Here's why.
One of the little known truths about evangelicals is that they are ever in search of outside validation for their beliefs. Be it a rock star or scientist, famous writer or high profile actor - they want to find someone others respect independently of that person's beliefs and then say, "And did you know s/he is a Christian?" or "S/he is pro-life?" or "S/he believes in intelligent design?"
Sarah Palin appears to be the perfect choice for arch conservative women because FINALLY, they feel, there is someone who looks smart enough to win votes that shares their religious and political beliefs. That must mean those views and values are real, true, factual! Oh yay for us! they think.
What they aren't admitting is that they have to jettison one of their primary planks in order to support her.
I've been an evangelical, pro-lifer for most of my adult life (20+ years). I have five kids and home educated all of them. I also am a business owner, earned my Master's degree last year and have completely lost faith in the Republican party. I've been all in for Obama this year but I admit (and repent) that I supported Bush because at the time, I thought he represented my SAHM values and rightwing convictions. Once I knew that he had lied, I lost all faith in the Republican party and reeducated myself. This site has helped tremendously.
I say all that by way of introduction because, while I've changed, I still have many of the same friends I used to have. I get to see up close how the evangelicals are reacting to the news of Sarah Palin on the ticket. And unfortunately, SAHM's are ecstatic.
Dr. Dobson issued a statement that guarantees his approval of votes for Palins on the issue of abortion alone. He believes that her decision to keep her Down's Syndrome baby (rather than to abort it) shows that her commitment to the pro-life plank will ensure Supreme Court justices that will overturn Roe v. Wade.
"Gov. Palin’s commitment to the sanctity of life is not just a political position. She was advised to abort her fifth and youngest child when it was learned he had Down syndrome. She refused. That’s bravery and integrity in action.
"Gov. Palin’s views align with Sen. McCain’s own stated position that human life is precious and must be protected – and that gives us confidence he will keep his pledges to voters regarding the kinds of justices he would nominate to the Supreme Court and the way he would conduct our nation’s domestic and international affairs.
This kind of enthusiasm is mirrored in the mothers I know who have been cautious about McCain and yet can't see their way to vote for a Democrat. Now they feel that there is someone who shares their convictions, who is a woman and who is also a Republican (and is being taken seriously).
What I absolutely, categorically do not understand is how they can support a woman who has five children (the youngest of whom is still breast feeding and is a special needs child) in the office of governor, campaigning person, vice-president or possibly even president! The primary point of Focus on the Family's mission all these years has been to support and uphold the importance of the mother to her children, to embrace and honor the choice to stay home with those children, considering that job the most important task on the planet. All careers are considered second best to that sacred obligation.
But apparently convictions are only important when they don't get in the way of politics. Sarah's political ambitions override that commitment to children, and none of my friends seems to notice this. Yet the vast majority of them won't even work a part-time job outside the home because they are so devoted to the task of child-rearing.
Men, and particularly those on the left, are limited in what they say about Palins because they sound like a bunch of Neanderthals if they tell her she should "stay home with the kids." Feminists are supposed to support the ambitions of any woman and trust her to make decisions she feels are appropriate to her family.
But you know what? Someone has got to say it: If these are her values, if this is her ideology, if she has drunk the Koolaid of the religious right, then her candidacy is in direct violation of one of the core values they espouse.
I'm a feminist, myself, but I'm also a strong advocate for children. SAHM's believe to the core that raising your own children is a sacred commitment. To pretend that a pro-life, pro-gun, anti-gay marriage, creationist set of values overrides that commitment (particularly when pandering to Fof, or the Family Research Council or any other rightwing political action committee) is to reveal the depths of hypocrisy the right expects us and their own constituencies to swallow.
Yes the left can critique her experience, her shallow understanding of foreign affairs, her anti-science religious views. And really, that ought to be plenty of attack material.
But what I would love to see is a fleet of mothers write blogs and articles taking Sarah to task for pretending to be a poster child for motherhood and pro-life values when she is so willing to ignore the kids and drag them along on her career path to the White House (and for no more good reason than the joy of the ride! - as though there are no other women Republicans who could do this task and with more qualifications!).
That Focus on the Family would endorse this choice without blinking is breathtaking.
That mothers who choose to stay home with their children do is despicable.