After watching both the Republican and Democratic National Conventions some striking similarities come to mind concerning two very influential women, Sarah Palin and Michelle Obama. Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin has described herself as a "hockey mom", a blue collar mother of five hailing from a family of commercial fishermen. Palin expressed the connections to the blue collar voters saying she was far more concerned with helping the American people than being the media darling. I feel many aspects of her speech paralleled what Michelle Obama spoke about at the DNC. Michelle noted she received her strong values from her father, a blue collar guy who raised his family on the south-side of Chicago. Obama also focused on family values much like Palin did, I know we all remember one of Obama's daughters exclaiming "I love you daddy" to Barack via video feed after Michelle finished her speech. I believe these women are trying to win our trust and that will most likely translate to votes for each candidate, or that candidate's husband. However, I feel both women are trying to connect with voters on a more personal level. Although I feel policy, and one's platform should be the deciding factor on how one casts a vote,I feel an emotional connection with a candidate or first lady will translate to votes. I am looking forward to the outcome of this election and if the emotional connection these women are trying to make will show at the polls.