Nancy Linley-Harris spent Thursday morning in front of her TV, replaying the Republican National Convention on TiVo.

The politics are exciting, but that's not what caught her attention. It was Sarah Palin.

Governor of Alaska. Republican vice presidential nominee. And mother of five, including a 4-month-old son with Down syndrome.

''She's one of us,'' said Linley-Harris, whose 9-year-old daughter has Down syndrome. ``That's my girl.''

Palin's candidacy, highlighted in her first big national speech Wednesday night, has reignited the national debate on working mothers and put the spotlight on the complications of raising a special needs child.

DISABLED KIDS

Brian Skotko, a physician at Children's Hospital Boston and Boston Medical Center, said the United States is home to 400,000 mothers of children with Down syndrome, a genetic condition that causes developmental delays.

''There are many mothers like Sarah Palin who are finding success at home and success in the workforce,'' Skotko said. ``Every day they are proving that they can be mothers and leaders in their own communities.''

Still, caring for a child with Down syndrome can be demanding. Some are born with heart conditions, or prone to ear infections. They may have delays in developmental milestones, such as walking, talking and writing.

But medical advances are allowing people with Down syndrome to be included in regular academic classrooms, maintain jobs, and live long lives.

Palin's supporters say they hope she becomes an advocate for special needs. ''The bottom line is she is one of our moms,'' said Linley-Harris, 52, founder of the Fort Lauderdale-based Parents of Down Syndrome Angels. ``This is the best thing that has happened to the disability world.''

In the week since Sen. John McCain chose Palin as his running mate, her life has been under a microscope, from news that her 17-year-old, unwed daughter is pregnant to questions about whether she is qualified for the vice presidency.

Moms from all walks of life are buzzing over Palin's challenges -- some with applause, others with criticism.

Michelle Fonte, 40, a mother of six from South Miami-Dade, is doubtful that Palin can balance her domestic responsibilities with the demands of the second-in-command job.

''You wouldn't be an accountant and a brain surgeon at the same time because one of those jobs would suffer,'' said Fonte, a Barack Obama supporter who owns a retail store in Miami. ``I don't understand how it's justified that women can do it all simultaneously.''

Other moms are wondering where she stands on many issues important to families that did not come up in her convention speech.

The political action group MomsRising.org sent an e-mail to its members Thursday, urging them to sign a letter to Palin asking for the ticket's stance on issues they call critical to mothers: affordable healthcare, affordable child care and equal pay for men and women.

WORKING MOTHERS

In online forums around the country, including MomsMiami.com, which is run by The Miami Herald, mothers are expressing alarm at Palin's lack of national experience -- and taking offense that McCain chose her over more seasoned Republican women. Others write that just having a woman on the ticket is a triumph.

The fiercest debate has been over Palin's role as a working mom -- and whether that is even a valid concern in this day and age.

Lisa Timpone, a second-grade teacher and mother of two, says she is offended that Palin is picked apart for being a mom and politician.

''Men and women are supposed to be equal,'' said Timpone, 37, of Palmetto Bay. ``If it were her husband running for vice president, it wouldn't be an issue.''

Timpone say she is a fan of Palin's.

''I am very impressed by her,'' Timpone said, after watching Palin's convention speech. ``I love the things she said. She has a lot of passion for this country.''

Cheryl Bauer, a mother who lives in Kendall, said Palin is trying to win over female voters by comparing herself to them.

''She is saying things to try to relate to everyday, middle-class people like me,'' said Bauer, 41, a personal banker and Obama supporter. ``But I don't feel a connection to her.''

Join the discussion

Note: If this is your first time using our NEW commenting system, you will have to LOG OUT and then LOG BACK IN.

The Miami Herald is pleased to provide this opportunity to share information, experiences and observations about what's in the news. Some of the comments may be reprinted elsewhere in the site or in the newspaper. We encourage lively, open debate on the issues of the day, and ask that you refrain from profanity, hate speech, personal comments and remarks that are off point. In order to post comments, you must be a registered user of MiamiHerald.com. Your username will show along with the comments you post. Thank you for taking the time to offer your thoughts.

     Showing: Oldest first Newest first Most-recommended first Least-recommended first

@Nyx.AuthorDisplayName@ wrote on @Nyx.PostedAtTime@:

@Nyx.CommentBody@

@Nyx.Recommender@ @Nyx.AbuseReporter@