I think it is a good thing.  Our society punishes mothers constantly.  Stay at home get flack for not having outside jobs; mothers of several get flack for having embraced children; working mothers get flack for not being at home AND for being “less there” at work even if it is only a perception and not the reality.

All of that has in common a rejection of the value of mothers. 

She is going to be VP and she is a mother.  I want to see her assistants making a bold effort to clear a quiet place for breast feeding, and a well trained nanny for handling the children when she is on stage.  I want to see people accepting that she went home for dinner with the family—same as fathers who want time with their families do.

I want to see a LOT more talk about how we can HELP mothers with an improved attitude toward them and moral support. 

I think most of us do our best work as stay at home mothers, but sometimes we must take on other roles and it ought to be to our credit.

I think there is a lot of potential here.

I’ve always wanted to get into local politics but I don’t have the gumption for it with homeschooling and raising 6 kids.  I think maybe when my kids are older, then it will be my time for that.  I think that Alaskans in general are a tougher bunch and that she really did see things that she could change for the better.  For some reason, it sure looks like God gave her the gift to be able to make those changes and stick to her principles.  Being a mom only gives her more ability to do the job she is being called upon to do.  I really believe that she’s gone into this whole thing with the full support of her family (the most important thing) and with both eyes open as to what this all means for all of them.  I am a little envious of all of the opportunity for learning this gives her and her family!  I don’t think this will interfere at all with her ability to parent her children as well as she could if she continued being the governer of Alaska.  It actually might be easier (more money/support/protection/opportunity for early learning for her son with disabilities)!  As far as TIIME…well, I think that campaigning is a little rough but she doesn’t have that much more to do and I’ll bet her family will be with her or near for most of it.

It is great to have a forum to talk about this, because I have such conflicting feelings and opinions. It IS indeed wonderful to see a woman of talent, of integrity, of accomplishment, appearing on the national stage, to better life for all of us. This particular woman is impressive in her willingness to battle for ethics and for her ability to turn around very bad economic realities in her state.

I feel that I have no right to criticize her for this choice, because I want all women to make their own decisions, based on their relationship with God, their families, & their situation and resources. All of those variables are endlessly different for each woman.

That said, I feel really badly that she chose to do this at THIS juncture in her life. To me, a 4 month old special needs child needs his mother. Period. I’m not one who really believes that the hired help is the same as a Mother. Fathers can be wonderful, but I need to be shown that a particular Dad is up to a challenge of this magnitude. Is he really going to be there for this baby, as much as his mother would have been?

Well, we can look at Joe Biden and his 2 boys, who survived the death of their mother and baby sister. Biden resigned from his seat initially, but was persuaded to take the oath of office from his severely injured son’s bedside. Today, that son is speaking of his father’s extreme devotion; and the son is a married dad and is the Attorney General of Delaware.

It can be done. It is very difficult. Sarah Palin is obviously an extraordinarily capable woman.

It is possible that she could bring her family to Washington and, once there, I am sure she would have very beefed-up help for this child and all of her children.

It does bother me, however, to see her 2 teenaged daughters, during her acceptance speech, taking care of the new 4-month old baby. If women - not teen girls - are going to have babies, then we should care for them. To pass them off to older siblings is unfair. It’s a matter of degree or hours, I know. I also know that those 2 daughters were clapping for their mother, but they were not smiling at all.

Bottom line: an open mind is a good thing to have. 

I was very pleased, and yet concerned for her family, when Palin was announced as VP. However, because she has shown such integrity and sticking to her morals from PTA to Mayor to Governor to VP hopeful, I trust that she wouldn’t make this kind of move if it would be to the detriment of her family. We’ve never seen this kind of politician—a real down-to-earth woman, a mom!—and look how successful she’s been at the state level! She didn’t just “get by” as Governor while juggling her family; she made major changes and got a lot of good work done that most male workaholic politicians don’t.

This is the first time I have ever felt so excited about a candidate. I think it is because I can relate to her so much—-same values most importantly, but also she’s a mother, and the same age as me. I really want to see her win, not only because I don’t want the other candidate to win, but she is such a great role model of what women can do! If she wins, she will have the hardest job of anyone—I hope she has lots of help!
How fabulous to see her teen daughter taking care of their baby….that’s what my family has looked like too!

