Political Punch

no one caused sucha fuss when jamie lynn spears got preggers. yes they talked about her but they didnt go and blame her family or attack her mother. leave them alone. ppl in the spotlight having it harder than you think...if she were your daughter, would you be ok to her name being slammed in the mud? i dont htink so. each person has their own idea of what they should do, until its thier own child. thenthe tables are turn and teeth are barred...think of it this way. her daughter was preggers before palin was vp gop. and if mccain hadnt chose her, her daughter would STILL be preggers. so get off your high horses and in stead take the plank out of your eye before you remove the speck from hers. or anyone elses for that matter.

edit. I stated Obamas Birth certificate (type) was crystal clear. Mistyped. I meant it was not totally readable.

I remember seeing Sen. Obamas Birth certificate on a site, showing he was born in Hawaii.
Now, It was crystal clear (type) but I did see it. Perhaps Snopes can confirm or deny this?

I find laughable the way mainstream paints everyone, ''out of touch,'' but it's collective self. The ones so upset with John McCain, they actually ''issued'' PRESS CREDENTIAL to an code pinker, to disrupt the speech. Shame on you also when you allow welfare to replace minority men as ''fathers'' to teens as young as 14, that's your responsibility. Since the focus has been on Gov Palins teen daughter whose ''accepted'' her responsibility, I'm sure Obama&Michelle have found ''quality family time'' to raise there family, beyond medias destructive influence?? So from my ''prespective'' the media is out of touch on reality, or chooses to be for the sake of electing an man with questionable background as Obama lingering question IS HE AN LEGIT US AMERICAN CITIZEN TO BECOME NEXT ''POSSIBLE'' TO OCCUPY WHITE HOUSE?? WHY DOESN'T HE PRODUCE HIS ACTUAL BIRTH CERTIFICATE? THANKS TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION AND CHANGE, THATS THE RULE AT GOV'T OFFICES, ARE YOU ACTUALLY YOU??? PLEASE MR.OBAMA PROVE YOUR LEGALLY US RESIDENT, THE REST OF US HAVE TOO!

I find laughable the way mainstream paints everyone, ''out of touch,'' but it's collective self. The ones so upset with John McCain, they actually ''issued'' PRESS CREDENTIAL to an code pinker, to disrupt the speech. Shame on you also when you allow welfare to replace minority men as ''fathers'' to teens as young as 14, that's your responsibility. Since the focus has been on Gov Palins teen daughter whose ''accepted'' her responsibility, I'm sure Obama&Michelle have found ''quality family time'' to raise there family, beyond medias destructive influence?? So from my ''prespective'' the media is out of touch on reality, or chooses to be for the sake of electing an man with questionable background as Obama lingering question IS HE AN LEGIT US AMERICAN CITIZEN TO BECOME NEXT ''POSSIBLE'' TO OCCUPY WHITE HOUSE?? WHY DOESN'T HE PRODUCE HIS ACTUAL BIRTH CERTIFICATE? THANKS TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION AND CHANGE, THATS THE RULE AT GOV'T OFFICES, ARE YOU ACTUALLY YOU??? PLEASE MR.OBAMA PROVE YOUR LEGALLY US RESIDENT, THE REST OF US HAVE TOO!

This is especially for: Taylor who posted comments on September 5, 2008 at 2:45:10 A.M.
You are the main reason why people are voting for Obama, and I love every moment of it. I see, I'll have to break this down into layman's term. First of all, Mrs. Obama's message went completely over your head. You didn't understand the intended first ladies message. "When she commented on being proud of her country for the very first time", she meant, she was aware that there were people before her who began the long, turbulent, and difficult journey, a journey that was marked by sustained suffering, struggles, perseverance, bravery, achievement and survival, a triumph over adversity for African Americans. Mrs. Obama was fully aware of the complexity of racial disparity, and the experiences she and others had to endure. But now, now in her life time, she is able to see the journey of those before her, had to pay a price, in order for the people to choose a man because of his moral and intrinsic values, his honesty and integrity, and love of unmixed liberty, with the ability to lead. Senator Obama is now in that position, all because of that journey. This is a historical event for all of us, it's an African American Odyssey which tells a story.
Senator Obama is experiencing uncommon favor, and he always will. And
no, weapon formed against him, his wife, and children or anyone who is connected with him will ever prosper. You can take this to the bank and make a deposit because, This is Real Word.

