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The debate was obviously the most emotional of all thus far. John McCain was near tears (or an angry fit) when discussing how hurt he was about John Lewis' comparison of him to a racist politician from the 1960's. Barack Obama was visibly shaken as he criticized Palin for not quieting--let alone reprimanding--people at a recent McCain/Palin rally who were shouting, "Kill him, kill Barack!" as she approached the stage. Tensions were on edge, and for once we saw men who were not just politicians, but people.

These are the types of role models I seek, not just in politics, but in business, civic organizations, families. People who can be vulnerable, express hurt, acknowledge when they're personally offended, and even more, admit when they're personally wrong (we have yet to see this quality much from either candidate--hopefully with this new wave of vulnerability, it's coming).

Yet, who was the only role model officially offered to me, a woman, last night? Sarah Palin. In responding to a question about how fit he thought his VP was to run the country, he replied that Palin was an obvious role model for women. Sure, she may be somone who can clean out an office quickly (although perhaps not legally), get passed a bill that would authorize building a huge sports facility her town never asked for, or hold together a family through tough moral crises. But, this does not a role model make.

As I said above, I seek role models who can admit when they're wrong. In responding to the recent report declaring her firing of a government official "unethical," she said she was glad her actions were finally declared legal and ethical. What?

I seek role models who can be vulnerable. Although she has, perhaps unwittingly, showed her weaknesses through poor speech making, she exudes toughness, even hardness, not vulnerability. This is not a masculine or a feminine trait, either, but simply an aspect of character that makes someone even stronger than the most agile bull dog.

I seek role models, especially female role models, who can put in the work they need to to get where they want to go. Palin spent barely five years in public service--that's public service total, not even in executive positions--before becoming a token in a campaign desperate for a lurch ahead. Women have fought for years to avoid being the token anything. Women like Eleanor Roosevelt, Elizabeth Dole, Madeline Albright worked through the system--the system even men usually work through--to get where they wanted to go. They were well-educated, well-experienced, and well-spoken. It gravely concerns me that this woman, who has done few things I would take as behavoir I'd like to model myself off of, has received a nearly free pass to the top.

To me, she is far less of a role model than someone desperately in need of a role model herself.