palin

Palin in comparison

By Chip Drago

Mobile Bay Times

Long known as a maverick, John McCain nevertheless surprised many with his maverick pick of maverick Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate on the GOP presidential ticket.

Palin, a 44-year-old mother of five and former mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, immediately came under scrutiny and attack on many fronts, among them:

A perceived lack of experience, particularly in the area of foreign policy;

Her husband's DUI more than 20 years ago;

Her unwed 17-year-old daughter Bristol's pregnancy;

Charges of improper influence in the firing of a state employee who wouldn't fire Palin's sister's ex-husband, and;

Her presumed willingness to sacrifice the needs of her family, which includes an infant son with Down Syndrome, in favor of her political ambitions.

The Palin pick has sparked intense debate across a broad front with divisions along political and gender lines.

The Mobile Bay Times sought the thoughts of several women in leadership roles, mostly in the Mobile/Baldwin area, on Palin's arrival on the national scene, her credentials and the attendant praise and criticism.

"I'm impressed with McCain's choice of Palin. It's interesting how she appears to give Hillary credit for her having the opportunity to be VP. I question her experience, however. I do not question her ability to be a legitimate candidate. The fact she's being criticized for placing her ambition to hold public office above her family does not seem to be a new one for women. Women running for office are often more highly scrutinized on family issues than their male counterparts are. It's not fair, but it does happen. Only time will tell whether she can balance the two aspects of her life."

-- Amy Beckerle Andrews,

attorney, former Democratic state legislative candidate

"(I think she's) great. If Palin was a man, people wouldn't be asking about the 4-month-old baby yet possibly question the 17-year-old daughter. Unfortunately, there are a lot of unplanned pregnancies -- all too common these days, so that makes their family just like so many others in the US.

When I read the births in the local paper and see so many single women giving birth, I wonder how they are going to survive. It's really hard to raise a child if you try your very best. The exception for the Palin girl is that her mom is running for VP. The media ought to move on to other issues.

About the DUI, how many of your subscribers have been lucky enough NOT to get a DUI when leaving a Mardi Gras event? Talk about throwing stones! Even I'll admit that after two drinks, I'm not safe and have been lucky not to

have been caught. Who hasn't driven after drinking?

Move on to real issues and leave the family alone."

-- Jane Conkin,

Managing Member, Quick Buildings, LLC,

former city councilwoman (as Baxter), Republican

"I am not impressed with Palin at all! If McCain thinks she will attract the women who would have voted for Hillary he has missed the boat. Besides ruining any argument he might have had regarding Obama's lack of experience, her

positions appear to be the polar opposite of Hillary's on Choice, the environment, etc. She is the poster child for the religious right and I was hoping they would have less influence in this campaign."

-- Bernadette Grant, Ph.D,

Grant & Associates Inc.

"My response to this question is very different than it would have been nine short months ago -- before I became a mommy. First, I firmly believe that a woman can do anything and a mother can do it faster, with spit up on her blazer while grocery shopping and writing a letter to the editor. The thing I don't understand, however, is how she is able to leave her children for days at a time. I can't tell you how hard I cried for each of my three overnight trips and how many phone calls home I made hoping Coleman hadn't forgotten me.

My belief is that my son will understand that I leave him to go two miles to work to make the world a better place, and that he'll be proud to know he's got a strong momma fighting the good fight. Governor Palin's children will know that also. Her work in Alaska has resulted in great things for the state. I believe her ambition is to make the world a better place for her children and that is admirable.

On a personal note, I just may not be the feminist my daddy makes me out to be. There's no way I could leave Coleman for a job that big while he's this young. I will throw my hat in the ring for VP when he's 12 or 16, though.

Regarding Palin's personal life, I'm a huge fan of privacy -- especially when it comes to a person's children!"

-- Casi Callaway,

Executive Director, Mobile Baykeeper

"If Governor Palin has been married for 24 years to the same spouse and has five children -- three of whom are teenagers -- the issues of teen pregnancy and a husband's DUI 25 years ago should be a moot subject. Her choice to give birth to an afflicted child and her daughter's choice to become pregnant and marry at a young age are their personal choices and should not be up for public debate. If those are Governor Palin's only family issues, she must be an exemplary mother and wife!

