Media hasn't been soft on candidates

I've been finding an attitude that is surfacing in the various media publications recently disturbing and a little disconcerting. It seems that the general public and some commentators are implying that the media has been especially hard on vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin and was coming at her with malice aforethought, to do her harm. I have to take exception to that inference.

First of all, she seeks the second-highest office in this great land. As such, we, the American citizens, have a right and an obligation to know that she is qualified and ready to assume that role. The job of those who interview our candidates is to ask the tough questions that will show us if our confidence in her is justified or misplaced. If, in the process, they make the candidate uncomfortable, so be it. I've not seen the media go soft on any candidate, especially in this election.

Are these people suggesting that Sarah Palin should get preferential treatment? The very fact that she is a woman in a man's world means she has to be smarter, wiser, more intelligent, more knowledgeable and compassionate. As a woman with daughters, granddaughters and a great granddaughter, I want to see a woman succeed in the political arena. But that woman is carrying the hopes and dreams and yes - the future - of my daughters on her shoulders and as such, she has to be the very best we have to offer. How would I know that is the case with Sarah Palin unless she is open and candid and truthful, answering all the questions put to her. Her failure would reflect on all of us and we can't afford that at this point in our history.

Any seeker of elected office should expect that they will be required to prove their qualifications to the voters. Sarah Palin is no exception.

Sherron Schiele

Lombard