Sarah, Sarah, this is not the way to convince female voters that your entry into the race signals that the issues that really matter to many women, and a key voting demographic, will be taken seriously. I received the following update from MomsRising.org:

“Dear Friend,

Yesterday, MomsRising.org members tried to deliver a letter--signed by over 21,000 people--to Governor Sarah Palin's office in Washington, D.C. The letter simply asked, "Where do you stand?" on key issues of importance to moms and families.

But, they were turned away at the door.

When pressed, Palin's staff told the group to drop the letter in the mail, refusing to acknowledge the crowd of moms (and adorable baby) who were in the office to hand deliver it. “

Here is the text of the letter:

Dear Governor Palin,

It was dazzling to see a mom on the stage at the Republican convention accepting the Vice Presidential nomination.  There are too few mothers in the boardrooms and high levels of political office.  As members of MomsRising.org we celebrate your path from PTA to Vice Presidential candidate, but we didn't hear much in your speech about what you and your party will do for mothers and families. 

Due to the economic downturn, mothers and families are struggling more than before.  A quarter of families with children under age six are living in poverty, and having a baby is a leading cause of a “poverty spell” in our nation--a time when income dips below what’s needed for food and rent.  Women get a huge wage hit when they have children: mothers make only 73 cents to a man’s dollar, and single moms make only about 60cents.  Countries with family-friendly policies and programs in place--like paid family leave and affordable childcare--have smaller wage gaps for mothers, healthier children, and spend less funds later on the criminal justice system, grade repetitions, healthcare, and much more.

Our nation can’t afford to ignore the issues of mothers and families any longer.  We want to know where you stand on the issues which are critical to mothers like healthcare, fair pay, paid family and medical leave, afterschool programs, childcare/early learning, paid sick days, and flexible work options.

With now three-quarters of American mothers in the labor force, but a societal structure which hasn’t caught up to that modern reality, we, as a nation, are at a crisis point for our families.  Bottom Line: Mothers want to ensure the well-being of their families.  No mother should have to choose between taking care of a sick child and feeding her child. And no mother should have to choose between taking her child to the doctor and paying rent.Governor Palin, if elected Vice President of the United States, how will you support mothers and families?Please address these issues in your upcoming speeches and media opportunities, including the Vice Presidential debate. Mothers across the nation look forward to hearing where you stand on our issues.

Sincerely,

In response the organization is asking PBS Senior Correspondent Gwen Ifill to ask the following questions on our behalf in the upcoming V.P.debate:

* Right now, the birth of a child is the number one cause of a "poverty spell" in America, and 1/4 of families with young children are living in poverty. Do you support a policy to provide paid family and medical leave to parents following birth or adoption of a new child?

* Nearly 1/2 of all full-time, private sector workers in the U.S. have no paid sick days. Do you support a policy to provide paid sick days for workers to use when they or their children get sick?

* In most American families, both parents work outside the home.  Please tell us what your administration would do to help parents secure excellent, affordable childcare?

* Studies show that moms are paid 73 cents and single moms are paid about 60 cents to the dollar for doing the exact same job as men. Do you support the Fair Pay Restoration Act and the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act?  

* A child is born every 41 seconds without healthcare.  What kind of Health Care Policy could Americans expect in your administration? 

The ball is in your court Governor Palin. If you truly represent the hopes of many women who work hard to raise their families, you will openly answer these questions, not have them turned away at your door by a staffer.