Will Women Abandon Palin, Too?

Some see evolving breed of feminism in those drawn to Republican VP nominee

(NEWSER) - The crowds turning out for Sarah Palin show that the vice-presidential candidate is pulling her main support from conservative women. But she has also gained some followers who, though they identify as independents or Democrats, are "fed up with a man's world," the Washington Post reports. While some call Palin just another Republican cultural warrior, others are inspired. More»

McCain tied with Obama in latest poll

(NEWSER) - John McCain has erased Barack Obama's lead, transforming the presidential race to a statistical dead heat, according to the latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll. Obama's lead among women dropped from 10 to 4 points since August, which is largely attributed to Sarah Palin's popularity, reports MSNBC. More»

Women divided over conservative female veep pick's stand on women's issues

(NEWSER) - John McCain’s choice of Sarah Palin as his running mate is drawing a mixed reaction from the female swing voters his campaign is desperate to woo, reports the New York Times. Some conservative women who have been lukewarm about a McCain presidency are energized by the pick, whereas many independents and Clinton fans take issue with the Alaska governor’s anti-abortion stance and other issues vital to women. More»

And here's how she gets away with calling herself one

(NEWSER) - Sarah Palin sure sounds like a feminist these days, using the words "feminism" and "feminist" a dozen-plus times at a recent speech, along with choice phrases like "pro-woman sisterhood." But "Palin isn't a feminist," writes Jessica Valenti, "not in the slightest." She and her so-called conservative feminists "don't support women's rights," like access to abortion and emergency contraception. And they get away with it "by aligning themselves with a history that most women are proud of—the fight for suffrage." More»

Don't be so quick to judge Palin

(NEWSER) - Sarah Palin's critics say she was unqualified to be vice president, but don't be too quick to label her the worst pick ever, writes Matthew Cooper. In the Atlantic , he runs down others since WWII who need to be part of the conversation:

• Spiro Agnew: Nixon's VP had to resign on bribery charges and had scant experience before being picked. "In terms of corruption and temperament, has there been anyone worse in memory?"
• Richard Nixon: His paranoid personality would have made him a disaster as president in the '50s had Eisenhower died in office. Nixon dealing with Stalin, Khrushchev, and Castro? Yikes.