It would not be beyond McCain et al, to have known the reaction to Palin and public scrutiny. So maybe, just maybe they figure by announcing her last Fri. they take away attn. from DNC/Obama and in the next day or two she withdraws and they replace her and blame DNC/Obama for “chasing” this woman out of the process.

Anderson;
If it was not consequentional that the Governor’s baby had Down’s Syndrome, why did she have the amnio test in the first place. Who is going to care for that child when they grow old and are not able to care for it.? I think this is irresponsible to say the least. And now it is not an issue that her 17 yr. old daughter is 5 months pregnant! Give me a break! Where are the morals in that family? I think John McCcain has picked someone who could jepordize your country if God forbid something should happen to him. This will be your president for heaven’s sake. How could the republicans think this is alright for their country?

I think Palin should stay home and be a mother to her 5 children. That’s a job she took when she decided to have them. She cannot have both a successful career and be a mother that’s there for her children at the same time – especially with a special needs child. I’ve watched others fail and she has in a sense too with an unwed teenage daughter. They’re trying to make things seem ok by saying the 17 year old father will marry the daughter is not the answer. They’re both kids making more rash adult decisions. Neither of them have a college education to get a good job so who will pay for this unplanned child? The taxpayers via welfare?

I don’t think Campbell Brown’s questions were over the top and it seemed it was just an excuse to not talk on Larry King tonight. As a Republican, I like the selection of Governor Palin on the ticket, but the media as well as others certainly have the right to ask questions about her and why she was picked. I have a feeling that the intense questioning, as well as commenting by the Democrats, will probably help the public embrace her more in the long run, but we will see.

I beleive she is taking on alot right now. She has her investigation processs Her son elaving to the army, Her daughter pregnant, and her youngest son that needs her alot. I mean it would be great to have your cake and eat too. But I believe maybe in 7 years or so she will be ready… I want a strong women to take the role in the white house howeve not one to proof everyone right that she did not make it. She shoudl think of her family first. Lets be realistic here, its like the whole family is runinng for VP under the eyes of people Palin will put on alot of pressure on her daughter…..

It’s not my business that she’s pregnant, but I think its telling that her belly was kept well covered in all the pictures. It’s dishonest.

McCain was stupid enough to put some random lady run for a vice president position, I hope he see what he done wrong. Now there’s all this different investagation on her, and it aint over yet. There’s more to come. People shouldn’t judge her because of her daughter BUT there’s other issues to be resolved. Specially about her former brother-in-law who was a state trooper. We don’t want someone as a vice president who using their power to fire someone. I think mcCain had better chance with Romney. There is no way they will win this election.

Get over it Barclay! You all are just covering this pregnancy thing because it’s sensationalistic and you think it’ll bring in more ratings. You all could care less if it starts any talks about women working or pregnant teens. All you care about is ratings and what you think will get them.

If you want to be honest then would we be discussing this if it was Chelsea Clinton or one of Obama’s daughters? We all know the answer to that Barclay! How about discussing Obama’s ties to Biden’s lobbyist son, since Obama says he doesn’t deal with lobbyist. But we won’t get that either will we Barclay?

Hey…I’m just Keepin’ You All Honest! It seems someone needs to!

Cindy…Ga.

Why, are we not talking about The Obama’s Family Values, or Their Judgments ? After all they are the one’s , who let their children, go to a church, where they heard hate-filled remarks about the Government, and the White People. They are also the one’s who have friends, that plant bombs and kill people. Why, are we not talking about these issues. Gov. Palin, has had more negative remarks amde about her, in three or four days, then was spent on all these issues about The Obamas all together. How about looking into that mess, Anderson. When are you going to be fair.? You ran Sen. and Pres. Clinton, through the mud, why aren’t you doing the same reporting on Obama.?

Now there are photos all over the net of this girl partying and playing with guns. Jeff Foxworthy has made a career on situations such as this (redneck/hick jokes). Why would her mother put her child in this sort of position? Why would John McCain want to put a young woman in a situation such as this? If they, they being McCain and Gov. Palin, are willing to sacrifice and perhaps exploit this young woman and her bleak situation to win, then the question must be asked: What/whom will they sacrifice of us to get what they so desire once they are in office? This is not a question of character upon the young woman (Unfortunately her character and reputation has been etched in stone for the world to see as a result of the near sightedness of the McCain ticket). But rather a question of judgement upon the GOP ticket. I don’t think even Gorge W. would have done this to his family or the Cheney family.

Lets not forget, that Palin is supporting abstinence and
no sex education in highschool before the age of 18, now she is not able to implement her firm believes at home, teaching her daughter?

Obama is not being sexist. This is just another lie that the Republicans are trying to make up in order to side step the real issues. Being Mayor of a small town does not qualify this women for VP. He 1&1/2 years as Gov of a very small and lighlty populated state does not qualify her either.

Lets get real, she is not qualified to take over the Presidency if McCain passes. That would be a nightmare. Obama has proved he had the judgement on foregin affairs and the ecomomy to be President today. Plus he had Biden in case he kills over to fills in.

