Although the U.S. Supreme Court, going back to Buckley v. Valeo in 1976, has ruled against restrictions on political campaigning as a violation of First Amendment rights, what it really has done is to say that money rules our politics. So long as that is the case, women will find it difficult to shatter that glass ceiling -- unless they have a spouse who already is networked.

Notice that women are fairly well-represented in the political elite of American states where running for office is fairly inexpensive. The appointment process also works better than the electoral process when the costs of running for office are so high.

Since much of the media is perceived to lean left and to favor Democrats, some people will argue that press negativity toward Palin could be blamed on the Democratic Party.

Both former Pennsylvania governor Tom Ridge and GOP House Majority Leader Tom DeLay believe that will be a problem for Democrats, even if they did not perpetuate the press coverage.

DeLay's response to the media is, “Bring it on.”

Franklin & Marshall political science professor Terry Madonna says the only danger for the Obama campaign is if it buys into some of the sexist arguments of the leftwing blogosphere.

According to an ABC News poll, 61 percent of all mothers work outside the home in some capacity. That is a lot of voters on Election Day.

And if the media continue to question Palin’s ability to mother her family and to serve her country at the same time, that is a lot of female fury to scorn.

Democrats hoping to earn that female vote will be wise to distance themselves from the media on this one. Just ask any hurting Hillary supporters if they’re over their perception of political sexism.