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Sarah Palin has suddenly come out of nowhere, through sheer determination and luck and may possibly become the next President of the United States, the next leader of 'the free world'. Her appeal to women is huge because this almost seems like such a miracle and the temptation is to think she represents what feminists have always sought.

We could say a few great things about her but there is also something that's been really irking us about her. However, we couldn't pinpoint it - let alone articulate it.

Today Adriana showed me an article by Katie Rock about Sarah Palin and this most nearly hit the spot of what has been bothering us. It's a great read. Here are some excerpts;

The criticisms of the vice-presidential candidate in this first high-profile week reflect the problems with a one-size-fits-all version of feminism, which may advocate for working women and rally for an end to the glass ceiling, but expect pro-abortion views, daycare lobbying and liberal thinking to be part of the package.

"Sarah Palin is riding on the shoulders of the women's movement while denouncing its central tenets," said Meredith Michaels, a philosophy professor at Smith College in Massachusetts and co-author of The Mommy Myth.

....

"I think a lot of American women are saying, 'Wait a minute. Yes, we want to break these various glass ceilings, but we know what it's like to have an infant and we could barely go back to a bank teller's job, or journalism job or whatever when our baby was three days old, let alone [the role of VP nominee],' " Ms. Douglas said.

"I think you're finding a lot of women in this country wondering what this combo of person is, who is, on the one hand, presenting motherhood as a badge and, on the other hand, is somewhat cavalier and callous about it."

If there was an easy target for feminists in the image that Ms. Palin projected at last week's convention it was certainly her staunch opposition to abortion, which was cast against the backdrop of her expectant 17-year-old unwed daughter, Bristol. While denying that a woman should have the right to choose, Ms. Palin hailed Bristol's pregnancy as a good choice.

"She takes the most extreme position with respect to abortion -- that it is never justified -- and yet the way that she is casting her daughter maintaining her pregnancy is as a choice," Ms. Michaels said.

....

"Wow, I think it's awesome. I mean, she has five kids and she can do anything? If she had five kids and could get her hair washed, I'd be blown away. I find just two kids hard.

Check it out at Sarah Palin: The Feminine Critique

Update: And for an even more exact and concise articulation see this juicy read by Katha Pollitt