Repubs – quit crying about the scrunity of this women. They did it and are still doing it to Obama. If she wants to be VP we need to know who she is and her character. We have known about Obama since 2004. The women comes on the seen last Friday and somebody is suposed to question her??? What is up with that?

Last, did anyone notice it was the 17 yr old daughter that was holding the baby during intro of Palin, with a blanket over her mid-section. I cannot believe the Palin would put her daughter thru that !!! She should have left the girl at home, instead of trying to cover up the obvious on national TV – what kind of mother does this to her child????!!

It’s just a shame that there’s so much talk about keeping to issues in this campaign and so little actual discussion of them.

Family values of the parents doesn’t guarantee perfect children in this day and age it only increases your chances.
I am sure if you would ask Obama’s grand mother she didn’t teach her grandson to use drugs.

Now going back to “family values” you can accept a mistake like this from a 17 year old girl but what is not acceptable is a the president of the united state in the oval office getting you know what under the table from Monica!!

Furthermore this reflects the reality of our teenagers and I for one like the idea of having a VP that actually deals with real issues that America does.

There are many problems I have Sarah Palin being the VP of the United States. I am a mom to 5 kids. I have been a working mom, and a stay at home mom. I have felt and seen both sides of the arguement. The fact is that there are only so many hours in a day, and NO ONE can do it all. There are days when the kids loose out, and there are days when the job loses out. When your job is the VP to a man that in all likelihood you many need to take over for, is it fair to EVER have the job lose out? I am all for breaking the glass ceiling, and putting QUALIFIED women in places of power. The bottom line is I am not willing to but the lives of an entire nation in the hands of someone who is not qualified, AND had so many other issues in their life. I care too much about breaking that glass ceiling in a way that will be positive, and everlasting. I honestly think that Palin is hurting her party. There are plenty of republican women that are more qualified. I think the greed of wanting it all has gotten to her. If she would like her family to suffer as the result of her greed, fine, but the nation does not need to.

I have been noticing that a lot of “working women,” (who always brag about how women are so strong and can work three or four jobs and have AMAZING maternal instincts to provide for and take care of their families no matter the circumstances) are the one’s who think Gov. Palin is taking on too much.

I think being Governor proves that she can handle her role as mom and wife and politician. People are trying to say that her daughter’s pregnancy is proof that she can’t handle things, but I disagree. Her daughter isn’t the only girl in the world who is young, unmarried and pregnant. In a world that “glorifies” (yes, GLORIFIES) teen pregnancy, this is not shocking news at all!

If anything, Bristol’s pregnancy proves that Gov. Palin KNOWS first hand what American people are experiencing. It also proves that she can, and will, handle anything the political world will throw at her.

I think it is terribly irrisponsible of Sarah Palin to take on this task.. I think it is especially hypocritical of her to preach abstenance and have her daughter turn up pregnant.. The Dems could be having a hay day with this and yet they are classy and taking the high road. If it were the other way around.. the Repubs would rip it apart. I think the judgement on McCains part was careless, and for sarah palin as a mother to put her daughter through this publically is sickning.

Well, if Gov. Palin was black would we even be having this conversation?

the “personal responsibility” and “good judgment” are in line with Republican values. You own up to your regressions, you have the child and raise it or put it up for adoption. Barack Obama, on the other hand, referred to teen pregnancy to “punishment”. I take it he and his wife would support aborting the child.

What I am offended by is the Republicans pushing Palin down the American Woman’s throat. As if since I am a ” woman” I should automatically vote for her. They keep referencing all the votes that Senator Hillary Clinton left open. Now just because McCain picked a woman, any woman, I am that superficial to change my vote and now vote for him? Sorry, I am a college educated white woman and my vote is based on careful study of the candidates. Who will do what’s best for the country? Do what’s best for me? End the war? End our dependence on foreign oil? And make this country safe for my children and grandchildren? McCain can pick a zebra for his running mate, but I’m still not voting for him. My vote is going to Obama!

at what age is sex legal between to people

I’m interesting in hearing how Palin’s membership in a party advocating Alaskan secession is playing in St. Paul and across the nation. Country first? Which country? The USA or the independent nation of Alaska?

The fact that Sarah Palin is a staunch supporter of abstinence education and her 17-year-old is pregnant is definitely newsworthy, but I think the main focus of this story should be on John McCain’s judgment. How well did he vet Palin? Are there more skeletons in her closet? Did McCain know about the pregnancy before he chose her? He says he did, but I’m skeptical. What else don’t we know about this ticket?

You know, I’m astounded by your networks unwillingness to listen to not only the Obama Party and to 61 % of your vote in pollsters about delving into Governor Palin’s daughter preganancy story. “Children are off limits.” But no you persist and quite frankly it’s nauseating. Give it up you spinmeisters! Anything for a story. What a disgusting manner of approach for ratings! I was once an avid viewer of this network. I respected CNN until your network decided to rid yourselves of the great reporters. Unbiased reporting by the so called greatest News Network in the business! Give yours heads a real good shake!

