have her son, Trig - she choose the difficult choice - mind you, not a choice that the majority of women would make; shows me the strength of her character - because she obviously chose the "road less traveled".

By choosing to stand and acknowledge her teen-aged daughter's pregnancy -which as we can see know - has made both her and her daughter the target of cruel innuendo shows me that she is honest,able to handle criticism, capable of facing issues head-on ,is able to deal with circumstances that one can reasonably view as less than ideal.

It shows that her family unit is strong and in tact as she has a husband who is willing to take the back seat so to speak and support his wife by assuming the role of primary care giver to his children; What a strong example to fathers who have absconded their parental responsibilities; it shows that they have instilled in their daughter the resolve to take responsibility for her own choices.

I believe that we should be less concerned in our perception as to what her priorities are or what her what her priorities should be. Based on her based on her record as Alaska's governor and her life changing decisions, she is more than capable of handing as you put it - an emergency phone call at 3am.

Lastly, in direct response to your post, below is a passage from the Judges chapter 4, which I believe, speaks for itself.

I cannot - nor I will attempt to address
Drs. Merritt and Sumner's statements only to say that one of the wonderful things that I have learned as I grow in my Christian faith is that the Lord gives wisdom freely and liberally (James 1:5)to those who ask in faith... and that would include the issue that apparently has been on so many minds: the idea of a woman as president.

Thank you for listening.

Sincerely,

Nina F. Angeles
Annandale, Virginia

Judges 4:4-10

After Ehud died, the Israelites once again did evil in the eyes of the Lord. So the Lord sold them into the hands of Jabin, a king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. The commander of his army was Sisera, who lived in Harosheth Haggoyim. because he had nine hundred iron chariots and had cruelly oppressed the Israelites for twenty years, they cried to the Lord for help. Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading Israel at that time. She held court under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites came to her to have their disputes decided. She sent for Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali and said to him, "The Lord, the God of Israel, commands you: 'Go, take with you ten thousand men of Naphtali and Zebulun and lead the way to Mount Tabor. I will lure Sisera, the commander of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his troops to the Kishon River and give him into your hands.'" Barak said to her, "If you go with me, I will go; but if you don't go with me, I won't go." "Very well," Deborah said, "I will go with you. But because of the way you are going about this, the honor will not be yours, for the Lord will hand Sisera over to a woman." So Deborah went with Barak to Kedesh, So Deborah went with Barak to Kedesh,where he summoned Zebulun and Naphtali. Ten thousand men followed him, and Deborah also went with him.

Judges 5: 7 The peasantry ceased, they ceased in Israel,Until I, Deborah, arose, Until I arose, a mother in Israel.

This whole thing has turned into a circus. The media is to blame for it all. WE have been led by the media to beleive that the republican right wants to limit women and minorities rights. it is clearly shown in this case that the media really don't want a female in high office. They are persecuting Sara Palin. Which in modern times is nothin short of a linching. I find it apalling and I am a male. i can't imageine the disgust most women are feeling now. they have to be feeling like 2nd class citizens. WE have accomlished little since women won the right to vote thanks to the media.

I believe that The Bible is The Absolute. God created women and they have different roles than men. Women can witness, give testimonies, and teach other women and children but should not usurp authority over man. In The Bible the woman was decieved she shouldn't be allowed to handle The Word in the pulpit. God also placed man as leader of the country.Even the Declaration of Independance has only male signatures.

My only question is "If John McCain died soon after taking office would we want this woman to be President of the United States" - I am hearing a resounding "NO". She said in an interview last month that "I don't give much thought to the war in Iraq". And for Cindy McCain to say that she has foreign relations experience because Alaska is next to Russia and Canada, give me a break - are you kidding me!!. She didn't even have a passport until last year. They are saying that she is the governor of the largest state in the union but it is the largest state in area, not is populous. There are more moose than people. Please, think about this before you vote in November!! We are in a time where we need true leaders and someone to help the poor and helpless in this country.

I suggest you talk to some United Methodist female pastors concerning their experience and their theology. United Methodists began ordaining women just over 50 years ago; it was a long struggle. At present women serve at every level of the United Methodist Church.

Angry liberal, although angry and a liberal, has a point. Why do we take it for granted in this day and age that this is an issue for a woman, but not a man? We absolutely would not ask these questions about a man (although maybe we should). Why does the author stay with sure finality and confidence that "every woman" understands that the conflicts and guilt are there in ways they are not for a man? I suggest contemplating that sort of statement for a while before making it. That claim is both arrogant and sexist. True that women have historically been taught that a mother's role is more present and more involved than a father's. But do we really want to unquestioning assume that that is the way it should be? Further, assuming that all men (and all women) feel the same way is quite closed-minded. How dare one person claim her understanding of the conflict a working parent feels is superior to every single man in the world? I'm sure it was not meant that way, but that is the height of arrogance.

The deal is, she is a conservative christian (so she says) and yet she is not practicing her beliefs. There is nothing wrong with the path she has taken other than she says she believes one thing and she does another.

I think we need to back away from what a "woman" would do and analyze what "Palin" would do.

