New voices from WASP

From Women Against Sarah Palin.

First I want to say that I am an Evangelical Christian Southern female who opposes abortion; however, any seriously thoughtful Christian will admit that this is only one of several Biblical principles and no one candidate nor political party owns a consistent Christian platform. I am writing to state in the strongest of terms that I am appalled at the choice of Sarah Palin as the Republican VP nominee. It is difficult to find the words to express my dismay and discouragement over such a cynical, purely political decision by John McCain to choose such an unqualified person. It is my opinion that Ms. Palin’s experience as the mayor of a very small town and a new governor of the least populous state as well as her limited travel and education leave her lacking in exposure to the critical issues threatening our country. In addition, she exhibits a worrisomely simplistic and reactionary propensity with a seeming blithe disregard for the complexity and gravity of the office. In addition to these concerns, Ms. Palin’s smugness, arrogance, and lack of humility further guarantee that her election would continue our country’s disastrous course of the last eight years under the Bush/Cheney administration. For a man who claims to be a man of honor who puts “Country First”, it is so sadly ironic that he is willing to put our country (and our world) at such terrible risk.
-Susan M., MD

I am a fiscally conservative, socially liberal Republican. I am aghast at the choice the Republican ticket has made in Sarah Palin. If one took the time to look at the Republican ticket of how they would fiscally manage the mess we are in, one would actually see for him/herself that we would end up paying more taxes. Of course, Ms. Palin has no concern regarding that whatsoever. Her agenda is always personal and irrational to the needs of the greater good. I have been writing to Ms. Palin's administration since she took office out of concern for the wolves (brutal and inhumane aerial gunning of wolves) and the polar bears' loss of habitat. She has consistently showed no compassion for how outsiders view her policies. How would that bode for us as Americans if she runs our country with the same disregard? The U.S. is a part of the global community and she is completely unconnected from that responsibility and that role. I am so ashamed to be a Republican that I have re-registered as a Democrat this year because, frankly, they are more like original Republicans anyway (less government, more power to the people) and the Republicans are now about more government and less power to the people. She in no way represents an intelligent Republican woman and I don't want to be associated with Republican women if they identify with her ignorant and hypocritical platform.
-Susan W., 65, Flagstaff, AZ

If John McCain really did as he claims to put "country first" he would have never selected her, someone with a very weak background in government and too many personal challenges, regardless of her gender. (Also if he put country over his partisan tactics he would not be making false claims in attack ads. I respected him once, no longer, and I find Palin to be an embarrassment.)
-Tabb F., Gloucester, VA

As a nurse and happily married mother of 3 teenagers, I am aghast that the Republican Party feels they can win over the support of women to the candidacy of Sarah Palin. I absolutely believe that it is possible to have a family and a successful career, and encourage everyone to follow those two paths should they feel so inclined. However, I feel that Ms Palin is a caricature of everything I stand for. Her beliefs on the environment, foreign policy and sex education are not those of someone with a worldview, but rather of someone with a closed mind. That is the world of the 1950’s, not the world of today. Her interview with Charles Gibson reminded me of a job interview for a job you’re not really qualified for, but try to bluff your way through. Her belittling of the other candidates in the presidential race show a small minded person.
-Annemarie H., 51, Scottsdale, AZ