I am really torn!  I’d love to see a capable pro-life mama in the whitehouse, but I’m very unsure about two things.  One, as others have already pointed out, her sweet little 4 month old baby is going to need his mom!  At only 4 months, I’m not sure she and her husband can even fully comprehend what it will mean to care for this special-needs child.  The lifestyle demanded of politicians at that level is not too conducive to family life, not to mention caring for an infant.

Second, though I agree with her basic stance on many issues, I’m not sure that she’s any more qualified than I am to take over as president should John McCain be incapacitated in any way.

I’m anxious to hear everyone’s thoughts!

I have a teenage daughter, the sour look is normal and the result of being a teen who is suddenly in the lime light and might not be comfortable with it; AND the fact that many teen girls get testy for a couple of years and I suspect it passes as they move into adulthood.

I have NO qualms about Sarah Palin, mother of five, running for the vice presidency. That is between Sarah and her husband and God. If she can handle this (and it looks like she can), it will be good for all of us.
The role of mother has been diminished and made to look like a necessary evil…  I think Sarah Palin embraces her motherhood and that her example will bring us all a good deal of respect for life, love and family. Why wouldn’t we want a great example of a funcioning family at the forefront of our nation. She makes me hopeful!

Without bestowing sainthood on her and without ignoring the great sacrifice she is making and how that will affect her family in the future, I think it is great. She is the right person to take on this challenge for these times. Not presuming to know what God wants, I do know that God equips those who are called. Many people have been praying for this election and to know how to cast their vote. I believe she is answered prayer. She has everything it takes to touch some of those die-hard feminists and maybe even change their hearts about marriage, children, and yes, life! Whether she is elected or not, she has the potential for becoming the “poster woman” for women everywhere: those who struggle with taking care of everything they are responsible for and then some, working moms, stay at home moms, career women, pro-life women, strong, determined women, and just regular folks!
She is a wonderful role model for young women everywhere. Yes, there will be nay sayers, but they will always be among us. I say give her a chance. Pray for her and her family. She is like a breath of fresh air, an open window in the dankness and darkness of politics!

I was ecstatic when I first heard the news!  I had read about her several months ago when she had just given birth to her baby, despite doctors’ suggestions to abort.  For various reasons, I truly think this is a gift from God, but she and her family will need lots of prayers.  Of course, like most well-meaning mothers, and after the initial excitement of the announcement had worn off, I began to think, “Oh, my, can she handle all of what is to come, especially the rigorous campaigning ahead over the next several weeks?  How will she really care for that precious little 4-month old son of hers with all that lies ahead?”  But God quickly brought to mind several “motherly” saints who were asked to give a large part of their lives to helping others outside their family, like St. Elizabeth of Hungary and St. Gianna Molla.  He provides all that is necessary to do the unexpected and impossible.  Sarah and her family will need our intense prayers, however.  I truly believe this selection may be a part of God’s magnificent plan for our country.  Let us right away, and over the next several weeks, offer up many prayers for this special mom and her family.

I am proud to see a wonderful, young, obviously strong, mother and wife nominated to the vice-prsidency. She certainly have challenges ahead in caring for all of her children, but she will be well guarded and have tons of time to simply snuggle her beautiful baby when she is not speaking or debating.  I don’t think her campaigning will negatively impact her care of her child.  Her unquestioning decision to “proceed” with her pregnancy, despite a Downs Syndrome diagnosis, speaks volumes to the world about the sanctity of every human life. She obviously is a very talented woman that has been called to public service.  God Bless Sarah Palin and her beautiful family.

My teens have helped with my babies for far less noble reasons! (Actually I think they must be prepared for the reality of babies so long as it is not a full job.)
There were plenty of times I didn’t think I could or should do more than be home but sometimes God calls us out of ourselves, and our famlies make it possible. Hillary Clinton was criticized for not baking cookies (back when Bill ran) and yet her daughter loves her and appears well adjusted.
For me, we have to deal with the reality. Abortion is a war with catastrophic casualties. Until ProLife woman sacrifice to the point of being in charge of this country nothing will change. When WE do this and only then will our daugters have role models that help them move this nation back toward God.
I Vote for McCain-Palin. Period.

I have to comment again because of the “teen daughter’s sour look” issue.

