Excellent article..must read for women

[Hope And Change]

Marlene H. Phillips
Posted September 10, 2008 | 11:14 PM (EST)

Insulted Women Sound Off On Campaign Politics

Most people open their email and hear a gentle strumming sound emanating from their computer. When I opened my email this week I heard a roar, composed of the voices of women of the American West, shouting to the largely oblivious mainstream media to be heard.

I have received emails this past week from working-class women, stay at home moms, executives and administrators, from politically active women and women who haven't voted in years. They have one thing in common: a fervent desire to talk about the Republican party's nominee for president and vice president. I can't say this is scientific, I can only tell you what I'm hearing. And if my overflowing inbox is any indication, John McCain and Sarah Palin are not convincing women of the West that this ticket is for them.

I heard from Jane, a 42-year-old stay-at-home mom in La Quinta, California. Jane admitted sheepishly that she hasn't always voted but is following this year's presidential election daily. Her support for Barack Obama was based partly on her 17-year work experience in human resources. "I had to deal with all types of people objectively," said Jane, adding "Obama does the same; he takes into account the global nature of business, works effectively with colleagues, citizens from different political parties, viewpoints, cultures, and countries. He gets it!" Her assessment of McCain was brief and blunt: "Great American, too old to be president," but it's what some voters are saying about Sarah Palin that really disturbs her: "It's shocking; I heard a woman yesterday say, 'I like Palin, she's young, a mom and cute.' Wow. This is how you vote? Not on the issues? Scary." After seeing crowds on television chanting Palin's name, Jane wanted to remind those people that "this is about who should run our country. I would love to see Angelina Jolie speak. I think she's pretty and wears nice clothing and she loves her kids -- but that does not make her a VP."

Megan is a 38-year-old stay at home mom in New Mexico. A Democrat ("all the way, baby") and firm Obama supporter, she considers herself a feminist but added, "that generally doesn't influence how I vote or think about many issues,' and related a story which shocked her: "I was in a shop wearing my 'Obama Mama' t-shirt and this man starts talking to me about Palin, saying she would be president if McCain won and then died, and then we'd have a woman pres and speaker of the house. Does he really think, because I'm a woman, my dream is for McCain to win and then die so that a woman will be in the office? Nuts." Megan was clear on why Obama was getting her vote, "I am voting based on the issues that will affect me and my kids. I don't understand when people vote based on things that will affect other people (like gay rights) and go against their own best interests (which include bigger tax breaks and a start toward dealing with the climate crisis)."

In contrast to Megan, Gina from Texas says she's "an independent who tends to vote more Republican," but so far the Republican ticket hasn't convinced her. "I'm still undecided," said the 34-year-old stay-at-home mom, "I can't sort through the half truths." But one thing she is sure about; she doesn't believe Republicans when they say Sarah Palin is being attacked by the media because she's a woman. "No! I think she is being attacked because she is running for VP!" And while she thinks John McCain has "good intentions," she doesn't think of him as a maverick, adding, "like most politicians he will tell you what you want to hear."


more...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marlene-h-phillips/insulted-women-sound-off_b_125540.html