the one almost negative comment was from naturally a democrat. go, Sarah go.
It's a historic year for women in politics, with the Republican vice presidential nomination of Sarah Palin and the number of primary votes for Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Mrs. Palin, who has five children, including a 5-month-old son, breaks the mold as a younger woman with children, said Debbie Walsh, the director of the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University. Women are more likely to run for office when they're older and are less likely to have children younger than 18.
"One of the issues it's raising is motherhood and public life," she said.
Mrs. Palin has been questioned how she'll care for her family and serve as vice president, but Republican Georgia House District 119 Rep. Barbara Sims says she doesn't see what the fuss is about. The dedication Mrs. Palin will bring to the job is similar to the spirit of female soldiers, she said.
"She will be a lot more comfortable than they will be," Ms. Sims said of military women who leave their families to serve their country.
Columbia County Commissioner Diane Ford, a Republican, has been in politics for 16 years. When she first got involved, both of her children were in school.
"This was a decision we made as a family," she said. "I couldn't have done it without the support of my husband and my children."
She suspects Mrs. Palin has the same type of support.
"As a mother, we can multitask," she said.
Augusta Commissioner Betty Beard, a Democrat, said her husband was involved in politics when their children were in the house.
"I always put the family first," she said.
Mrs. Beard could see it as a disadvantage if she were young and had a young family, but it's up to the individual, she said.
"I think she is a person who can handle all of that," Mrs. Beard said.
Questions concerning Mrs. Palin's ability to take care of her family are unfair, said Saundra Reinke, an associate professor of public administration and director of the Master of Public Administration program at Augusta State University.
Dr. Reinke said the selection of Mrs. Palin as running mate was a surprise but a brilliant choice. She said Mrs. Palin is receiving criticism because she's a successful, female conservative who is different than what female politicians are expected to be like.
Female politicians "have to be tough, but if you're too tough, you get a negative reaction from some people," she said.
Though female politicians are often asked about family responsibilities, Ms. Walsh said if they don't have a family or aren't married, that can also be seen as a negative. Whether or not women agree with Mrs. Palin's political ideology, it does send a positive message that she's challenging assumptions for women, Ms. Walsh said.
Locally, women might have to work harder because of stronger gender-social roles in conservative states, Dr. Reinke said.
But Ms. Sims says she doesn't think the expectations were different because of her gender. Female politicians with families do have a different perspective from rearing children that all people benefit from, she said.
Mrs. Ford says she doesn't see her role as any different because of her gender.
"I think it's been a long struggle for women to get into the circle of a man's world," she said.
Though the Center for American Women and Politics hasn't seen a record number of women running for office, they're hoping that will change in coming years, Ms. Walsh said.
Ms. Sims sees hope for women who haven't been interested in politics before, more men getting involved in rearing children and the opportunities and expectations for women expanding.
"I was only expected to graduate from college, get a job and marry," she said.
Mrs. Beard said she could see a need for more women in politics, but decisions shouldn't be based on gender. "I think this country is going through a very difficult period right now, so I think it's important for us to select not personalities, but people with the ability to move this country in the right direction."
Reach Sarah Day Owen at (706) 823-3223 or sarah.owen@augustachronicle.com.
HISTORY LESSON
- Margaret Chase Smith was the first woman to have her name placed in nomination by a major political party, by the Republicans in 1964.
- Two women have been nominated to run for vice president: Geraldine Ferraro, in 1984, Democrat Sarah Palin, in 2008, Republican
Comments
the one almost negative comment was from naturally a democrat. go, Sarah go.
That's because the Democrat was attempting to be honest yet civil.
Your right sqachief! .........When a man or woman is called to duty for his or her country, they do not decide if they should stay home for their family or go to fight. They go to fight! Mrs. Palin and her family have been ask to service our country. Her family and relatives know this, and their are ready for duty! Democrats don't understand what it's like to be unselfish.
Funny how Betty Beard parrots Obama!
Hypo, I've been watching Democrat politicians attempting to be honest and civil for over 40 years. I've never seen one succeed.
Probably because there is no such thing, when it comes to politics.
Funny how you parrot the republican spin master Rush.
Well, I wish I was a funny as Rush. I don't think I'm capable of his quality of spin.( And I agree with your 8:32 comment.) Rush's spin is backed by a tremendous amount of fact. It's a really good show. You should listen some time.
Palin is Cheyney with a moose gun. She is secretive like Cheyney, and is a little goofy like him too.
Say, how is that W working for you now?
At last a woman in the White House who is proving beyond a shadow of a doubt that women have vast amounts of knowledge that goes way beyond the home and bedroom...We can do it all as most women have known forever it is just now becoming clear to the men...:-)
I for one will not accept that women are equal until they are fully integrated into society to include being on the front lines with Infantry men and they sign up for the DRAFT. If we are trully to consider the fine qualities of women, we must insist that they can do any thing a man does.
