What McCain's pick of Palin means

John McCain's choice of Sarah Palin as his vice presidential candidate is a transparent, cynical, and desperate effort to appeal to disappointed Hillary Clinton voters and get them to vote, ultimately, against their own self-interest.

He thinks former Hillary supporters are too stupid to understand that Palin, like McCain, opposes women's rights.

The fact that Palin is a mother of five who has a four-month-old baby, a woman who is juggling work and family responsibilities, will speak to many women.

But will Palin speak for women?

Based on her record and her stated positions, the answer is clearly no.

In a gubernatorial debate, Palin stated emphatically that her opposition to abortion was so great, so total, that even if her teenage daughter was impregnated by a rapist, she would "choose life" - meaning apparently that she would not permit her daughter to have an abortion.

Palin also had to withdraw her appointment of a top public safety commissioner who had been reprimanded for sexual harassment, although Palin had been warned about his background through letters by the woman who made the complaint.

What McCain does not understand is that women supported Clinton not just because she was a woman, but because she was a champion on their issues. They will surely not find Palin to be an advocate for women.

NOW recognizes the importance of having women's rights supporters at every level but, as Sarah Palin demonstrates, not every woman deserves our vote.

Catherine Caporusso

President

Northwest Suburban Chapter

National Organization for Women

Northbrook