Political Punch

The reality is that this is a non-issue.
To those who suggest that right wingers would flame Obama if it were his daughters: Someone should point out that Obama himself was conceived out of wedlock when his mother was, oh yeah, 17. Yet, no one has ever mentioned it or dwelled on the fact. There is a double standard here, but it is not demonstrated by the right. I'd say Obama turned out pretty well and I have never heard anyone from the press or RNC mention this in the past 9 months (anyone can do the math), but days after Palin gets the nod, it is more of a story than Hurricane Gustav. Interesting bias...

Palin's bio is heartwarming and good fodder for the media but it's disingenuous.

I can't think of anyone who can parent 5 children, be active in the care of one who has Down Syndrome, be emotionally available for an unwed pregnant teen, have a successful marriage and sex life, attend hockey games and carry out the duties of Vice President of the United States of America (in addition to taking vacations and taking care of other personal needs).

She will not be involved with her family and that's ok. It is a choice she has made. She is a career woman, and that's ok too. Another life choice.

Just don't sell her to me as a hockey mom.

How dumb do you think we are?

Say Malia Obama was 17, she's 10 now, the conservative zealots would scream that not only are the Obamas unfit for the White House, that they are also unfit parents that don't teach abstinence at home.

If it was Obama's daughter, the very same conservatives who are now oh so understanding of the Palins situation will cast the Obamas as typical of black America. They have already called Michelle Obama by the choicest names, now they will also shower his children with a tirade of unspeakables. If you don't serve their purpose, the right, esp. the religious right, will cast you as worse than the devil. Sad but true.

Jake,
I need a little clarification on your question. You didn't indicate whose response you are interested in. If you are referring to the reaction of the Obama Family, it is impossible to know how they would handle the situation. However, it is possible that their personal reaction would eliminate any public response.

Ruth T doesn't pay attention so good.

Also, why is Jake asking questions to which he already knows the answer?

The culture warriors love to have enemies. That's why Bill O'Reilly can sexually harass an employee while wearing his wedding ring and Limbaugh can be married a gazillion times and have a hillbilly heroin addiction, and still claim a vast "conservative" audience. It's not about doing what's right. It's about winning a "war".

Had this been Chelsea Clinton or one of Obama's daughers, the GOP would have held the child up as the prime example of the valueless, amoral, secular product of the liberal fringe. Rush and company would be having a field day. And we all know it.

That being said, Bristol Palin is a 17 year old minor who deserves her privacy.

So, in that vein, what matters in terms of this election is this -- what mother would knowingly put her child through this? Either Palin is extremely naive and didn't think there would be any press about this, and she doesn't strike me as a naive woman, or, she's opportunistic and would rather seek national office than focus on her family.

Palin is young. Her state is going to be in the forefront in the development of a comprehensive energy policy. She's well poised as governor to be highly involved in that process. On a personal level, she'd gain huge national exposure. Exposure that might propel her to the number one spot on the GOP ticket in 2012. Even if she had to wait until 2016, she'd only be 50 years old.

It's just a question of where her priorities lie. It's a question of her judgment, of her character.

And McCain's judgment as well. For all the charitable work Cindy McCain does, you think John would have thought about the impact this would have on Bristol. No teenager wants her personal information to become public knowledge. Remember in 2000, when the media reported that Jenna and Barbara Bush has asked their father not to run for office because they wanted to be able to make the transition from high school to college on their own terms.

I wonder if people understand that the story is not about the pregnancy, but the fact that it was concealed.

Sen McCain and his staff is making this to be a "Great American Story". They are applauding Gov. Palin for sticking by her family and supporting her daughters pregnancy. The problem that I have with this is, if this was such a great story, why wasn't it introduced when Gov. Palin was introduced. From my perspective, Sen McCain was attempting to play on the heartstrings of many Americans with the revelation that the youngest Palin had Downs Syndrome, she married her high school sweetheart (by the way I did too), her husband is a snowmobiler, and she is a member of the NRA. Well, I ask, Why not share the pregnancy at the same time. Let it be known that she is excited about becoming a grandmother. That the father of the child is planning to marry her daughter.