Sorry PT, but Rush has no wisdom. He is just an entertainer, playing to his base. He does not care about facts. All he is concerned with is his bank balance. christian you write about a " woman that has a vast amount of knowledge". Which woman are you talking about. Surly not Palin? I am willing to bet that prior to McCain picking her you knew nothing or very little about her. Now you are hopefully not implying that she has this " vast amount of knowledge" ?
Sorry PT, but Rush has no wisdom. He is just an entertainer, playing to his base. He does not care about facts.Posted by HYPOCRITES 08 on Sun Sep 21, 2008 9:49 AM As is EVERY single so called "pundit" on television. The only intelligent choice is one you have made based on your own investigations. Anyone who relies on ANY media to shape or reinforce an opinion, without doing due diligence to learn for themselves, deserves what they get. Those of us who can and do think for ourselves will not be affected by the ignorant.
"Of course paying taxes is patriotic... Joe Biden is correct. Haven't you read my book?" Karl Marx
"Poor people have been voting for Democrats for the last 50 years.... and they are still poor." Charles Barkley
Five colleges to get a degree in communications. Now that is definitely smart! There are a many more qualified conservative women that would have complimented John McCain's record. Let's pray that McCain lives a long and fruitful life; if he is our new President.
mmmmm.... Weren't Carter, Reagan, Clinton & Bush all governors, too? Did they have any Capital Hill or foreign policy experience? Did they qualify? Oh, i forgot.... they were males.
Get real people!!!!!You and I both know that a real mother ,can hardly work a regular job, and raise normal kids on a daily basic. We are talking about VP?????What is she going to do , walk around with him all day in the white house with him on her hip??? Or she might let her pregnant daughter raise him along with her unborn child!!!!
The dims continue to show just how classless and clueless they are. Looks like betty beard is taking a page out of the NObama playbook. Either abstain, don't show up or be excused from voting. This was in her district and she didn't even bother to show up for the last vote. Sarah hasn't walked away from votes, has battled both republicans and dims and made several decisions. McCain/Palin the winners not the whiners.
saywhat, or she could do like you entitlement jives and let them roam the streets!
Hypo, "honest" and Betty Beard in one sentence? Hilarious.
dissman, evidently you have never been an infantryman. I was and I don't want some 98 pound female in my fox hole in case I get hit and have to be carried to the aid station. BTW, there ain't any such thing as a "front line" in ou current war on terror and women have died and are dying in combat to protect your sorry butt. Now apologize to them, [filtered word].
Hypo, I listened to her interview by Hannity which I am sure you didn't and yes, she has a "vast amount of knowledge", certainly far more than you.
reddog, unlike NObama and My Belle Meechelle, Palin had to work her way through college. She evidently didn't get any "affirmative action" to get in those schools. BTW, what is your degree in?
Did Sarah Palin win a contest? As mayor she left her small town in debt. As governor she told Congress no thanks to the bridge to nowhere even though Congress had already cut funding for it and she is in the middle of a scandal. Yes I think a woman should run for president or vp but I don't think it should be Palin.
And Jack it is pretty hard trying to get into Harvard. And I think he graduated from Harvard before affirmative action was even thought of. Palin went to Idaho and graduated with degree in communications. Yeah that was hard.
wakeup, go back to sleep, again you prove your ignorance. affirmitive action is how obama and meeshell were accepted.
I don't care who you are Ivy league schools just don't accept anybody. Michelle graduated from Princeton and then got her law degree from Harvard. Obama got his degree from Columbia and later got his law degree from Harvard.
Thanks Jack men like dissman wouldn't know how far we have come in this world since he is still holding fast to the the cave man type of mentality...Jack is right when he informed you men that women are now in the 21 century military and quite frankly we are very successful. By the way dissman I would encourage you to take over the role of many women in this nation who have more than one job in life...We regularly take on the jobs of chief cook and bottle washer along with an outside job, teacher and nursemaid...And I might add we do it all without gripping for the most part...If it weren't for the women just where do you think you would be now and don't give me that crude "well we would be tons better off"...I don't think so...
You are right wakeup, only the affirmative action "anybodys"!
It's really sad that you REPUBLICANS are so blind and brainwashed that you don't realize just how careless and irresponsible a decision it was on McCains part to pick Palin. I'm a Libertarian. I don't care much for the GOP or most of your followers. However, there are many more better qualified women in the GOP who are by far superior to Sarah Palin. God Help this country should McCain develop Altzheimers if he is elected. Hell, he already thought the country directly south of us is Spain!!! I suspect when republican politicians aren't on the national tv shows...or when they are talking in private...they are saying what an idiot McCain is. Sarah who? WTF?
The Augusta Chronicle ©2012. All Rights Reserved.
