FWIW

In my humble (I have no children and have never served) opinion, the reason why the arguments that Gov. Palin should be at home are all wrong is this:

When one is called to "serve," then sacrifices are demanded of both the individual and the family.

Whether a call to arms, a call to ministry or a call to political service (especially high office), then one is required to serve to the detriment of the immediate family for the good of the nation. This is different from a person who decides on a career that deprives family for the sake of the dollar though I certainly have no understanding of Gov. Palin's motives...they could be ill indeed.

I mean this whatever one's political persuasion (to the extent any of my right- sided brethren have denounced men or women for the same, shame on them).