The fact that the story only broke after bloggers made such "radical suggestions" that the infant was in fact the daughters, lead me to wonder if Sen McCain and his staff knew of the pregnancy or even learned of it during the Vetting process.

I can understand why Sen McCain wanted to pick Gov. Palin for his VP. Appeal to the Clinton's bitter supporters and attract a larger woman vote. However I ponder this question, will this decision prove that Sen McCain is more ambitious about his ascention to the White House or does he really put "County First".

And to regards to the question, "What if this was Sen Obama". Do we really need to entertain that question. I know the politically correct response is, It is no different. However we all know that is not true. There is a double standard in this country in regards to race and sex.

What shocks me the most (all the
other scandals aside):

Is it now considered a
family value for a woman with
5 kids (the youngest of which is
four months old and a special
needs child and a teenage girl
pregnant out of wedlock) to up
and run for VP of the US?

Enjoy.

If it were Obama's daughter I would feel the same. This is Palin's daughter....not her. We cannot control our children, we can only instill in them what is right and wrong; they have to do the rest. I've known ministers children, children that were brought up in a christian home, and hormones just get the best of them at times. So what is the big deal....we all make mistakes and the judgement doesn't lie with us.

I am a christian who believes that no one is perfect. However, it sickens me to hear that many of my evangalical brethren are so forgiving. Yet these are the same ones who attacked Obama during the Rev. Wright uproar. So is grieves me to hear so many admiring Palin for having such courage. I have a question, why are those same individuals not as supportive of the countless teenage mother in america. If it was little Suzy or Felicia, these same people would be be saying things like, "where were the parents", "the MTV generation is out of control." Remember, my christian friends, God is not a Repulican or a democrat. He is forgiving to all!

In Law, one of the MAXIMS of EQUITY is "HE/SHE WHO MUST COME TO EQUITY MUST COME WITH CLEAN HANDS.

Her hands are not clean. She has failed one of the tenets of good Motherhood. Being the Vice-President makes are the mother of all Americans and by extension, the World.

But if she could not hold her home, if she could not control her Children because of the demand of Political Office, She should do what is best for herself and her Family - Leave Politics.

See what American Society is turning into - a Society of Moral decadence.

We need a Leader that would lead by good examples. We need a Leader we can look up to. We need a Leader that we can proudly say of "If she can achieve these good deeds, I can do the same"

Not a Leader that our Children will say "If Sarah Palin's daughter could do this and he mum was rewarded with the post of a VP, WHY CAN'T i DO THE SAME.

IF WE CONDONE THIS ACT AND SWEEPS IT UNDER THE CARPET, American Society is sure sitting on a amoral Time-bomb which, when it explodes, no household would be spared.

John,

I think you have the wrong Palin in mind, it's Sarah who was the Mayor, Govenor and now VP candiate, not her daughter. So when you say the Obama seems to forget that his Mother did not aspire for Public Office. His Mother did not even aspire for the post of a Mayor, talkless of a Govenor and now the Vice-President and then, when Mccain's is juxtaposed with his mortalilty at above four score plus 10, the potential President of the United States of America. I don't think it was something he needed to remember, since there has been no reports that Bristol is aspiring for public office.

That is one of the only aspects of this story worth publicly discussing (all the rest being the Palin family's private family matters): right wing hypocrisy on getting to condemn everyone within range unless it falls on one of their own, in which case suddenly "forgiveness" takes on renewed relevance.

You don't even need to ask. The truth, whether everyone wants to admit it or not, is if Sasha Obama were a 17-year old black girl and had this baby, the terms "welfare mother" "baby momma" and "responsibility" would have been thrown around more times than you can count.

The election would have been over for Barack Obama and we all know it.

But we're not supposed to point out double standards. Just remain silent on them.

And pretend like John McCain made something even resembling a rational choice here.

It's amazing the entire country hasn't risen up and scorned John McCain for such a rash, irresponsible decision.

