An historic presidential election like the current one often brings plenty of debate.

With the Republican Party nominating its first female vice presidential candidate, Gov. Sarah Palin, and Sen. Hillary Clinton coming closer to the democratic presidential nomination than any woman in history, the media has had much to speculate on.

“Frankly, I feel Palin has overly shown herself not to be qualified. Therefore, she has become a character that we make fun of,” said Barbara Burrell, professor of women in politics. “Generating such hatred toward her only hurts the empowerment of women. It’s a puzzle in my mind.”

In comparison, Burrell feels Clinton has been very articulate. Clinton’s position as senator will continue to be her legacy, she said.

Diana Swanson, professor of women’s studies, takes issue with Palin’s ability to lead. Swanson said questioning Palin’s ability to uphold the position of vice president on the basis of having children is sexist, though questioning her ability to lead on the basis of experience and expertise is not.

“To hold Palin as an authoritative role model for women in general falsifies the women’s movement,” Swanson said. “Many of the political positions she holds are disempowering to women.”

Amy Levin, director of the Women’s Studies Department, feels neither of the candidates have been portrayed favorably.

“The overall focus on Clinton has been hard, in a way that is punishing. She is often criticized for not presenting herself in a way that is traditionally feminine,” Levin said. “And the media has just had a grand old time with Palin. It is her articulateness that gives them grounds for criticism.”

Levin said what she finds most troubling about Palin is her tendency to identify herself as an average person.

“I personally would not want a standard person as the V.P. of my country,” she said. “I think she would have done well to better address herself as an above average person who understands the needs and desires of all people.”

NIU students who have been following the campaigns also said the candidate’s depiction has been misdirected through the media.

Sophomore accountancy major Allison Dunham and sophomore sociology major D’Andre Walker think female politicians like Clinton and Palin are portrayed as weak and less significant in the political arena.

“[The media] doesn’t take them seriously and puts them at the bottom of the totem pole and I think that needs to change,” Dunham said.

“I’ve been focusing more on Barack and McCain and I think that’s what America’s portraying, that women should not be with the politicians, so they will of course put them in a bad light and a degrading role,” Walker said. “If that’s how it’s going to be run, that’s how it’s going to be run, and of course this is a male-dominant culture so they will want their male-dominant roles to come out.”

Editor’s Note: James Tschirhart contributed to this article.