I am the oldest of 6 and took care of all of my sibs at some point.  Especially the youngest two.  I used to carry them around at sporting events in high school and I loved it when people thought they were “mine”.  I would correct them, of course but I thought it made me look more mature!  “Having” to take care of them at night occasionally as an older teen sure kept me away from parties and other unseemly events.  I am so happy my mom “made” me watch them and be responsible for them at times (sometimes they were my excuse for not being pressured to sneak out to the parties).  It was gooooood practice and I was much prepared to be the mother of 6 (plus more someday?).  I wasn’t always as pleased as punch to have those responsibilities but my parents knew what they were doing when they gave them to me.
I also wonder if they would have liked/trusted someone outside the family holding their precious, baby brother.  I know my oldest three wouldn’t have tolerated that for one heartbeat.

“How should we feel about a mom running for vice presidency?”  No differently than how we might feel about a man running for presidency, I think.  I will vote for the candidate that will do what I think is right for motherhood.  For some proLifers, it may mean voting McCain Palin. The motherhood issue I key in on is the lack of job security for mothers who need to take leaves after birth, or when kids are sick.  This is addressed in the Family and Medical Leave Act. Obama intends to expand upon it, since right now all women don’t have access to job protection after birth. I haven’t seen McCain’s thoughts on it, but he may have plans as well? Regardless of who is elected, Americans should encourage the administration to expand on the coverage in this Act.  It is a motherhood issue that is being ignored and can be addressed by a man or woman, Democrat, Republican or Independent.

Congrats to Faith and Family Live.  This is the most respectful discussion I have seen on this issue anywhere so far.

What a worthy discussion.

Go, Sarah, go! We are jubilant. Her husband is a prince. I sent an email on the State website congratulating baby Trig’s birth in April, and Todd Palin wrote back to me, thanking for the nice words. They are r-e-a-l. Upon becoming governor of our state, she eliminated positions like personal chef, chaffeur, etc., citing extravagance that just didn’t fit in with her family.

My own starstruck-ness aside, she is made of steel. Watch now, her joyful submission to God’s will in her life has brought her thus far, His grace will prevail. She’ll run against Hillary Clinton in 2017 ~ those are the debates we want to see.

Please follow the link if it interests you:
http://www1.gov.state.ak.us/bio.html

How do we feel about a mother VP ? DELIGHTED !  I am a mother of five, one of whom with special needs, and an Alaskan ( yippee ! ) and am here to tell you that Sarah IS quite qualified because she has the right personality and drive.  It’s been pounded out on many a Catholic Mom blog to Do What Works Best For Your Family so let’s support her !  Now to add because I want to, there are not “very bad economic realities” in Alaska ( It’s better here than most other states ), and babies being “passed off to older siblings ” is a joke ( I have to go looking for my little one and take him from one of the older siblings ! ).  Bristol is a great teen and perhaps her lack of a smile was due to the 12,000 people !

If John McCain is elected, it would be interesting to see if the plight of families and their often heroic efforts to take care of them will be mentioned more often in the press. I wonder if the influence of a working wife and mother of several children might change some minds about family policies in the various companies in the U.S.  Feminists have been discussing such issues for a long time, but might this particular woman be successful in actually influencing policy that supports families in meeting their responsibilities to their families and allows them to put in a good day’s work at the office?

It seems to me that so much effort has been made to discount the value of marriage and intact families in raising the next generation that it’s about time that someone like Sarah Palin, her husband, and family have stepped into the limelight as an example of a family who works together to meet their obligations to one another and to their country.  Perhaps the efforts of real women who are meeting the demands of family and community will be publicized at a national level and will positively influence national policies affecting families.

So much policy is made based on generalizations about people, their families, and how they live their lives without much thought about how those policies impact those families and their communities. I’m not sure what John McCain’s motivations were to ask Sarah Palin to be his VP (more votes from women dissatisfied with Barack Obama as a candidate???), but he chose her: a young woman with a fairly large family who is competent and has obviously been able to confront the status quo in politics successfully and without watering down her ethical standards.

I don’t worry too much about Sarah Palin doing a good job as VP and being a good wife and mom at the same time.  A woman’s life is one of sacrifice, anticipating and meeting everyones’ needs, accomplishing great feats of diplomacy, and having the super human energy to accomplish the impossible. These expectations whether they are fair or not can build great character and strength….why not put it to use as the vice-president of a country?