I think it's very mature of him not to comment on the prenancy issue. He still doesn't have my vote though. And as far as Palin goes. She's using the fact that she had a child with disability to get to people. She is using that to get into your head and make you believe that she's the one for the job. Just be real about it. I don't care but it's gonna take more then your child having a disability to get my vote. This is not a pitty game that we are playing here. This is the damn person that is going to be running our damn country. The one that has to clean up this stupid mess that Bush has made. Be smart about your decision people. Seriously!!!!!!!!

I think Michelle should live in Pakistan or Afghanistan where women have no rights and live in fear for wanting to be treated as equals.. honestly.. this woman should not represent our country as first lady!

Michelle Obama quote

“For the first time in my adult life, I am proud of my country,” she told a Milwaukee crowd today, “because it feels like hope is making a comeback.”

So... a non-black person couldn't also get shot at a gas station?? Is she for real? OMG.. and this could be our next first lady? hahaha

From the February 11, 2007, edition of CBS’ 60 Minutes:

KROFT: This is a tough question to ask, but a number of years ago, Colin Powell was thinking about running for president, and his wife, Alma, really did not want him to run.

MICHELLE OBAMA: Mm-hmm.

KROFT: She was worried about some crazy person with a gun.

MICHELLE OBAMA: Mm-hmm.

KROFT: Is that something that you think about?

MICHELLE OBAMA: I don’t lose sleep over it, because the realities are that, you know, as a black man, you know, Barack can get shot going to the gas station, you know. So, you know, you can’t — you know, you can’t make decisions based on fear and the possibility of what might happen. We just weren’t raised that way.

One issue I can't help thinking about. Everyone is applauding Palin's decision about having a baby with Down's Syndrom.
The point here is that she had a choice to have the baby. No one came banging on her door to force her to have her baby. Also this holds true to her daughter. They both had a choice. If it were up to them that choice would not be there. A child having a child makes little sense. What about those seventeen or younger girls who have no family support? Are they less valuable than Palin's daughter?

I can not believe the number of you people that support Obama! Come on people, Stop listing to the media and go learn about Obama on your own! You WILL find that Sara Palin is Way MORE experienced then Obama!! In fact that has been proven! The only thing Obama wants to do is Raise our Taxes! and as for Obama's so called "Change" well that is all we are going to have in our pockets if he becomes president! I for one will NOT vote for a man who's wife was only proud of her country for the "FIRST" time or a man that doesn't support his own country! Come on, he (I am talking about Obama) would not even say the pledge of allegiance! He doesn't support our troops and he doesn't even have a record for doing any thing! I mean all he has done is ... OH NOTHING!!!! I do not know why so many so called Americans would vote for Obama when he does NOT support our Country!

Palin's own statement about Bristol's pregnancy has the word "choice" in it. Apparently it's okay for her own daughter to have a "choice" but she'd like to make abortion illegal even for cases of rape and incest.

The GOP is done. You knuckleheads have screwed-up this great country enough and it's time to step aside. Or maybe you should put your money where your mouth is and head off to Iraq.

You lefty liberals kill me. Whats so great about Obama anyway... i rather the possible #2 candidate be less experienced than the #1 candidate. Obama would've been better off if he picked Oprah as his running mate. He has no chance. Liberals are ruthless and classless when it comes to rioting and blogging about the opponent. you look like a bunch of crazy people. Go save the planet or something... and the issue of her dsughter bing pregnant. Palin is Pro Life... so at least her daughter didnt have an abortion. I think that says a lot of how Palin has raised her children to take responsibility for their actions.

Don't like either candidate, but have to respect Obama for his comment. That showed a lot of class.

Hey people, lets face the fact that if this woman(Palin)have all the qualities that people claimed she has, to run a country is not easy compring to Alaska, where she had even failed to monitor her 17yrs old daughter who got pregnant. How can she run the country as a president when MacCain get sick? or how can she face these tough guys in the Middle east when there is crisis? I think this country must get serious to do the right things instead of making mistakes for correction all the time. All the world is looking at us now and we must create a good picture, but 17 yrs old pregnant picture to outsiders that would be embarrassing.

