Message Board: McCain's running mate: a boost or a setback for women?

The election of Sarah Palin as vice president would be a backward step, not just for her sex, but for her country, Janet Street-Porter wrote last week. Palin fans and critics shared their views:

Jakers

Palin is hilarious. I hope McCain wins so that we can get to see how awful she is. Can you imagine her being elected over here?

Neil McGowan

'Fraid so. It could even happen – Jade Goody could stand for office.

Rob

Give Palin a chance. She's come out of nowhere and the very fact we have a female VP candidate is at least heartening. Yes, she's tough, but then she needs to be if she gets the job.

Ed

People said that about Margaret Hilda Thatcher. Just because a candidate is female, it doesn't mean that she isn't a ghastly authoritarian with a crushingly anti-feminist, anti-social, pro-corporate agenda.

Anna

At the end of the day, if the Americans could vote in George W Bush twice, then they're capable of voting anyone in – be it Sarah Palin or Jade Goody

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