A panel (of one) voted this morning and after some deliberation came up with this as the column of the day. A very close second is this one.
I don’t want to see more women in politics if they are all going to be a variation on Judy Rebick. But for those constantly harping on about how we need more women in politics–well, Sarah Palin should be a dream come true. Shouldn’t she?
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The panel of one reevaluates: and actually, David Warren’s column wins out. For lines like this one:
To them, the stark facts of Ms. Palin’s reaction to a Down’s syndrome pregnancy, and to her daughter’s unseasonable one, shines as day to night against Mr. Obama’s, “If my daughter makes a mistake, I don’t want her punished with a baby.”
and this:
For the American liberal media grant themselves a free pass on all traditional principles of decency, and every feminist talking point besides, when they are confronted with a woman not in the feminist stereotype.
by 
That’s a total of two votes for the best column of the day. Congratulations, Andrea! You said it perfectly.
Count me in too. Great article!. Dare I say that women like yourself (and some of the other esteemed bloggers here) represent the new face of feminism here in Canada? We sure need it!
One caveat to the praise for Sarah Palin – this piece by Dr. Laura made me think a bit: http://www.drlaurablog.com/2008/09/02/sarah-palin-and-motherhood/
While Andrea is right, in her article that feminists are being hypocritical when they tut-tut Palin’s (inevitable) neglect of her own children, I don’t think conservative women should ignore that issue altogether either. Otherwise, we are also being a bit contradictory: on the one hand, we don’t think institutional childcare is the answer, and that mothers are their children’s best caretakers. On the other hand, here we are, cheering for a clear-cut career woman who went back to work 3 days after her youngest was born. So…hmmmmmm.
I still like Sarah Palin, but I admit that it bothers me, as someone who believes in the value of staying home with children (and as someone who would like to do that myself, out of deep conviction) that her children are being rather “left behind”. I’m not sure how the child-career conflict can be resolved for any woman – and perhaps it can’t be, and yes that is unfair – but I’m not sure that Palin and her family arrangement is the example that every woman should aspire to, either.
Way to go Andrea,
That is a fabulous article that you wrote. Congratulations and thank you.
I just read what Dr. Laura has to say, and I must say that she put it very clearly where the concerns are with Sara Palin. With professional women it always will be a conflict. It can be dealt with but there is always price to be paid somewhere.
Of courses feminists would decry this disaster of a woman’s nomination. She’s an unthinking instrument of the right.