I have to be skeptical about McCain's choice of Sarah Palin as his vice president. I just think it's incredibly hypocritical of McCain to give such an important position to the governor of a state with only 670,000 people, not only that but she has much less political experience than Obama. McCain's main attacks against Obama were based on his so called lack of experience so how is her situation any different or better?? It would be very nice if he would send a clear message instead of sending mixed signals. Do his own rules or beliefs not apply to him? As for Palin's family situation....I do think that the general public should have a right to know but on the other hand it should NOT be getting the news coverage that it is. There are much more important things going on in the world right now and I can not believe that this is one of them to some people. Focus on whats important!

From the comments I here on this site and in the media: You people need to find some thing to do. Why worry about this trivia. We will see her in action, just be patient. Leave the kids alone. There are forces that are definitely paying to smear her. Time will tell who they are. So, sit back and enjoy the show.

As an Obama supporter, I am extremely proud of my candidate for not being hypocritical and standing by his previous stance that family members (especially children) are off limits. However, I'd like to offer some insight to McCain supporters as to why this issue is so "newsworthy." Since the 1980s, the religious right has been standing at the pulpit condemning Democrats as immoral because of the National Party's stance on abortion and more recently gay marriage. The self-righteous behavior of candidates and elected officials drawing their support from this demographic has left them even more open to criticism from progressive members of other religions as well as agnostics and atheists. Like it or not, when you paint yourself as the banner carrier for moral integrity and Christian values, you draw closer scrutiny by the media and pundits when you or someone else around you suddenly descends from grace and becomes human again.

Off limits..What if the situation was the father was abusive to children or Palin? Is this a private matter? I think that nothing is off limit if you run for public office. Being in the public light is by choice, Palin put herself first. Her daughter is young and enduring negative criticism from the public. You know she has be in tune with the negative comments. What about her feeling? What effect this is going to have on her? Is marriage the best solution? As a parent, my natural instinct is to protect my children not myself.

OBAMA is the right man for the job! Plain and simple. Don't be afraid, Be smart, and support the man who will go down in history as one of our betst Presidents ever!

What is relevant is Palin's support of Abstinance Only as public policy. Hey, Gov! It don't work!

Why is everyone so concerned about Palin having time to take care of her kids? Does anyone bring that issue up with Obama and his two young daughters? I'm sure the Obama's have a support system for their young girls and I'm just as sure the Palin's have a support system for their family. It's not an issue but of course the left just has to make a big deal of it. If Obama had the EXACT same situation going on (five children, a daughter pregnant, and a child with a disability) I'm sure he'd still be hailed as a messiah by the media. Is that because he's a man or because he's a Democrat? I think it's much more a male/female issue because if it were Michelle Obama running for President the right would be 'worrying'(NOT!) about her family the same way the left is so 'worried' (NOT!) about the plight of the poor Palin children. Aren't we all just 'Holier Than Thou'!
It's all just politics plain and simple. There is no candidate to vote for, maybe we'll have better luck in the next four years and a breath of fresh air will step up for the job. As it is now it's the same old same old.

Its about time to let Obama lead this country...we should give him a chance...

Palin looks more like a celebrity than a political leader...

Hold up a minute!! Are you people seriuos?? do not say it should be a private matter when you are in the public eye nothing is private anymore.!

I am shocked with McCain's decision to pick Sarah Palin for VP?!! All I am saying is where in the heck is she going to find the time to be VP of this country? She has her hands full as it is, kids and now a daughter having a baby at 17. All I am saying is she should not be a leader running this country she should be more concerned on being a mother and soon to be grandmother!!

plus, aren't the Repubs the kings of doubletalk. remember how Kerry got swiftboated, how the Clinton family was ridiculed in his first run, and even the way McCain was treated in 2000. unfortunately he's resigned himself to joining the machine, but as you can see, questioning a candidate's character and one's family issues has never been a problem for the Repubs. that doesn't excuse the current obsession with the Palin family, but it is what it is.

