In the Media

The Female Factor #1: The Mommy Wars

The Female Factor
A timely series of news bytes from the Independent Women's Forum   

September 4, 2008

The Female Factor #1
The Mommy Wars

John McCain made a bold political statement last Friday by picking a very little known, dark horse candidate by the name of Gov. Sarah Palin as his vice presidential running mate.  Unfortunately, since then, many individuals, in politics as well as in the media, have used this opportunity to focus on trivial issues and make personal attacks on Gov. Palin.

"The media spectacle over Gov. Palin reeks of a return to the mommy wars," said IWF president and CEO Michelle Bernard.  "It is ridiculous to think that in 2008 with all the progress women have made in every facet of American life that some people have called into question whether a mother of five is capable of serving as vice president.  Some mothers choose to stay at home while others choose to work.  We should respect mothers regardless of what decision they make on behalf of their family."

"The only thing that matters is if Palin would be a good vice president," added IWF's Allison Kasic.  "This election should be about issues, not family matters.  Gov. Palin's family should be given the same privacy and respect as the other candidates."

To interview IWF scholars, or to receive an e-mail version of "The Female Factor," contact femalefactor@iwf.org or call Media Services at the Independent Women's Forum at (202) 349-5882.

For more information on the Independent Women's Forum, please visit www.iwf.org.

Attached Files

4 Comments

Latosha M. Pugh | September 16, 2008, 11:24am | #

This message is for Michelle Bernard.
I have watched you on MSNBC for a while. I wasn't able to figure out your angle, well until I heard you on the Tom Hartmann show arguing that global warning isn't real or something to that affect. Your argument would have been helped by at least a few scientific facts. But I digress. I have figured out your purpose in the wider scheme of things. You are a republican operative. Yes some times you side with the facts to lend credence to your opinion and then at the optimal time you turn the facts on their head side with the lies. People may buy that you have your very own opinion because you don't spout the usually republican talking point. But I am on to what MSNBC is doing with you. They do the same thing with Pat Buchannan but for a different demographic. I am a black female age 32 and I see right through you. I do wonder how much you are paid to look like you are for Obama one day and the next to make an false argument that the media is being disrespectful to Gov. Palin. The media as you now is protected by the constitution and have the right to tell us the news. Though currently they aren't doing a very good job at it. But you do real feminist an injustice when you make us this sexism charge. Why don't you ask the Gov. to answer the real questions. Oh that's right she doesn't want to talk to the media and answer any of the real questions on actual issues. This distract is just another smoke screen to run down the clock. I hope you get paid well to sell out real women's issue. I haven't been able to see you the same my sister since you showed you true colors. I hate the fact that Neo Con Republican are so greedy. I know you love the money but all women would stand to benefit from you fighting for the real issues. Look them up when you grow a conscience.

Latosha M. Pugh | September 16, 2008, 11:28am | #

Oh and by the way, a women asking another women a question about her children doen't constitute sexism it constitutes concern.

Phil | September 18, 2008, 7:55pm | #

Latosha,

Do you think when they asked sarah about her children that there was some real concern there?

The naivety of the left is disgusting. It was all an effort to discredit a very smart and successful woman. Seriously, what do her 5 children have to do with her ability to do her job. That is a question meant to be asked in the 1930's. It's ridiculous that the so-called party for civil rights can't help but show their true racist and sexist colors whenever an opponent arises that doesn't fit the mold of what they expect.

Another disgusting thing to me is that now the left is trying to use "white guilt." as their primary swing vote stealing tool. They're are saying that people won't vote for Barack Obama because he is black. Which there may be a few. But I'm willing to bet there are more people who are truly racist that say they are voting for him just so they look like the model non-racist citizen.

That's the problem with the democrats. It's all just a big show. There too afraid of not being politically correct to say what they really think. So they keep it to themselves and point the finger at others as the culprit. That's why they like obama, because everything that comes out of his slick talking mouth sounds like the politically correct thing to do. But most democrats have been sheilded too much from the harshness of reality to realize that the world doesn't work like some people dream it up to be.

Phil | September 18, 2008, 8:02pm | #

Latosha,

here is a litmus test for racism and sexism. Just replace the variable with an opposite or different variable and say the same thing or ask the same question.

Example #1
"mr. biden, do you think you will be able to do your job efficiently and be a good father?"

You would never hear this question = Fails the litmus test.

Example #2:

Jeremiah Wright uses the term "Black nationalism."

Replace Black with white, and Al Sharpton would be on "White nationalist." like stink on pigs.

There it is, sorry, another pig reference for the politically correct folk on here.

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