Disgusted.

STOP IT!!! As I mentioned in a previous blog ….This isn’t about gender. Sarah is running for V.P., thus it’s the responsibility of daddy Palin to roll up his sleeves and become the strength that every single spouse must do when their spouse takes on a powerful, responsibility position. This is NOT about gender, but about the responsibility of whomever is the spouse of the leader. Today, it so happens the gender is turned, but the responsibility of the one in the home from; with the children hasn’t changed. During one of Sarah’ speeches on a stage, the little girl was tugging at her father for his attn. He barely acknowledged her! During Sarah signing autographs on stage after the speech, I was astonished as I watched her husband actually giving his autograph. He needs to be taught ettiequette (spelling)..He has chosen to marry a woman with great ambitions, and that’s a good thing, BUT now comes the time he must show his accountability. Just because he’s “male” doesn’t mean he can pass the buck and begin to hang out with his wife. He now, as any spouse (male or female) MUST do, is become the protector, leader, mentor, disciplinarian, car pool parent, etc. He needs to take a good hard look at “other” spouses of potential and/or leaders…Instead of signing autographes, he should have been with his children watching their mom, his wife soaking up the attn., and maybe he needed to be closer more with his daughter. Maybe (and I’m certainly not blaming) but maybe she wouldn’t have been looking for attn. Of course, in every family, the best famililes there are crisis. Good Lord, I wonder how many law inforcement families have children who for a period of time went astray..so this is’t about pointing fingers….I think it’s a God send; a wake up call. To all families..calling up those who are supposed to be the leaders of their home to step up to the plate. It’s not easy; requires at times great sacrificing….

palin was a good pick. as a woman and a mother am proud of it.
but i think she has to spend alot of time with her family. i learnt that she has a little baby who is challenged and she still has more little children who need more attention. her daughter will be expectin another baby and they will need more attention too.i think this will hinder her to be fully commited as a vice president. if the repblicans want to pick a woman, they have alot of women to pick from other than Palin.

All I have to say is that this world is so unequal. If this were Obama, everybody would be all over his values and criticizing his judgment. It amazes me that everybody is so on board with this scandalous situation. She can’t even man her own household; how will she be able to step into the Presidency in the event that John McCain expires or even be able to lend her intellect as a VP. This is so ludicrous……

Sarah Palin, humm….. pro-life,gun activist/nra member morther of four or five kids gov. alaska and she hunts and kills her own food and husband is a fisherman do these people have house or do they fly around with cape?….. This person is good to be true but all the educated rep supporters will believe every word of it . now there going to tell us they live in trailer………. park.

hummm….
he-he -haw- haw!!!

Enough attack on Sarah Palin. She is the American family and all that goes with it. I am a democrate and was a teen mom. Sarah is running for office not her daughter. We may have our own beliefs and hope to instill them in our children, but sometimes that just doesn’t happen. This is not bad, it is just kids thinking for themselves. They learn and make mistakes just like the rest of us. McCain made a good choice and he is also a good person. When everyone is perfect then you may criticize. I was a Hillary supporter and I am watching the McCain camp closely. I may be crossing the party line this time.

The Missing Maternal Chip
With four children under the age of majority, one pregnant and one infant with Downs Syndrome, it begs the question of Sarah Palin, “Where are your family values?”.

It is shocking to see how far someone will go to satisfy their own political ambitions under the banner of Christian Family Values. In reality, this display makes mockery of the very name.

When I heard Sarah Palin’s name for the first time last week and saw her being introduced by John McCain, I wrote…its just plain WEIRD. There is no other fancy political spin to ascribe to it. I shows McCains deteriorating judgement and frankly equally displays Palins ego. How could she even think she was qualified to be VP or lead a nation. Now with her daughter being 5 months pregnant it puts Conservative politicians including Palin herself in the spotlight of their own hypocrisy. If their are moms around the country saying “I relate to her”…but not a VP that makes for our complicated country that needs to fight terrorism and consumerism more then it needs to fight “supposed” corruption in DC. I relate to Martha Stewart and her obsession with Robins Egg blue, that doesn’t mean I think she should be Vice President.

Do I think it is a healthy debate to have about the nature of family and work and finding a balance? It is, and I welcome it. Unfortunately this is not the reason McCain picked Governor Palin.

Why didn’t the McCain campaign make this public right away, or even use it as a way to introduce Governor Palin. What would have happened if none of those “pesky lefty bloggers” didn’t “put pressure” on the campaign? When would have they disclosed it?

I’ve read plenty of other interesting things relating to the political and personal life of Governor Palin. Ultimately it will all be about the judgment of McCain and Palin’s decision making and intentions for our country as we approach election day. Too much is at stake here and I want to make sure they aren’t doing this at the cost of our citizens for their own gain. We have the right to find out.