@ typical Obama reply, he attacked her at first. Then let his surrogates do the dirty work, and now tries to take the high road.

sickening.

------------------'
How did he attack first?? Stop making up stuff. That was his first reply about this prego thing and he finally said something in response to them saying she's more experience when she's not. The only thing he said when she was announced as VP was "I welcome her to the campaign". So stop making up stuff you can't back up with facts.

actually paul, if you look at the comments below you'll see ppl commending Obama, and then taking it upon themselves to raise questions abt the family in the same posts.

typical Obama reply, he attacked her at first. Then let his surrogates do the dirty work, and now tries to take the high road.

sickening.

While I totally agree that candidate's dependent children should be off limits, this situation has forced me to wonder at Mrs. Palin's priorities. She has a 5 month old Down child, a pregnant 17 year old, and 3 other children who are obviously not her first priority. Her infant, particularly, is going to need a lot of special attention. Is she willing to sacrifice her children for the sake of her ambition? The answer to that question will say a lot about Palin's character.

To Orlando B. Fremont - i personally had another republician that i wanted to win president but that didnt happen..so i have to get over it and know that i am seriously scared of what will happen to america if the democratic delegate gets the white house! sure there may be some things that McCain does or says that i might not agree with but atleast i will be able to sleep at night knowing i am more safe with him in the white house! if you were a REAL republician you would not be trying to "punish" McCain...you would be trying to keep an unworthy delegate away from leadership!
McCain/Palin 08!

re: Obama is correct the family is off limits, because this woman (Palin) has enough baggage coming to the VP position aside from her family issues. Actually I feel for her. You talk about inexperience, she could not understand she is being used as a token, as women have been so many times.
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I totally agree with the first point--families should be off limits. Unless they are putting themselves on the stage by representing their parents views or their own, they should NOT even be discussed. Those who find pleasure in someone else's misery really need to get a clue. They need to take a look at their own lives
before they start judging and assess whether they have and are living a mistake free life. I doubt it very seriousley if any of them can say so. We all know that the more our parents try to teach us right from wrong, the more we rebel. In most instances, our mistakes have VERY little to do with what our parents taught us; in fact, our mistakes are usually a reflect of our rejecting those vital lessons in life. (This was probably the most respectable thing I have witnessed Obama do thoughout this whole process!) Secondly, anyone who knows anything about politics knows that it is a game about using people and being used. In order to get ahead in the game, you have to be comfortable being used. That's why very few people do it & why so few are successful at it.

Bravo Obama. This is perhaps the one outstanding moment of this entire election period. A politician who meant what he said and stood by what he said regardless if the piece of information could be exploited. Ms. Palin needs to learn some very important sentences. "The decisions my daughter makes are her own and are not fodder for the political machine. Whether I approve or disapprove of her descisions are a private matter between the two of us. Now, having said that, let's talk issues."

I find it disgusting that this poor girl is having her name thrown all over the media. She is seventeen and is facing an extremely hard decision and time in her life. I had my child at nineteen and was looked down upon and judeged by others. I can only imagine how hard it must be to have the whole world looking and judging you. How horrible is it that the media chooses to exploit the situation purely for politics. Wake up people! This is a child that we are involving in our sick political world! Stop being so self-righteous!!!!

James and others, the left (including me) does NOT want to talk about or condemn a child. It's the MOM. And not just the mom, but McCain. You may not know this, but a VERY BIG reason McCain chose her was to GET THE HILLARY VOTERS on his side He figured if he chose a woman, any woman, that would show he's for women's right. Well, duh. I've got news for McCain- HILLARY is nothing like the woman you picked for VP, so why would you expect women to vote for you because you have a token woman on the ticket?

Obama is MORALLY correct in saying to back off; however, the HYPOCRISY of this woman is immense, and the CHARACTER of this VP candidate SHOULD be on target. She is USING her daughter by PUSHING her into a young marriage, and trying to show the world how WONDERFUL she is by having a daughter who is choosing to have the baby instead of abort; however, the actual message being given is LOOK HOW ABSTINENCE education is better than sex education. And, this VP IS DOING women's lib while talking against it. How hypocritical! Choosing her one DAY before he knows if she's vetted is showing GREAT stupidity in McCain, and bad judgment.