I thank God for Sarah Palin’s role in public life, and the opportunity she has been given to witness to pro-life and pro-family culture on behalf of those of us who are less visible.

For many years I was in school, pursuing an academic career, while raising my young children and adding a new baby to our family at the rate of one about every two years.  As our family grew, I was always grateful for the opportunity to surprise people with the fact that I was mom to a large brood.  It was a huge eye-opener for a lot of radical feminists, rabid atheists, and ivory tower elitists who liked and respected me before they knew I had a big family, or that I was pro-life, or Roman Catholic, to see that we are as normal, intelligent, and sometimes a great deal tougher than than they are.  I eventually came to a point where the needs of two of my kids had to come before my fellowship and grad school, but my kids actually felt a significant loss when I had to set aside that part of my life - our lives, really - that had made up part of their identity.  We were - and to some degree still are - an academic family.  The Palins are a political family, and I thank God that there is at least one family like that out there representing people like us.

Elizabeth Foss is absolutely right - look at the diversity in the lives of the saints.  As Catholics with a marital and parental vocation, most of us are called to live out our faith in a somewhat public context.  Palin’s witness of NOT sacrificing her baby, or her family, for the sake of worldly success is exactly what America needs to see.  She isn’t putting her kids in daycare.  She takes her baby with her to public speaking engagements and nurses him on the job!  This is the ultimate glass ceiling - sure, women can achieve anything - as long as they ditch the kids.  Sarah Palin stands against that prevailing notion.  If her husband weren’t able to make it possible, she probably wouldn’t do it.  Family, not government, is the true and rightful source of individual opportunity.

And, as most of us with large families know, not much of anything would be possible without A LOT of help from the older kids.  And that’s the way it should be.  The most valuable thing I ever did before becoming a mother was being the big sister in a large family.  There is nothing unfair about giving teens an opportunity to love and serve the little ones.  I actually cried when I saw that beautiful girl holding her baby brother.  What a perfect sign of contradiction to our society’s concept of the narcissistic teen.

There is a time for many of us, as Elizabeth Foss has also noted, to be “little and hidden.”  But, for some, there may be a call to witness on a grand scale, and it may not be easy, but it is also service.  None of us can see into her life and judge the degree of involvement she has with her children, but her remarkably counter-cultural choices should alert us that we should charitably give her the benefit of the doubt.  If any of us had the chance to positively affect a presidential election where Supreme Court appointments were at stake, at a time when Roe v. Wade could realistically be overturned, it seems to me that we would have a duty to do the hard thing.  Her kids will not be ruined over this, but rather, they may learn the importance of stepping up to bat when called upon and living their values even under difficult circumstances. 

Sorry so long.  You can tell I feel strongly about this.  A vote for McCain-Palin is a vote for life, family, and authentic femininity.

“How do I feel about a mother of young children running for VP?”

Absolutely disgusted.  My special needs baby is the same age as Sarah Palin’s and I held him all afternoon through a fit of colic while I watched the events of Palin become a running mate.

Sarah Palin’s husband may be a champ and happy to feed pumped breast milk (or pay for a sitter to do so) but he will never substitute for a mom.  Conservative / pro-life / blah blah blah;  there just are not enough hours in the day to be a VP and a mother (especially to 5 children).

Mrs. Palin is just further sending the message to mothers that our role is insignificant.  No thanks, Mrs. Conservative, I get that message enough from the liberal set.  I would hope better from you.

I was just about to vote for McCain until I heard this.  Now I’m completely confused and wishing I was Canadian.

With all due respect to Elizabeth Foss, there’s a MASSIVE difference between having a lacemaking business or being a doctor and being the Vice President of the United States!  Yes, moms are amazing and can do anything, but should Sarah really be stepping up to the VP plate with a five-month-old? 

And it’s not like this is a job that she already knows like the back of her hand ... there will be a lot to learn and a lot at stake for the country (and for her own family) while she does.  I have to say that it does make me question her judgment somewhat.

