Women in Athens County Survey question 3
Is Sarah Palin's pick as McCain's vice-presidential choice a good thing for the country? Is it good for women?
October 13, 2008
“As Hillary Clinton proclaimed about the ‘cracks in the glass ceiling,’ I think Sarah Palin's candidacy will continue to help women break through to higher office, which is good for women and the country. Women should also remember the Madeline Albright quote, ‘There is a special place in hell for women who do not help other women.’ Women don't have to agree with Palin's politics in order to be supportive of and celebrate in her candidacy.”
–Shawn Morris, 54, a retired registered nurse from Athens
“The answer is NO on all counts. McCain did not choose Sarah Palin for her intelligence, experience, or stance on most issues. He chose her because she was pretty to look at, could wink once or twice at the audience, and overall be a good piece of eye candy. The country needs to see more examples of REAL women — women who are strong, intelligent, and well-spoken. It's a shame that in today's society those who are unable to tell the difference between chicken and tuna because of the name of the item, are idolized because they are tall, blonde, busty and wear a size 000 pant. Where are the real role models?”
–Caitlin Seida, 19, an artist from Nelsonville
“Certainly not. She is not representative of the majority of women in this country, nor is she knowledgeable enough in government to understand the nuances of such an important position.”
–Niki Morris, 36, a non-profit program manager from Stewart
“Heck no! She isn’t a good representation of an American woman.”
–Molly Smith, 18, a freshman at OU, from Athens
“I feel it was, or at least the Republicans felt it was a good choice. Since so many women were supposedly upset that Ms. Clinton wasn't running, they think we are ‘stupid’ enough to fall for their tactic of bringing another woman on board. One with supposedly husband problems, a teenage daughter expecting a child, her own home to run with all the children, and is supposed to have spoken up about what she believes for her state. Are we thinking this through? How many well-meaning people have gotten in and not been able to do ANYTHING they said. What exactly has she said that deserves our, oh so important, vote?”
–Barbara Six, 57, a business co-owner from Athens
“Sarah Palin is the icing on the cake as far as I'm concerned. Finally, we have a voice for conservative women. I think Palin can be an inspiration for liberal women, too, if they will allow her. She does not advocate for women by putting down men. She has been a strong voice for both — in the family, in the workplace, and in the government.”
–Jody Stickel, 55, a retired teacher from Athens
“I don’t think she has enough experience to run as vice president, regardless of her intentions.”
–Emily Figliomeni, 18, a freshman at OU, from Toledo
“It's an awesome thing for our country and for women. It's about time we had a woman in the executive branch of government. Women have the potential to be incredible leaders, and I personally hope Sarah Palin blazes a trail that many other women will follow.”
–Mary Della Harmison, 35, an administrative assistant for a financial and marketing director, from Athens
“Yes, it is a good thing for the country and for women. This woman is a wife and working mother, and sets a wonderful example for our daughters. She doesn't share my values.
–Lisa Eliason, 54, an attorney and chief Athens city prosecutor from Athens
“Sarah Palin is not ready to be the vice-president of our country. She is especially not ready to be president of our country, which will probably happen if McCain is elected, because he is probably going to croak soon. Though Sarah Palin has certainly had her contributions to her state as governor of Alaska, she is not prepared for the responsibilities that come with being a vice-president. Her gender has nothing to do with this.”
–Clare Conway, an OU sophomore from North Olmsted, Ohio
“No and no. First, Palin said she would turn down the offer of VP candidacy. Next, Palin gave her daughter a choice of whether or not to keep her baby, but does not want to grant the same right to any other woman. Finally, Alaska took a huge sum of money to build the ‘bridge to nowhere’ and when Palin shut down the project, she kept the money. None of these things is good for a vice-presidential candidate; the choice does not reflect well on McCain, and womanhood aside, Palin is not fit to serve as president, which in this case could be problematic with McCain's health being a factor.”
–Tiffany Teofilo, 26, an OU Ph.D. student and senior accountant, from Athens
“No, I don't think she is a good choice for this country or for women. This country needs change, and Palin is too conservative for modern women of this age and time period. This country needs strong women role models and Palin seems to model women of the dark ages.”