Obama's right... families should be off limits. We get so caught up in throwing dirt during the elections all of the major issues of this country are forgotten. We need a change! My concern is that if something happens to McCain and Palin becomes the President will she be able to handle that type of responsibility having a small child, and a grand- baby on the way? As a mother I put my child before anything in this world. So what would Palin do?

To CB: I am guessing that comment had to do more with Obama supporting abortion rights and saying he would not want one of his daughters "punished"(meaning by having a baby, although it could be put up for adoption) if she made a mistake. It has nothing to do with race it is a reflection on his own words. Teenage pregnancy=punishment to Obama. What about the life long consequences of emotional upheaval by killing your baby, that is punishment.

This election has become a soap opera. All parties and most people are guilty of this wretched monthly edition of the Digest, but I blame the media the most. They have stooped to the lowest common denominator and attracted as many reality-tv viewers in order to raise ratings. Shame on you, ABC News!

I've read most of the comments and either agreed or disagreed. There is one that I must address - the comment that reads "if it were Obama's daughter she would have already had an abortion". Now how the hell would you know that. Nevermind Obama's racist friends (as you upt it) for a moment - - was that not intended to be a racist remark?

I agree with Obama it is time to ignore these crazy republicans and focus on the country. By the end of the week we will hear so much about this women they are trying to compare to Hillary Clinton. This is too funny. I am having a ball with this. Now look at them she is woman, leave her alone. What was Michelle Obama? I guess a deserved what she received. Now the tables are turning. I still say if this was one of Obama's kids the country would be exploring right now. Putting down Michelle Obama and her kid could not come out the door because whites with remain her of typical black people in America, as if this could not happen to anyone.

The story behind Palin's ex brother in law - state trooper being fired is, he is a wife and children beater using his police taser. His wife is Palin's sister. Her ex brother in law also threatened her father's life. If Palin was involved in getting him fired, then it is a human interest story especially for women nationwide as there is very little in the system to protect them from domestic violence.

I don't care what no one says, Mitt Romney should have been VP. Now once again John McCain has sold us Republican voters out for a horrible pick for VP. THIS YEAR IS ABOUT THE ECONEMY STUPID! John I'm a Republican and you sir are no Republican you are a traitor to my party and deserve to lose. Many Republicans have decided they will not allow McCain to hijack our party and sell us out for a few trashy socialist women Hillary Clinton Votes. We are the party of values and reason and you have threatened to destroy our party by picking Palin who is a unknown and has accomplished nothing that would sugest she was a good pick for VP. Palin's family morals and family values are in question and if we allow this woman to stay on this ticket then you have lost this race already because we will not vote for you. Either you put Mitt Romney on this ticket or we will allow the Democrats to take the White House. Choose wisely my friend! Romney/2012

Well, it only shows that Obama is going to be a classy leader characterised with good and sound judgement. McCain should forget it.

For those of you saying McCain should have laid off Michelle Obama, I have one thing to say - Michelle Obama is out on the campaign trail promoting and campaigning for her husband. The same way Palin's husband should be open to criticism of his 20 year old DUI...Michelle can be criticized for the racist views which she cronicled in her thesis. CHILDREN ARE NOT THE SAME AS ADULTS. Bristol Palin is not on the campaign trail stumping for her mother, and I'm sure that she is just an average, scared, teenage girl, who in addition to having to tell her parents that she was preganant, also has to announce it to a nation and answer to them as well. Once more, I appreciate Obama's stance on not involving the children of candidates in discussions about performance, experience, and leadership.

Shut up Obama...As much as these republican nuts attacked your wife why are you giving them credit. They deserve exactly what they get. The perfect world is coming crashing down. This is exciting for two days the media was telling us about this great PTA mom. While she was at the PTA meetings I guess the oldest daughter was at home doing something else. What is even funnier than this is how republicans are spinning this to make it sound like it is O.K. to be pregnant at 17 as long as you do not have an abortion, what a crazy world they are living in.

Those without sin cast the first stone.

