Tony,youare preaching to a group that have never heard of the word hypocricy. There hatred of the conservatives, of the USA, successful people, fox hunters etc overwhelms any form of introspection. How can you defend the Taliban and Belinda Neil in one breath? My case rests.

Tony, I actually think that it is her stance on Abortion that would be turning the feminists away. Most people don’t take kindly to governments telling people what they can and cant do with their own bodies.

Based on what I have seen of her quotes and positions on various issues, Palin is nothing more than George Bush in a skirt.

It appears that in order to get the far right Christian vote, McCain is hoping the dress will hide the fact that a vote for McCain puts the female version of Bush into the Vice President seat.

If the Obama camp can start to make the comparisons between Bush and Palin on Key Issues, then they can reinforce their argument that a vote for McCain is a vote for a 3rd Bush Term and that will be the end of the McCain Campaign.

Sorry Tony but I sniff a go at the female vote from the republicans.

You can have a go at feminist womens groups but it’s Mum and Dad America that vote governments in and out and have families with teenage girls.

I may be cynical but I think that these groups would see her favourably thus get the republicans over the line.

All I know is I’ll be glad when these elections are done and dusted.

“Reaction to Governor Pailin’s vice-presidential nomination suggests that the women’s movement remains highly selective about the women it supports. “

WHAT???? So you expect the “womens movement” to blindly support Palin just because she is a woman???  You are so hypocritical

I see not hypocrisy in supporting a good candidate (Clinton) and not supporting a terrible candidate (Palin). It’s like saying that I am a hypocrite beacuse I voted against you but for another man (Rudd). Strawman.

Tony, the big unknown about US politics lies in non-compulsory voting.
Having started off as a Gough man in 1969 (young, idealistic and naive), I have travelled the full circle and now advocate not only NCV but also a higher minimum voting age.
Your views please?

You seem to be suggesting that women should support women merely on the basis that they are women. Why should the women’s movement be satisfied with a person many believe is not fit to lead? Why shouldn’t women condemn a neo-conservative evangelist who attacks the lifestyle choices of others and yet whose own family does not follow her own strict and regimented beliefs? Women are entitled to judge on merit, not on the fact that the person in question happens to be female.

I’ll tell you what is hypocritical. A Catholic making any comments on the status of women. Given the Church’s long history of contempt for women who exist merely as incubators, I’d love to hear Mr Abbott explain his faiths condemnation of women (dating from Eve) with beliefs of modern society. Given, Mr Abbott, you apparent support for women fulfilling senior political leadership roles, I take it that you will publically support calls for female Catholic priests and, indeed, a female Pope.

Tony, it seems to come as a surprise to you that women are thinking people, capable of making discerning decisions. I support womens rights but that doesn’t mean I support all women, regardless of thier viewpoint.  I simply support the right for women to have equal opportunities to men.  I find Palin’s standpoint to be archaic and divisive and an affront to caring and intelligent persons, regardless of their gender. Its the arrogance and stupidity of a person like McCain who thinks that he can filch the ‘womens vote’ simply by putting a person of the female gender on his ticket...that affronts a female voter such as me.

Liberals/ Republicans have more or less traded on Ronald Reagan’s line that “Government is not the solution, government is the problem” as a political argument for reducing taxes and services over the past quarter century. Except for abortion. Somehow, the Republicans and you Tony, cannot resist meddling into people’s lives on this one issue. It is incredible how this double standard applies and American’s think and hope it may influence the 2008 election. After 8 years of Bush, how could anyone want another 4 years of Republicans?

The Obama juggernaut is not without reason. Just because a good sort with old fashioned principles turns up doesn’t mean that hope will be again replaced by fear, climate change again denied, gun control forgotten and Obama’s genuine brilliance be denied. He is a once-in-a-generation leader, and you think being the equivalent of Tasmania’s premier for 2 years cuts it for experience! - as if to wedge out Obama...I’ll take Obama’s lack of experience, no vested interests, no entrenched favours, no bad habits, no excuses, no George Bush, all day, every day and twice on Sundays.

It’s the minority that shouts the loudest, Tony and quite frankly the majority are sick and tired of hearing them. It is appalling that minority groups are selective of whom and what they support. It seems conservatism is a “c” word in this so called enlightened age. It seems better to give people what they want and watch society go down the gurgler as established social norms such as family and morals deteriorate then to draw a line in the sand and say “no, we go no further”. I take my hat off to politicians who do draw a line, something I respected about the Howard government. It also seems interesting, though not surprising, that people can say what ever they like in the name of freedom of expression, so long as none of the minority groups are offended. When it comes to the beliefs and faith of the majority who cares? I just wish the conservative politicians would shout as loud as the liberal ones