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They say timing is everything. On this day when GOP vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin's speech is the water-cooler story, a group of Utahns met to discuss the importance of women in politics.
There was a consensus about how difficult it is for women getting into politics. It's still very difficult throughout the country and especially here in Utah.
Julie Jarrett, a member of the YWCA Young Women's Leadership Board, said, "With Hillary Clinton in the primary on the Democratic side, as well as Sarah Palin on the Republican side, women in higher level national politics has definitely increased the interest in a topic like this in the community."
Third-term State Rep. Roz McGee told the group there are only 20 women in the Utah State Legislature out of 104 total members. That is at the low end of the national average. She believes reaching out to young voters on the Internet has created so much interest for women on the national scene. But she's very concerned about the negative rhetoric on blogs and talk radio.
"People go on blogs. They are unwilling to sign their names. They may say outrageous things. They may use totally inappropriate language. A second area of concern to me is the talk radio. Again, I think there is a huge amount of irresponsible talk going on," McGee said.
She hopes that candidates at all levels will set a different tone.
One young woman, Cora Rice, agreed, wondering when the Republicans and Democrats will actually state where they stand on the real issues.
"This particular election, people were very interested in getting away from the usual politics. But in the battle, all they've really done is resurrect the standard politics, and I really haven't had all that much of a chance to hear politicians' positions, plans and goals for the future," she said.
All of these women say the most important way to become involved is to vote. You can do that by mail through the League of Women Voters. There is a link on this page.
E-mail: cmikita@ksl.com