Obama is correct the family is off limits, because this woman (Palin) has enough baggage coming to the VP position aside from her family issues. Actually I feel for her. You talk about inexperience, she could not understand she is being used as a token, as women have been so many times. We All must remember this woman will become Commander in Chief, if anything should happen to McCain. I am sure the terriorist foreign and domestic is just waiting for this to happen.

This proves that John McCain is out of touch, lacks concern for the American people and will do anything to win the election. What other spontaneous decisions will he make once he is in the White House? Many of his decisions maybe made out of spite or impulse. John McCain, nor Sarah Palin can be trusted. This issue about the girl should have come out on Friday, when he made his pick. Now it seems that he knew nothing about this woman. Americans being duped again by these GOOD OLD BOYS!

Respect and Integrity are a thing of the past. The Left is ruining this country.

What the Palin pregnancy issue does for me is shore up the fact that I am voting for a real person who is facing real American issues. She is doing it fearlessly and with pride of her child. She is supporting her child unconditionally. I know all of you democrats, you so-called Americans can't possibly understand a teenage girl getting pregnant in today's society - you are all such wonderful role models yourselves. I am even prouder to support Palin's bid for the VP, and prouder still that John McCain had the guts to add her to his ticket with the knowledge of the young girl's pregnancy. It doesn't make him senile, or present him as being senile...far from it...it shows that in addition to being a maverick, that he is also human, and understands human frailty. I just want to offer kudos to Senator Obama for his statement that Palin's family should not be the subject of any story in any paper, and that privacy should be given to the children of any candidate. Thank you for that.

This response by Obama has made me view him with more Respect, This is the first time in a while he has shown the the promise of change his campaign is based on, this shows he cares about family and feels certain things should be off limits. It is this reason I will no longer talk about his wife and her remarks about America. If he is willing to leave this alone we, as Republicans should reach out and extend the same goodwill and courtesy. Good for You Obama, For the first time in this Presidential election period I am truly proud of you. This is the kind of gesture that American needs and It does not matter who it comes from Republican or Democrat admit certain personal issues are off limits.

"Whether you are the Governor of Alaska, a working mom, a stay at home mom, this has nothing to do with your teenager becoming pregnant. As a parent, you can talk safe sex until you are blue in the face. Teenagers are given more sex education in schools in the past 20 years then ever before, and they still do what they want to do."

The issue you seem to ignore is Ms. Palin believes that sex ed should be 'abstinence only'. Mom did not talk safe sex, she talked no sex. She did not give her daughter the info needed to help prevent pregnancy, she merely said 'don't have sex'. She apparently believes this is enough info to stop her daughter from having sex. Well, it wasn't, and this is the result. This woman BELIEVES that abstinence-only sex ed is the right course for, not only her daughter, but ALL teens. As Governor she is in a position to roll back any and all advances in her state regarding the practice and education of safe sex. As a Vice President she could take her cause to the national level. I say this is irresponsible, and incredibly narrow minded.

Whether you are the Governor of Alaska, a working mom, a stay at home mom, this has nothing to do with your teenager becoming pregnant. As a parent, you can talk safe sex until you are blue in the face. Teenagers are given more sex education in schools in the past 20 years then ever before, and they still do what they want to do. Their brains do not work as we adults would like them to. They are teenagers and are caught up in the moment. Blaming a parent is not the issue. So please leave the Governor in peace about this issue. I respect her "respect for life." And, I sincerely hope she does not withdraw from this race. McCain has my vote for the decision he made in choosing this very smart ethical woman. I for one am proud of her. For a change we have heard from someone who shows her beliefs in her actions instead of "words." I am a parent of 4 daughters, 2 sons9 granddaughters, 6 grandsons. We as a family have preached safe sex, abstinence and religious morals. They listen they, agree, and then they do as they please.
We are not here to judge others!!!

