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Baby Politics: Separating Personal and Political

September 02, 2008 12:02 AM

Rt_palin_2_080901_mn "It has no relevance to Gov. Palin's performance as governor, or her potential performance as a vice president."

That was the response Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., gave when asked about the revelation that newly tapped Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin's 17-year-old daughter, Bristol, is five months pregnant.

Obama may have called the pregnancy "off limits," but there's no doubt the baby news, which came on a Gustav-shortened Night One of the Republican National Convention, had people talking all day.

The Alaska governor's bio -- so far filled with intriguing details of adventure (guns, fishing and snowmobiles) and bedrock Conservatism (she's a pro-lifer in practice) -- hit a much more awkward note.

But is it damaging as well?

September 2, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (68)

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Need to check out Mike Tibbles and Todd Palin too. Seems that Todd likes to play the politics too and is being called the Shadow Governor.

"AS the World Turns"

Posted by: Thinking | Sep 2, 2008 12:13:46 AM

Sorry that was Mike Tibbes

Tibbes had earlier fired the governor's legislative liaison John Bitney, reportedly as a consequence of Bitney dating the estranged wife of a friend of Todd Palin, the Governor's husband. Andrew Halcro calls Todd Palin, who also played a role in the Monegan firing, the "Shadow Governor."

Posted by: Thinking | Sep 2, 2008 12:16:52 AM

I think its obvious that the baby is from a space alien. I know because I read the left wing blogs.

Posted by: Sluggo | Sep 2, 2008 12:32:03 AM

Please someone ask whether this broad supportive approach to teenage pregnancy will translate to a revised platform for the RNC to support legislation that provides finanancial resources for teens who find themselves pregnant and who are not the daughter of a governor.

Posted by: sunshine | Sep 2, 2008 12:33:36 AM

BACK OFF CNN ...

FIND SOMETHING ELSE TO POUND ON ....

DIG INTO OBAMA'S RELATIONSHIP WITH REZKO INSTEAD ...

DIG INTO OBAMA'S ASSOCIATION WITH THE REV. WRIGHT INSTEAD ...

Posted by: BackOffCNN | Sep 2, 2008 12:36:03 AM

There are thousands of reasons not to vote Republican. Yet the only two real defenses the GOP bloggers keep trying are "Rezko" and Wright".

LOL! They already cleared Obama of any wrong doing with Rezko you moron. And Wright was old news months ago. He does not speak for Obama and has nothing to do with Barack's ability to govern our country.

Face it, the GOP has done NOTHING for middle class America in the last eight years and McCain has not proposed a single idea that will help now.

Your desperate and know you have a LOSER candidate and un-vetted VP running mate.

Posted by: Watch FOX if you need a GOP cheerleader | Sep 2, 2008 12:44:08 AM

SHOTGUN WEDDING!

Posted by: tell the truth Palin | Sep 2, 2008 12:45:02 AM

BackOffCNN: If you are so desperate to dig into old "news," perhaps we should be begging for stories on the Keating 5 bribery scandal McCain was admonished for - you know, something actually relevant to his character and judgment and far more recent than the POW experience he frequently touts.

Apologies if you were joking - asking CNN to attack the personal life of the man, Senator Obama, who clearly came to the defense of Palin (even pointing out his own mother was only 18 years old when he was born) goes so far around the hypocrisy scale you may have been aiming for humor.

Posted by: jhw539 | Sep 2, 2008 12:52:57 AM

Obama fed off Rev. Wright for 20 years .... you are what you eat ... !!!

Rezko has been convicted .... Obama will be next.

Posted by: ObamaIsNext | Sep 2, 2008 12:54:08 AM

Old NEWS? You mean news swept under the carpet by CNN and the media?

you mean HUSHED UP NEWS?

Dealings with Rezko, Rev. Wright ETC that goes back 20 years don't just evaporate PER the wishes of DUMBOCRATS and OBAMAMANIACS.

VOTE MCCAIN/PALIN

Posted by: YetToComeOut | Sep 2, 2008 12:57:25 AM

of course because a woman can't possibly be govenor on her own you morons. Simpletons in action!!

Posted by: Kim | Sep 2, 2008 1:01:24 AM

You know the funny thing is for Obama everything is heard ... all People have heard even aired : Rezko or Wright or whatever. People have already made up their mind.

Bad the stranger Palin

Who she is ?

more than 51 % American never heard of her ?

No one knows her ?

8 weeks left .... 6 weeks for her

No experience

lol

Posted by: Mic | Sep 2, 2008 1:05:41 AM

I will side with Obama, when he said that the pregnancy issue is a personal one, and should not be taken into the political arena. How right you are Senator, for this gives us some indication of your sound character and integrity.

Posted by: rev norbert | Sep 2, 2008 1:58:39 AM


McCAIN/PALIN '08

Posted by: NICHOLAS | Sep 2, 2008 2:15:21 AM


I don't want to put any moral judgment..
But in practical terms, if she is so ardent family value champion,
How could she accept the VP offer having 4 month DS baby and vulnerable pregrant teenage daughter.
Considering running mate's age, she should learn everything as soon as possible.
The whole thing doesn't make sense.

Posted by: zen | Sep 2, 2008 2:20:22 AM

Whoever comes for high office in this country has to go thru these stage.

That's why Obama has been criticized for rezko, wright so harshly on the internet by right wings.

now it's Palin's turn.
Good luck!

Posted by: zen | Sep 2, 2008 2:27:51 AM

Obama also firmly insisted that his campaign was not responsible for the proliferation of rumors about Palin’s family in the liberal blogosphere:

"I am offended by that statement. There is no evidence at all that any of this involved us," he said. "Our people were not involved in any way in this, and they will not be. And if I thought there was somebody in my campaign who was involved in something like that, they would be fired.

Of course this won't be the first time Obama has lied.

He should inform his followers.

Posted by: seah | Sep 2, 2008 2:30:04 AM


the lunanacy of this , you think if it was a guy name STAN palin he would get the offer , NOT ON YOUR LIFE.

Thank goodness if there is SANITY ISSUES will prevail.

she is NOT for equal pay for women like obama is.

no way Democrat women who are for choice and rights for women will give her the time of day .

No party have the interest of kids and women at heart like the Democrat . look at their platform of issues.. many programs to help women and children.
Pres Bush not so long VETO a child healthcare bill

Dont bother looking for any in the republican platform, remember their are for EVERY MAN FOR HIMSELF.. UNLESS you are a BILLIONARE company looking for a handout or the RICH who needs tax breaks.

Posted by: sp | Sep 2, 2008 2:47:58 AM

Where is JERRY SPRINGER when you need him to host this show.

So this is what the Presidency of the United States has come to. It suddenly became the hillbilly state fair..*SIGH*

Posted by: sean | Sep 2, 2008 2:51:02 AM

Poor John McCain. This sounds more like a job for MoPo than him. There is only one way to settle this, pregnancy test on Maury Povich.

Levin Johnston...You ARE the father!

Posted by: Anthony | Sep 2, 2008 2:57:44 AM

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