First of all, I was preparing myself mentally to sit the election out because I figured that McCain would select Gov. Romney or Sen. Lieberman.  I believe that Sen. McCain hit this one out of the park.  Above all, it was a very strong signal that the base is pro-life and that, for the first time in a presidential race, this voting block is being given the credence we are due.  I don’t believe that Gov. Palin would have been chosen if she were not so strongly pro-life.  She is a gift from God to all of us.  All this being said, many of my friends have already expressed reservations because of the demands of her role as mother of a large family. However, she is not signing on to a life long career.  At the most, this job will take eight years of her life, and there will be plenty of down time, too, as well as the all-nighters.  She will be able to live where she works, and there will be plenty of highly qualified help, and probably private tutors if she wants to go this route.  And what an experience for her children!  I’m quite sure that she will find a way to incorporate them into her life in Washington in many unique and creative ways.  Both she and her husband are young enough so that they will have the stamina they will surely need.  Indeed, they seem to be in top physical condition.  Women today who are in the military, or who serve as medical professionals, or who are in international business have schedules that are far more demanding and which require longer periods of separation and even the danger of being killed.  I am convinced that this tough cookie of a woman can handle this job.  I am so excited and energized.  Instead of sitting this one out, I’m planning on writing a hefty check!  I hope many others follow suit…

Whether or not we would choose the same path is really irrelevant. 

Lest we forget, we live in difficult times in a country that is steeped in a culture of death.
For the moment all eyes are on this woman—- a mother of five who is unequivocally pro-life.  That’s a very good thing!

How many queens of ages past have governed well while still mothering well?  Countless I would imagine.  And with Sarah Palin we’re not talking about a lifetime but really just a term or two (God willing!)

This woman has the potential to effect real change even if only through her public example and the awareness that her story will bring.

The real question we need to be asking her is how can we help?  What can we do to tangibly help Sarah Palin be both a good mother and a good VP? 

We need to pray.  Pray for her, her family and our country.  I really mean that.  Let’s ask God to send this woman the help she needs to fulfill this role.  If God has truly called her to it He will provide but as her brothers and sisters in Christ we need to do what we can to support her in it.

Most especially let’s not forget to ask Mary, our very own Queen and Mother to intercede with us in this very important time in our nation’s history.

I want to encourage all of us and our children to PRAY every day for all our elected officials as well as for those running for office.  They all need the graces necessary to know the will of God and the strength and courage to do the will of God!!!  If we do this, we can trust that the good Lord will bless ALL of them!!  Remember, “for those who love God, all things work together for good.”

I’m thrilled with this nomination.  I’m sure it will be a tough time for her family, but I firmly believe that she’s been given a task that will bless us all, if she’s allowed to carry it out.  Sometimes God calls us to stay home and take care of our sweet babies, and sometimes he calls us to take on the establishment for the good of millions of other babies.  We should pray for her protection and for her family’s well being.  Blessings on her.

I’m not surprised that as usual, I agree with Elizabeth Foss.  Sarah Palin is an excellent choice for VP.

Don’t we think that how she handles her personal affairs and family life is a decision for HER to make with her husband and our Lord?  With my own nine kids, home schooling, and circumstances in life, I can’t run a business, work on committees or be out much pursuing other interests.  But I have plenty of “sisters in the faith” who do all that with a pile of kids - like Danielle Bean and Eliz Foss, and many “real life” friends.

Our own limitations and choices should never decide how much or little another man or woman should choose.  I am so thrilled that John McCain chose a cultural conservative, and a woman to boot!  We may get some of the Hillary voters yet…...

When’s the last time you heard a politician talk about nitty gritty women’s issues - like pumping breast milk? A lactating VP? I love it!

I worked full-time from home for 1-1/2 yrs. when my first was little. Eventually I quit, and at this point, I can’t imagine how I ever did it! But, I find life is like that - the more you have to do, the more you get done. Somehow.

If she has the support of a husband full-time, older siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles, as she says, and paid help, she should be able to handle it.

I don’t want to underestimate the importance of the position, but I imagine there is some down time and travel time that she can be with her children.

Ultimately, if she and her husband feel this is where God has called them, God bless them! They can be assured of my prayers.

Have we forgotten about baby-wearing?  She seems to be pretty handy with a sling.  Why are we assuming “Dad” would take over with the special needs child anyway?  Let her wear him all over the world!  What a witness to peace and families and joy and acceptance he would make! If world leaders can negotiate issues of war and peace, they can handle a little spit-up.

