Note that Palin, who is a powerful politician with the resources and intellectual wherewithal to track the details (and form policy opinions) on the war in Iraq, has failed to do so despite the fact that her own son will soon be stationed there.

She may be a governor whose official duties center on Alaska, but her profession is politics. That a governor lacks policy opinions, or even much know-how about our U.S. war in Iraq is disappointing and does not reflect well on this V-P candidate’s preparation for or sense of intellectual curiosity about foreign affairs. But the fact that this same governor is ignorant of a war for which her own son will soon to be risking his life, both appalls and saddens me. I find this a much bigger issue than her 17 year-old daughter’s pregnancy.

Re. Rupert C

Palin has been often cited as saying that she doesn't really have a position on the war or even know much about it.

I keep seeing some version of the following (this i found at http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/08/palin-on-iraq.html)

Alaska Business Monthly: "We've lost a lot of Alaska's military members to the war in Iraq. How do you feel about sending more troops into battle, as President Bush is suggesting?

Palin: I've been so focused on state government, I haven't really focused much on the war in Iraq. I heard on the news about the new deployments, and while I support our president, Condoleezza Rice and the administration, I want to know that we have an exit plan in place; I want assurances that we are doing all we can to keep our troops safe."

While it is good to know that she cares about our troops (we should, almost all of us DO). And Iraq does have something to do with oil--so she's on something of a productive track there (re. your cite). But as a mother, a skilled politician, and the V-P candidate, I would expect her to have a well-defined policy on this war--ESPECIALLY because her own son is going to fight and risk his life there.

I'm not sure why you focus on Palin's vague references to oil; but Obama has clearly opposed the war. Palin's XX chromosomes aren't going to end that war. Neither is her lack of education about (and indeed interest in) the details of that war.

BTW: I posted a similar message to another list--is that cribbing?

Please take this article down--the image and headline alone are offensive enough--I can't bring myself to read the article.

What are you editors thinking! This is just sexist, putting women who nows how many steps back. Do not sexualize women in order to criticize them.

Note: I am a solid Obama/Biden supporter.

Thanks Anne. You are my favorite Jesus freak (I say that with love [and not sarcasm]). I will not speak her name and instead praise Obama. Thanks for your help! Write again soon--please!