I think the media needs to look in their own back yard.they are always looking at what the canidates did 20 yrs ago or what their familys did.WHO CARES? We have all made mistakes and done thing that were wrong Nobody is perfect.If they think they are than they have bigger problems in their life than they are reporting on. We need to look at the way the canidate is going to benifit the USA,not at who got a drunk driving charge 22 yrs ago.Lets live in the present and future not the past.

There is no doubt that personal and family matters may interfere with work, and type of work and at all levels. However, when you are being interviewed for a job, would the interviewer ask you about your personal life? Rather, do they ask you about your children’s personal lives? Sarah Palin is a great choice and let’s judge her on her political life and her record as a public officer. I think everyone will be offended if the reason for not being able to get their dream job was because someone in their family was sick or facing some life changing process.

And for those who say “Oh, she running for office, she must expect all the media exploitations of her family etc.. etc..”, think about this. Is it wrong and unintelligent of us to expect some decency from the media? Or are we suppose expect the worst and nastiest exploitations from the media if we are of any public interest.

The media in this country has been time and time again portrayed as heartless and cold blooded blood sucking vampires that will sell their souls and the souls of others to get a good story so they can get on the evening news spot and earn those big bucks.

The Clintons had a really messed up personal and family life, but they turned out to be alright, didn’t they. So why can’t we expect the same from a women who is the mother of five, and one with down syndrome; grandmother to be, a member of the NRA, and the governor of Alaska. She is tough women who strife in a men’s world.

My very first reaction is sympathy for the daughter. I also cannot help but see the glaring irony of the situation and wince when McCain spokespeople pretend they do not.

Far more relevant to me is Palin’s history of activism on behalf of conservative economic policies which I favor, while her *severe* lack of foreign policy experience suggests she will at best view the complex international situation naively. This is unacceptable given the major global risks the USA is facing in virtually every corner of the globe.

My guess? Unless McCain’s campaign sees a huge groundswell of support for Palin look for her to be out soon after the convention.

Yes, the children should be off limits. However, the hypocrisy of Republican apologists and religious groups (e.g. James Dobson of Focus on the Family) in their purely-politically-motivated support of her family situation should most certainly come under fire. Raining down hellfire and brimstone on others is often a sign of “holier-than-thou” hypocrisy anyway. But to suddenly refrain from such behavior just when it is politically expedient is not only hypocritical but outright insulting to the intelligence of the American public. Their double standard which manifests itself in double-talk reflects a self-serving relative morality which should be unacceptable to any thinking member of their religious constituencies.

How can you be patriot if you want to pull your state OUT of America? How can McCain hold Govener Palin up as patriotic when she is on a committee to pull Alaska out of America can you please tell me how much more Anti American you can get ??? Am I missing something?

With all the talk about Sarah Palin having more experience than Barack Obama to run the White House than why put her there.Look at President George Bush all the experience you can ask for, look where his experience put us. He put us into a war, our economy is a disgrace, and yes as Obama said “were on our own”.

The thought of having her step in as president scares the hell out of me. Come on McCain, what were you thinking?

What is the difference between Bristol Palin and Jamie Lynn Spears? One mother gets nothing but grief, the other is praised??? give me a break. Hypocritcal Republicans!

@ Lynn…So everyone who has a child that has something wrong with it should kill it before it’s born because that way it’s not a burden on the parents or anyone else? You are ridiculous!!

@ Melissa…So if we go by your standards then Michelle Obama needs to be staying home and not working! Who took care of her kids when she was working? You can’t have it one way for one person and not the other!

Cindy…Ga.

Well Lynn, it must be nice to be perfect and question the morals of someones family. Just because she had the test doesn’t mean she thought about aborting. At her age, it was logical to have the test and be forewarned

I think there’s a difference in discussing Bristol Palin and discussing her mother. I’ve seen/heard of couple of ignorant people directly calling Bristol names however, the large majority of the comments are about her mother’s decisions to support abstinance. I saw on one of the news stations this morning that even though the news of Governor Palin’s daughter broke yesterday, the republicans are still promoting funding abstinance programs. But my issue with this topic comes with Gov. Palin’s decision to run for VP thrusting her daughter not only into Alaska’s spotlight but into the World spotlight during this difficult time in her life. And by the way, I would feel the same way if a man did this to his daughter, so please republican pundits stop blaming everything on Gov. Palin being a woman particularly when you’re talking to huge Hillary supporters.

50 year old former Virginian republican (sorry about the last eight years) female

How dare Obama criticize her governing experience? She has governed 700,000 more people for two more years than he has ever governed. And while she lacks foreign policy experience, so does every governor we’ve elected. And so does he, unless you call his recent posing with foreign leaders “experience”. She has shown more leadership, done more to change things, and managed a multibillion dollar budget. What has he accomplished in the last 5 years other than spending 4 out of the last 5 years running for office, first as a Senator, and then almost immediately for President. He hasn’t done a his job in the Senate for two of the 3 years he’s been a Senator. How dare he and other Obama supporters criticize her experience. And she’s running for VP, not President.

