Dan Schwartz at the Connecticut Employment Law Blog asks, "What one question would you like the debate moderators to ask each of the major party candidates?" Here's mine.
In May 2007, the EEOC published its Enforcement Guidance on Unlawful Disparate Treatment of Workers with Caregiving Responsibilities. As part of Sen. Obama's plan to strengthen families, he has vowed to protect against caregiver discrimination by committing the government to enforce those EEOC guidelines.
For Sens. Obama and Biden:
Gov. Palin could be a heartbeat away from assuming the presidency. Do you believe that a mother of a child with special needs can effectively balance her job as a mother and being the leader of the free world?
For Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin:
Since Gov. Palin's nomination, your campaign has gotten a lot of traction out of her life story. You have accused the media and the Democratic party of sexism in their treatment of Gov. Palin and her dual role as a politician and mother to a special needs child. In light of Gov. Palin's caregiving role, if elected, will you make the same commitment as Sen. Obama to combat workplace discrimination against people with caregiving responsibilities?
UPDATE: Coincidentally, msnbc.com posted an article this morning about the potential Palin effect on working moms. From the article: "A spokeswoman for the McCain-Palin campaign said she was unable to say at this time what Palin’s position is on federal policies relating to job protections and benefits for working mothers." All the more reason to ask this question.