The Parrying Over Palin

Yes, it is true that Sarah Palin is the first woman to be chosen as a vice president nominee of the Republican Party, but the fact that she is a woman should not be the focus of attention ["The Grand Old Party Find a New Young Voice," September 15-2].

The focus should be whether she is fit to serve our country, will she stand up for what she believes in, will she be strong in the difficult times in the government, and if the day ever came for her to take the place as president, is she ready? The things brought up of how she was in a beauty pageant and is called the "Hot Chick" are almost degrading towards women. This can make her seem more personable to the public eye, which can be appealing, yet at the same time demeaning towards women.

Brooke Richards
Via E-mail

Most Americans rank the economy as issue number one this fall, and are looking for fresh energy to combat eight years of failed fiscal policy. The Republican majority that has ruled Washington until 2006 has left us with massive deficits, the mortgage crisis, trade imbalances, and the oversees hemorrhage of U.S. manufacturing jobs, not to mention huge corporate tax giveaways that have left the rest of us footing the country's bills. Not surprisingly, John McCain has chosen a "cultural warrior" as a running mate in an effort to throw up a smoke screen over his and the Bush administration's failures. Fine, but most people are tired of the culture war and want to get back to the economic prosperity of the late 1990s under Bill Clinton. McCain himself has admitted his own lack of economic knowledge, and Sarah Palin is just another ethically fuzzy politician trying to get our tax dollars earmarked for ridiculous projects like Alaska's bridge to nowhere. Enough already!

Jeff Robertson
Yellow Springs , Ohio

Although I am a young American not old enough to vote, I have been following the election, and I am so excited about the new energy Sarah Palin has brought to the Republican party and the presidential race. She has balanced out the ticket as a younger woman, and I'm sure will prove to be an indispensable component of this year's election. She consistently lives in correspondence with her beliefs, and while Obama said she is too conservative, her positions have proven successful in her own life. She can bring a declining campaign back in touch with modern America. You go girl!

Skyler O.
San Diego

As a woman I feel I have the right to say this: Absolutely every woman can walk through ever door of opportunity, but let's be realistic—how can she possibly juggle the hullabaloo and activity within her family, with all the responsibilities of the nation on her shoulders? One of her careers is bound to be compromised if she attempts to be #1 mom and Vice President all rolled into one. There is no shame in being a mother; Sarah Palin just needs to "chill out" and give it another go when her life isn't quite so hectic.

Devin King
San Diego

I am a conservative feminist who is absolutely thrilled by Senator McCain's choice of Palin. However, I am disappointed by many of the criticisms posed by the left. It is ridiculous how Democrats accuse Palin of being inexperienced without questioning the resume of Obama who is on the top of the Democratic ticket. Palin will be an excellent vice president, and I hope women will finally break the glass ceiling this election.

Keziah Plattner
Via E-Mail