[loveajax]

Fadzi, you are the best!!

It kind of reminds me of the "old days' where the daughter is "removed" from school, no one talks about it, etc. I'm definitely not "judging" her or her daughter for the fact that she is pg. To tell you the truth, I just don't like her politics, but I just found something about how it was handled (like it was "shameful" or something) as weird.

My father was a politician (on a much lower level!) and my mother used to always say how much it stunk to be the family of a politician (and I agree).

[kretzklan]

Lots of what has been said is valid...but Obama has certainly trotted his kids out to be part of the campaign as well. When a topic on childhood obesity came up - he discussed the weight issues his child has had (I believe his oldest?) and discussed how there should be more programs for children to be active. I certainly wouldn't want to be the "fat" daughter on the campaign trail. But, I digress...

[loveajax]

kretzklan, I WAS the fat kid on the campaign trail....eek!!

do you remember how cruel SNL was when they would do sendups of Giulliani's kid (played by Chris Farley)?

[SupaModel]

Originally Posted by sbaglio

I disagree - if you make it about the families, it will be about the families.

Let's start with McCain. He never brings his children into the public arena, nor does he talk about them, except to mention briefly that he and his wife adopted a child from Bangladesh. I have no idea how many kids he has. He doesn't do it to gain points, IMO. He never mentions that his son is serving (in Iraq, if I'm not mistaken), though that could net him huge kudos.

John Kerry never talked about his kids and what they were doing. His daughter was a med student in Boston at the same hospital at which I did my residency. Barack Obama never mentions his kids to get a leg up. Does Joe Lieberman have kids? I wouldn't know - he never talks about them.

So it's all well and nice to say "keep the kids out of it". But when you purposefully put your kids in the limelight, all bets are off.

Palin told the world how her son had enlisted last year...on September 11th (da daaa!), and how he would be deploying to Iraq...on Sept 11th (da daaa!). Then she (and McCain's surrogates) let it be known how she had continued her pregnancy even though she knew the child had Down's Syndrome - like most people would have had an abortion or something. Again, fodder for the religious right.

So now when the news about her pregnant child is not so flattering, we're supposed to close that door that she opened and stay mum about it? She can't have it both ways.

Either keep your kids out of the limelight, or let that light shine. She made her choice in trying to appeal to the Republican base.

I'm glad they picked her. It just makes it easier for Barack to win

[2Bulgarianbeauties]

Originally Posted by sbaglio

I disagree - if you make it about the families, it will be about the families.

Let's start with McCain. He never brings his children into the public arena, nor does he talk about them, except to mention briefly that he and his wife adopted a child from Bangladesh. I have no idea how many kids he has. He doesn't do it to gain points, IMO. He never mentions that his son is serving (in Iraq, if I'm not mistaken), though that could net him huge kudos.

John Kerry never talked about his kids and what they were doing. His daughter was a med student in Boston at the same hospital at which I did my residency. Barack Obama never mentions his kids to get a leg up. Does Joe Lieberman have kids? I wouldn't know - he never talks about them.

So it's all well and nice to say "keep the kids out of it". But when you purposefully put your kids in the limelight, all bets are off.

Palin told the world how her son had enlisted last year...on September 11th (da daaa!), and how he would be deploying to Iraq...on Sept 11th (da daaa!). Then she (and McCain's surrogates) let it be known how she had continued her pregnancy even though she knew the child had Down's Syndrome - like most people would have had an abortion or something. Again, fodder for the religious right.

So now when the news about her pregnant child is not so flattering, we're supposed to close that door that she opened and stay mum about it? She can't have it both ways.

Either keep your kids out of the limelight, or let that light shine. She made her choice in trying to appeal to the Republican base.

Obama never mentions his kids? - he had them do an interview on national TV! That is a bit more extreme than having your kids on stage and saying your oldest is not present because he is deploying. I can remember all through Bill Clintons campaign seeing Chelsey (sp?) up on stage.

And yes, I bet the thought is many would have an abortion. Alan Colmes (Lib on Fox) has already questioned her pre-natal care, cannot wait for more of this junk coming from the media and the daily kos to come out.

[2Bulgarianbeauties]

Originally Posted by SupaModel

I'm glad they picked her. It just makes it easier for Barack to win

I would be careful, there is a huge conservative contigent that was so-so on McCain, but are all fired up now. Including me!

[coachmur]

AFA - American Family Association - Activism

I don't know if this link will work but this is the reason I am against the public teaching my child sex education. I don't believe it matters which way we vote or believe. There is a right way, and a wrong way to do all things and this is definately the wrong way to teach a child about sex. It is a planned parenthood video called "take care down there". It tells the kids what to do AFTER they get an std, it promotes casual sex, group sex and homosexuality. And really, what is wrong with abstinence. I think it is a bit crazy to have to feel stupid for supporting something that statistics prove is the best choice. Experience with sexual behavior does not make for better marriages. It causes problems in marriages such as jealousy, stds, hpv, etc. In fact lots of fertility issues are caused by having sex with multiple partners.
i realize I have strayed from the op's topic. I do feel sorry for any 17 year old that ends up pregnant. As a parent of 3 grown sons, and 16 and 7 year old daughters I have pretty much experience with bad choices kids make. I find I have become much less judgemental of parents because I realize my kids may do things that will not make me "look" like a good parent. I always say this: "my job is to teach my children right from wrong and then realize they will go on and make their own mistakes" At least when one of my children make a bad choice I know they did it knowing it they were doing wrong. That is my job as a parent. What they choose to do I cannot control. But I still love them even when they make bad choices and I have learned that good things can come of bad choices. I pray that is what can be said about that 17 year old girl that is pregnant.

