Family Palin
August 29th, 2008I love Governor Palin as a choice for McCain’s Vice President. It’s a shrewd, intelligent pick that has a certain riskiness that any gambler would appreciate. But I have a question about the Governor. About three weeks ago, I was reviewing McCain’s potential running-mates and nixed Palin for two reasons: she’s very inexperienced, and she recently had a child, who also has Down Syndrome. I figured she’d want to be home to take care of her child instead of running all around the continental United States on the campaign trail and that she would therefore decline the spot on the ticket even if it were given. (It would not have been the first time a person refused higher office for their family, or at least put it off for some time. And it’s easier to be a mom/dad as Governor than Veep or President with all the accompanying travel.) But she didn’t, and now she has a good chance to become the first female Vice President in history.
That said, I am not comfortable with her decision. I do not believe in nannies or hired hands to raise children, and especially not with a child who has special needs. Should Palin have stayed home to take care of her baby? At what age is it “okay” for a child to experience a parent’s prolonged absence? Why aren’t these issues being discussed?
As I noted earlier, I love Palin. She’s attractive, vibrant, athletic, beautiful and fiercely independent of conventionally political wisdom. But this is a question that ought to be discussed as a matter of familial philosophy and an insight into her character.