This election is historic all around. My TV is tuned to CNN around the clock.
I want to know if McCain can choose another VP? What are the rules? Until Palin officially accepts the nomination, could changes be made? Could Palin decline; then what? Curious Obama supportor

give us women a break! we vote on the issues and not the gender.
there is too many questions about this woman, and her ability to focus on the really important issues that face us in this election. nothing against her personally, but i want someone with a history of experience in the political arena. i am a democrat, but will vote for the canidate, not the party. i’m scared about our future and our country.

Let’s not ignore Sarah Palin, cover girl for US Weekly magazine…
The special Double Standard issue.
Use the media as another prop but let’s ignore it all at the same time.
Mmm, hmm.

You guys have enough blogs up about this whole thing, methinks EVERYONE wants to talk about it, even those who are condemning the coverage, they seem to have the most to say.

I think someone from the Republican Party or the Evangelicals should have helped her sweep all her secrets under the rug prior to her being paraded around like a party favor. Its tough to be representative of a hypocritical agenda without a little house cleaning first. Its not that the Evangelicals are morally more suitable, they are just better at hiding their “personal issues” and then try to convince America they have taken the higher ground. They clearly made a leap of faith without being prepared. It unfortunately is at the expense of her family.

Once again, a so called pro lifer has shown their pro choice hand. I couldn’t believe my ears when I heard that Gov. Palin was proud of her daughter’s “decision to keep the baby.” WHAT!!!!! “Decision to keep the baby!” That’s pro choice language. I thought that when you were pro life, there were no decisions to make in pregnancy except what to call the baby when it gets here. I am a pro choice mother of three young girls and am/will teach them to always choose life. I will PREACH abstinence but willl TEACH birth control. THe notion of saving yourself for that special someone that God is preparing for you is a beautiful idea, but I’ll be thankful to graduate three virgins.

Barclay, I think you Got It!

I agree at least. I do however feel that Politicians children should be off limits. But, in my view, given that Palin knew all these issues were a part of her life she’d have to be enomously naive to think they weren’t going to attract Media/Public attention! C’mon.

I truly feel for her daughter. But I don’t believe her pregnancy would be such a large issue except for Palin’s excesssive anti-abortion, anti-sex ed and anti-birth control regimental stands. This is the 21st. Century.

My only concern is what I see as Palin’s lack of qualifications and experience for the VP position and the Republican’s shameless skirting of the issues and answers on the same. While they can’t tell us what her experience truly entails, they ramble on about Palin having Command of the AKNG (while it is not in active federal service). Maj. Gen. Craig Campbell, adjutant general of the Alaska National Guard, said he and Palin play no role in national defense activities, even when they involve the Alaska National Guard.

And does this hold any importance when this same American belongs to the fringe who want Alaska to disconnect Nationally!
Will anyone ever know who Sarah Palin truly is or what her strengths really entail except for being mistakenly seen as a fill in for Hillary Clinton! And let’s face it, very few men can even fill Hillary’s shoes!

While Obama is trying to stay above the fray, and Republicans are asserting that Palin’s daughter is ‘off limits’, the unfortunate fact is that her condition and relation to Palin are not off limits. Republicans on your show have stated repeatedly that it is her story (Gov. Palin’s) that matters. But what is that story? A mother of five who worked her way up to Governor of Alaska as an arch conservative with rock solid family values. That is the Republican story. So we can talk about the son about to go off to war, and the baby with devolopmental disabilities she decided to have, but not the daughter who happens to be pregnant? They don’t get to have it both ways. On top of which they tried to hide it, were not forthright until forced to be so, and that raises the trust question. McCain, the GOP and especially Palin herself have put her daughter in the spotlight. She deserves her privacy, but privacy is precisely the thing one gives up as a candidate in a presidential race. You have to wonder, did this figure at all in Palin’s thinking when she accepted McCain’s offer?

McCain did not put the country first like he is trying to make people believe.

He ONLY picked Palin because the race to the White House was to close between him and obama and he believe Palin could take him there. His choice had nothing to do with our safety or what the country needs.

This is a selfish move on McCain’s part because he had people that were much better.

What is the difference in John Edwards cheating on his wife and the daughter of a conservative , who could be the Vice President of the United States, who is having sex without marriage???

The Republicans are getting all upset because of the interest in Mrs. Palin’s daughter….they say that it is a private matter….what about John Edwards and his wife’s problems…aren’t they private too ?????

If she (Mrs. Palin) was not trying to hide her daughters pregnancy then why did she (the daughter) have Mrs. Palin’s son right over her belly ?? She knew from jump street that is was going to be a problem.

Thank you

Megan, I’m sorry, to disagree with you on one issue. I had a sister become pregnant at the same age as this child. My mother was a stay at home mom, and she insisted that my sister go back to school and finish her education, and my mother took care of my niece. If this child is forced to quit school, marry the father, what chance does she or the child have in life? I feel as though Palin was not very considerate of her family to allow them to be subject to such scrutiny. She should have declined the offer, and been there to support her daughter in her decision, and to care for not only her special needs child, but her grandchild as well.

