The kids are asleep. I have a glass of mediocre red wine next to the computer. Condi is on the TV behind me. In the morning, I have to drive my mom to visit a sick relative. It's somewhat fitting that I'm writing this post in the patches of free time that fall between care giving responsibilities. 

Last night, Ann Romney gave a speech that had three purposes. No pressure, Ann! First, she had to tell little anecdotes about her life with Mitt to humanize him. Secondly, she had to show how her life was similar to everyone else's life. Pasta and tuna stories. Thirdly, she had to try to bring in the chick vote. 

Ann has a warm personality that came through on campaign trail as she gave cute, little intros for her husband. People are sympathetic to her health struggles. She's camera ready. Her warmth came through for the most part on the stage last night. She did dish out the tuna and pasta stories well, but the pundits today responded that she failed to acknowlege the role that privilege shaped her family's fortune. 

The chick vote. Let's talk about it. For the most part, women don't vote as a unit. Other variables shape a woman's vote – geography, SES, religion – more than their gender. That's why we have a Sarah Palin and a Hillary Clinton. I would like to see women vote as a block more than they do. All women have certain commonalities in policy interests and needs, and if the right candidate came along who tackled those issues, I think women would line up. 

On my Twitterfeed right now, Condi and Susana Martinez kicked ass. 

Ryan is coming up… Need to check this out.