"Just a Soccer Mom"

I had meant to write this post a couple of weeks ago, shortly after Sarah Palin was first announced as McCain's running mate. But I'm a mom myself, so . . . ;)

I want to say first and foremost that, like in years past, I am disappointed that there is no ideal Presidential candidate for me to endorse. It would be nice to get excited about somebody! So, I am not necessarily 100% pro-McCain/Palin ticket, but I do acknowledge that Obama's stances on some issues are not my cup of tea at all.

I wanted to write a post after listening to some of the call-in criticisms from Americans on CNN after Palin was announced. The repeating mantra was, "She's *just* a soccer mom. What does she know about being a Vice President?" Here are some of my thoughts:

• First of all, she's a hockey mom. Not a soccer mom. If we are going to discount her abilities solely based on her status of "mom", we should at least make sure we have the right description.
• Many callers also said, "Democrats are 'smarter' than that . . ." in reference to McCain's choice, implying he solely chose Palin to sway some Democratic women. So those in the country who may vote for McCain/Palin are dumb??? Maybe Palin has something to offer that people genuinely like.
• Multiple callers called McCain's move "desperate". I can see why they may say this, but at some point, another woman would have been nominated to the Presidency or Vice-Presidency. It's been over 20 years since Ferraro. I think people would have been calling a female move "desperate" whether it happened now or in the next 2-4 elections. I also think McCain could have picked Hillary Clinton herself and it would have been labeled "desperate" or "a ploy to sway voters". If people have already made up their minds about McCain, Palin is not going to change it. If they haven't, she may be a breath of fresh air.
• Palin is inexperienced . . . ummm, Obama doesn't have much more on his plate.
• She has been criticized for being a "pro-lifer" . . . and I am wondering why that is a "bad" thing. Aren't we all living, breathing human beings? Isn't life a good thing?
• There were comments that "McCain will set women back decades if elected." Come on now, isn't that a little extremist? I really do not believe women nationwide are going to be expected or legislated to, handing dads their slippers and a cold drink as soon as they walk in the door from work. I don't think our right to vote is going to be revoked. I don't think we are going to be kicked out of the work place and asked to "go home". He has a couple of daughters of his own, I don't think he is a woman-hater.
• One caller commented that Palin was "against abortion but says she stands for family values . . . so where are her 'family values'?" Okay . . . I don't follow this logic but since when does abortion = family values? I personally believe abortion has devastating effects on the whole family that creates long-lasting ripples physically, emotionally and mentally. I also personally believe that abortion creates increased aggression towards women in general. I think we as women are deluding ourselves if we think that separating ourselves and scoffing at our natural differences between men *is* progress. I don't think our differences limit us, but I do think they shouldn't be ignored.
• I take issue that people are discounting her solely b/c she is a mom. Since when is being a mother a detriment to our government? It may not qualify her, but it shouldn't discredit her. I get similar reactions, even from well-meaning friends. Not in regards to working in the government, but in regards to being a stay-at-home mom. People will ask me, "Is there anything *else* you are doing?" I understand their intentions, but asking questions like that implies that I am not DOING anything by being a mom. It is exactly this attitude that contributes to our culture's de-valuation of the family and mothers in particular. In my case, I actually am doing other things (i.e. Bradley classes, speech-language pathology on a PRN basis) but even if I weren't, my job as a mom should be able to stand alone and be respected. I promise you, we do NOT sit around watching soaps and eating bon-bons all day. ;)

I am not trying to sway anyone to vote for McCain/Palin, but I did want to point out some of the silly criticisms she first received. There are probably more valid ones out there (not the gossip that the media spreads) and those are the ones we should address. I also encourage people to take a more critical eye to Obama. He may not be the quite the savior everyone is hoping he will be. But then again, maybe he will surprise me hugely.

I think it is awesome that McCain has a female running mate. I think it is wonderful that she is a pro-life mom who walks the walk as well as talking the talk. I think Washington needs more mothers. As long as society views pregnant women as a burden . . . birthing women as something to be managed and controlled . . . breastfeeding mothers as obscene . . .we will never truly be valued and have no hope of being sincerely respected or appreciated. The more we struggle against our nature, the more misery we bring to ourselves.