Palin challenges conservative vs. liberal beliefs about working moms

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Liberals sound like conservatives; the right sounds like the left. John McCain's choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate has upended conventional wisdom and brought about a seeming role reversal.

Some liberals are belittling the choice, suggesting that as a mother of five children — including an infant with Down syndrome — she has neither the time nor the experience to become vice president.

It's the conservatives now who are now sounding traditional feminist themes, claiming there's no reason why she can't multitask and be a mother and vice president at the same time. "She is the best possible choice," Eagle Forum President Phyllis Schlafly said.

Change and reform have become buzzwords among Republicans, a mantra that had all but belonged to Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama.

"Welcome to the brave new world," GOP consultant Rich Galen said.

He said the selection of Palin challenges the common notion "that conservatives think women should stay at home and tend to babies and make sure dinner is on time."