–Ginger Gagne, 44, executive assistant for the president of an IT company, from Athens
“The selection definitely is a bad choice. Sarah Palin not only has oppressive beliefs regarding women's rights but she is also very much like the president that we currently have in office. She is very conservative and has strong religious convictions. Although I understand the importance of religion in individual's lives, I don't believe that religion should have a place in foreign policy. It is for this reason that I believe that Sarah Palin is a horrible selection for a vice-presidential candidate.”
–Catia Carter, 25, an administrative assistant from Athens
“Clearly Sarah Palin is an exceptional woman. However, I don't see that she has the experience or network that I would like in a president of the U.S. to have (yes, president; she could end up being president). In fact, I found her selection as a running mate to be a bit insulting. It felt as if McCain figured those ‘suburban women’ who are considered an important swing vote would jump on his bandwagon just because he had picked a woman. I found her much acclaimed nomination speech negative and divisive…”
–Cynthia Holliday, an OU university lecturer and administrator from Athens
“I don't think Sarah Palin is a good choice because of her lack of experience. I doubt a man with a similar lack of experience would have as many issues brought forth (her children and their personal lives), nor would questions about being able to balance work and life be mentioned. I find it interesting that many women were so supportive of Hillary because she was a woman. I was scolded by many for not supporting her with comments about how good it was for women. I said I support the person for a position based on their ability to do the job not their sex, nor their skin color. The ‘support the woman’ statements only seem to apply if the candidate is a Democrat. I get very angered by that stance.”
–Angela Anderson, 43, a professional fundraiser for education from Athens
“Sarah Palin is a gifted politician who speaks to the common man and woman. She lacks certain experience, obviously. But I trust her instincts more than I trust the instincts of Joe Biden. While it's true that many Republicans and conservatives are worried about her presence on the ticket, there is something to be said for the idea that one needn't be a long-time resident of the House or Senate to deserve a place in the White House. Meanwhile, the hysterical reaction of the left to Sarah Palin suggests that McCain was on to something when he chose her.
–Lisa Carson, 50, an editor from Athens
“No. I though it was a brilliant choice at first. Then I learned more about her. I feel that claims of not using ‘earmarks’ is beyond ridiculous considering the ‘bridge to nowhere’ was so widely publicized, even before she was announced as his running mate, as one of the worst earmark disasters. I feel that she does not have much international experience nor does she seem very well versed/polished. I have seen many other women senators whom I think McCain would have been better off picking. Let's face it, it is the only reason he picked her.”
–Laurie Gribble-McKnight, 36, a social worker from Athens
“Bad for the country and bad for women. She lacks the experience in the world arena and her narrow life view makes her a poor choice for a leadership position in U.S. politics. Similarly, she does not set a good example of womanhood in our pluralistic society. Not everyone is destined to, or wants to be, a soccer mom.”
–Frances Gander, an acupuncturist and tai chi instructor from Athens
“Besides the fact she has little experience for the position of VP or the presidency and I heard she has only traveled outside the U.S. one time! Also, her politics in regards to protecting the environment is very negative in my opinion. She also does not think sex education should be taught in high school and she is not pro-choice, also two issues important to many women.”
–Linda Hiller, 53, a house builder and rental manager from Athens
“Having a historical choice from both parties is wonderful. Although I disagree with Palin's position on health care, choice and the environment and I do not plan to vote for her, I do respect her ability to be a working mom and achieve the positions of mayor, governor and VP nomination.”
–Susan Mitchell, 47, a marketing consultant from Athens
“When Palin was ‘revealed’ at the Republican Convention, my first thought was 'just give her enough rope and she'll hang herself.’ I think her nomination was a political ploy, an irresponsible gimmick to have a first woman on the Republican ticket. So, now she is being used/abused in front of the whole world, and I think it's shameful.”
–Cheri Johnson, 56, a psychotherapist from Athens
“No. Having Sarah Palin as U.S. VP is a scary possibility to me. She is in over her head. She may very well be a viable choice to be a candidate on the national stage in the future, but not now. I admit that I'm offended that the McCain campaign may have chosen her primarily to entice Hillary Clinton supporters. Not all women are the same. One woman is not the same as any other, any more than one man is the same as the next.”
–Heidi Wilhelm, 39, a mom and birthing instructor from Athens
“I'm totally undecided.”
–Laura Jordan, 52, a karaoke DJ from Albany
“I think it was a good pick because of her politics. She has done a lot while she has been in office; her being a woman just makes it even better. She has done a lot in Alaska and I admire her for that. She is also a very strong woman and sticks to what she believes in and says. I think she would get things done if she were put in the White House.”
–Angela Haas, 21, an OU senior from Marion, Ohio
“NO. I believe she was chosen in an attempt to lure Hillary's supporters and to prove to the American public that the Republican party also (has) progressive values in that they also desire to elect an individual from a politically underrepresented group. However, I believe both these missions are failing: Palin is the antithesis of Hillary, and by choosing a woman like Palin, they are proving to me that they still value a women's appearance more than her intellect.”
–Johanna Mateer, 26, an independent provider of home health care from Athens
“There were several other women in the past on the presidential ticket who were much more qualified the Palin. Is it good for women? I don't think she is qualified so if she wins, it could be very bad for women.”
–Suzanne Borchard, 56, a children’s outreach coordinator from Athens
“I know there were those who didn't like Hillary but I would rather have an intelligent bitch with her own mind in the White House than a Barbie who is incapable of making her own decisions and seems additionally incapable of researching topics thoroughly enough to answer a simple question that she should have known was coming. I also detest that the McCain faction seems to think that picking someone with a vagina as a running mate will somehow pull votes from other vaginas. Do they really think American women are going to vote based on a popularity contest or simply the fact that one of these things is not like the other? We can read; we do tend to make decisions based on the political platforms.”
–Brandi Mullins, 34, an LPN from Athens
“Good for women, but why her? Is she qualified? Or was she picked just because of her gender? We know nothing about how she thinks. The media doesn't say anything of value.”
–Sandy Griffin, 67, retired, from New Marshfield
“No on both accounts. Palin has shown from her time as mayor and governor that she is not concerned with women's issues. For example, while serving as mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, victims of sexual assaults were required to pay for their rape-kit exam.”
–Diane Scharer, 36, a stay-at-home mom from Athens
“It is a good thing and a bad thing for women. She is a strong woman, which will empower others to be the same, but she is lacking in basic compassion, morals and ethics.”
–Amanda Sharrai, 31, a non-profit program specialist from Athens
“Based on the degrading comments McCain has said about women in the past, I'm frankly shocked he chose a female running mate in the first place (though our media frenzy over Palin keeps us from scrutinizing McCain, the actual presidential candidate). Like hundreds of thousands of other American women, Palin does not represent my views or hopes…”
–Becca J.R. Lachman, 28, interim assistant director at OU, freelance writer and composer from Athens
“I think it is a good choice. Everyone deserves whatever chance they are given. Yes, I do believe it is a big step for women because women are just as strong and smart as the men think they are.”
–Billie Byers, 49, former junk separator, cashier, home health aide, wife, mother and homemaker from New Marshfield
“I do not believe since Sarah Palin is a woman that she is going to be a better vice-presidential candidate choice. McCain made a very smart move in picking a woman as his vice-presidential candidate; however, he made an uneducated move by picking a woman who is underqualified. Some women within America will most likely vote for McCain simply because his vice-presidential candidate is a woman. However, Sarah Palin does not have the background in politics to be a successful vice-president, or even president if something were to happen. She is a very relatable woman, yet does not hold the skills from being governor in Alaska to run this country.”
–Stefanie Dimofski, 18, an OU freshman from Gahanna, Ohio
“No. She doesn't have enough experience, and I don't know that she represents the views of most modern women in America.”
–Betsy Gosnell, 42, in professional development, from Amesville
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