As a team, I assume that Palin and her husband made the decision to accept McCain’s call to serve as his VP candidate. Together, they made the decision that they could juggle parenthood and work the way we all do. Together, blind ambition led them to make a decision that puts their pregnant teen age daughter on the front page of every newspaper and weekly magazine in the country (eventually she will be). I bet their answer for throwing her to the wolves is that the country called her and Palin responded. Baloney. McCain called a Hail Mary and she caught the pass but is still not in the end zone. I question the judgement of the Palins putting their selfish ambitions ahead of the needs of the family. If the call had come a couple of years down the road when their special needs baby was a bit older and the daughter had had her baby, the situation would be different. But it is not. And I would say the same thing if it were Todd Palin who got the call and not Sarah.

This is my take on this whole Sarah Palin issue why are the Dem’s so passionately putting down Sarah? Their running scared as she has touched the main values that America holds true to their hearts. Washington is in need of change and a “country first” attitude as we have the greatest transfer of wealth in history. We our in dire need of domestic resources here in Alaska, which by the way, SP has direct knowledge.

Do we really think when talk about experience it is left up to one person to decide on any particular issue? The selection of Sarah Palin was not because of her gender but because of her knowlege, values, and energy qualification.

Before we all condemn her I suggest we let her speak on these issue, you will be surprised.

I posted this on another blog but it seems relevant to this discussion.

Sarah Palin embodies the slogan of Country First.. How a parent can knowingly throw her young daughter into the media spotlght during arguably the most difficult time of her young life is one of many things that bothers me about this vice presidential hopeful evem if I support the presidential candidate.. I feel for her daughter and can only imagine the pain this is causing her. Her situation is difficult enough without her parents throwing her into the middle of a feeding frenzy. Sarah was supposedly warned but here she is putting country first. I hope the price her daughter is going to pay is worth it to Sarah. It wouldn’t be to me.

As the president of my own business with a teenage daughter, I would never subject my daughter to this during her time of need. I left a high paying corporate position to open my own business so I could be there for my daughter–a choice many parents, male and female have made. Apparently not a sacrifice Sarah Palin was willing to make.

Only makes me wonder all the more what was John McCain thinking?

Ok, if values are being questioned here- that would be ok. However, attacking a persons family is not. Her daughter being pg. is not a bad or unmoral thing. Its a HUMAN thing. Sex is natural- is it not?

However if we want to revist the “values” question- remember Rev. Wright? Or- “this is the First time I am proud of my country”??? If it is a values test- Obama/Biden are in trouble.

You bring up a really good topic.

This is how I see it.

The main subject that seems to have come out of nowhere the off limit subject. That is a first in presidential political politics. It’s never happened before. So Palin’s daughters pregnancy has become a actual distraction. Instead of we and the media talking about the usual topics prePallin ,we are focused on this off limit subject. Which brings me to did McCain and Palin think that once the world found out that her teenage daughter was expecting that we wouldn’t talk about it? Of course we are going to talk about it. We are human beings that is what we do. The problem is that is all we are talking about. It’s a distraction. I don’t care about all of her kids . If she and her husband can raise her kids while she has been Gov of Alaska then she can do it just the same as vp in Washington.I am not a rep I just see her as a person equal to any man. There are important issues like healthcare employment and all the usual not being mentioned because of a history making political so called scandel of her pregnant teenage daughter. I just wonder how long this will go on for. Five months of cameras zooming in on her daughters tummy. This is no doubt becoming a distraction.

Palin’s selection is another example of McCain caving to the Republican puppet-masters, AKA Religious Wrong. Single-mindedness, and wedge issues like the “Rights of the Unborn” will be the eventual undoing of the Republican party.

Politics is nasty business, Sarah Palin is no virgin to this fact. Shame on John McCain for chosing her to run as his VP if he was aware of her family issues. And shame on Sarah Palin for agreeing to run as his VP if, in fact, she was aware of her daughter’s impending motherhood. Let’s get back to arguing about the real dirty political issues of the world.

I was a 17 yr. old mother over 40 years ago, I have no regrets, I married the father but it was worse being married than being a single mom, I was only married for a couple of years.
Mrs. Palin has the money and husband to help her as she has been in public office for most of her childrens lives. I do question her experience as far as being a VP esp. in the case in which she could become the President. Our country is certainly changing.

When discussing Gov. Palin wanted to get the issues, and not questioned her judgement. So why when everyone and the moon questioned Sen. Obama’s judgement it was legitimate question. I think that we have some big time Hypocrite! So people need to pratice what they PREACH!

It is appropriate to for us to know about a candidate’s life and experiences. While family members should be off limits, the candidates are not. CNN continues to ask what is and is not appropriate as it relates to Sarah Palin and her personal issues. In doing so, you are answering your own question. You are, in essence, validating that is is appropriate. So why has CNN not asked questions about Obama’s associations with Frank Davis, William Ayers, Saul Alinsky? From what i have read about these men and their associations with Obama, it would seem that their socialist influence has had a profound effect on Obama. Such a conversation would be far more substantive than the noise regarding Palin.

