Glick Report
  • September 3, 2008 10:17 PM EDT by Alexis Glick

    Republican or Democrat, Women Matter to This Election

    I never thought that I'd have to say this, but I'm saying it now. The double standard by which the press and politicians on both sides of the aisle are attacking Governor Sarah Palin's ability to lead this country as the proposed Republican vice presidential nominee is disgraceful.

    I have never considered myself a true feminist, although there is no doubt that, without something called the feminist movement, women like me would never have been given the opportunities that I have today. I am exceptionally grateful for that. However, where is the feminist voice now? Why is Palin's ability to lead being called into question because she has five children? Has anyone looked at her record? Has anyone looked at how she fought with big oil to reclaim leased land or increase tax revenues for her state? Has anyone noticed that she has five beautiful children who represent the ideals of the American Dream?

    Senator Barack Obama got it right on Sunday when he said hands off the family after the revelation that Palin's 17-year-old daughter is five months pregnant. He did what he should have done, and what everyone who thinks this is a bombshell should do -- he shut it down. Families are off limits.

    Let me say this: it doesn't matter whether you are a Republican or a Democrat, women matter in this election. Did you watch Senator Hillary Clinton last Tuesday night at the DNC? She was brilliant! One of the best moments in her career. She spoke about the issues, she rallied the base, she supported her ticket and she showed the American people, both Democrats and Republicans, why this country is ready to elect a woman in one of the highest offices in the country.

    It is about two hours before Governor Sarah Palin is set to speak. I have no idea how she will do this evening, but I am rooting for her. I hardly knew this woman one week ago, but I always thought McCain selecting a woman on his ticket would be a brilliant move. It did more for him than any one vote or decision he has made along the campaign trail or in his twenty-six years in the Senate. He proved that he is a risk-taker, supports change over experience, age and family over party lines and he gave this country and his constituency the wake-up call that the Republican nominee needed to give -- I'm in this to win and I'm not going to make safe decisions that speak to the Republican party's base! I applaud him for that.

    Don't forget McCain has always been called a maverick. How ironic that he chose a woman who many now know and understand to be a maverick herself. The fact that she has five children, a son who enlisted in the Army, a daughter that is five months pregnant, a four-month-old son with Down syndrome whom she breastfeeds daily and pumps for at night while BlackBerrying her office with the next day's agenda makes me respect her even more.

    I don't have five kids, I have three, but I know what it is like to become a multi-tasker and breastfeed between conference calls or pump before meetings while BlackBerrying at two o'clock in the morning. It makes her stronger, not weaker. How many of the pundits out there who are slamming her know what that is like? They don't! I do, and you know what? Millions of mothers across this country do. They will respect her, sympathize with her and support her.

    She may not get the 18 million people who voted for Senator Clinton because of ideological differences, but she will do more for this ticket and this country than people realize.

    This is not an endorsement by any measure. Believe me, I play it straight down the middle. I see things about both of these presidential tickets that I feel very strongly about. I have voted for Democrats and I have voted for Republicans. That is no secret. I vote for who I believe in and whom I believe will make a difference.

    Before you rush to judgment on Palin, read the facts and do your homework. The press went too far with Clinton. At times, me included. Yes, our job is to ask tough questions. Yes, when a candidate is selected for one of the highest offices in the country they have to be vetted and willing to face the good and bad that the press and politicians across the aisle will ask. Yes, McCain may have capitalized on the disgruntled Clinton voter -- but at the end of the day, it is much too early to judge her ability to lead this country.

    One final note, in case you missed it. I have not. Look at what McCain has done. Look at the three women in his life who he has tapped to be a part of his team.

    Meg Whitman, national co-chair of McCain's presidential campaign and former president and CEO of EBay (EBAY) from 1998 to 2008. A mother of two, married to a neurosurgeon and considered one of the most influential women in corporate America.

    Nancy Pfotenhauer, a senior policy adviser to McCain, formerly president & CEO of the Independent Women's Forum with two degrees in economics and the one-time chief economist for the RNC. She's a brilliant speaker. Makes daily television appearances on behalf of the McCain camp discussing every issue. There is nothing she will not tackle.