When I read posts in defense of Gov. Sarah Palin, I get worried at what the future portends for American youths.

Barack Obama said his mum conceived him at that age but he seems to forget that his Mother did not aspire for Public Office. His Mother did not even aspire for the post of a Mayor, talkless of a Govenor and now the Vice-President and then, when Mccain's is juxtaposed with his mortalilty at above four score plus 10, the potential President of the United States of America.

And to think that She held back on this important information until it was broken in the blogosphere gives me a feeling that we are going to be treated to more darker stories about the Palins before November.

Now let's be truthful; If it had been Barack Obama, I know so many pundits would have suggested that he disqualifies himself as the Dems Flagbearer. But because it is Mccain, his apologists are trying to spin the story as an American family value.

I could remember the castigation that trailed Jamie-Lyn Spears Pregnancy on Entertainment blogsites.

But for a Woman that is an hair-breath away from the Presidency, it is a thing that deserves an applause.

McCain has shown impulsive judgment; he is willing to put the country at risk if it might bring his own gain. Palin is talented and glitzy, but right now her good family values need to focus on those who need her at home - not on gaining fame and fortune thru politics. This is not a patriotic combination!

My heart goes out to Gov. Palin.

But in my candid opinion, I think she should have declined the nomination.

If she couldn't control her Child in a town of just over 8000 inhabitants, how would she be able to control a complex Country like the United States of America should something untowards happen to Mccain?

And to think she is an advocate of abstenance while her daughter was eating the forbidden fruit makes it more appaling.

And to think that some GOP members and some so called Evangelicals are backing her on this is incredible and ridiculous.

Leaders are supposed to be role-models. A bad example has been set, We pray that it does not go round.

It won't come as a Suprise if it is discovered that Bristol is actually the Mother of Trig or the anybody in Alaska see a pregnant Governor Sarah Palin in 2007?

Well, wait about ten years and if one of Obama's daughters get pregnant out of wedlock you can find out. I think it would be much more interesting to find out the responses if he mishandled a domestic or foreign policy program - although I'm sure everyone would give him a free ride as he somehow blamed it on George Bush. But hey, I realize that genuine interest in what is important TO THE NATION is impossible when one can zero in on the imperfections of someone's family - be they Democrat or Republican. It's much better gossip - the other might only affect our everyday lives.

David & Dan,

You've been listening too much to Sean Hannity! Prove to me that Obama broke the law in buying his house - prove to me that Obama's church is a hate filled place. It can't be done. Conservatives always claim the high moral ground & in this case, their hypocracy is demonstrated. As far as Mr. McCain choosing Palin for his running mate, it demonstrates his lack of judgement, his poor decision-making & that he shouldn't be the next President!

You know what, I am getting quite peeved by this notion that someone who is running for President or VP is entitled to privacy. Especially in the case of Palin where no one knows her. There should be no expectancy of privacy when you're running for the highest office in the nation, or when you are 1 John McCain heartbeat away from that high office.

What is supposed to happen here? Sarah Palin is to be presented to us (the public) on a silver platter, and we should nod our heads silently in agreement and not ask questions? I am not sheep. I actually like thinking for myself, so I will continue to ask questions about this woman who is literally been shoved in my face 4 days ago via the media.

I am not attacking the woman's daughter because she is pregnant - and I don't get a sense that is what others are doing on the blogs. However, I am questioning Sarah Palin's judgment - and for that matter - John McCain's judgment. It is obvious that McCain did not vet Palin, and so it seems as if it's us bloggers doing the vetting that should have occurred a long time ago.

No one talked about privacy when Barack Obama was being assailed (and still is) by right-wingers on everything from his religion to his various political views, but everytime McCain is questioned about anything, they wanna claim privacy?

If he announced that she was going to marry the father and the family would help the mraise the child together, I think it would dispel a most of any negative response that occurred.

What would happen if McCain was friends with terrorists, racists, and criminals like Obama is? Just askin'.

