I am the father of an intelligent, funny, charming … just beautiful in every way 7-year-old girl.

Her happiness is everything to me and I will do all within my power to raise her so that she is never impeded by man-made obstacles (pun intended), so she knows no "glass ceiling" which would prevent her from fulfilling her dreams.

I'm also a complete sociopolitical geek. I spent last week in Denver and I'm probably the only person who asked to get my picture taken with Gloria Allred.

I'm happy for the Republican party that they've made it to the 20th century and chosen Sarah Palin to join in on the campaign for the White House. But I'm also realistic, and I see this for what it is — a transparently desperate and cynical attempt to reach out to those ardent Hillary Clinton supporters still struggling to accept her defeat and reluctant to throw their support behind Barack Obama.

This seems to me incredibly insulting to Democratic women, suggesting their concerns regarding the leaders of our country are based on plumbing ahead of issues. What's more, despite the stable of venerable women in his party, John McCain chose the beauty pageant contestant, a woman who is so far off the political radar that she's literally near Siberia.

Watching Rudy "Noun-verb-9/11" Giulliani Wednesday night, it's almost hilarious to listen him feign disgust with the news media, as if legitimately questioning Palin's dearth of bona fides is evidence of sexism. Where was his outrage when a man, I'd assume a Republican, held a sign at a Clinton speech which read, "Iron my shirt."? Where, Rudy, were you when McCain laughed at a man asking, "How are we going to beat the b****?"

I believe this is a terrible miscalculation on McCain's part, and he may lose more women than gain from it. Clinton's supporters want a woman in the White House, but they want their woman. They're unlikely to help an incredibly unqualified Republican whose values are anathema to their own pioneer this last leg into the "boys club."

(An aside: I must admit I have a profound new respect for Cindy McCain. Her introductory bio last night revealed a depth and humanity I had not expected. Good for you, Cindy Lou.)

I'm all for Dads staying home with the kids. If I didn't live in a state where mothers aren't completely assured of custody — and if I were willing to create an untenable level of friction between Maddie's Mom and me — I would have done all I could to have my daughter with me every day. Those who know me know I've given up a great deal for her.

But I was completely floored today when I heard CNN's Soledad O'Brien actually ask, "How can they tell her to put her family first and not go for the vice presidency?"

Umm … what?!

Maybe I'm too old fashioned, but I can't even believe someone, especially a woman, would ask such an absurd question, let alone even think it. I realize, and fully support, that all woman want their own success, that they want to pursue their own dreams and endeavors beyond family, beyond motherhood. But perhaps history has passed me by; I thought there was nothing more sacrosanct to a mother than being a mother.

So please, mothers, help me with this. Am I way off base? Is this where we are in society, where mothers are now expected to cast aside their families in pursuit of a "greater calling?"