Senator Obama gave a wonderful speech yesterday, one that would have been repeated on the news over and over again today. Motivating and inspiring, aspiring to reach Dr. Martin Luther King's dream, he left Democrats in awe.
Instead of remaining in the news for days, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin's VP nomination stole the show today. While Michelle Obama was America's sweetheart until yesterday, Governor Palin became America's sweetheart today. The whole nation has searched and researched her information, ranging from politics to basketball, from personal achievements to beauty contests. But, most importantly, this talented woman seems to have done it all: playing hard ball in politics while raising a family of five children. Career women with families know how focused, committed, and strategic they must be when living up to superwoman: the amazing Alpha Female is proud leader of her pack.
While Obama's choice of a VP in Joe Biden was the closest replica of McCain he could find in experience, credibility, foreign affairs, and military record, the choice of Palin does not compare to Obama at all. Although Obama's campaign strategists were quick minimize Palin's track record as a governor, there is not much difference of time experience if you consider Obama's Senate experience and Palin's experience as a governor. However, for any of those who have had chief executive experience or understand it, nothing compares legislative responsibilities to making key decisions and executing them: there is a major difference when the buck ends with you. Governor Palin made various decisions for her state and got things done. In the meantime, she was also involved in taking care of her household, delivering a baby with special needs, and caring for her family and children. While many men are involved in the daily activities of their children, Senator Obama's arrangements included living in Washington D.C. while his wife worked and cared for his girls in Chicago. This presents a drastic difference in the overall level of political responsibility and ability to integrate work and family.
Do you think men and women in the workplace have different responsibilities at home? Do you believe it's equally easy for a man and a woman to hold office if they also have a family? Do you think women in top positions can be effective both in their careers as well as in their families?