We had a female Governor here in Massachusetts several years back.  I did not agree at all with her choices.  She used her office staff to “babysit” and was chastised for it. With Sarah Palin, however, I find I am happy to see her on the ticket.  She seems to be balancing things well, she is tough as nails, and she puts her money where her mouth is.  I believe she balances out the Republican ticket, as well.  It was a breath of fresh air to have a politician talk about her husband’s job on the oil rig.  The Palin’s seem like real people.  I think that the next few years will be difficult on her family if John McCain is elected.  Maybe instead of criticizing her for her choies, though, we should be applauding her courage.  It takes courage to fight the status quo, and it appears that she has been fighting it for a while.  No matter who is elected, they need our prayers.

I agree with Elizabeth Foss. Frankly, when I was learning about St. Gianna’s life, I wondered how she could be a working doctor with the vocation to motherhood. But she was canonized a saint. I have also wondered how some married men become priests with the duty to support a family. But the Pope consents to these extraordinary vocations. I don’t know how Sarah Palin can do what she has done or what she is commencing. But I don’t see it as a coincidence that her 5th child and the aborted baby that Jill Stanek testified about in Barack Obama’s committee both had Down Syndrome. Her example is the antithesis to Obama’s “burden[ing] the original decision of the mother.”

I don’t know why God chooses some people to do extraordinary things, but He does. And He equips those people in ways that we who are not called to those positions cannot know. At least not in this life.

Sarah Palin sounds like a great woman.  It isn’t our place to judge whether or not a wife/mom should be VP or not.  I am sure she and her family prayerfully decided that God was calling them to this.  So, whether or not we could picture ourselves in her shoes (mother of baby), we are not there, she is, and our supporting her or voting for her supports her decision.

If instead of being chosen as VP she had spontaneously conceived triplets what would we say to her?  Something along the lines of “oh, I know this will be hard but if God brings you to it He will bring you through it!”.  If she had been conflicted with a disease, or her husband died, or any number of hardships befell her it would be *obvious* that God was calling her to more work and hardship than any of us would choose for ourselves, and we would pat her on the back and wish her well.

This country needs a culture change. They need a GOP that will break the mold of stuffy blue-suits enforcing patriarchal standards.  This country needs to see a respectable high-powered WOMAN stand up for the culture of life.  Why not assume that that person is Sarah Palin?  God has called people to stranger and harder things!

Also, I think it is clear from pictures and interviews that she is at least a lot more attachment oriented with her children than the average American woman.  She breastfeeds.  She carries her babies.  She slings!  A woman who makes those choices isn’t going to hand her baby to a nanny and never see it again. 

Dare I say it, but I think she could be the one to be a public example of authentic femininity.  She loves her family more than anything, she is clearly in love with her husband.  I am just enthralled with her!

I am thrilled for the country.  I struggle with feeling a little worried for her kids too.  My family will committ to praying for them.  I am grateful that there are those families that will make difficult choices like this for the betterment of our country.  In addition to the examples already mentioned, I was thinking of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton who, as a widow, opened up a school for girls while caring for her own kids.  I have always wondered how she did it, but there are some who are given extraordinary graces from God to do extraordinary things.  Let’s be their prayer support!

I am thrilled by McCain’s choice. I too cannot imagine mothering my children with that kind of schedule, but my vocation is to be at home.
I agree with whoever said that maybe her children will sacrifice a little time with their mother to save millions of babies that would have been aborted. How many women saw the news and were pregnant with a Down’s Syndrome baby? At least a few, I’m sure. If even one decided not to abort, her time in the limelight is worth it. 90% of Down’s babies are aborted. If they were here, imagine the funding possibilities for research, the public awareness of the value of life, however it is formed. We have a real chance to reverse Roe vs. Wade if McCain is elected. We need to pray hard for this to happen. It may be our last chance for awhile.
We need to encourage others to vote for McCain/Palin, to vote for life!
I think that McCain may have won his election by picking her.

Comment #12 reminded me that the president of National Right to Life, Dr. Wanda Franz, taught at a university and was the president of NRL while she had very young children.  She also was strongly criticized from time to time for working while her children were young, but she felt God had called her to an important task.  Maybe there is a parallel.  If you can protect the unborn and/or provide great leadership to your country and family at the same time, then yes, you should.  (did anyone else think of today’s Gospel?  If God gave you these talents, you need to at least consider whether he wants you to use them this way at this time.)  Ms. Palin thinks this is how God wants her to act. I am sure I can’t judge better than she.

