@spendius,
Women will not vote for Palin, just because she is a women. Gender alone is not the overriding factor. People who supported Hillary Clinton did so because of her positions on issues, not just her gender. Hillary even reminded them of that at the convention when she said, "This wasn't just about me"--it was about what she stood for. Palin and Clinton represent quite different positions on issues--including abortion--and Clinton's supporters are not likely to embrace Palin.
In fact, I would not be at all surprised if Hillary were to emerge as the main person to attack Palin, and to actively discourage women from voting for her simply on the basis of gender, because it is more important to have the right person for the job than to shatter that final glass ceiling with the wrong woman--and a woman who may not support those issues vital to most women. Women like Hillary Clinton and Geraldine Ferraro can more easily point this out, than the male Democratic candidates could.
McCain will not benefit substantially from Palin's gender. But she may increase his support with conservatives, and she should help him with the Christian right. Her "religious credentials" appear stronger than anything else she brings to the ticket in terms of her background or experience.
We know this about her when she was a student...
Quote:Palin, who was also the head of the school Fellowship of Christian Athletes, would lead the team in prayer before games.
We know she supports the teaching of creationism
Quote:While running for Governor of Alaska, Palin supported the teaching of creationism alongside evolution in schools,
We know she does not favor gay marriage
Quote:Alaska was one of the first U.S. states to pass a constitutional ban on gay marriage, in 1998, along with Hawaii. Palin has stated that she supported the 1998 constitutional amendment.
She is against abortion
Quote:Palin is strongly opposed to abortion and supports capital punishment
McCain wants, and needs, the support of the religious right, and, I think, that's Palin's main benefit on the ticket. If she happens to bring in a handful of women's votes that will be a bonus, but Hillary's supporters, who shared Hillary's positions on issues, will not embrace Palin in any significant numbers.
Palin may be a big fish in her very little pond, but she's not really ready for prime time yet--not when she still calls herself a "hockey mom"--and boasts of being involved with her PTA and serving as mayor of a town with less than 6,000 people. She has not even completed her first term as governor of Alaska. That McCain considers this significant "executive experience" makes me question his mental competence.
OMG. Off the charts hypocrisy. What do you know about her? How many times have you asked that about Obama this year... and here you know even less... but you're okay with that. Unbelievable hypocrisy. This proves you make up your mind; then find reasons to support it… rather than actually thinking.