We can't turn the choice to elect a Mom as VP into a debate about stay at home Moms versus working Moms....

I don't think that's the debate at all. And, I'm not one to get in that debate because in my own life, I can't figure out if I should be a working outside the home mom versus a stay at home mom. And, that's why I admire that part of Sarah Palin: She knows what she wants and what she can handle and is going for gold.

She is going for gold, but I've got to wonder at what cost? She has a lot to handle; a pregnant teenager and a special needs infant at home. I'm not sure I trust her judgment to take on campaigning and the possible job of 2nd in command of our nation. She must have a really supportive husband who is willing to almost be a single parent to those 5 kids for at least the next few months.

I agree with Natalie....whether you agree with Sarah Palin or not, it's about her going after it. If she's lucky enough to have a husband who can be the stay at home dad, good for her. And although the number of kids she has is irrelevant to the job she will do or has done, it is still amazing for we as moms know that know matter how many children you have, it consumes all of you. A mom of one feels she is not any less busy or more tired than a mom of 3 at the end of the day. Whatever you have takes it all out of you.

Many of us just can't imagine doing it all. Whether you can relate to her or not, whether she has more money or more access to help than the rest of us, whether you agree with her or not, the fact that she is a mom who is showing woman that it is ok to do both is great.

There's still so much we don't know about her. They are just now putting her through the vetting process. They haven't let her talk to the press. Yes, her ambition is impressive, but we have to be careful not to be too starstruck. I want a woman in the white house, but I want the right one. The wrong one could ruin it for women for a long time. I, personally, haven't found the right one for me, yet.

At least, no matter which way this election goes, we are witnessing a historic event.

I just have to wonder why the choices Palin makes regarding her family are judged...whether as admirable or as questionable...are not raised with male candidates. I mean, Obama has young kids. No one is talking about how he is going to balance it all and be a good Dad while running for or serving as president.

Because most of the people complaining are democrats and they want Obama in office as he represents their views. I think at the end of the day, people are just true to their parties, and they're going to rally around any candidate on their side, and complain about any candidate who isn't.

I think we are talking about it because we, as mothers, just talk about things like that. We are interested in how other moms do things, not necessarily in a judging sort of way, just curious. Plus, a family with two kids is commonplace. A family with five isn't as much. I think there are all sorts of reasons it's interesting for discussion but I also believe that what's far more important for us as voters are her stances on the economy and the cost of milk (Ugh!), energy, the environment, etc. Do you think she's a good choice? Do you think she is ready?

It is an interesting conversation. On the one hand, Palin's politics are close to mine, but like every other mom I wonder how she can do it all. But I try to remember that historically women have really risen up to alot of demands. They have very large familes (8-9 kids, whatever), dealt with husbands going off to war, having to get jobs in factories, and well, carry some really heavy loads. Spending time taking their kids to gymboree and the like weren't considerations. Women were TOUGH. And I think all of us are capable of those things, but if you're like me you're just glad we don't have to do them:-). I have four kids and I've had so many people say "I could NEVER have four". Well of course they could. They just chose not to. I'm not more patient, energetic or capable than most other moms I know. So I try to keep that in mind, and remember that our job is to focus on if she's capable of being VP, not if she's capable of being a good mom too. That's not for us to say, and I think regardless, at the end of the day, it's all about party lines anyway.

I caution people - specifically women - to stop projecting their feelings onto Sarah Palin. She seems in touch with her abilities and limitations. And she has a husband who is clearly committed to supporting her and the family during this time.

And I would also caution people - men AND women - to stop criticizing Sarah and Todd Palin for the fact that their 17 yo daughter is pregnant. To do so is to implicate millions of parents for having "failed" their children. Do we stand in judgment of EVERY parent whose child has become pregnant? I suspect not. I suspect that some readers of this forum have found themselves unwed and pregnant as well. Do you want us to stand in judgment of you?

As a parent of a teenager, I have cautioned and counseled my son about my expectations, the risks of sexual activity and the manner in which he and his girlfriend should protect themselves if they cannot abstain. And I thank my lucky stars that he has had no announcements. Kids will do whatever they choose regardless of what their parents tell them to do. Some will follow the advice, others will not. We don't know the extent to which these conversations occurred in the Palin household.

We all find the balance that works for us and it is up to the Palin family to find the balance that works for them. I am surprised at the number of young women who are protesting Sarah Palin's RIGHT to make her own choices. Her ability to make these choices bodes well for the future opportunities available to these same young women and for all of our daughters.

I am very disappointed right now in the media. They are so bias in their views they are not giving the American public a proper representation of either parties. They are only saying horrible things about Palin, McCain, Bush, etc. Do not underestimate the strength of these families to undergo such slander. Imagine if all of your families "shortcomings" ended up on all the magazines, CNN, laughed at on SNL, etc. I went to the supermarket this weekend to find Palin and her family on almost all the magazines titled "Palin, Lies, Drama, etc." They are really pulling things out of thin air to make this woman look bad. Could they not find any "shortcomings" on Biden? Are they even looking for anything? Do you not even question how NOTHING has come up on him in the magazines, news, etc?

What's more frusturating is the "dirt/problems" they have with Palin is the very thing the democrats embrace (working mothers...hello, Hillary Clinton??, teen pregnancies...right to choose to keep or lose the baby, etc.) And I agree with the comment a woman said before me about not judging parents based on the mistakes of the child. Many many families from ALL different walks of life have had to deal with their son or daughter's involvement with a teen pregnancy.

I think she is extremely qualified for this position and some haven't even given her a chance. From day one there was negativity from who else other than the...media. I was one of five children and I commend woman who can juggle work and family successfully.