Some people are gifted to be able to accomplish many things without being stressed. It’s certainly not something that just ANY mom of 5 could do but as Sarah Palin has proven, she’s above average on her multi-tasking skills.

Besides, the hardest part will be the campaigning. Afterwards, it will be similar to what she’s already been doing.

To answer your question “Should a Mom be running for Vice President”, my answer
has to be “No”. I think Sarah Palin is a great role model, and I
applaud her for her strong pro-life beliefs. But, to move her entire
family from a place they have lived their entire life to Washington
DC, would not only be a culture shock, but would only pull her away
more from her family then she already is in her career as Governor. My
other concerns is that if something were to happen to John McCain, he
is 72 years old, and a cancer survivor, then she would be President! I
truly respect her, but she has no experience to be commander and chief
of our country.

What a Godly appointment!  For anyone in doubt please read Proverbs 31 v 10-31

Michelle Quigley-thanks for saying what I wanted to say.  It’s true that these days women are judged by other women for doing too much outside the home, too little outside the home, too much time with their kids, too little time with their kids.  When will we get it that God calls each of us to live out our vocation in different ways?  I’m thrilled for the world to see an authentically feminine woman!!  You go Sarah Palin!  We’ll be praying for you and your family!!  Thank you and your family for the sacrifices you are willing to make!!!

I am so excited about this! From my understanding of her so far, she seems to be a strong Christian woman who is Spirit led. I can see God’s handy work all over this. Yes it will be tough…but all things are possible with God. She seems to have an incredibly supportive husband and family…God bless each and everyone of them. I too will be keeping them in my prayers.

I’ve read some of the comments and skimmed the others. I am amazed at how quickly some are to judge her and say she’s isn’t a good enough mother. Aren’t we better then that? Shouldn’t we step up and support her?

Here is a woman, who is a mother, a devoted one at that (she takes Trig to work with her quite often and did so with Piper as well). She is pro-life and has proved it. She will understand that concerns mother’s have. She is someone we can relate to…someone who we should be proud to support.

But yet we tear her down because she has a family and a small infant. This conversation wouldn’t even be happening if it was the dad running for vice president. I think it’s shameful that we aren’t all cheering and supporting her.

I have also heard some people say they won’t vote at all. To me that is a huge mistake. If we don’t turn out to vote we are going to easily give this election to Obama.

Regardless, if we think a mother of 5 should be viice president do we really want to not vote for McCain/Palin and give the election to Obama?

A man who believes babies are punishment, that abortion -even partial birth abortions are okay? Who has said that his first bill to sign with be the Freedom of Choice, which will nullify any laws restricting abortion.

I urge everyone to go out and vote…don’t with hold your vote just because you don’t agree with a mother being vice president.

I think it was an exceptionally shrewd choice.  I think he may lose some far-right religious votes over it, for some of the reasons I’ve seen voiced here - that a woman with children should be at home raising them. 

Taking away the “motherhood” issues, however, I have to say that I’m a little disappointed in many of the attitudes I’ve seen that are very dismissive of fatherhood (in many different forums).  If her husband is able to be the primary care-giver to their children, then who are we to say that it won’t work simply because he’s the father, not the mother?  I think Palin as VP is an opportunity for American society to not only see that women are able to handle higher office positions, but that men are able to handle a job as important as parenting.  For too many years parenting has been seen as “women’s work,” when really it’s “parents’ work.”

Sarah Palin has been a member of one of my favorite pro-life organizations, FFL (http://www.feministsforlife.org) for at least two years, and I feel fantastic about having someone in office who is able to put family and women’s issues on the table without taking away the right to life.

Sarah, I give you a lot of credit for what you wrote and what I am thinking.  I cannot conceive the thought of anyone taking on such a difficult role with a 4 month old baby.  I stayed home for 20 years raising my babies.  I truly believe that is where I belonged.  I think a mother belongs with here babies at that age.  I’m sorry if other’s don’t agree.  Our society has become a society of “working outside the home Mom’s”.  As a teacher I am seeing the results of this. It is not a good thing.