    Carly Fiorina, the former CEO and chairman of Hewlett-Packard (HPQ). Responsible for the most successful IPO in U.S. history with the initial public offering of Lucent. Now a top economic adviser for McCain. Widely regarded as one of the most successful female executives ever. Never had children of her own after attempting for many years because as she described it to the Wall Street Journal that "that wasn't God's plan." She did help raise her two stepdaughters.

    If the Obama camp is smart, they'll notice what I am noticing, if they haven't already. McCain is making a huge statement to women across this country by selecting these three women to help lead his campaign and potentially this country. What woman is doing that in the Obama camp?

    Finally, I leave you with this -- one of the few excerpts released from Governor Palin's speech this evening:

    "I've learned quickly, these past few days, that if you're not a member in good standing of the Washington elite, then some in the media consider a candidate unqualified for that reason alone. But here's a little news flash for all those reporters and commentators: I'm not going to Washington to seek their good opinion - I'm going to Washington to serve the people of this country."

    BRAVO

chuck

Last night Senator Obama blundered with his "lipstick" remark. It has backfired bigtime on him. Now he's trying to blame the McCain camp for his statement last night. And he tried to say this in a press conference. But on MSNBC this morning Pat Buchannon has pointed out the crowd reaction to it. And they love it. Just this morning the New York papers were running wild with this. At the sametime in Florida the Republicans Women boycott against Oprah is full swing. Now Gov Patterson of New York has made a big blunder with his own racist comment on the McCain camp. Already this smearing of Gov Palin has gone to far. But Barcak and company have blundered. Hmmmmmmmmm wonder if any New York Reporters were arrested in Alaska? Now that would be a story. Pardon the sarcasm but the Democrats started it.

September 10, 2008 at 12:49 pm

chuck

I suggest you bring back Kirsten Powers. Why? Ed Schultz,the lefite talk show host and die Obama supporter,is doing a townhall meeting in Ankorage,Alaska. He claims he wants to find out more about Sarah Palin or is another attempt to smear her. It wouldn't hurt to have a Fox news producer this weekend to shock him since he got called on SEXISM and he's been questioning her values. When honestly he doesn't know the know whole story. Already the Alaskans have been offended by the left wing liberal press and leftwing bloggers. By the way his radio show is third rated. On the pipeline is telling the truth or in reality is he really afraid of her. Now Ed S. has been on Fox before. I believe,like those in his left wing press, he should get called it on. Encourage Kirsten Powers to call on him again. After all I can tell you from listening to him he went after the Hillary Clinton voters. Yes,he dissed them. Time ring him in.

September 8, 2008 at 3:15 pm

chuck

The press backlash is paramount. Already 10,000 subscribers have canceled out thier subscriptions with US magazine. What has been interesting Jenn Wenner who owns its has not gone public on the mag problems since things have exploided in his face last week. Now the sexists shoe is on the other foot. Opray Winfrey isn't out of the woods yet either. Already a group of Republica women are calling for Oprah to be boycotted. Now she's suppose to be a champion for women right? She has committed a blunder with her fanbase and they not going to let her forget either.

September 8, 2008 at 9:54 am

FRED OHLIGER

I think shes great,being a Mayor and a Governor still gives her more experience than Obama,hes been nothing.All Women should be insulted at the thought she can not raise a family and be Vice President.Like many other women she could always use a type of day care.There are plenty of pregant teens out there that do not have thier Moms home with them,should they quit there jobs and go on welfare? She can also seek help with her special needs child like many other families do and with the support and help from her husband I do not see a problem. Shame on any one that would even consider this a issue.

September 8, 2008 at 9:24 am

John G Lindner

I SURE HOPE THAT Gov. PALIN HAS THE CHANCE TO VISIT OUR TROOPS, BOTH HERE IN THE STATES AND IN IRAQ. THEY ARE VOTERS AS WELL AS OUR DEFENDERS.

September 6, 2008 at 1:30 am

chuck

The Oprey Winfrey story which first broke on the Drudge Report has now broke on the ABCNEWS.COM site. The title is "IS OPREY BEING BIASED?" the three page web report pointed out that there can be clear backlash that VP Palin has been BLACKLISTED. Yes,this word appeared in the body of the news report. Now get this Senator Obama appeared twice on her show. Now racial question is being tossed and strong word BACKLASH has appeared. Oprey has tried denied what the Drudge Report broke this morning. Have your researchers check this story out.