If nothing else, look at the poise and grace with which Palin and McCain have shown in not "fighting back" and being the bigger person. With all the slander they are facing these days, it takes classy people with alot of character to not fight back or lash out in the same manner they are being treated. This fact alone makes me increasingly impressed with this woman!

I think there are so many stories about Sarah Palin right now because she is a new face to many Americans. Biden has been in the public eye for years and his record has been as well.In response to your last paragraph, I'm curious, lukarebear82, what did you think of Palin's speech at the Republican National Convention last week?

I think there is a huge difference between being a mother and a mom. It doesn't take a whole lot to be a mother. It's a simple biological process. So honestly, I don't find birthing five children to be all that commendable. Being a mom, on the other hand, means actually raising your kids, spending time w. them, etc. One of the things that bothers me greatly about Sarah Palin is that she went back to work THREE days after giving birth to her last child, who also happens to be a special needs child. Aren't you supposed to bond w. your child during that time? Wouldn't a special needs child require even more bonding? I would think it just as odd if a father were to go back to work that soon, as well. As far as her pregnant daughter goes...well, things happen & kids are kind of dumb and think things like that will never happen to them. However, I don't believe people would have such a beef w. the whole thing if not for Palin's stance on sex education. So I believe it is fair game to comment about such a thing b/c it's directly related to her stance, although I do think Obama is a classy guy for saying that families are "off limits". Rest assured, if it was Obama's daughter who was pregnant, McCain's camp would be all OVER that, so she needs to stop playing the martyr. Palin did nothing but slam Obama during her speech (Btw, I urge everyone to look at the AP article that shows the difference between the things she said in the speech and the actual truth. Please look!). She has no problem bringing negativity into this race, so she should be fully prepared to receive it in kind. She is up for public office, so she should *know* that she is going to be scrutinized. She should have been scrutinized (aka- vetted) long before now. I frankly think it was really cruel of her to accept the VP nomination knowing that her daughter is pregnant & knowing that her daughter will now be ridiculed and derided by the public. She's not qualified and I'm embarrassed that she was even considered. She belonged to a group that wanted to make Alaska an independent nation; that's treasonous. She put her hometown deeply in dept while mayor. She tried to have a librarian fired for not removing books she disapproved of from the library. Her answer to the energy crisis is "Drill, baby, drill" (interesting she happens to be from Alaska and her husband works for an oil company...). She thinks it's ok for people to hunt for wolves from helicopters (an unfair advantage, as I see it). She doesn't believe in Global Warming when it's been scientifically proven to be true (hello, ice bergs the size of Manhattan breaking lose!). And scariest of all, she thinks the war in Iraq is a "mission from god". No one has to dig up any dirt on this woman: it's all right there. But since she was never *vetted* and b/c the general public has no idea who she is, these things are only coming to light now. It's not slander if it's true. Why does her being a mother make her qualified to be second in command of the US? I don't get it. One doesn't have anything to do w. the other. If that were true, Michelle Duggar would be the best VP ever!

First off, I agree with a mother/mom bonding with a child. My moTHER was a stay at home mom and I am thankful for that. All of my sisters and sister-in-law (including MYSELF) are all going to stay at home as opposed to being a working mom. However, having said that, I have no right to judge what any mom chooses to do and neither do you. If you are so concerned with children, bonding, special needs...do you know the facts Lady_Lazarus? Did you know Obama was one of the only senators who voted that if the baby was born alive (with an abortion unsuccessful) to kill it once it was born? What is the difference if that same unsuccessfully aborted baby was to go home with the parents for a week to "try it out" and then to have the parents come back in a week and say Doc...I can't handle this baby ...kill it? What is the difference?

In my opinion...if you would stick up for someone who would vote for something as horrible as that...you don't have a right to talk about not bonding with the child "three days after it is born".

Whether you are Democrat, Independent or Repulican you have to admit that the media is extremely slanted and bias and that IS the truth. I watch a variaties of shows and on ALL of them they SLAM Palin and McCain and Obama is being compared to the Messiah. Fox news is the only news that I feel is fair in their coverage(as that is their claim to fame). I am thankful that FOX news is the highest rated news network because American's need to have the RIGHT to choose with all the information out on everyone...not just one party. Everyone should agree to that standard.

Also what you said about Palin running and how degrating that was to do based on your teen daughters pregnancy. I can not believe how crazy that sounds. Should all parents (whether they are in the media eye or not) hid out when their child makes a poor decision? If so we would have NO presidents, no pastors, no senators, no mayors, no governors...do you get my point? The fact that you are coming down so hard on her about this issue shows you too have been affected by the media. Did President Clinton not totally DEGRADE his WIFE AND DAUGHTER with his sexual acts in the OVAL office??? In America's OVAL office? Did Edwards not degrade his WIFE (struggling with cancer) by having an affair and a possible child with this woman? This is not even Edwards son or daughter --it is him! It wasn't Chelsea Clinton in the office it was CLINTON! Just think on those Facts.

i am a full time worker. i come home and am a full time mom and partner. i fill a high demand placed on me to accomplish so many goals each day. a lot of the time i feel worn out. if i let somethings go for a little while it only means a bigger job later on. i really feel i am not able to give the best at all things at all times. when i put my priority's in place being a mother to me is first. we are only here in this world a short time and if were lucky enough we will watch our children grow and be healthy. it is sad to me if the world we live in does not give family's enough time to have the best of both worlds. if both parents are consumed with work. who cries for the babies who are not giving a choice of who they would like to be taking care of them. this to be is sad.