Last night, I saw Anderson, Wolf and John discussing Palin and Troopergate. I swear they were trying to “walk back” Campbell Brown’s taking on the McCains campaign about Palin’s “experience”, making nice, if you will. They were almost falling over themselves to dismiss any concerns about the abuse of power: “anyone can make an allegation…” Republicans “seem” quite sure that there is nothing to the abuse of power”. What??? That’s NOT what I heard. One of your OWN reporters on Larry King broke the news that there are now emails implicating the governor. All of these guys are supposed to be reporters, not pundits. Just the FACTS, guys. Don’t make me yell at the TV like that!

The media should stick to the real issue regarding whether or not Palin is qualified to handle the VP position. Palin’s 17 year old daughter is not an issue for America to be concerned with. The pregnancy is a private matter for the Palin family.

Palin’s daughter is not the first nor the last to become pregnant. Therefore, move on and focus on the main issues (the economy and other potential threats).

I wonder if anyone from the Right is going to raise the fact that Gov Palin and her husband belong to the Alaska Independence Party.. One of the goals of the Party is to hold a vote to secede from the USA and have Alaska become its own Independent Nation..

Not quite as patriotic as one would have hoped in a VP

Governor Pailin, If you talk the talk, you have to be able to walk the walk. I’m so tired of this double standard among these Republicans….do as we say, not as we do….is this the call of the day?

I hope John McCain realizes that just by choosing a female running mate does not mean the every woman in America is going to run out and vote for him. Most women in this country have far more intelligence than to gamble on the future of this country and our familes just for the sake fo sisterhood. I feel this was just a sexist choice to try and get some of the HIlliary Clinton supports to run to them…..please don’t be fooled by the lipstick…..We are intelligent, caring, serious-minded women in this country….you really need to get in touch.

I can’t believe how our country is still questioning who Barack Obama is after 19 months of investigating this guy, but Sarah Palin an unknown, comes into play and because her family is questioned after less than one week of being introduced to the country, everything is off limits. It didn’t seem to be off limits when it came to Obama. Oops, I forgot, be careful she’s a woman! If she wants to be in the areana with the boys throwing punches, then be prepared to get punched back!!!!

I’m really tired of hearing about Palin’s daughter – is all the talk just to draw away attention from “troopergate” and a few of the other matters that do affect how she would run her office and the people under her?
I really do not think anyone is interested in hearing all the talk of whether or not she can handle motherhood and working.
It is her judgement we should be looking at.
She is being credited doing some things she did not do as have been reported.

If Barak Obama had chosen a male VP candidate whose son had impregnated his girlfriend and she chose to have an abortion, would the press be seriously considered this a vetting issue for discussion regarding the VP’s credentials?

This “surprising”choice of Palin sadly served to reveal the depth of our gender biases in traditional Washington poliitics and the narrow definition of “pro-choice”.

The GOP must be thrilled to have the media off McCain’s back for a while even if it’s to the detriment of Sarah Palin. Maybe she was selected not as the VP choice but as the sacrificial lamb.

My heart goes out to Palin as she and her family deal with her daughter’s pregnancy; however, I don’t think it’s an issue for a Presidential/VP controversy.

What I do think should be closely reviewed is Palin’s decision to join McCain on the ticket knowing that the media would consider her entire family fair game in order to get a headline. If this didn’t cross her mind, she gets a “D minus” in life experience and judgment and if she accepted with the knowledge of what was to come, she gets an “F.”

What about the Republican Party who doesn’t want to give woman — pregnant and young an increase in Minimum wage? Do they think that Bristol could raise a child on a minimum wage which they want to keep at $5.50 for as long as McCain wants to remain in IRAQ! What about a Republican party that doesn’t want to give medical coverage to poor woman — single like Bristol, — as well as married — medical coverage sufficient to have a child with dignity in a good hospital . Nor do they want to provide funds enough to help that baby survive with serious mental or physical health problems. What about the Republican Party that doesn’t want to give maternity leave to fathers in order to help their wives who carry babies and deliverer them to take time off from work and to help their working mom readjust so that both can go back to work. The Republican Party will lift high the baby of Bristol, but not lift up and help the babies of other mother’s like Bristol who might need even more help.

Unfortunately, Sarah Palin doesn’t stand a chance in the media. After all, CNN’s Campbell Brown is so blatantly biased against her that Campbell’s journalistic integrity has been totally compromised in my opinion. And if CNN was impartial as a network, then they’d post this comment to see if other viewers agree.

I am alaska native or down in the states native american and not all alaskans like sara palin. she fired our subsistance director, treat us like her children and makes deals with out our consultation. mike

What about the husband? Why discount him altogether?