As far as her nomination to the Republican ticket goes, obviously the people who know her best, the voters of Alaska, feel she is qualified to govern. As with any candidate, her experience and ability to put it into practice will become evident during the campaign."

-- Buffy Donlon,

Mobile

"I think she is a home run and in eight years will be our President. She is pro-life and not only does she say she is, she practices what she preaches. All women working outside of the home have to manage family home life and

their chosen profession. When we vote, it will be like voting for ourselves, or our daughters, or aunts, or mothers.

She is the most exciting thing to happen to politics and McCain stole Obama's thunder when he selected her. She is 'change' and she has time to get ready for the big job.

Many times when the word 'ambition' is used, we women call it 'earning a decent living.'

Oh, and in regards to the DUI 25 years ago by her husband, get a life. He is not running for VP.

Knowing prior to birth and keeping the Down Syndrome baby is absolutely wonderful. As Chair of the Mental Retardation Developmental and Disabilities Board of Baldwin, Clark and Washington Counties, I feel she will understand the system and relate to the beautiful people with special needs.

I am ready to vote for McCain/Palin today.'

-- Peg Vanover,

Baldwin County, Republican

"I find McCain's pick of Governor Palin somewhat sexist. It appears the only two qualifications he needed from a VP candidate were that one be pro-life and a women. There are several Republican leaders, some of which are women, who would have the experience needed to lead this country if McCain was elected president and if he were to become ill, incapacitated or pass away. It is difficult to appreciate his choice of VP when others more qualified were available to him. I think his choice for VP is especially important when you consider McCain's age.

The pregnancy of Gov. Palin's daughter represents an area of family life that I believe should remain private. My heart goes out to this young women who has made a very courageous choice while under the spotlight of American politics."

-- Renee Williams,

Democratic nominee,

Mobile County Revenue Commissioner

"What I really like about Palin is that she walks the walk. It is easy to talk pro-life. The real challenges arrive when you find out the baby you are expecting has a problem or your 17-year-old daughter is pregnant. Palin has demonstrated, with two difficult situations, that she lives her values. I do not expect candidates to live perfectly blessed, issue-free lives. We all encounter problems --some of our own making; others not. Responses to problems give you a better picture of true character than all of the rhetoric. Palin is truly pro-life, as am I. Her responses have been consistent and admirable.

Consistency is a key principle for me. That is why judging only Palin about a 20-plus years ago DUI of a family member or saying she (evidently the only woman in America now so obligated) should stay home with her kids would be such hypocrisy. There is no need to point out the numerous elected officials holding office in spite of past problems with alcohol or drugs, much less those with family members with a previous problem. That would be a long and boring list. And the 'you should stay at home with your children' admonition is about 40 years too late."

-- Mary Beth Mantiply,

attorney, Eastern Shore

"IF John McCain was trying to reach Hillary supporters, he failed miserably. We are not comparing apples to apples. It seems that with recent personal information about her family that she has a need to concentrate on them right now instead running with John McCain. Republicans have a long history of dragging up every sordid and not so sordid detail of the lives of numerous Democrats that they can hardly protest the skeletons that are pulled from the Palin closet. Her history as a Pat Buchanan believer is another issue that should tear at the heart of the pro Bush people who want McCain, and presumably his VP, to follow those footsteps! A lot of issues, a lot of questions and Republicans seem to be in a quandary as to why? Were there no other choices they ask? I fear they will be asking that long after November."

-- Dianne Jones,

Democrat, Mobile

"When I was in Alaska this summer, we heard a lot about the Governor and everybody seemed to be crazy about her. I read that in a poll of all 50 governors, she is the most popular governor among governors. I am concerned about her lack of experience. Hard work and being a quick

study will take her far, but will it be far enough to make her a good Vice-President of the United States?

As for her ambition -- I'm not sure she wasn't as surprised as the rest of us that she made John McCain's short list. And her family issues? A lot of American families have dealt with the same issues as the Palin family. I wonder if she were a man, would we be worried that her concern for her family would be a hindrance in doing her job?

Do I think she was the best choice for America? No."

-- Gigi Armbrecht,

executive, Mobile

"I must admit that I was surprised at Senator McCain's choice. However, from what I have read and heard recently, I think that Palin has excellent credentials. Her youth will inject energy into the campaign. As the Governor of Alaska and as a former mayor she certainly demonstrates leadership and fiscal management skills. I applaud her focus on ethics in government.

Every family deals with crisis and her response to that crisis has been honest, straight-forward, and sensitive."

-- Jamie Ison,

state representative, Republican, Mobile

"I think that McCain's selection of Palin was fantastic. First of all, he showed that he is not like the 'old Washington insiders,' that he is still a 'maverick,' so to speak, and is a true individual. I also think it was a smart decision in light of Hillary, being a female, being passed over by Obama. I have never been a fan of Hillary's, but thought he should have chosen her and would be furious if I were a Hillary supporter.

As far as the criticism in regard to her daughter's pregnancy, I think it is absurd but I am not surprised. On the other hand, she is pro-life and it shows she stands behind her conviction in that her daughter did not get an abortion -- and Palin and her husband embraced her with open arms. I think it is really 'sick' to talk about her Down Syndrome son -- what a low blow. I have read Gene Stallings' book about his Down syndrome son, John Mark, and what this child meant to him and his family. It shows me that she is a very special person and, in this day and age, she could have easily found out from tests that he had this birth defect ahead of time and aborted the baby, but instead she again went with her convictions and had the baby.

I think it is totally unfair to suggest that she has placed her 'ambition above concern for her family.' I know plenty of wonderful women who are fantastic wives and mothers and still work in the corporate and/or political world. I think she must be wonderful at 'multi-tasking' which is something that, pardon me for not being 'politically correct,' many men cannot do! In this day and age when most women not only work outside of the home, but also still have to 'work' at home, how unfair is it to be critical of her profession. It also shows me that her husband is probably a real 'team player' and obviously helps out alot at home. AND, to bring up his 25 or so-year-old DUI is really stretching it -- so very long ago -- and but for the grace of God would be the same for so many people. Pardon me again, but at least he didn't have an accident and actually 'kill' someone. How very easy it is for Democrats to point their finger."

-- Ann Davis,

former Mobile City Council candidate

"I personally am very happy with Gov. Palin as the v.p. pick. I think she has more experience than Obama. I think a lot of people in this country can relate to her, especially as a family person. I don't feel she has placed her ambition above her family. They appear to be very close. I think the fact that she has issues within her family shows she's probably not very different from anybody else."

-- LeAnn Tacon,

paramedic, Mobile

"I try not to second guess decisions (people) make about their families because I do not sit where they sit nor do I know her family dynamics. It is very easy to speculate about what you would do in a particular situation but more difficult when you truly have to act on those same facts.

It is regrettable that her daughter's pregnancy and its ramifications for her and her family are such media items. She is not the first teenager, nor will she be the last, to become pregnant without being married. Teenage pregnancy is a major issue for this country. Perhaps now society will take the blinders off and stop pretending it is only an issue for minorities and the poor. My heart goes out to the young woman and her mother.

It is ludicrous that a decades old DUI is an issue. If he is her age he was convicted around age 19. We have a President who admits to drinking in excess and it did not disqualify him, so why should affect one's opinion of the spouse of vice-presidential nominee. Granted there is no record that the President operated a vehicle but the underlying conduct is the same. I am too busy trying to remove the 'beam' from my own eye to spend time on the 'mote' in someone else's.

I am not sure what McCain was shooting for in his selection. Perhaps it was youth and gender. Maybe it was intended to shore up support among certain religious groups. He achieved all of those things in Mrs. Palin. If he thought Hillary Clinton supporters were shallow enough to jump ship for a woman, any woman, his was a grave miscalculation. True Sen. Clinton is a woman but she is also highly qualified. That was her allure, that she was an exceptional candidate who happens to be a woman.

Having said all of that, it is rare to hear conversations of this type about men, whether they are too ambitious at the peril of their families. It is a double standard."

-- Merceria Ludgood,

Democrat, once and future Mobile County Commissioner

"I wonder, would you be asking (these) question(s) if Sarah Palin were a man?"

-- Maryella Sirmon,

nephrologist, Mobile

"I admire any woman who sticks to her guns on her beliefs. Is Palin a good choice? I think so. Even if you don't agree with her opinions you have to admit the lady has guts seldom seen in politics.

Her child's pregnancy? Whose business is that outside her family's? I don't care, at least the girl has the fortitude to step up to her original choice to have sex before marriage. In a society that celebrates celebrities who have children out-of-wedlock or buy them on the black market in third-world countries, how can we criticize this girl?

Honestly, I think a person who elects to carry a pregnancy to term, regardless of the outcome, especially when it is in question, is to be admired. I believe life begins at conception so even if you may not have the 'Gerber baby,' you still get a baby. That baby is YOUR baby. One of my godchildren has Down Syndrome and she is a happy, productive child who gives great joy to her family and friends. It isn't a death sentence, it is just a different way of life. I like Palin because she has the guts to really live the way she says she lives. That is so incredibly rare.

As far as her husband's DUI -- she wasn't the one driving, was she? More than one person has found themselves in this position with a spouse doing something inappropriate that embarrassed the entire family. That doesn't condemn her and, frankly, any Mobilian who holds a person with a DUI in contempt is being way too judgmental in my opinion."

-- Marilyn Culpepper,

historic preservation executive

"As with all public officials their lives and those of their close family are open to public exposure. No one is perfect and life happens as they say!

Teen pregnancy is a major issue in our country it knows no boundaries it happens in all families, those of poor, middle, rich incomes of all colors and of all religious beliefs. Raising children is difficult under the best of circumstances, adding in other complex layers and it is even more difficult.

Mobile County has tremendous teen pregnancy. I can't tell you if all the children born to these moms are put at risk, but I venture to say many are not given the best of environments to grow up in. We are not good at facing our 'problems.' I appreciated the recent column in the Press-Register about poverty in Alabama being linked to our poorly designed state constitution. With education as being not seen as essential for all our citizens.

Now I have ventured away from your direct question so I will try to answer the one you posed about Gov. Palin

I believe she is a very good choice. I'm pleased to see a woman on the ticket. Do I think she put her career first over her family? No I don't. Parenting is equal why is that not asked of men?

I don't believe our 'leaders' have all the answers or know everything. I do believe that government is not responsible for keeping people down or that Republicans are bad and don't want to see people succeed.We've had good times and bad times in our country under the Dems and the GOP Gov. Palin will make a fine VP. I don't adhere to all her politics I don't feel like that is ever possible no matter who the individual is. She appears straight forward and says what she believes, and she lives what she speaks about. A lot of politicians say one thing and do another. I don't think that is the case here."

-- Bess Rich,

member, Mobile Board of Water and Sewer Commissioners

"I do not agree with her philosophically. I would like to know more about the story that she pressured the head of public safety to fire her former brother-in-law. That smells of abuse of power. I have heard it said that we should not be judging her as a mother. I know that if my daughter had been in a similar situation with a pregnancy, I would have said 'thanks, but no thanks' to a highly visible vice presidential campaign. How much love and support can you be giving when you are out in front of the cameras every day? It seems very insensitive to me and as hypocritical as the 'abstinence only' message."

-- Carol Norris,

Democrat, Mobile County License Commissioner

"There are many things we cannot control, one of those being a husband's choice (to drink and drive). I think it's much political ado about things that affect her, but she doesn't control. For her daughter, I feel compassion and concern (for what) she and her family will have to endure from the political pundits. It's political for sure because the media is quick to announce, without condemnation, the joyous occasions of movie stars who have children out of wedlock. Therefore I think she is being very realistic in her choices. I'm sure she discussed (the ramifications) in detail with her family as well as the McCain people."

-- Celia Wallace,

Springhill Memorial Hospital

"I am appalled at the 'below the belt' tactics of the media with regards to the personal life of Sarah Palin.

Her husband got a DUI 25 years ago? So what. Absurd to even bring up. Who gives a damn! He's not running for VP anyway. AND, if it were Sarah Palin who got a DUI 25 years ago, I would still support her candidacy for

VP. Good Lord, people who commit murder or rape, are paroled often times sooner than 25 years. This DUI stuff is ridiculous.