[sbaglio]

Originally Posted by 2Bulgarianbeauties

Obama never mentions his kids? - he had them do an interview on national TV!

I didn't say that Barack never mentions his kids - I said that he didn't do it to get a leg up. That interview was acknowledged by him to have gotten out of hand (which should have been expected, given the ages of his daughters and their lack of experience before the cameras). He vowed never to put them in a similar situation again.

Palin's comments about her kids were specifically meant to provide red meat to the Republican base. They dealt with all the issues they care about: Pro-life issues, made all the more poignant by the fact that the child has Trisomy 21, and the war in Iraq. The rest (abstinence only, belief in creationism, anti gay-marriage, pro-gun rights) is all in her bio.

Had she just mentioned on stage that her family was happily expecting a grandchild, this would not have been the issue it is today. To have the daughter clutch the baby to her so as to hide the pregnancy was shameful, IMO. And I hear that the family is being dragged to all the campaign stops as well, baby in tow. If true, there is no comparison with Obama, Biden OR McCain with regard to using your children on the election trail.

We haven't even discussed the ethics investigation in which Palin is embroiled (talk about an October surprise). Or the fact that she got millions in earmarks before she became governor. Or the fact that she was for the Bridge to Nowhere (as a mayor in 2006) before she was against it (as governor in 2007).

I'm just waiting for the implosion.

[crick]

I'm just not going to vote for someone based on whether or not their kid is overweight, has a hangnail, or believes in Judaism or whatever. Of course the family is public when in politics, but the kids are not running for president. I am just sick of the media in general. Honestly...sick of the whole darn thing. 18 plus months of politics makes me want to be a bad American and not vote at all. Now that should be on the campaign reform! No politics until 6 months before election!

[sbaglio]

The American Family Association is hardly a bastion of balanced views. They are unabashedly right wing and socially conservative. Their website and opinions reflect that.

[aclee]

I heard this AM on the radio that the reason it actually "came out" that her DD is preggers is because people were "accusing" her that the newborn with Downs was not hers but her daughters. (Even though teens very rarely have Downs babies) She finally said, no the baby is mine, it couldn't actually be my daughters cause she is pregnant NOW. I don't know much about it. I know on the radio this AM, nothing nice was said about her, or her family, or her husband (who was arrested for a DUI)...so it will be interesting to see it all play out.

I think she was choosen because she was female...I don't know what else McCain was thinking...From what I've heard, Hillary would have been a better choice and caused less of a commotion than this lady has....

***Disclaimer...Obama Rules, McCain Drools...

[mdesi]

First, Wasilla teaches a comprehensive sex ed program as does Juneau - My mother used to teach in Wasilla, and taught the program. I'm not sure whether Palin supports that or not, or even if the federal government needs to fund it any more than they need to fund English grammar programs of study. That is a local decision, and should stay that way.

Next, the daughter is 17 and this is a medical issue. She deserves as much right to privacy and to be treated with the same respect we give all potential birth mothers and mothers. I am saddened that the media has chosen to pick this apart. Most of us know first hand how hard an unplanned pregnancy is on any woman, and to have it taken to the national spotlight is really disconcerting - no matter where our political leanings take us.

[binkybear]

I'm not getting into this one a whole lot. Only here to say I don't understand the secrecy comment. Their town pretty much knew about it. Palin's only be in the spot light now for what...5 days? Did we want her to open with.. thank you for the nomination and here's my prego daughter. (sheesh people)

Obama's own mother was this age when she carried him, if I'm not mistaken. Let's leave this young woman alone and possibly one day thank her for allowing a future presidential candidate, senator, doctor, scientist, teacher, or homemaker it's right be born to this world.

[Saya]

Originally Posted by crick

18 plus months of politics makes me want to be a bad American and not vote at all. Now that should be on the campaign reform! No politics until 6 months before election!

Finally, a campaign promise EVERYONE can get behind!!!

Does anyone else think its weird that the media has been using Palin's decision to have her Downs baby as being somehow a demonstration of her pro-life politics? I mean I know she's pro-life, and that's her perogative, but I for one know plenty of pro-choice people who have made the exact same or similar decisions when faced with this situation, and I know I can't be the only one.

[SupaModel]

Originally Posted by 2Bulgarianbeauties

I would be careful, there is a huge conservative contigent that was so-so on McCain, but are all fired up now. Including me!

How is it that the Republicans tout that abstinence only is the best way to prevent teen pregnancy and then praise Mrs. Palin for supporting her teen daughters pregnancy. I personally don't like abortion but I don't think it's my place to choose for someone else. Another thing that I find very disturbing about their pro-life stance is that as a party they a pro-war, pro-guns (including the assault weapons that are being used to kill off the youth of our communities), pro-death penalty and pro-animal slaughter for sport. How is it that they can square these positions and get away with? I would like to get clarity on these issue and hope that there will not be religious references used to argue their views.