That is the conclusion that at least one blogger is drawing from Sarah Palin's past history, when she decided against running for US Senate in 2004 because one of her children objected.

BeldarBlog shares this tidbit from Kaylene Johnson's biography of the VP nominee, Sarah: How a Hockey Mom Turned Alaska's Political Establishment Upside Down:

In 2004, friends and supporters urged Sarah to challenge Lisa Murkowski. [By then,] Sarah had made a name for herself as a reformer, and supporters thought she had a good chance of winning. So, Sarah approached her family to discuss the possibility. Like all of her decisions, the decision had to be unanimous.

"People don't believe me, but it's true. It had to be a family decision," she said. Todd was up for a move to Washington, D.C. and the girls were on board as well. But son Track, in his early teens, was becoming aware of the contentiousness of a political battle. He valued his privacy, and felt uncomfortable in the limelight. "Track did not want me to run, and he was adamant about it. He had to bless me," Sarah said. "If he had said at the time 'This is great,' I would have done it."

Hmmmmm -- the kids were given a voice in that decision in 2004, and one actually vetoed a run that would have put her in the Senate at the same time as Barack Obama. In 2006, the whole family was on board with the gubernatorial run. This would certainly lead to speculation about the acceptance of McCain's offer to be his running might -- was the subject broached at some point early in the process? It seems likely, based upon Palin family history.

But that aside, I can't help but note the sexism of those who question Sarah Palin's decision to accept John McCain's invitation to join him on the ticket. After all, would we even be having a discussion of "is the candidate a good parent" if McCain had selected a man with a special needs child and a pregnant teen? I don't think so.

Indeed, one of the most admirable things I find in the biography ofDemocrat VP candidate Senator Joe Biden (and i do find some admirable things) was his decision to assume his Senate seat after the death of his wife and daughter and serious injury of his sons following that tragic accident after his victory in 1972. He made a valid choice to serve teh people of his state while bearing the burden of single father. I would never stand by and let anyone question that choice -- just as I will continue to defend Sarah Palin's choice today.

After all, I hold her to the same standard as a male candidate, not a higher one. Too bad the mouth-frothing left won't do the same.

Posted by: Greg at 10:44 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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