Does this sound sexist to you? Barack Obama comments on Sarah Palin

[dexter7]

Obama himself offered a noncommittal assessment of Palin during a television interview released Saturday. Speaking during a taping of CBS' "60 Minutes," Obama said of Palin "Obviously, she's a fine mother and an up-and-coming public servant" but added "It's too early for me to gauge what kind of running mate she'll be. My sense is that she subscribes to John McCain's agenda."

source Palin jumps into campaign fray: Gov. Sarah Palin | adn.com

why is the first thing he is commenting on her role as a mother? that's not the first thing anyone comments on a man when he is running for a public office....i certainly don't know too much about what a "fine" father biden is...

as a female, that just struck me as slightly offensive. yes, it's nice to know she is a good mother, but by obama bringing that up right away it makes me think he is trying to use her motherhood as a negative reminder that she may be to busy raising her children to be a good vice president.

[kingcap72]

It could be considered sexist, if the Republicans didn't keep making the fact that she has five kids such a key talking point. And quite a few people are bringing up the fact that she has so many kids, male and female.

[Ahti]

So this presidential thing has become all about who is sexist, who is racist and so on.

[kingcap72]

With the first black man running for president, and the first potential female vice-president, unfortunately race and gender will be key talking points.

[Ahti]

Originally Posted by kingcap72

With the first black man running for president, and the first potential female vice-president, unfortunately race and gender will be key talking points.

It's a pity really, since it takes the focus from the real issue as in who would really be the best choice.

It's like a red herring.

[kingcap72]

Originally Posted by Ahti

It's a pity really, since it takes the focus from the real issue as in who would really be the best choice.

It's like a red herring.

Pretty much. But, then again, considering that Obama or Palin will a historic first, the race and gender thing stands out.

[dexter7]

Originally Posted by kingcap72

It could be considered sexist, if the Republicans didn't keep making the fact that she has five kids such a key talking point. And quite a few people are bringing up the fact that she has so many kids, male and female.

in my opinion, the repubs keep talking about how tough she is, how well she reformed her state, etc. not so much about the kids. besides, i thought obama would be smarter then the average democrat looking to label her first as a mother, then as a public servant.

[HWBL]

No, as a female I do not think it is sexist. Why? Because her
whole intro to the world has been emphasizing the fact that
she IS a mother, a mother of FIVE nonetheless, a WORKING
mother of model children (....), and finally a mother who
stated she felt BLESSED with her last, fifth, child with SPECIAL
NEEDS, welcoming it as a gift from God.
I think Obama just got that whole "fantastic mother" thing
out of the way, because that's the way she's been shoved
into the media.

[Laurent]

I'm not offended by what he said in context. If a man had been pushing what an upstanding father he was day in and day out, then I could see someone saying, "Obviously, he's a fine father..."

If anything, I think it's a dig at her at how obnoxiously she and her party are pushing her status as a mother.

[kingcap72]

Originally Posted by dexter7

in my opinion, the repubs keep talking about how tough she is, how well she reformed her state, etc. not so much about the kids. besides, i thought obama would be smarter then the average democrat looking to label her first as a mother, then as a public servant.

Obama probably knew just as much about her as most of the country did. Which is not much. Mitt Romney did the same thing with Obama a few days ago when he said that 'Obama has a nice wife and cute kids, but he's not ready to be president.'

But the Republicans kept making sure everyone knew Palin was pro-life and pro-gun, while reminding us that she has five kids, one with special needs.

[Little Wombat]

Nah. I saw the commercial/promo for it, and to me, it looked like he was struggling to say anything about her. As in, he knows nothing about her and was just trying to find words to say about her. Obviously complimentary words, but still struggling to find anything to say at all. Remember, Kay Bailey Hutchinson was caught completely off guard on national TV on Friday and had to admit that she didn't know anything about her.

[*DIVA!]

^^That's what the republicans want. They realized Thursday night that they can't win on the issues..so they feel if they can hit him with being sexist enough..they'll win the women vote!

Being that Biden was a single dad for a while that was mentioned because it is apart of his story.

And it isn't sexist..she is a fine mother with local Government experience.

[tkdgirl]

I don't think so. I thought it was a gracious statement.

[HWBL]

Originally Posted by SSDiva

^^That's what the republicans waant. They realized Thursday night that they can't win on the issues..so they feel if they can hit him with being sexist enough..they'll win the women vote!Being that Biden was a single dad for a while that was mentioned because it is apart of his story.And it isn't sexist..she is a fine mother with local Government experience.

Everybody keeps harping on what a "great life story" Palin has, but
I find Biden's story much more compelling.

[Quazar]

^^I also find Obama's life story more compelling.