A Moose in Manhattan: Sarah Palin is Doomed

The Republicans pulled a rabbit out of their metaphorical hat when McCain chose a woman as his running mate, and I couldn't be happier. She brings a fresh perspective to the campaign, is relatively unsullied by the political bullshit that many career politicians bath in, and, as a woman, has the potential to break the endless cycle of male-dominated presidencies. As a mother, she's obviously already well qualified as a diplomat/peacemaker, can multi-task like no other, and listens to the needs of "the little man." As an Alaskan, she has a unique perspective on energy issues and the oil crisis.

I especially approve of her wholehearted backing of her daughter's pregnancy, which is a tangible example of her actually living the values she preaches and demonstrates a notable humility. America needs someone who isn't holier than thou. We don't need a "perfect" family. By the statistics, the "perfect" family is a virtual dinosaur-who doesn't have a deep family secret or a nasty vice? We need a family who is struggling through the same issues we do. I am probably biased on this one, as I was the product of a teen pregnancy myself. Although my mother chose not to marry my father(which, believe me, was one of the smartest decisions she's ever made), she did raise me and did a damn fine job of it. She didn't drop out of school, in fact, she graduated early with honors and went on to complete her bachelors and masters degree. AND she did that without any support from her parents or my father. I'm not saying that what she did is right for everyone, that adoption is a bad choice, or that abortion is evil, simply that I approve of the support Palin has given her daughter.

The sad thing is...I doubt that a woman will be in office in my lifetime, and certainly not a Republican woman. Many people won't vote for her simply *because* she is a woman, a mother, a wife, and, most of all, a Republican. They will tune out any campaign platform she runs on because they have already written her off. Some conservatives will brand her as a fallen woman, evil, even, and some liberals will brand her as a 'barefoot and pregnant,' raving religious madwoman because she has five children-regardless of any actual leadership abilities that she possesses.

So, Sarah Palin, I applaud your courage and I will root for your success because I believe that a woman will bring great changes to the presidential office, but ultimately, I realize that you will likely only succeed in putting a few more fractures in the glass ceiling.

America is not ready for the future.