Anna,

can you spell Keating 5?

There's a stereotype of blacks having an epidemic of unwed teenage pregnancies (and the stereotype is based on the fact that blacks do have a higher rate of that). Because of that, the GOP *and* the mainstream media would talk about this story 24/7 on cable news, ripping Obama to shreds, it would drown out everything else and Obama's campaign would be finished. None of you can honestly deny it, either.

Of course, the same would've happened had Obama confused Shiite with Sunni, Somalia with Sudan, Czech Republic with Czechoslovakia, the Anbar Awakening vs Surge timeline, or had talked of a non-existent Iraq-Pakistan border. McCain did all of the above within the span of a month, which should've put an end to his so-called foreign policy credentials. But the media gave him a pass on ALL of it. If Obama had done even ONE of those gaffes, cable news would've gone into 24/7 loop mode and torpedoed his campaign. The media sucks.

Is this a trick question? Come on, we all know what the right and Dobson would be saying about the Obama family?

Hint: their responses would not include phrases such "wonderful supportive family" or "good family values"

"What would happen if McCain was friends with terrorists, racists, and criminals like Obama is? Just askin'."

Anna have you looked at teh bush administration in the last 4 years?

Sarah Palin's family values and affairs surely are the business of the American people. This is a person that needs to be focused and ready to handle the people's business despite what's happening in her world and right now she needs to focus elsewhere. Taking care of an infant child with Down's and a pregnant teen is taxing and requires alot of a Mother's time and attention. Palin should never have put her daughter in the position she has. She's a selfish opportunist if you ask me. She should remove herself and go back to Alaska to attend to her family issues. Her daughter needs her mother right now.

his polls will go up because people will identify with it..this is not something a parent wish for and all you can do is sympathies with the parent.

Palin handled it with grace so more power to her.

Ruth: I think if Obama's daughter was pregnant out of wedlock Palin would advise her to keep the baby because she is pro-life. Plus, I don't think she would discuss it. Obama said the right thing. Its personal and private and he doesn't want to discuss it. I am not an Obama Fan but it was great of Obama to say what he said. And he didn't have to say that. Young girls are getting pregnant every day of the week, some are killing them others are thowing them in the weeds or garbage so its a blessing that Bristol's mother is pro-life. Teenage pregnancy is nothing new. Just watch the Maury show. Only most of them don't know who the father is and a lot of them have gone to bed with several men.

Easy...Obama's supporters would call the media racist for asking about it.

Poor judgement.

"Obama would make an excuse how society failed his daughter. Not take responsibility as a father. Blame the society."

That's nice wingnut talking points, except the facts are Obama has taken complete responsibility for his children. He's better educated than you, he's richer than you and I'll bet he's better looking, too. I'll also bet he started lower on the ladder than you.

Exactly.

"Ellen705 i agree parents should be responsible for their children-so how could obama raise/baptize his young impressionable children in the wright church."

Probably the same way Republican hero Mitt Romney could raise his children in the Mormon Church. The Mormon Church whose founding prophet, Joseph Smith, taught that blacks are not human.

Jake, you know the answer to your question.

How old is Levi (who should have kept his pants zipped)? Is statutory rape involved? I think voters have a right to know.

Given all we know about Palin, I don't think it was irresponsible for her to accept the VP slot, since every candidate has a family and has had to make certain sacrifices to make it work. That's not unlike any parent in the U.S. who has to juggle home and work life. JFK had two little kids running around the Oval Office, and no one asked whether his duties as a father interfered with his ability to govern.

What WAS irresponsible is for Palin to violate her 17-year-old daughter's privacy in order to dispel a rumor. Sarah Palin should have released Trig's birth certificate or her own medical records and kept the focus on herself. By issuing this statement, she made Bristol fair game for the mainstream media. Very stupid, very irresponsible.

Great question, Jake. They would be the instant and relentless victim of a "high tech lynching" at the hands of the media. Ditto if Obama had offered up Michelle at a biker rally to be in their topless beauty pageant. Or was carrying huge monthly balances on their American Express. Or had so many homes they lost count. Or if Michelle had had a drug problem and was caught stealing. And on and on.