September 5, 2008 at 5:12 pm

Melissa

I am so sick of hearing people say they cannot believe a mother would "do this" to her children. What I would like to know is what exactly is she doing to them? Is she abandoning them on the streets? NO Is she not feeding them? NO Is she in some way harming their health? NO! What she is doing is going through one of the most important job interviews of her life and her family is right there with her. I want to know why no one is questioning Obama's parenting. He has 2 young girls, who will go through the exact same experience as the Palin children. Someone should tell Obama he is a horrible father for doing this to his children if they feel Palin is a bad mother. The sexist remarks are ridiculous and uncalled for. We should be applauding Sarah Palin for stepping up to this great challenge and showing that you don't have to be from Washington to be somebody.

September 5, 2008 at 2:24 pm

Zmrzlina

Hooray! Well spoken! Nice to find a real working mother in the East Coast power centers. Nice to find one who is a centrist, too.

September 4, 2008 at 5:39 am

Angela

The issue I see is not female vs. male... it's republican vs. democrat (stereotypes). If Palin were on the democratic ticket there would still be gender critics but this particular issue may be seen in a different light. A female democratic would stereotypically be expected by her party to do what a man would do. She would be expected to balance family and career the same way a man would. But the Republican party is stereotypically Christian and supports the idea that a woman stands behind the mand and takes care of the family (whether that is reality or not). So the issue becomes a matter of whether her party is going to cut her any slack in the long run if McCain is elected.

September 4, 2008 at 4:55 am

Scout

Well said, Alexis. I loved Governor Palin's speech tonight. SHe struck the right cords and came across with humor and intelligence. I, too, have a long history of multi-tasking; including being a working mom who pumped breast milk while enroute to my next Home Health patient. I now have 2 beautiful teenage daughters and a husband that I take care of, in addition to being the Trauma Coordinator at a large Midwest Medical Center. I also have a home business and stay busy with PTA. My take on all of this is simple: Sarah Palin has walked a mile in my moccasins and I a mile in hers. John McCain and Sarah Palin have my vote come November.

September 4, 2008 at 2:37 am

Fred

Governor Palin hit it out of the park!!!

September 4, 2008 at 1:38 am

DannoJyd

Hurras for Governor Palin! Her speech was spot on, her record is already that of a true maverik, her family is as American as apple pie, and her future will be a bright one. She definitely does it 'her way', and America needs dedicated people like her to rid us of the parasites in Washington. Obama likes to talk about 'change'. I would advise him to take a look at Sarah's political history to truly understand what it takes to create change. God has again blessed America, and the republicans have finally earned my vote.

September 4, 2008 at 1:21 am

Stef

well said and so true!

September 4, 2008 at 1:20 am

Viviane Forest

"WHY IS PALIN’S ABILITY TO LEAD BEING CALLED INTO QUESTION BECAUSE SHE HAS FIVE CHILDREN?" Dear Alexis, I think I know why... If Mr. Todd Palin can give a hand in the house, then any gentleman can, right? Men simply do not want their wife to realize this. It's all about men's laziness.

September 4, 2008 at 1:13 am

ObamaSmears

Obama says family is off limits to the media and his crowd, then his paid hatchet men and his nutroots fans do their dirty work on the internet and in the adoring media.. So, Obama looks like the good-guy with a wink and a nod. good 'ol new style of politics by Obama, he has resorted to attacking down syndrome baby and 17 year old kid that has chose to turn a time of struggle into a blessing by embarrassing life and also getting married. Obama's a punk and an empty suit, with no experience to be Commander-In-Chief

September 4, 2008 at 12:51 am

Cory

Palin rocks!

September 4, 2008 at 12:39 am

about this blog

  • Alexis Glick is an anchor for FOX Business Network. Prior to joining FOX, Glick served as a correspondent for the Today Show and co-anchored the third hour of that program. Before her stint at NBC News, she was the senior trading correspondent for CNBC and reported from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange.

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