If the Governor was a man, NONE of this business about ‘can she care for her kids’ would be an issue. AC, you asked the question yourself using BHO as the example…”i dont hear anyone asking obama if he can manage his family and take on the President’s job.”

The Left’s blind desire to defend liberalism even allows them to rationalize being sexist to push the point. The man of the house cant possibly raise his own kids if she’s not there full time. (but folks, didnt joe biden raise his kids after the accident?..was he unfit, was that bad judgment? )

Fact is, if the Gov. was a Man, we wouldnt be having the conversation. (there’s your sexism). The fact that you’re willing to argue the point – knowing it paints you as sexist – all to promote liberalism – is fascinating to me.

Liberalism Uber Alles

this is your choice america! you see what the republicans have did2 your country in the past8 yrs. now they have made “EXPERIENCE” the certerpiece of there argument, then they turn around an elect a woman with every other issue on the table BUT experience! its clear! they feel if this country was dumb enough2 vote 4george bush TWICE, this country should be dumb enough2 do just about ANYTHING! and if america prove2 be dumb enough2 fall4 sarah, then i guarantee you in8 more yrs the republicans will be trying to elect “barney the dinasour” next! … cause why not? …you fell4 bush didnt you? so why not barney? or ” spiderman?” or “sarah!” SAME DIFFERENCE!

@ Cindy of course we would be discussing this if it was Clinton’s or Obama’s daughter but it’s not.

I’d like to know if Palin’s husband is a stay at home dad while his wife is out pursuing her career.

When Sarah Palin introduced her family to the country, she introduced her eldest son as a young man heading off to Iraq. Why didn’t she introduce her eldest daughter by stating she would soon be married?

Seems to me that would have solved this particular furor.

My dear fellow Americans,
Will you just listen to us? How can we, who are supposed to be an example for the rest of the world, let them see such a poor display of brotherly love, and compasion for one another. What is happening to us? Have we completely forgot that we represent true Christian values, that never change?
How can we, as being Believers in that which is good, desire to see happen to others, that which we would not want to happen to us? What is happening to our Country? What happen to ” Do unto others as you would them do unto you? What happen to love your enemy, and pray for those who despitefully use you and persecute you? These Christian values do not stop at politics, but are a part of our daily walk with the Lord. Let us take heed to ourselves, that our soul be not lost in this political warfare. Be careful of the price we pay just to get a candidate elected, or to stop one from getting elected.

It’s not about being a Dem or Rep, it’s about choosing someone with high morals and if scripture tells us that unless someone can rule over their house well they cannot be in church leadership. So that being said, if she cannot control what goes on under her own roof, ( and trust me I know teenagers are VERY difficult) how can she effectively help run a nation? Or better yet should she? She is supposed to be an example for the rest of our nation. And then to say they are “proud grandparents” is just beyond belief. If we’re going a woman in the white house don’t you want her to be someone your own daughter can look up too? She talks about the glass ceiling she may shatter, but at what expense. Is this the message we want conveyed to our daughters.

You know what I don’t understand? Why are many saying; leave her alone? Obama had the reverend Wright issue. It was clearly not Reverend Wright running but, for months that all you heard, as if they were twins conjoined. I really feel bad for her, but this move by McCain simply was for political purpose only. I do believe we need to go on with the election process. Maybe this will keep the judgmental elitist comments out of the race from here on out. But what it all boils down to, we cannot stand another 8 years of almost becoming a third world country

Perplexed

Come on everyone is practically calling Sarah Palin a hero. If she was a democrat all of the right wing conservatives would have a field day with this. Quit blaming the media for all of the attention her daughter is getting. When you become a parent you put your child first. Sarah Palin put her daughter out there in the public. Her daughter is the one I feel sorry for. Her mother is supposed to protect her. You want a private life stay out of public office. It is ok with Evangelicals because her 17 year old daughter is going to get married. How is that ok that a child is going to have a child and then get married at such a young age. Instead of voting on abstinence education in schools Sarah Palin should have been educating her daughter. I believe in family values but let’s be realistic about what we teach our children and what we shield them from. Either way they’re going to be curious. Sarah Palin is not the female role model I want my daughters to look up to. If she believes that family is first then she should put her family first.

Come on guys!! I want to hear more about the issues and where each candidate stands. We need to know more about their plans to change what is going on in Washington D.C. I hear a lot about change but no real specifics except to raise taxes and increase the size of government. That’s not the answer! Being a retired government employee from Washington D.C…I know there is already too much waste in government. How much is each candidate going to cost me – the tax payer?

why are people getting upset about why people are talking about Sarah palin if i rem these were the same people mocking and taunting about Britney spears daughter and she was threatened to take her out of the channel so its OK to mock someone else and when its your own defend them

Although I feel bad for Bristol Palin being under the media’s microscope, the situation makes you think about her mother’s judgement. She knew this would come out and be discussed and she chose her own ambition over her daughter’s well being.

If she become vice president, does Bristol move to Washington with her new husband? If so, that means he has to leave behind his own parents and siblings at a very young age. If they stay behind, how do they live? