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!