There has been an assassination attempt.

No, I’m not referring to the mannequin of Sarah Palin hanging by a noose in West Hollywood.  And I’m not talking about white guys in white tuxedos…(talk about a wardrobe scandal).

I’m talking about the assassination of Sarah Palin’s character, her life, and her political views which began the day Republicans unveiled her as their choice for Vice President.

Enemy fire is to be expected in politics, as in war.  From the obnoxious ladies on "The View" to The Huffington Post, the comments about Sarah Palin have been nothing short of catty.

But the recent “friendly fire” is something I did not expect from the Republican Party.

Or did I?

Take this week’s leaks to the media from top McCain advisers suggesting that Sarah Palin is a “diva” and a “whack job”... all reportedly because she went off script at a rally.  As a Communications professional, I’m all for staying on message.  I live for it.  But I feel for Palin.  I truly do.  The McCain team completely fumbled her introduction to the public, by strictly controlling her interaction with the Media and by not allowing Sarah Palin to do what she does best – that is, be Sarah Palin.  If they would have let her be the person she was at the Convention when she gave the rousing speech, I believe the polls would be much different today.  If Sarah Palin has gone “rogue,” it is undoubtedly due to her desire to preserve what dignity she has left after political handlers badly-botched her PR launch and her subsequent wardrobe malfunction.

I should probably be surprised by the snyde remarks, but unfortunately, I’m not.  As a woman in politics today, I have often discussed with female counterparts how we've experienced petty behind-the-scenes games when we’ve dared to have a brain of our own or have tried to maneuver our way up the political ladder.  Now, that doesn't include all men in the Republican party, but it does include some.

Aren’t Republicans, as a Party, better than that?

Republicans have long faced problems attracting the Women’s vote.  Time and again, I hear of successful women leaving the Party because they feel they weren’t listened to, appreciated, or valued by the Party.  And with the recent Palin episode, I see why.  When top advisers lash out with name-calling or a roll of the eyes when the little lady speaks, don’t be fooled, the whole world sees it.  Women come crashing back to the inevitable conclusion that Republican men really don’t want a woman’s viewpoint. The way Charlie Brown feels every time Lucy sets up the football, only to have it pulled away at the last minute.

As for me, I’ve refused to compromise my femininity.  I’ve refused to “dumb it down” in order to meet the lowest common denominator.  I’ve even quit campaigns over it, because I didn’t think I’d be able to look myself in the mirror – or look at other women the same again – if I continued to play along with a chauvinist charade. (And trust me, the chauvanists know who they are. If you are asking yourself, "Is it me?" then it's not you.)

So, a Memo to Republican men everywhere (many of whom I dearly love):  You say you want a Big Tent. If that is truly the case, then it’s time to fluff up the tent, update the drapes, and invite the women inside. As the caregivers, educators, nursemaids and mothers of future generations, women have a great perspective to offer you.