When will our elected officials learn to careful when around open mikes?

Actually, I do find it to be sexist! It also shows me that no matter how demanding a life his wife (actual or to be) has, most if not all the responsibility for family and household (what they don't hire out) is left to her! And for today's busy contemporary couples I find that very sexist! Of course there are still some couples who agree upon the team of one works outside the household and the other inside the household, in which case I find viewing one as more important or of better standing than the other is also 'sexist'! - You would think people, especially who work for the public, would learn how not to say such strange and also offensive things! Also, it's offensive, whether the woman (politician, etc) is liberal or conservative! [Pro choice or pro life!!]

Without knowing what he felt about the former two (male) department heads and the fact that they had families, there's no way to know whether the statement was sexist or not. We can only speculate on whether or not he would have said the same thing if a man was chosen for the position. Of course, the comment does beg the question - does he think Obama is not perfect for the presidency because he has young children and thus can't devote his full attention to the position? (and a note here - I happen to think that the best people in any job are those who have a healthy balance of work and non-work activities and interests in their lives, be they male or female). As far as your subject question - I agree with Annie, and I hope the day never comes. Their "accidental" remarks make for so much fun!

Just another slap in the face of all career mothers. We where told that Sarah would not make a good VP because she was a mother yet Obama is a father and no one said he could not perform all of his duties as President. Say what anyone wants to say about Janet Napolitano's politics, her lack of a family will have no impact on her ability to be Secertary of Homeland Security. If a father could be President then a mother can be the Secertary of HS.

Hmmm, much like the lefties and the incompetent press said against Gov. Palin.

To answer your title question first, they'll NEVER learn, but let's face it - and I'm not saying this to defend or excuse Governor Rendell or anyone else who has suffered from foot in mouth syndrome - most of us have had our share of verbal "oopsies" where we should probably be thankful there was no mike in sight...lol! Seriously, this is the first I'd heard of this and since I didn't hear his exact words, his tone or know the exact context in which he said it I really can't pass judgment on it. However, I like Rendell but he's one of those people who sometimes say things without thinking and remembering to weigh each and every word before opening his mouth. I haven't heard any talks of sexism and I know there's nothing in Rendell's record to suggest he IS a sexist but I can see how his words could be taken in a bad way. Personally I believe anyone has the right to decide for him or HERself what kind of job to take or accept. There are lots of men and women who have high- powered jobs in politics and many other fields and any number of children at the same time! Every family is different with different situations and needs. There never has been much talk about men with children doing whatever they chose to do but at least we're not being forced to listen to Barbara Bush and Marilyn Quayle (RNC 1992 Convention) attack women who didn't make the choice or weren't ABLE to choose to stay home and take care of their kids and husbands so we've come a little ways but we still have a long way to go. There have been quite a few men in politics and government who I've heard in recent years say they were leaving their positions to "spend more time with their family" so it really isn't a sexist thing. Annie

This is the same kind of sexism we saw from the left during the presidential election. Sarah Palin was putting her career ahead of her family by running for VP. She was not fit to be VP because she had children that needed her. No Napolitano is considered by sexists like this because she has no children. When was the last time you heard any of these people question a man's fitness to hold such office based on his children or lack thereof?