Palin's family problems are not our problems. The following are Palin's problems as well as ours:

- She has been governor of a state ranking 47th in population for twenty months.
- She chaired a 527 for the King of Corruption.
- She was for the "bridge to nowhere" (while she was running for Governor) before she was against it.
- She fired the top public safety employees in "Moose Jaw" because they supported her opponent.
- She is the subject of a legislative investigation into unethical conduct for another firing.
- A leading Alaskan Republican State Senator says she's not qualified.
- She says she "hasn't paid attention to Iraq" and that it was a "war for oil."

McCain's judgment on this one has been about as good as his judgment on Iraq and Afghanistan. What an idiot. It says a good deal on his views on women that he seems to have a "thing" for former "beauty queens."

While (I hope) most Americans would applaud Bristol's decision, and I hope she also had a CHOICE in this decision, I feel sorry for her. There is no reason she should be drawn into this media circus. Gov. Palin is obviously more focused on her career than her family. It's one thing for her to put in long days away from her family on the campaign trail---but they need her right now---fourt month old Down Syndrome child, seventeen year old pregnant daughter. What's wrong with "Thanks Senator McCain, I'm flattered, but right now my family needs me." ??

Listen to Joe Biden's quote the day he became a US Senator contemplating whether or not he should take the job.
To me, one screams "family values" and the other seems very selfish.

The Right Wingnuts would be foaming at the mouth if Palin was a Democrat and if Obama had chosen her to be his running mate. Are you kidding me? The question cannot be serious.

Remember when Clinton was president and the GOP kept telling us that "Nobody is above the law, not even the president". Now that Bush is in the WH, he can break any law he wants to, as can his attorney general, secretary of defense, etc., etc. He can illegally wiretap our phones and ignore the Geneva Convention. His aides and former aides can ignore subpoenas. His justice department can indict and prosecute people for their political affiliation alone. He can silence critics by changing the contents of publically financed science. And all of this is okie-dokie with the nuts. They truly are despicable people. The GOP is truly a despicable party.

Families should be off limits. But the GOP would crucify Obama over this type of story if the tables were turned.

What should not be off the table is McCain's abysmal judgment in making this terible and impulsive decision. He had months to think this through, and then gave us the least experienced VP ever? And, basically, because she's a woman and he thought he might peel off some Hillary supporters? And is popular with the most right wing Christian conservative wing of her party? And knows something about making a state government run at a surplus by allowing as much oil production as the law will allow, and taxing it?

Foist on his own petard. He is the original Maverick - like the irresponsible, vain, cocky and dangerous Tom Cruise character in Top Gun. Only this time it's not just him who has to live with the consequences, it's all of us. That she didn't think the better of it and turn it down speaks to her political ambition and bad judgment. That he chose her over any of the three alternatives who were on the "short list" speaks to his political ambition and bad judgment.

Obama, tested over a 20 month campaign, with 21 debates, countless interviews, and personal appearences, and answers to alomst every question about national and international policy, has proven his leadership and executive skill. It is no small feat, especially against the clinton machine, in a You Tube world. McCain has proven that he is too risky for the Presidency. It's time to turn the page.

Interesting how much anger there is at Obama because he ran for and won the nomination. Europeans wonder how Americans could support any repub, particularly one allied with Bush, and I guess we know the answer - their party made them do it.

Any pictures of Sarah pregnant?

Mariann:

You are a arrogant person, sorry but there are other reasons women need the option of abortion. Women don't abort on the case a fetus is deemed not perfect. Ever heard of rape, incest, or health issues?? You need to take your righteous talk elsewhere.

What I'd like to know is if her daughter really wants the baby or if she and her boyfriend are being forced by her parents beliefs?