Listen to the words of John Paul II the Great: (from the Letter to Women, written in June 1995)

“Thank you, women who work! You are present and active in every area of life—social, economic, cultural, artistic AND POLITICAL (emphasis mine). In this way you make an indispensable contribution to the growth of a culture which unites reason and feeling, to a model of life ever open to the sense of “mystery,” to the establishment of economic and political structures ever more worthy of humanity. . . . Thank you, every woman, for the simple fact of being a woman! Through the insight which is so much a part of your womanhood you enrich the world’s understanding and help to make human relations more honest and authentic.”

“Women’s dignity has often been unacknowledged and their prerogatives misrepresented; they have often been relegated to the margins of society and even reduced to servitude. This has prevented women from truly being themselves and it has resulted in a spiritual impoverishment of humanity.”

“Women will increasingly play a part in the solution of the serious problems of the future: leisure time, the quality of life, migration, social services, euthanasia, drugs, health care, the ecology, etc. In all these areas a greater presence of women in society will prove most valuable, for it will help to manifest the contradictions present when society is organized solely according to the criteria of efficiency and productivity, and it will force systems to be redesigned in a way which favors the processes of humanization which mark the “civilization of love.”

“It is thus my hope, dear sisters, that you will reflect carefully on what it means to speak of the “genius of women,” not only in order to be able to see in this phrase a specific part of God’s plan which needs to be accepted and appreciated, but also in order to let this genius be more fully expressed in the life of society as a whole, as well as the life of the Church.”

Read the whole thing here:
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/letters/documents/hf_jp-ii_let_29061995_women_en.html

What more can be said?

I think that it is great that she is running.  Would I personally make that choice? No, but that’s me.  As much as I personally believe that children do benefit from mom at home, I still don’t think that it is a good solution for everyone.  Some mothers cannot be home for a multitude of reasons, not all of which are financial. 

Motherhood in a very public venue could be a wonderful witness.  Stay at home motherhood can be somewhat isolating.  It may be difficult for some women to see the beauties of having a child.  Therefore I am excited to see the possibilities that this nomination might present to those who otherwise might not even think of a mother of five kids “normal”.

I am so excited about the McCain/Palin ticket that I may put a sign on my front lawn.  I don’t have a calling for public life, but for those mothers who do - God bless you!  She is a smart and capable woman, and I’m sure she will manage and her baby will be fine.

I LOVE the idea of baby wearing and being VP! I am a breastfeeding and working mom of 4. I can get more done with a baby in the sling and my other three coloring/playing than most of my “single” friends period. With her husband, family support and a good nanny, I think she will be FANTASTIC! I am really happy with McCain’s pick!

As a christian I can’t understand why she’s running, she’s against abortion but she don’t seem to want to put the time she needs into her own infant, There’s no love like a mother’s love, but yet she’d put the baby’s care in the hands of someone else. I think Jesus would want her taking care of her baby instead of running for VP. But it seems fame means more to her, why else would she be running, McCain did have better choices, and I can’t vote for her, I’m going to vote against McCain so she can spend the time she needs with her baby.

As some have said, there have been plenty in the Catholic monarchy who did things that would make some in this crowd accuse me of lying.  Ever hear of a “wet nurse”?  They used them, throughout human history.  They had servants. They had governesses/tutors in the home for the very young and then they sent their sons away while still children to be educated at monasteries, and later, universities, often not seeing them for years at a time. They did not follow what some consider to be the “model Catholic family” guide.  And that’s not even what we’re talking about here, as Sarah has already proven.  There are MANY different paths to raising a family; just look at Catholic history.

But another thought:  If we do not go out in droves to vote McCain/Palin, it will be a big, clear signal to politicians:  See?  We got burned; we thought it would be a big invitation to the pro-life right of the country but…they didn’t go for it.  She was too conservative.  We’ve got to go more left next time. 

That’s the way these things work.  Even if you aren’t 100% sure (and really, you never will be…) we need to make it clear that we want: more of this type, please.

how should we feel about a mom running for the vice presidency?
I feel the same way as I do about a dad running for public office: it’s a vocation to which on eis called, similar in many ways to the call of parenthood. There are many ways to love, nurture, and parent a child beyond the idealized mother-only stereotype. One has only to look around at all the exemplary results of this broad approach to nurtuting. In th end, I am less concerned about Palin’s family circumstances than I am her ability to lead. That she is a woman is neither sufficient nor necessary to win my vote; she must prove she is capable of being president.