Torn Between Two Lovers...

So the nomination of a working mother with young children and a pregnant teenage daughter has shaken up the Republican Party, especially the supporting pundits.

"The Daily Show" with Jon Stewart recently had a piece that poked fun at the backpedaling that has been taking place in FOX News since the selection was made; see it here.

Plenty of Republican women are relieved that their party seems to have been yanked into the 21st century, at last. But, having not so long ago talked with women who support the conservative stance on social issues, and feel that women are (as one woman told me) "too emotional" to be able to effectively make a decision in a time of crisis. (No flames, please -- I am just quoting, and, yes, she is under 50.)

The danger with making pronouncements, regardless of what the issue, or what the stance, is that we have to be careful not to be so rigid that we eliminate room for change.

Given that both the Democrats and Republicans are talking "change," perhaps it is a good time to rethink just whom we listen to, and how seriously.

I am a big fan of "The Daily Show," and value its role as the national court jester. But I don't take it too seriously; Jon Stewart certainly doesn't.

But the Republicans have to be careful; if Sarah Palin's nomination is nothing more than a gimmick to elect John McCain, and there is a post-election revertion to the GOP of the past 30 years, they are in great danger of not being taken seriously, either.