Obama did say this was off limits, but as his supporter I actually do deem this somewhat important. McCain and Palin preach abstinence only and this is the result we will see across our nation as them in head of our administration.Its already been seen as Bush as the leader. A high rise in teen pregnancies because of lack of sexual education, and access to birth control pills, and look other teens will say "the VP's daughter is pregnant as a teen its ok". Don't think so? yeah teens are easily influenced by those in the media.

We

Sarah looks awfully good for just having a baby 4 months ago. Her daughter looks like someone who just had a baby 4 months ago.

Mary Anne.

The statistics clearlyn show that 70% of the press on Obama has been Negative. Make sure you have your facts straight when you nake a statement about the Press fawning all over him. The press has been in love with John McCain for 10 years now. He lets them ride with him and gives them open access. They print what he says as the truth and never check it out before it is published. We have to research it and prove that he is just distroting the truth or is out right lying. In this Campaign I have counted 57 out right lies by john McCain.

Fair question Jake. We all know where this story would end up. I cannot fathom why knowing what the current media environment is Ms. Palin would subject her family, her daughter specifically, to this. This did not happen while Ms. Palin was running - she knew this and still accepted Sen McCain's profer. It is utterly irresponsible of her and is again another reason that McCain's judgement should be called into question.

Not all Republicans or conservatives are excited by the selection of Palin and many are hoping that the convention nominates Romney this week. Remember when Rush, Hannity, etc. were slamming McCain in the primaries? All the reasons remain true - he does not put country first and is more concerned with being popular (especially with the media) than doing the right thing. Enough! We can still nominate Romney!

Like Rezko, the Obama house purchase, how much money Sen. Obama has made SINCE becoming a US Senator, how many bulk purchases of his book there have been, Biden and plagarism - the tough questions are only asked of Republicans and not Democrats. Wonder why that is?

If it were one of Obama's daughters and they made the decision to keep the baby, the Republicans would be all over it. When young white women get pregnant and decide to keep the baby they are doing the right thing. When you black women keep their babies, according to the rhetoric you hear from a lot of people on the right, they are doing it to collect a welfare check.

Ellen: You can talk to your daughter all you want. Do you know what their going to do when their outside? I don't think you do. No one knows what their daughter is going to do. Aren't you aware that there is a University that approves of boys and girls in the same dorm? Where have you been. Apparently your not up to standards of what is going on or your pretending you don't know. I am sure you know people whose daughter is in the same situation plus you know its goes on every day. Let's not kid ourselves.

I am sure that Rush would have something to say>

alison: People should stop worrying about Palin's daughter Bristol and her pregnancy. Who cares? As long as it isn't your daughter why worry about someone else's. I don't care if she never marries the man or has another child. Palin is the one chosen for VP not her daughter. Palin's daughter is not in politics and its a family matter not the concern of the media or the public. No one should be shocked at her daughter having a baby out of wedlock. I am sure many of your friend's if not relatives are doing the same.

Sarah is not responsible for raising her daughter's child. Her daughter has that responsibility. It doesn't matter who the father is because we don't know him anyway and its not our business. Our business as voters is to choose who we think is the right candidate to run this country and what changes are they going to make. As I stated prior teenage pregnancy is going on every day of the week, many teens are killing their babies, dumping them in the garbage or trying to drown them in the toilet. That will not happen in the Palin house. And the teens that are trying to kill their babies will get pregnant over and over again. They plain sluts to me.

You people are the biggest hypocrites...if the tables were turned this would be a MAJOR Family value issue. You people will fabricate a story against OBama but give Mccain a free pass... Funny how republicans can preach to the chior about purity and family values but the reality is you are human just like everyone else. You judge Barack to this super human standard but give your own corrupt party members a free pass no matter how low they will go...

I believe Obama was right in his statement that families are off limits. Obama has two daughters of his own and we don't know the future. We always hope they do the right thing but we can't always be behind them. If one of Obama's daughter's I would say the same as he did about families being off limits. And we shouldn't be quick to critize her daughter because its going on every day of the week. Palin is running for the VP not her family. What is important is the issues we are facing today and how we can make changes. Her daughter's pregnancy is not important. That's a family matter. I am not an Obama fan but I thought his answer to the question asked was the right one. I listen to the Maury show and there are young women that have babies out of wedlock and don't know who the father is. Sometimes they have to test two thru 8 men for one woman. Palin's daughter knows who the father is and she is going to marry him. I wish her good luck.

