All in a Day’s Work

Last winter, Sarah Palin “had this penchant for really beautiful scarves,” recalls the woman who works down the hall in Anchorage. She was beginning her third trimester, and artfully concealing it from her colleagues and constituents. Maternity clothes can be cute, but Sarah didn’t want to compromise her political responsibilities or worry the Alaskan public. She might be mom-times-five, but she was also their governor.

A month before giving birth, she announced her pregnancy. Three days after giving birth, she was back in the office. Womanly strength and determination, to an exceptional degree. Then came the announcement that the Palin baby had Down syndrome, and Sarah’s moral leadership didn’t falter: “Many people will express sympathy, but you don’t want or need that, because Trig will be a joy,” Sarah wrote. “Children are the most precious and promising ingredient in this mixed-up world you live in down there on Earth. Trig is no different, except he has one extra chromosome.”

Now on the national stage, media commentators—uncharacteristically concerned about the domestic significance of stay-at-home moms—have been wondering how one balances maternity and the media, home and the Hill. No one says it will be easy, but judging from this NY Times article , Gov. Palin’s motherhood shows her competence and commitment—to both of her vocations:

Ms. Palin’s three-day maternity leave has now become legend among mothers. But aides say she eased back into work, first stopping by her office in Anchorage for a meeting, bringing not only the baby but also her husband to look after him. [A travel crib and baby swing adorn one corner of the office.]

Many high-powered parents separate work and children; Ms. Palin takes a wholly different approach. “She’s the mom and the governor, and they’re not separate,” Ms. Cole said. Around the governor’s offices, it was not uncommon to get on the elevator and discover Piper, smothering her puppy with kisses.

“She’ll be with Piper or Trig, then she’s got a press conference or negotiations about the natural gas pipeline or a bill to sign, and it’s all business,” Ms. Burney, who works across the hall, said. “She just says, ‘Mommy’s got to do this press conference.’ ”

Before Hillary Clinton’s defeat, there was much talk about the significance of having a woman in a presidential race. But to have a woman who hasn’t sacrificed any of her femininity, a woman as a woman —now that’s a real milestone.