The pregnant daughter? She's not running for VP either. I am adamant that whatever our professional, political aspirations may be, our children should not be exploited nor should we be judged on our professional capabilities by our children, unless maybe they are hardened criminals or something really terrible, and I'm not sure that

would qualify either. I know a lot of great parents who just have a 'bad seed.' Why, I don't know.

Unfortunately pre-marital sex is very common now, like it or not. When you consider all the kids that are getting abortions, I would bet teenage pregnancies happen in 75 percent of the families these days, which isn't publicized.

Frankly, as a right-to-lifer, I am delighted and very respectful of the fact that the Palin's didn't choose the easy way out with an abortion to further Sarah Palin's political career. Same admiration for the Palin's (and their) Down Syndrome son.

Why would a woman be criticized for 'ambition above concern for her family' and if it were a man, with the same circumstances, he wouldn't be?

If Sarah Palin needs to be judged by her husband's DUI 25 years ago and her daughter's pregnancy, why the hell did Hillary get as far as she did in the Democratic primary when her husband was (misbehaving), while he was our president, with his staff in the WHITE HOUSE!

Give me a break!

Compared to the Clinton's, Sarah Palin's family/personal stuff is next to nothing."

-- Mickie Russell,

Dauphin Realty

"Ditto (what Mickie said) and let me add, (it) floors me that they have the audacity to question her ability to take on this job because she is a woman and has five kids and one with Down Syndrome, when it was those Democrat women's liberals that took away the respect women had for raising kids and not working. I did not vote for women's liberal views that were forced upon me years ago. Now if women do not work, it is looked down upon. My hat's off to her that she can multi-task and get so much good work accomplished and is not afraid to stand up for what is right in her personal life as well as her political life!"

-- Pam Middleton,

Associate Broker, Dauphin Realty

"I think the selection of Palin is another boost to the Democratic party.

"I have no idea what the Republicans were thinking when they selected her. If they are seeking the votes of women, I believe that they have really missed the mark. Palin is out of step with not just Democratic women but with women as a whole.

I thought they would seek someone who has enough experience and know-how to help run this country. Instead they chose someone who was the mayor of a town less than half the size of Prichard and just recently became the governor of Alaska, the USA's youngest and one of the least populated states. She is under ethics investigation in Alaska for possible abuse power in firing the state’s public safety commissioner.

I do not think John McCain even knows why Palin was chosen as his running mate."

-- Janetta Whitt-Mitchell,

Vice Chairperson, Mobile Democratic Party

"Though I was not very familiar with Sarah Palin, my first thought was any woman who runs a family and a job definitely has executive skills! I hope the media will leave her family out of the picture in terms of the campaign. Where will we find good people to run for public office, if not only they, but also their families, are subjected to such invasion of privacy? I know many women, including my own sisters, who have raised fine families while holding demanding jobs. The women who settled our

country initially raised fine families under demanding circumstances we can only imagine. I am glad to see Palin extending herself as another pioneer woman in America."

-- Cheryl Thompson,

executive, Alabama Power Co.

"At first I was skeptical simply because I had no knowledge of Gov. Palin's philosophies and beliefs. As information begin to quickly surface I was thrilled with this pick! A rock hard conservative with a lifetime membership in the NRA. A pro-life advocate with five children. A tax cutter and reformer. An energy hawk that understands the importance of drilling for our own oil independence. A maverick in her own right taking down corruption inside her state and her own Republican party.

As a conservative Republican, what's not to like about this VP pick?

Notice I never said the word woman in the description of the nominee. A president or vice-president should be about leadership, policy, and the ability to lead our nation. Her gender should be a moot point. And I believe it will be with millions of Americans. Her policies will win the day for voters, not her gender.

Any person, male or female, who can raise five children, run a family, and run a state certainly can lead. She seems like a very intelligent person who understands that conservative issues embolden America."

-- Terry Lathan,

Republican, Mobile

"My personal opinion regarding the selection of Palin is that I really don't know enough about her to say if it was a good choice or not. I wonder if Senator McCain does either. She certainly seems to be an accomplished

woman who has as many arms as an octopus and can juggle work, family, volunteer services and hobbies with easy and grace. However, I am a bit concerned about her experience in dealing with issues related to foreign

policy and national priorities. I hope that gender was not a primary consideration in selection of this person to hold the second highest office in our nation. Let's pray for all of our leaders and hope that God will continue to bless America."