WHO is the father of this girl's baby?? Some sites report he's twice her age? Is that true??? If its such a blessed event and everyone is so happy, why didn't they already get married? Why not announce their engagement? There are still more questions than answers. McCain's top two advisors still refuse to say when McCain found out, even in response to DIRECT questions? One can only assume he found out AFTER he announced her? What else will crop up? Already today, Palin's announced her unwed teenage daughter is pregnant, Palin has hired a lawyer to defend her in the TROOPERGATE scandal ... what is next?? Why did the GOP pick the "soap opera" meme instead of the Romney "competence" meme?

Ellen705 i agree parents should be responsible for their children-so how could obama raise/baptize his young impressionable children in the wright church. imagine the trauma growing up hearing your nation is evil. that is very conflicting for a child.
hillary supporter

Sarah Palin is a longterm member of a group called Feminists for Life, which is not opposed to birth control. So you probably can't tag her for consigning young people to unwanted pregnancies.

What would happen if McCain was friends with terrorists, racists, and criminals like Obama is? Just askin'.

This same question could be asked about if Cindy's drug problem had been Michelle's or if Obama had cheated on and then dumped his disfigured wife for a younger, richer woman.

I feel sorry for Bristol. If her parents were committed to giving her all the support she needs, her mother would not have chosen to run for VP.
One might even question the judgement of someone who thinks they can balance the love and care a small baby needs with campaigning. I don't know what decisions their family makes, but it is interesting that the Obamas say that they could not have had Senator Obama run for President if his wife's Mother had not been available to join with them in care for their daughters.

What's this about Obama and his wife "scarring" their children by bringing them to a "hate filled" church?

Nonsense. Even a fool can see that the Obama's are a deeply loving and together family. Kids follow their parents and peers, not their preachers.

Wasn't it Rev Jerry Falwell who said that America deserved 9/11 because of liberalism? The churches of Falwell and Robertson resounded with far more hate than that of Rev Wright. Hatred of gays and liberals, and people who are not "one of us". McCain used to consort with Rev Hagee until he was forced to admit the preacher's crude anti-Catholicism.

BTW, this epsiode shows McCain's political judgement in a disastrous light. He allowed himself to get starry-eyed about how much good a pretty young right-winger would do for his image, ignoring the personal baggage she carried with her.

Contrast that with Obama's cool and rational process of elimination to come up with Joe Biden, and the months long vetting process it took. McCain's choice is looking like an ad-hoc attempt to capture the news cycle after Obama's speech.

"I have never seen such ugliness as I've seen coming out of the mouths of Democratic men. Thanks for proving my point -- the party is filled with mysogynists."

You don't know many Republicans, do you?

Jake,

I love your question because it turns the light back where it belongs. It's a brave question because you, like us know the answer. I hope Gov. Palin and her family get through this tough time as best possible. I also know you know what the storyline would be if one of Obama's girls was pregnant, guess we are not quite as far as we thought.

Thanks for asking the tough question!

What if it wasn't an Obama daughter that was pregnant at 17? What if it was a poor Black or Hispanic girl who lived in the projects and whose family didn't have one-tenth of the resources (both economic and non-economic) to help her that the Palins have to help their daughter? I don't know what Gov. Palin would say, but I know what her advocates on the religious right would say: "Just another example of how Godless liberal policies mix with lower class values so poor (read: minority) girls get pregnant just so they can collect welfare checks. We need more good Christian family values, not liberal give-away programs." Don't believe me? Just read Ann Coulter, James Dobson, and their cronies. The most hypocritical two-faced people on the face of the planet. Good luck to Gov. Palin and her daughter in dealing with life's difficulties. May this episode teach their supporters a little compassion and true charity towards others. Goodness knows, they could all use it.

Most commentators are men, so I know this is going to be hard for you guys to follow, but a woman does not get on a plane and travel when her water breaks -- she goes to a hospital. There is something rotten in Alaska, and it's not just the garbage can's outside the canneries. The doctor who delivered sarah's baby is a friend that she named "Doctor of the Year" and appointed to an Alaska health commission. I'm not a reporter, but that looks just like a payoff to me.

Also, Bristol was out of school for 5 months with mono! If this is true, it must be a drug resistent strain. This needs to be followed up by the media and the CDC. But she was also given three citations for traffic violations over this 5 months. What's really going on here? Who the heck are these people?

Most conservatives I know would wish the daughter and her child well, and express pleasure that she chose to have the baby.

The commenter who wrote:
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"But, in all honesty, my family comes before me and if I had a daughter, pregnant while she was still a child herself. I would never, never, never expose her to the National press for my own personal gain. Never. I think Ms. Palin shows deep personal flaws in choosing to subject her young daughter to this kind of scrutiny. I hate to be the one to say it but this young woman needs a mother right now."
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has got it right, I think. Not to mention the 4 month old baby.

I don't feel inclined to cast stones at the Palins for having a pregnant teenaged daughter; I have too many friends who've been in the same boat. But for crying out loud, this woman now has a 4 month-old infant with Down's Syndrome *and* a pregnant underaged daughter. Does she really need to be running for national office, too? Speaking only for myself, if *I* were in that position, and just holding down my normal, average, not all that exciting, day job, I know I'd feel like I was stretched about as thin as I could handle.

This whole thing just gets more and more absurd, every day.

Re Mary Anne and her "Another case of Obama and his groupies saying do as we say and not as we do. Good riddance! I can't wait until that elitist Obama is defeated in November."

another reason I question not having the trimester limitation expanded to the say.. 160th.

He would be slaughtered in the press. There would be a constant sneering discussion about those terrible "liberal" family values and the fact that Michele Obama ever worked outside the home would have made her guilty of her daughter's demise. There would be endless and heartlessly personal discussion about the father, the age of the father and questions asked about statutory rape. I am a Mom and a professional. I'm the primary breadwinner for my family and I run a business. But, in all honesty, my family comes before me and if I had a daughter, pregnant while she was still a child herself. I would never, never, never expose her to the National press for my own personal gain. Never. I think Ms. Palin shows deep personal flaws in choosing to subject her young daughter to this kind of scrutiny. I hate to be the one to say it but this young woman needs a mother right now.

I can't wait for someone to ask Sarah Palin if she still supports abstinence only sex-ed since it worked out so well for her own daughter. Just get the kids married and everything will be alright.

Sarah Palin needs to be in Alaska taking care of her own house, she has no business trying to take care of mine. Her own daughter proves how stupid her right-wing, ideas are. At this point I wouldn't put this hypocritical woman in charge of a dog shelter. Go home Sarah, your daughter needs you more that the rest of America. And get your other daughter some birth control while you're at it.

Debra... Barack's a good man; McCain's a good man. This question is about a hypothetical, and everyone knows that folks like Rove, Rush and Hannity would try to destroy Obama if the roles were reversed. That is all they do: inject mean spiritedness into every conversation they have

Is this going to be a regrettable choice for McCain? I don't think so....

First, she does have the fundie credentials - she's against abortion (and sex ed), against gay marriage, against your soul unless you have given it to her particular brand of god, etc.

She very well have been pregnant when she got married. Keep in mind that it was 20 years ago - AKA, a "youthful indiscretion," and that the GOP consider "youthful indiscretion" a valid excuse for an act done by one of their own in his 40's when the guy is in his 50's.

So her kid got pregnant - that just proves that everybody is subject to their version of sin, and that with their version of god on their side they can overcome that sin.

The most troubling thing they will have to deal with is the abuse of power. Now, folks with a decent head on their shoulder will recognize that her acts towards her ex-brother-in-law are scary.