At the end of August, Senator John McCain announced Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate and the first female Republican vice-presidential nominee, sparking a flurry of debate over qualifications, and how she would perform the job of being second in command of the world's last Superpower as the mother of five, with an infant with Downs syndrome and a new granddaughter on the way. Many inside the Republican Party have been quick to point out the gender imbalance as Palin is questioned about her life/ family balance while her male counter parts are not probed in the same way.In this video, Gwen Ifill sits down with GOP Congressional Representatives Heather Wilson and Mary Fallin as they give their opinions about Palin, the gender bias, and her role on the Republican ticket. Quotes "I'm glad that Sen. McCain chose someone from outside of Washington who's tried to reform the state capital in one of the most important energy-producing states in the nation. So I'm glad that people will have a chance here this week that all of America will have, an opportunity to meet Sarah Palin, because Alaska already knows they've got a pretty good thing going."-Rep. Heather Wilson - New Mexico "She served in the executive branch. I've been in the legislative branch. I've been in the executive branch as lieutenant governor of Oklahoma. And I can tell you that there is a difference between the executive branch and the legislative branch." -Rep. Mary Fallin - Oklahoma "That bothers me. No one ever asked John Kennedy whether he could be president and be a dad. Nobody asks Senator Obama whether he could be president and be a dad. But because Governor Palin is a woman, they're asking whether she can be vice president and a mom." Rep. Heather Wilson - New Mexico "I think it's a little bit of a slam towards men, saying that men can't be a good partner to a woman who works." - Rep. Mary Fallin -Oklahoma Warm Up Questions 1. Who is Sarah Palin? What is she running for? Who is she running with? Who is she running against? 2. What does a vice president do? 3. Name some high-ranking women in the U.S. government. Discussion Questions 1. Why is it important that John McCain picked Sarah Palin as his running mate? What do you think of his choice? 2. Which is more ground breaking, a woman for vice president or black man for president? Why? 3. Should a female candidate be asked about her family? Should all candidates? Why or why not? 4. Do you agree with the Republican representatives? Are there double standards in media coverage? If so, what contributes to them? Additional Resources Read the transcript Wrap up of long Democratic primary Online NewsHour: Vote 2008