What is wrong with everyone today? Why is everyone so judgemental? It's sad how everyone claims to be Christian, yet they're all throwing stones when the same thing is happening in their own back yard. First, this is NOT a political issue and should NOT be discussed in the race for president. Most teenagers, and some younger, are having sex, ehether you want to accept it or not. Just because your child didn't get pregnant, doesn't mean they're not sexually active. You should be praising this girl for having the guts to keep her child, knowing the difficult road ahead. And to the person who compared this teenage pregnacy to Monica and Bill, PLEASE, there is not comparison. SHE is NOT the president nor did it occur in the White House while on the phone conducting business! She is your average teenage girl, period! Barack is right, this is a family matter, just like it is to all other families in this country. Children are off limits. You can teach a child until you're blue in the face, but they're ulitmately going to make their own decisions. You also should be praising Sarah for supporting her child instead of throwing her out in the street like some parents do. Keep the race about policical issues, not about family issues that happen to both democrat and republican families alike. Her pregancy is NOT a disgrace, all you people slamming her is the disgrace!

excuse me, I meant "no parent"

I wonder which part of abstinence lessons
her daughter didn't understand???
Now what makes her parents sooooooo sure that she wants to get married NOW since she didn't want to respect abstinence recommandations...Can you believe that she actually ...had SEX!!!!!!!!!!!!! with no protection!!!!!!!!!!!!!???!!!!!!!OMGGGGGG!!!!!!
BWAHA.....HHA....HAHAHA........
AH republicans, always giving lessons
Party of Family values blablablabla
And do they plan to divorce??????

How silly. I don't care what family values people follow, conservative or liberal on sex, parent wants their child to be pregnant at a young age. Now whether or not the child follows abstinence or did not follow up on using the patch or condom, thats another matter. Many teenagers are known to take risk. Many of us who are adults now have taken those risks.

I think the request to "back off" the pregnancy in terms of the family and its PRIVATE decisions is correct.

HOWEVER, for me the larger issue is that McCain - Palin would FORCE THEIR decision on ALL families and ALL women thereby denying everyone else THEIR PRIVACY.

This is something Senator Obama should NOT BE SILENT ABOUT nor should he ask his supporters to do so.

Of course he says 'back off', it's the right thing to do as a candidate. As non-candidates not on the payroll, we the people have a right to discuss this, since it speaks to the so-called family values and personal/moral positions of those involved. It also speaks to the judgement of Mccain. If he knew about this before he selected her, and believed it would not be a big deal, then he is seriously out of touch with Americans. If he did NOT know about it beforehand, then he was either misled or lied to by omission, by Governor Palin. Neither scenario bodes well for the Mccain/Palin ticket.....

Hopefully this incident will bring us to a place of new politics. Where was the outrage about Willie Horton (remember that?). The republicans have really messed up! The issue should be 1. You quandered a projected surpuls and now leave a deficit. 2. You have deminished our moral standing in the world by engaging in tortue. 3. You led us into a war that was ill advised. Stick to the issues. John McCain you ought to be ashamed, for not vetting this well meaning person you did this for political reasons and now her life is under a micro-scope. Its better than talking about your ties to Bush

I think that people need to lay off the poor girl... I mean she is by far not the only teen pregnant these days. It's just unfortunate that her life is the public eye. I just want to praise her for having the decency to keep the child. I was a teen mom and it's not easy. So back off...

This young lady is 17....not a kid. A minor, but not a kid. Though it was not the most responsible thing to do......It is her right.....And, it doesn't make her a slut just because she got pregnant. Also, her personal life has NOTHING to do with her moms political career.

Thanks

I can't believe the left want to condem a teenager for her getting pregant. there the last one to say anything about any one. the left has no morals. they believe everything is find. just look at calif. and mass. no matter who the party is you shouldn't talk bad about a kid. tha's just not right. that's the family job to deal with it. besides every family in america has there on soap oprea.

i agree to leave alone a candidates family. but you all know that if this was obama,s daughter teh republican,s would be tearing him apart..but the republicans always paly dirty and love to hurt people. its what they do.

My present concern goes in the direction that the apparent lack of knowledge about Mrs Palin’s record may fear what other revelations lie in wait….

I request Obama's opinion that the pregnancy of Palin's daughter should not be a political issue, but I think he's wrong. The family values and believes expressed and practiced by Palin are at issue in connection with her views on sex education in schools, family planning, marriage sanctity etc. etc. Also in question is a) John McCain's judgement in picking a candidate such as Palin without fully contemplating the consequences of these
issues and b) HIS experience in not fully vetting his VP pick. These are very much political issues. Lastly,please explain to me why Palin's scandal is off-limits but John Edwards' family tragedy is not?