-- Kathryn Coumanis,

Penelope House

"Gov. Sarah Palin was an excellent choice for the Republican Vice-Presidential nomination. In addition to bringing the perspective of a woman to the campaign, she also is the only person on either ticket with an administrative background -- having served as Mayor of her small town and Governor of Alaska.

The media revelations about her family only show they face the same type of problems that most families have experienced. Any suggestion that her political life somehow led to her 17-year old daughter's pregnancy or her then 22-year old husband's DUI is ridiculous.

John McCain's selection of Palin was inspired. Regardless of the outcome of this year's election, I think he will always be remembered for propelling this little-known 'Margaret Thatcher with a hockey stick' to national prominence."

-- JoJo Schwarzauer,

Circuit Clerk of Mobile County, Republican

"I was surprised at McCain's pick of Palin because the main thrust of his attack of Obama seemed to be his lack of experience, and her resume is not that well-filled out either. Listening to McCain and Palin speak, it almost seemed as if they are actively courting the 'Clinton vote' - women who wanted Hillary as the Democratic pick. If that is their motive, then I am offended that McCain and his team think women are swayed by something as irrelevant as gender when making a political choice.

As far as her family issues go, that is irrelevant to me. No one would think to ask that question if she was a man."

-- Bethany Kraft,

executive director, Alabama Coastal Foundation

"I have three young adult children all in college. They don't always make the decisions I would like them to, but I have no control over the path they choose in their lives because of their decisions. I would never pass judgment on anyone regarding the decisions their children make. If only we all had total control over the decisions our children make. I don't think this is a reflection on how good a parent someone has been.

(example) My youngest son is at LSU. I told him to prepare for Gustav by staying with a friend in a brick house, not his apartment because they are not built well. I also told him to park his car on high ground, NOT under a

tree. He did exactly what I told him. He and six of his friends parked their cars between two apartment buildings to block them from the wind and flying debris. Unfortunately the apartment complex collapsed on all the cars and totaled them. Good thing I'm not running for any political office. I could be accused of raising a child without good sense! (I thought your readers could use a

good laugh).

I have the greatest respect for human life and obviously she does also. She could have chosen not to have her Down Syndrome child and she could have encouraged her daughter to have an abortion. Then, wouldn't her life be a lot easier? The easy way is not always the right way. I have a lot of respect for her decisions and I want a VP who is not always looking for the easy way out or the way that puts her in the best light but instead what is right.

A DUI 25 years ago? Obviously, he learned from his mistake or he has just been lucky for a very long time.

That's my two cents, for what it's worth. Now I must go call the insurance company to see how to buy my son a new car. All because he made a bad decision!"

-- Linda St. John,

leader, Village of Spring Hill

"I think Gov. Palin is a wonderful candidate. She had been my first choice for VP from the beginning, but I didn't ever expect Sen. McCain would pick her. My gut reaction to her nomination was that the Left would pull out all

stops to try to smear her.

A husband's DUI of 20-plus years ago is too far into the past (when he was very young) to have any significance to me.

I admire the acceptance and love the Palins have for their new baby. When I was in 4th grade, my favorite teacher read us "Angel Unaware" by Dale Evans: when I heard of their baby with Down (Syndrome) I thought Gov. Palin and her husband are a lot like Dale Evans and Roy Rogers, who were everyone's heroes back in the 50's. I think the governor's daughter's situation is unfortunate but it happens in the best of families. I believe Sen. Obama expressed the feelings of most Americans well when he said families of candidates, especially children, should be off limits."

-- Betty Peters,

member, State School Board, Republican

"I was somewhat surprised about Sarah Palin. There are other women in the Republican party with more experience. It is a shame that Secretary of State (Condoleezza) Rice was not interested in being a candidate. Still, governors have a good sense of domestic policy. They must live with the issues of the American people every day. She is the only one on either ticket with that kind of experience. Gov. Palin seems very approachable and sincere. Her personal life is probably no messier than any of the other candidates, and it should not be an issue. It is my hope that the news media does not hold her to different standards than the other candidates. I am most impressed with her history of standing up to the 'good ole boys' in Alaskan politics. We could use of little of that in Washington. Senator McCain has taken a risk with this candidate, but the reward could be great."