There are two important questions we need to ask when it comes to the new information that has come to light on Palin.

(1) Statistically, women are primary caretakers, partially b/c they're better than men at empathy, and partially b/c of the role society has relegated to them. Now, there's no question that Palin is an excellent governor, but is she an excellent mother? An excellent mother would competently and adequately shift the responsibilities of the primary caretaker to the husband, and be an exemplary exception to the rule...did she do this?

(Obama didn't have to go through this line of questioning b/c, statistically, women are the primary caretakers. Generally politicians only have to prove that they're exceptions to the rule, not that they follow the rule)

(2) Palin herself is a byproduct of a shotgun wedding. Her daughter is also getting a shotgun wedding. Are these the kinds of family values we want our Republican representatives to tout?

All other questions are sexist and fueled by emotion instead of rational thought.

Finally, an Editorial in the Washington Post is asking why on earth Sarah Palin would fly from Texas to Alaska AFTER going into labor ONE MONTH EARLY with a SPECIAL NEEDS BABY. I commend you for asking these questions. This has nothing to do with spreading the Trig rumor. This is plain fact, and for the courtesy of the millions of voters out there, Sarah Palin needs to have the decency to answer the questions.

Even if I had FALSE labor with a special needs baby, I would get myself to the nearest hospital. Apparently, the hospital where Trig was born doesn’t even have a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. So, her water breaks, she flys across the hemisphere, lands in Anchorage, drives one hour to Wasilla (bypassing 2 major hospitals), only to end up at a hospital that doesn’t even have a NICU.

Voters have a right to have their questions answered. Sarah Palin seems to forget the little fact that the WE THE PEOPLE are the ones who will decide whether or not she becomes VP.

You raise good questions. I'm glad that someone is asking them in the national media. Keep on!
-RB

All right, Fervent Agnostic, now we are talking like rational people - sort of.

(1) I don't believe that the church has been hostile to women in power throughout its history. Particularly during the time that the Bible was written in the first century, which, in my opinion, lays the foundation for how the church OUGHT to behave. Sure the Church did some egregious and horrible things to women later on (which, no doubt, Sam Harris has gleefully made you aware of), but for me these actions were categorically NOT in accordance with the teachings of Jesus, therefore they are categorically NOT "Christian" acts. Just because they were carried out by an organization with a Christian moniker does not mean they were behaving in a "Christian" fashion. Women played a fairly prominent role in supporting the ministry of Rabbi Jesus (something fairly taboo in a conservative Jewish society at that time). Women were the first eyewitnesses to the ressurection of Christ - doesn't put them in a leadership position, but it does make them central players in establishing a core doctrine of the faith. Paul (the supposed mysogynist) gives warm greetings in his epistles to various women who played prominent roles in churches and in his ministry. In fact, more than a few scholars have made the case that, in comparison to the socio-cultural context of Jesus' day, Christianity did alot to "up" the perceived value of women. I don't see hostility, but I do see an established order that at the top eschelon of church leadership (among apostles and congregational leaders) men were to fill those positions. We can debate the socio-cultural and spiritual reasons for that, but there isn't space on this blog. Even today, we have a law in this country that a non-citizen cannot be President of the U.S. - does that make us xenophobes?

2) Sorry, I still don't see the objectivity in this statement - you seriously can't believe that "dark" and "superstitious" are objective terms. No doubt these reflect a subjective opinion on your part. If you flesh out this thought in a more objective way so that we can have a rational discussion, and not just shoot opinions at each other, I would look forward to that.

If the phone rings at 3:00 AM and one of Senator Obama's daughters is sick, what will he do?

What is your opinion of Senator Biden's judgment when his family was involved in a horrible car accident at the start of his first term as Senator? Should he have passed up getting sworn in at his son's hospital bedside so he could devote all his time to his now motherless children?

This isn't 1950! Women can do any job a man can do and it pains me to see such drivel in the media.

The attempt to connect the role of pastor and vice president is such a stretch that it defies understanding. Each religion makes rules to suit its needs. But religion is separated from government, remember? All positions in our Country's government are open to women and men, as it should be.

It amuses me to see so much misunderstanding in the mainstream media, and in beltway Washington, of Governor Palin's appeal to many in the Republican party. Governor Palin is a real person who lives a life that is connected to the rest of us in ways that those in the rarefied air of high end politics can't breathe.

We vastly prefer to trust her judgment over Senator Obama's. We prefer a woman who is a gun owner, hunter, parent (even a struggling one), and wife of an oil field working snow machine racing husband to a man who hasn't ever done the things we do on a daily basis.

We understand Ms. Palin's values and life experiences, and it is those values and life experiences we trust to help her do whatever job she has to do, in a way we would also do it; in the way we would want it done.

I do think that a woman can be a pastor and a president of this country but I feel that Palin's priorities and her thinking is skewed. It is different running for such an important office when your children are grown versus when you have 4 young children and one is a baby that you are still nursing. I have heard statements such as "wow, isn't she great, she was back at work 2 days after having her child and the baby has Down's syndrome". I do not think that is something that is commendable, I think that shows what her priorities are. She wants so badly to be one of the "Good ole boys" that she will sacrifice her children. Is she so power hungry that she is willing to drag her 17 year old daughter through the mud with the press hounding her. This is a time when Sarah Palin needs to stay home and help her child through this ordeal - because it looks like she needs some sex education of her own.

Beyond the denominational considerations, I would simply deem this choice by both McCain and Palin as the most child abusive, anti-family act imaginable. Thrusting children and teens into the mega-glare of national media attention in the midst of (what should be) a family crisis. Glorifying giving birth to a Down syndrome child as an act of "moral heroism," yet preparing to not be available to that infant physically and emotionally for possibly the rest of its infancy and childhood depending on the circumstances of the election.(!) Not to mention, that for most of us, sending an all-too-young man to war is also a grave family crisis, not a celebration of our own moral credentials. The absurd world of Republican spin is so patently immoral and this needs to be said, without rancor, by the Democratic consultants. It is clearly why the Democrats are taking majorities in the House and Senate. We'll see about the White House. The public generally intuits the rights' moral posturing for what it is, double-speak. Claiming moral superiority for the most degraded anti-human agendas in the history of the country. This opinion from an Independent voter.

Can a Woman be a Mother and World Leader?
Yes Palin can.

"K" wrote: "Is Obama putting his two children second by going into office? Sexism is never going to die if we continue to follow the path we're on now. If Palin is going to be hammered for putting children second, Obama should as well."
Don't try to pass yourself off as someone who cares about sexism; we can do without your brand of mindless righteousness. In answer to your comment about equal treatment of Obama: I believe with all my heart that in a case where one of Obama's children or his wife were challenged to the extent that Palin's poor kids are, he would walk away from the campaign in a heartbeat. Given the extent to which Palin's life choices have belied her expressed social philosophy, her nomination to the McCain ticket is so absurd I'm tempted to look for Karl Rove's footprints on it. What could they be thinking?

After reading your plea for an explanation of doctrine within certain religious frameworks it became clear to me that the simple short answer would obviously be. Something that is becoming more of rarity than norm is "living in the word of God". Examining your daily life and truly living your life in Gods word - live within the scripture. Listen to what God has said and try to live a life that reflects what God taught in every avenue of your life. Not an easy task in todays climate - but know that if you come up short on some days - God forgives - and in your attempts of the new day God is with you always.

I'm not a woman, and am not evangelical, but i do have an opinion.
The conservative christian right does not represent the wants and needs of the american people.
They put issues like gay marriage and prayer in school ahead of real issues like the economy and taxes. They support a government who supports the rich and well connected and ignores them for about 3.4 years at a time. They claim that women should have all the rights and freedoms and opportunities our nation has to offer-- until, of course, they get married and pregnant, at which time their role in our society is clearly defined: nanny.
They put prayer over reasoning, disregard the opinions of experts in favor of their preachers and hate with passion all but those who share their exact opinons.
Lack of experience aside; the fact that mccain only met her once (and for fifteen minutes) before naming her presumptive vp aside; the fact that she's never left north america aside; Sarah Palin is not equipped to be VP because she comes from the kind of people who don't understand america.

I am amazed by the blind
Who don't seem to mind
That their thoughts are controlled
By every image that unfolds
On the television set
They believe every word, I bet
It's a shame you see
The TRUTH will set them FREE!!

What's hilarious about this conversation is that if Palin was a man, no one would be discussing his priories as a father vs. president. Palin has a husband who can care for the children while she is working, and guess what, yes, we’re not living in the 1800s anymore. I find this whole argument absurd. What the media is telling women is that they should not go into any demanding careers (politics, medicine, research) if they plan to be a mother.

As a Presbyterian (USA) clergy member I'm sadly amused at our Southern Baptist friends who cling to the worn theory of scripture that says that women cannot be pastors in the church and yet they insist that becoming a Christian is based on one's personal acceptance of Jesus Christ and the belief that he died to forgive the sins of all persons who then are saved. That is what Baptists insist constitutes 'faith alone,' an intensely personal experience between a believer and God. How can they then deny any person, female or male, who feels called to serve as a pastor and who has a congregation ready to invite that person to be it's pastor? A puzzlement.

John McShame/Palin
paralysed judgement first before everything....

Sally Quinn, Do you really want to know or is this another one of you and the far-left facsism trying to mock and persecute Sarah Palin. You as a woman ought to be ashamed of yourself. Journalism has become scandalous and so far gone that there's no telling if you're the DailyKos or the National Enquirer. You and Newsweek, CNN, MSNBC, every far left magazine and news media outlet is in Obama's camp; just admit IT You are an embarassment to journalism.

iggy:

IF, the Democrats had proposed a Palin-like individual for their V.P. candidate, the GOP would use it like so much fodder, questioning her abilities, her past, her ability to govern, he ability to V.P based on what is known about her now.
__________________________________________________
Hey Hillary was running with no experience and the Republicans didn't question her motherhood. It was her inexperience and liberal ideas like on health care that lead the opposition.

I think this is all about good judgement, with neither McCain nor Palin seem to have. A mother which puts her carrier before the immense pressure and damage that this will do to her pregnant young child and which she would have been fully aware of, is not thinking straight.
I would have loved to have a woman as president or vice, however to have an unqualified, unprepared woman is patronizing and will set women's lib back decades. I am terrified to have 2 trigger happy mavericks as potential leaders of the free world. We need some intelligent, calm persons with good enough judgement to weigh different aspects and listen to sound advisors. Shoot off the hip and mouth politics we had enough in the last 8 years and it landed us in a deep pile of s.. We are already now the laughing stock of the world, let's stop this soap opera and vote before this "American Idol" selection completely gets out of hand.

What a bunch of sexist diatribe.

edit

I love how the women libs are willing to throw their long hard fought movement under the bus for the empty suit...ROFL

All right, fervent truth seeker. Touche. But even if I limit my commentary to those events occurring from the 400's on, I submit that my central arguments are correct, because:

1. The Church has been hostile to the idea of empowering women throughout it's history. If anything, this hostility intensified as the Church gained political power.

2. Okay, okay, I won't call the period surrounding Christ's miraculous tenure on earth the "Stone Age". Regardless of what you call it, it was a time of blinding ignorance and crippling and destructive superstition. I insist that you explain how adhering to the customs that arose during that dark time doesn't inevitably lead to hypocrisy.

Last week I canceled my NYTimes subscription. I guess this week, I will be canceling my Post subscription. I'm certain subscriber's terminating their subscriptions en mass will certainly not help the burgeoning failures of daily print media. However, as a customer, I can only do what I can to send a message that your media bias against all things conservative is palpable.

This debate is a serious one and a mere blogged paragraph cannot do it justice. What is really at issue here are cultural values and ethics, ways of being human beings, ways of being families, communities and nations and a planet. The nature of what I have read so far is evidence only of sound bite minds. We have not and cannot discuss the nature of our economic assumptions, the impact of our environmental exploitations and the future of us all with such constricted reasoning in such a narrow forum. The media, and your question, Sally, is yet another example of the soap opera keepin' on keepin' on. You need to sell papers, after all. Now, I am going to go downstairs and make an all-American apple pie for my quirky family, harvest food from our church garden for the food bank, write a proposal for a grant, and canvass for Barack Obama.

IF, the Democrats had proposed a Palin-like individual for their V.P. candidate, the GOP would use it like so much fodder, questioning her abilities, her past, her ability to govern, he ability to V.P based on what is known about her now.
BUT, she is the GOP V.P. nominee, she is golden, untouchable, her problems are now suddenly every American Family problems, she has the experience. They SPIN it like a top, and their minions swallow it without a thought as ususal. They are the biggest hypocrites on the face of the planet.

I do hope and pray that Palin/McCain will get the oval office.

I have so been entertained by the proceedings of the last eight years and am in need of continuing entertainment.

Independently Wealthy,

T-Prop

Can a woman be a mother and world leader? The answer is the same as "Can a man be a father and a world leader?" It seem to me, that all of a sudden many Democrats want to impose a "glass ceiling" on women candidates, especially if the candidate isn't a Democrat, and subscribes to political philosphy that is much different than theirs. Attack Sarah Palin on the issues, and where she stands, but not on the fact that she has young children. Btw, Obama has young children, what if one of them is sick and and the phone rings at 3 a.m.?

Sarah Palin chose to have her five children, therefore she should be with them in their formative years. A father can not replace the mother, especially with a newborn with special needs. Children with downs syndrome have a tendancy to have other medical problems and should be carefully watched. Trig has not had time to bond with his mother since she went to work three days after his birth. that is nothing to brag about. It is nothing short of child neglect, unless the child is not really hers. God will hold each of us responsible for our actions and will judge us accordingly. I just can't understand how she can leave her baby. The bible tells us that there is nothing done in darkness that will not come to light.

Sooner or later sally, they will get around to talking about you...are you prepared...what skeletons are in your closet...who have you done...have you bended over for diddy...I would not be surprised...
thats how you report...do you like it?

I do not understand why you think that what a mother, who is vice-president, or even president, would do about her kids when she is called at 3 AM is anyone's business but the mother's. Obama and his wife were both employed full time with two younsters at home. Did you bother to ask Obama what they did daily about their kids care when they left for work or were both gone on business trips? No, none of the lefty media was interested in that - and that was also no one's business, but only the Obama's business. I think you are being very biased in the questions that you are now asking your readers to comment on.

I love how the women libs are willing to throw there long hard fought movement under the bus for the empty suit...ROFL

I do not understand why you think that what a mother, who is vice-president, or even president, would do about her kids when she is called at 3 AM is anyone's business but the mother's. Obama and his wife were both employed full time with two younsters at home. Did you bother to ask Obama what they did daily about their kids care when they left for work or were both gone on business trips? No, none of the lefty media was interested in that - and that was also no one's business, but only the Obama's business. I think you are being very biased in the questions that you are now asking your readers to comment on.

I am Catholic, conservative, Republican, and male, and raised in a society where for decades we have been taught to believe that a woman in the secular world can do anything that a man can do -- in high-heels and backwards, with a baby on her hip, and no matter the time of month. And I believe she can. Sorry, Sally, but it's too late to change the tune now. The hypocrisy in your recent columns is simply breathtaking.

This discussion further conflates religion and politics. I frankly don't care who a religious organization chooses to lead it. That's their business. I also don't care that Sarah Palin has a special needs child. How she handles her personal life is her personal business. What I do care about is mixing religion with public policy. That's a recipe for division and civic unrest.

It's not about having the baby or not having the baby...it's about caring for the baby (yourself), making sure that you have the time to put in the extra stimulation which will help a very special child attain their full potential, and supporting (with more than words) your 17 year old daughter who is in a challenging situation.

These are the family values that are important. Any old body can produce a child; it's what you do after that reveals your true measure as a mother.

Most pragmatic and caring parents would have tried to cut back on work to help a 4 month old special needs infant and a 17 year old in trouble.

Sarah Palin has failed spectacularly to put her family first.

It shouldn't be looked at as her "putting her children second". In this day and age, where we as women are searching for equality, why can't the father take care of the children? Is Obama putting his two children second by going into office? Sexism is never going to die if we continue to follow the path we're on now. If Palin is going to be hammered for putting children second, Obama should as well.

// Chris wrote: The liberal-leaning media seems panicked by Palin as the VP candidate. It's been a full-on smear circus for a week now.//

Oh no, liberal media is not on a smear campaign as you priestly types would like americans to believe.

Oh no, Bristol's pregnancy is not a private matter anymore, because Sarah Palin is running for VP's job.

If Sarah Palin is so inefficient in managing security of her child, she certainly cannot be relied upon to manage USA's security - and I hope Rick Warren and John Mark reynold are tuned into this.

Paul, the same man who wrote the verses you cite, also advised people in the first chapter of Corinthians not to follow him or Apollos, but to follow Jesus. Women who look to Jesus for guidance, like Anne Graham Lotz, can find themselves in conflict with the Southern Baptist Convention and still be at peace with themselves. Perhaps the same could be said of Barack Obama, when he broke with Rev. Jeremiah Wright. In neither his case or Sarah Palin's does the Book of Corinthians serve as a voter's guide.

Not to call people out, but many of you ignore the arguments on the opposite side because many of you are too tied into your own politics.

The question is being asked of Palin, (and should be asked of any man as well) because her child is a special needs kid, at a very young age. She can of course farm the work out to aides and her husband, but the mother/child bond is a special one, especially in the most formative of years, I don't think anyone can dispute that.

As for Barack, the question should be asked of him as well. His youngest child is quite a bit older though, and there are fewer kids in total, so the familial demands on him are much less. As such it isn't sexism, but logic that leads it to be considered much less of an issue.

Had McCain picked a woman with older children, less children then this would be a non-issue (was Chelsea an issue for Hillary?,..no!) So everyone who chalks this up to sexism needs to step out of their little idealist world and get into this one where kids take time and parents are indeed the best caregivers.

Western Senior:

I don't see where the risk is in flying near birth as this lady had already given birth four times. My wife and were comfortable and relaxed and recognized that birth is natural and does not have to be given in a hospital.
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The problem people have with this is that her water had broken. To go HOURS without medical attention risked infection not to mention cutting off the kid's oxygen because the cord, when not floating in amniotic fluid can get crushed. Anyone who gave a hoot about their baby wouldn't get into a pressurized airplane cabin.

That's simply not good judgment.

The liberal-leaning media seems panicked by Palin as the VP candidate. It's been a full-on smear circus for a week now. Which is more important: that Palin's husband was caught drunk 20 years ago, or that Obama did cocaine 20 years ago? That Palin's daughter got pregnant outside of marraige or that Obama's mother got pregnant outside of marraige? That Palin is a working Mom or that Obama's wife is a working Mom? That Palin has only a couple of years experience as Governor, or that Obama has only a couple years experience as Senator? What the media forgets when they pursue this smear campaign is that rational people are... rational. They can see the double standard. Palin is a lightning rod because she embodies everything good and human about America. That's why the liberal media wants to destroy her.

Nobody has answered the question "As the mother of an infant, one of five children, is Palin's first priority to her children or her country?

Tough call. I'm sure she adores her children and loves her county. I personally think it's irresponsible for her to commit to campaigning when she is still nursing a disabled infant, has a child going to a warzone and another expecting a child. Wow. I would say her family is in crisis. What is she doing about it? To a common observer, it sounds as if she's escaping her responsibilities!

To say that Obama is leaving his kids to go campaigning is a crazy comparison. Michele is taking care of the kids. THE REAL ISSUE IS THE HYPOCRISY of the fundamentalists in terms of the roles of women and men.

The person that wrote that women can't hold positions of authority in the church but can hold them at work is parsing the Bible in Clintonian ways. It's hilarious to see the backpedaling.

I think fundamentalists can't handle shades of gray and it has greatly weakened this country to give them positions of leadership in government.

Why, oh, why couldn't McCain had chosen a woman without such baggage? Liddy Dole, Kay Bailey Hutchison, Christy Todd Whitman, even Condi would have been amazingly good choices.

Perhaps the real point was to create a distraction from the disastrous policies of the republican party?

"The Bible was written during a time in which the Church was the center of power, political and otherwise. The commandment in Corinthians, "Let your women keep silence in the churches...", was an edict clearly meant to exclude women from holding any kind of powerful leadership position.

Evangelicals are trying to square that circle now by making a distinction between the Church and the "workplace". It doesn't pass the smell test. And it stands as another in a long line of embarrassing hypocrisies that are unavoidable for adherents to Stone Age customs who find themselves living in an enlightened world."

First what part of the "Bible" do you mean considering it about 66 different books written at different times and place?

Second, unless you buy into the small minority views of radical liberal scholars on the fringe, the vast majority of Biblical scholars (including, no doubt, your hero Bart Ehrman) agree last book of the Bible was penned around 95 CE. At that date, the church was NOT a center of power, political or otherwise. The church was still a fringe religious group associated with being a sect of Judaism which enjoyed times of peace mixed with times of persecution. The church did not become a "center of power" until after the time of Constantine in the 400s.

Third, the Stone Age took place long before the Bible was written. Check your dates, because your condescending rhetoric doesn't pass the "smell test" of an "enlightened" person objectively addressing the issue with rational thinking.

McCain choice of VP is sexist and condescending .

PROOF

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apdFC-vh6Ng

McCain choice of VP is sexist and condescending .

PROOF

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apdFC-vh6Ng

There was a female leader with three children, take a look to Parkistan B. Bhutto.

Queen Elizabeth II has 4 children and she is doing her job since over 50 years! Margret Thatcher I think had 2 sons.

Then we have India, M. Gandi. I do not konw how many children she had, but she had a least a son.

But we got Katharina the great, Elizabeth I, Queen Victora, and last but not least in Spain the Queen who supported Columbus who found America...

Why you do not give support to women instead tell them they should stay home or marry rich?

Ummm where are your priorities? You seem to be in the same boat as Ms. Palin. Is it because she doesn't hold the same politica views as you? Did you ask the same questions of John Edwards when he decided to continue his quest for the White House after the announcement of his wife's recurrence of cancer?

Was it not the liberal women who fought for the woman to be able to be successful in the workforce and home? Now that one is staring you in the face, you question her???

>>"In a piece I wrote earlier this week I asked the question, if the phone rings at three o'clock in the morning and her baby is sick what will Sarah Palin do."

The same thing that Barack Obama would do if one of his girls were running a fever when he got a 3 am phone call. The same thing that Bill Clinton would have done if Chelsea had a life-threatening accident and he got a 3 am phone call.

>>"Lotz herself, a talented a dynamic woman, has said that women should not be senior pastors. Women can be presidents but not pastors? I don't understand. I would like somebody to explain this to me. I would like to hear from John McCain's and Sarah Palin's base."

Um... heard of Matthew 22:21? The government is not run the same way the Church is run. Then again, you said that earlier in your article: men must lead the family and the church. Government doesn't seem to be on that list.

In some ways it's a real shame that Palin isn't being compared to a truly competent woman in government - that woman being Hillary Clinton of course.

Now that is a woman that could be President - Palin is merely the woman that would be President, in the event of McCain's demise.

People with a lick of common sense see the difference in spades - Palin is no Hillary Clinton and is in fact her polar opposite. This will not bring in the Clinton votes - but has certainly got the fundies and evangelicals coming out of the woodwork.

I guess that was the point all along.

//Young Female Student:
The American media disheartens me. I have never written a post or been seriously involved in politics but this unfair smearing of Sarah Palin because of 1950s housewife’s social mores is disgusting and sad.//

Oh no, Bristol's pregnancy is not a private matter anymore, because Sarah Palin is running for VP's job.

If Sarah Palin is so inefficient in managing security of her child, she certainly cannot be relied upon to manage USA's security - and I hope Rick Warren is tuned into this.

PS, I'm sorry Sally, but I thought I would add a list of women who DID attain the highest political office even though their church did not have women rabbis/priests/preachers at the time:

Margaret Thatcher
Golda Meir
Indira Ghandi
Eva Peron
Benazir Bhutto
Mary Robinson

Of course, this doesn't mean that Sarah Palin should run for VP, because she is Different and a Republican.

I can't even believe you are writing about this. Why are you even asking this question? What do the male candidates do when they have children? What are their priorities? No one questions family life versus work life for men. Why would it even be an issue here?

Obviously we are still in the dark ages. Hillary Clinton would have been treated better when she was running for President if we were out of the dark ages.

What worries me most about McCain/Palin ticket is their environmental policy (especially regarding drilling in the ANWR). I think it is evermore important for us, as consumers to support ‘green businesses’ that benefit the environment. For example, http://www.simplestop.net stops your postal junk mail and benefits the environment.

A prominent theme in these posts, typified by Audrey, is outrage about a perceived double standard - why isn't Obama being attacked for aspiring to high office when he has two little girls at home?

People! You're missing the point. Obama is not a doctrinaire evangelical. He doesn't come from a tradition that is abusive to and dismissive of women. It's Palin and her evangelical followers hypocrisy! Don't you get it?

Contrary to the theory that men are the spiritual heads of their household, I find that women often find themselves in that role. I am. As such, we have chosen to attend a church which offers women spiritual parity -- women pastors, women lay ministers, and full voting rights within the congregation.

And yet, when my children were born, I willingly chose to suspend my career, at substantial financial risk, to stay home with my infant children. I've since found a position which allows me to work from home, and to be here for my children when they get on and off the school bus.

I did that not because someone forced me to, but because I felt it was best for my children, and my responsibility as a mother. Had I been the highest-paid breadwinner, could I have continued to work, while my husband stayed home with the kids? Maybe. I'm not sure. As a mother, there was a yearning in me to be with them, while they were so tiny and helpless, and to know for certain how their day went, rather than relying on second-hand accounts. I knew them, and they knew me. It was good.

As such, I find it difficult to respect someone (like Palin) who has five children, the youngest a special needs child only four months old, entering a presidential campaign at this time. It's even worse when I consider how much her 17-year-old daughter must need her mom during her pregnancy, and while considering her own future as a mother, a woman, and potentially a wife.

I question Sarah Palin's priorities, judgment, and commitment to her children. They're not just props -- they're little people. What she does and says and how much time she chooses to spend with them will help determine hwo they feel about themselves, about women, about parenthood, and about the world. I know from experience that children's needs can't be scheduled. They talk when they're ready, and that means being there a substantial part of the time -- not communicating via webcam or telephone from a distant campaign event.

I don't understand the sort of ambition and hubris it takes for Palin to think that now is a sensible time to run for an office which is -- putting it gently -- a huge stretch given her paltry experience.

Her "family values" are lacking, in my opinion, and I will not vote for her. Vocalizing my opposition to her candidacy, and voting against her is, in a sense, my gift to her children and a prayer that she will turn her complete attention to ensuring their well-being in a more focused and personal way.

The American media disheartens me. I have never written a post or been seriously involved in politics but this unfair smearing of Sarah Palin because of 1950s housewife’s social mores is disgusting and sad.

Sarah Palin cannot be relied upon to secure USA, if she cannot secure her own child, Bristol.

Sarah Palin cannot be relied upon to secure USA, if she can secure her own child, Bristol.

You know Sally, in all honesty I think all women should be at home caring for the home/children. That includes you as well.

I don't see where the risk is in flying near birth as this lady had already given birth four times. My wife and were comfortable and relaxed and recognized that birth is natural and does not have to be given in a hospital. By our third child my wife knew about when the delivery would occur. We did have eventually have all our children in the hospital. With comments such as why did you grocery shop first.
Why would we think less of anyone for completing tasks successfully and then having a successful delivery?

Wow. Simply Wow.

Ms. Quinn,

Your past two articles are vindictive toward Gov. Palin for actually choosing a career in politics while she has children in the home.

The "Mainstream Media" never ceases to surprise me with their blatant hypocrisy. Hillary Clinton's candidacy was viewed as "groundbreaking" yet when a woman is selected by the Republican party as a VP candidate, the "press", including you, rip her apart.

It's actually pretty simple. She will deal with a family crisis like anyone else who is married does: talk about it with her husband, and call on other help when necessary.

Please focus a bit on the Obama campaign. If the "press" had spent a tenth of the energy digging up dirt on Obama as they have with Palin, he wouldn't have made it past Biden in IA.

Oh Sally, Oh Sally, Oh Sally,

Won't you PLEASE let me answer?

Sarah should STAY HOME, just like you did, you're so brave (and you had that rich husband.) She SHOULD BE TRUE TO HER FAITH: if women can't preach then they shouldn't run for office! (Of course, no where in scripture does it say this. Scripture is quite silent about this not that I ever ever have touched the Bible).

You are so brave, Sally. And thank God you have your fertility under control. Just one child, so thoughtful. But you see, like all evangelicals (well, ALL believers) Sarah is, well, thoughtless. And stupid. And so fecund too. And not having abortions! Why do stupid Catholics and Evangelicals not do the right thing and ABORT?

I hope all those dumb evangelical women answer you because you deserve it. You are so intelligent. You achieved your success all on your own. And I'm sure you have exactly the same standard for men as for women. If a man has a small baby, he stay home too and not run for office. (Oh wait! that would rule out Kennedy).

Anyway, I admire you so much. Thank you for letting me have my say.

Yours respectfully,
Anna

The Bible was written during a time in which the Church was the center of power, political and otherwise. The commandment in Corinthians, "Let your women keep silence in the churches...", was an edict clearly meant to exclude women from holding any kind of powerful leadership position.

Evangelicals are trying to square that circle now by making a distinction between the Church and the "workplace". It doesn't pass the smell test. And it stands as another in a long line of embarrassing hypocrisies that are unavoidable for adherents to Stone Age customs who find themselves living in an enlightened world.

The double standard here makes me sick! Have you written an article about how Barrack Obama will be able to balance being President and a "working father"? No. Have you written any articles about whether or not Barack Obama's first priority is to be a Father or President? No. People like you writing these types of articles, are pushing independent women like myself to vote McCain/Palin. And it is all the more shocking that YOU, as a woman, bring all this up. It is deplorable that we are even having this conversation! SHAME on YOU!

I don't know how other denominations explain the distinction between women being pastors or presidents but this is how my denomination (Catholicism) explains it. A priest is meant to literally stand in for Christ. He is meant to be the physical embodiment of Christ during the mass and afterward. As such, the priesthood is a relational position. Christ was the Son of God and women cannot be sons. You'd have to ask God why he didn't make Christ a woman, why he chose to have a son and not a daughter. The fact that women are not allowed to be priests does not mean that they are not smart enough, organized enough, pure enough, etc. It simply means that the position requires a man because Christ Himself was a man. So, to Catholic ears, asking if women can be priests is like asking if men can be mothers. Again, why Christ was a man is beyond MY pay grade but that is the way it is.

This has nothing to do with whether or not women can be presidents. The office of the presidency is a functional position, not a relational one, so any gender can go for it. The fact that we ask these questions of Palin is fascinating and fantastically bigoted. No male candidate gets asked these kinds of family questions. No male candidate has his fitness for office called into question because there is a baby at home. I don't know what here first priority will be but I do know this: she's not alone in the care of her children. By all accounts, she has a loving husband and family surrounding here to help her. It's a fallacy of the modern age that women are expected to do all child-rearing completely on their own.

It's unbelievable to me that we have a woman on the ticket who has demonstrated her ability to lead and lead well in an executive position while raising 5 children and now, she's attacked for it. She's supporting her daughter's decision to carry her pregnancy to term and marry the father. Had she dropped from the race, she would likely have been accused of being ashamed of her daughter's circumstances and wanting to hide them. Her judgment is sound. She loves her daughter, mistakes and all, and supports her in making the right decision. Perhaps your next reading assignment, Ms. Quinn, should be to read the story of the prodigal son and remind yourself of what Christian mercy and love really looks like. Or perhaps you think those qualities have no place in the White House?

How about more focus on Obama's early life and ties to the corrupt chicago political machine?

Media sexism is discusting.

Why does the WaPo continue to run Quinn's copy as if she has something insightful/useful to say about either morality, politics or the interesection of same. On wait...the answer is Ben Bradlee, isn't it?

This is the exact reason I cancelled my subscription to the Washington Post, we may as well be living in China the way the press is handling this election season. And the rumor's I have heard about Ms. Quinn, I would never repeat.

Thanks for writing my thoughts exactly. As women we have to prioritize our lives, Sarah Palen has shown her own ambitions are a priority over the lives of her children. She is young and if she is truly the leader she is being made out to be her time will come. The slogan of the campaign is Country First as a constant reminder of John McCain's service to this country which nobody denies or will forget. Sarah Palen's slogan should be Family First!

The issue is really the age of the baby. A woman with a 4 month old can work -- however, can a woman with a 4 month old be the leader of the free world if something happens to the President?

NO.

I am a conservative evangelical woman who eagerly supports the Palin nomination, yet also believes only men are to hold lead pastor positions in the church. The difference? The church is not the same as the workplace. Women hold positions of authority in the workplace, something Scripture does not speak against. So if a woman can be a manager at Burger King, certainly she can be a VP.

The issue about womens roles in the home is a bit more fluid. In the Palin marriage, obviously there is some agreement on who does what. The same is true for my own home. Tha doesn't mean children/family do not come first for Sarah Palin. If the implication is that she cannot be putting her children/family first in her political ambitions, we are forced to say the same thing about husbands and fathers who pursue careers and provide for the home.

I hope I've adequately responded to your request to hear from evangelical women. Please feel free to contact me with further questions.

--Sarah Flashing, womenfaithculture.org

By the wording of this article, would think that nowhere in the world has there been a female leader with children. Are we still living in the dark ages or what?
Funny, how we would never ask a man that same question.

Well written Devil!

I could never have said it so well.

We're so consumed with our egotism that we cannot see America's tiny place in history

Thank you Brian, lol

well thought out argument and written post

"I would like to hear what women think of her priorities. Do they believe that her first priority is as a mother or as a governor? Will her first priority be as a mother or as a Vice President or a President?"

Sally, I would like to know what people think of Barack Obama trying to be president while he has young girls in the home. Should his priorities be as a father? Should they be as a president?

Barack Obama claims to be a Christian and the Bible teaches that the father is the head of a marriage and a household, so the question should be MORE relevant to Barack than it is to Pallin.

Why didn't you raise this question with regards to him?

I regret to inform the living fornicators at the surface that Einstein, Newton, Galileo, Max Planck, Euler, Lorentz, Rutherford, Joule, Boyle, Bohr, Helmholtz, Faraday, Maxwell, Davy, Ohm, Volta, Franklin, and Feynman et al. are all with me now. They burn for all eternity.

Make sure to teach your children the correct science, i.e., that which was taught by Hanna Barbara. The way Fred, Wilma and Dino carried themselves is the standard Americans should strive to achieve and maintain!