I understand all the rage and sure it is another great example for Republican hypocrisy.

But Barak is right. You don't hurt McCain or his campaign, nor Doe-eyed Dubya Palin but the Kids. And that is utterly wrong.

IT'S THE FAULT OF MCCAIN'S POOR JUDGMENT - NOT THE KIDS SO LEAVE THEM ALONE!

Obama's "backoff" is the only reply he can give. If he said anything bad about pregnant teen, HE HIMSELF WOULD TRASH HIS OWN MOTHER.

Anyway, the media should be ASHAMED of themselves. First, they tried to whip up this story into some controvery. When that failed, the media - like Stephanopolus & Dowd - tried to spin this pregnancy story into a measure of McCain's investigation of Sarah.

Just listen to Charlie Gibson on ABC Evening News 9/1/08: "Tonight we have TWO STORMS. One in Louisiana and the other in Alaska."

What kind of crap this is? The storm in Louisian is a tragic event that displaced thousands of people. How can it be compare to the pregnancy story of Sarah's teen daughter.

And sadly, not only ABC did this kind of sensational crap. CBS, CNN, NBC. FOX and many others did the same thing.

SHAME ON ALL OF YOU, SENSATIONAL JOURNALISTS.

ron paul.

McCain is not fit to become the next president of the United States of America. He has poor judgment. Palin should have never be nominated. This shows no leadership skills in man that talk so much about family values and where he wants to take this country.

It seems that one of the values Obama's leadership is supporting is respect, civil disagreement and not stooping to the base tactics of one's political "enemy." McCain, too,seems to be trying to raise the level of discourse, after Obama's speech he took time out to place an ad congratulating Obama on the speech, anniversary on which it was given and the incredible achievement of OUR country nominating a American who is also a person of color. Maybe we as a national are ready to turn a corner and return to a political debate that is about issues not about the vulberabilities of humanity all of us share. Let's rise to the challenge of "better selves."

Barack Obama says "back off".
I agree under normal circumstances. But this is American where the GOP constantly come around with their hypocritical Christian values talk.

This story would have no play if McCain and Palin were not claming to represent some high standard of Christian morality.

are they telling the truth or are they lying about who they are, and how there families are good for our country.

I know McCain has a disfuntional family. Now the world is getting some light on how Hypocritical Palin is.

How can you advise people on problems, when you don't even have your own back yard living correctly?

At least Barack Obama did not cheat on his wife like McCain did.

May now that the "Republicans have taken off there Republican hats" they can look at there own lives and fix them first before they think they are able to lead this country.

Keep the drunks out of the White House.
NO MORE BUSH

Republicans preached for decades Family values. Republicans preach that it is the Republican Party who have the HIGH MORALS. They preached that it is the parents responsibility to teach their children morals. Republicans preach that teen pregnancy is the fault of the parents NEGLECT, and they preach that one of the things that bad parenting results in is teen pregnancy. After being pounded for decades about moral issues I cannot believe that Sarah who NEGLECTED her daughter can ever fill the shoes of the president. I want a VP who will not neglect my issues. But all I see is a future of neglect of both me and my country if I vote for John McCain and Sarah.

I am glad that obama took the high road on this one, by refusing to give into the gossip of the teenager's mistake. Obama is a decent man.

I used to vote Republican. I believe in Family values. That is why I will vote for Obama and Biden who are both happily married men and who are loyal to their wives and children and do not neglect their families. Biden has a history of putting his children first after he was widowed as a young father. Biden did a terrific job raising his sons alone, before meeting his second wife.

I do hope that Sarah finds what is missing in her relationship with her daughter so her daughter does not do a repeat. Many young girls who made the mistake once due to neglect, will most likely do it again unless the problem in the family is resolved.

To the extent that her daughter's immoral acts are a reflection of her mother's politics, and an antithesis to her religious standards, they are relevant. The girl is not the issue it is the failings and hypocrisies of her mother’s political and religious narrowness that are.

Obama is right to warn his campaign people off the topic. It has wings enough of its own.

Palin and her husband need to spend a lot more time with their children. Especially, for Palin proving that, just mouthing religious platitudes is not t