-- KRB,

executive, Mobile

"For his first presidential move, Barack Obama choosing to bring old hat, run-of-the mill Senator Joseph Biden as his Vice Presidential Candidate on board, was not, in my opinion, indicative of his marketing platform 'Standing for Change.' Biden stands for exactly what Obama is trying to change.

Sarah Palin, on the other hand, I feel is a perfect match for John McCain as well as America. This new VP candidate has proven while mayor and governor she is change and she is reform. She stopped spending and cut taxes and found and fought corruption on the Alaska Oil & Gas Conservation Commission as well as fought big oil companies and lobbyists. In her past political career, Palin has fallen in line directly with McCain by serving her citizens first. Isn’t that McCain’s slogan, putting 'Country First'?

Todd Palin’s DUI was 25 years ago. People change. This DUI is of no significance. But he sure is for us women! Here we have a hard core professional fisherman, elk hunter, world champion snow machine racer and union oil field production operator. What a fine example and great equilibrium for two career couples!

In regard to Bristol Palin’s pregnancy, could this pregnancy have come due to hectic times during governmental affairs in Alaska and Bristol Palin needing attention when it was not offered from her mother? Nearly all my professional female peers have teenage daughters and are facing this very issue now: strict discipline competing with time away from their families competing with the gratification of sex portrayed in every television add, series, movie and in every magazine. Coupled with her newborn Down Syndrome child, this pregnancy makes Sarah Palin real and one of us, a middle class, common U.S. American. But that is as far as the story goes, it has NO relevance to the presidency and is none of our business.

Not only will the white, blue collar male get up and vote for McCain, the white and black middle class, white and blue collar female will go and vote for Sarah Palin as well. Thank you John McCain for picking someone who truly represents America."

-- Janet Rich Pittman,

1st woman chairman

Mobile County Republican Party Executive Committee

2002-2004

"I don't yet know much about Mrs. Palin, but we would not see the same criticisms of a male candidate. I respect Mrs. Palin's decision not to abort her child, and to raise her Down Syndrome child as normally as possible. Mrs. Palin's 17-year-old daughter is going to suffer through intense media scrutiny, which is unfair to her. She is not the one running for office; it is her mother and the child should be left alone. But in this day of media attention to destruction of conservative candidates, the child will surely suffer. It is, and should be, inappropriate to suggest Barack Obama should not be president because his father was black, but it is just fine with the media and our culture to be sexist and say a woman should not be president or vice-president, and that she should be at home taking care of her children. If caring for one's children or family is the standard to elective office, then only single, childless people should be elected. We are sending the message that sexism is just fine. How absurd.

-- Pamela Millsaps

attorney, former juvenile judge, GOP, Mobile

"I was not too excited about any of the VP prospects and was very pleasantly surprised at Palin's selection. I was impressed with her initial speech. My opinion hasn't been adversely affected by the news of the daughter. She's to be admired for how she's dealing with her youngest child. And the 25-year-old DUI? Ridiculous to even discuss. None of these events reflect a lack of concern for her family, and certainly don't indicate, to me, that's she's neglected her family. Teenage pregnancy is a fact of life (ask Barack), and does not reflect a failure of parenting. I think the Democrats are worried and will be trashing her, but I hope she hangs in there. I would have voted for McCain anyway, but this makes me more excited about the Republican ticket."

-- LTB,

attorney, Mobile

"Picking Palin showed how really independent McCain is. I disagree with many of her stated positions but it is certainly refreshing to see someone who dares be her own person. Most national political candidates appear to be carefully crafted by speech writers, P. R. experts and Party bosses. If McCains actually is running independent of the party, she's his man (or as the case may be, woman).

As for her daughter's pregnancy; that is pretty personal. I agree with Senator Obama who said, the family is off limits. It is interesting watching how well he controls his staff in that regard.

It is ridiculous to hold her responsible for her husband and equally ridiculous to make anything over an offense from so long ago.

I have not seen Palin show any lack of concern for her family. Her husband seems very supportive and appears willing to carry his share of the load. Of course she has ambitions, but that no more means she places her career above her family than does Joe Biden or any other male politician."

-- Ann Bedsole,

former state senator, Republican, Mobile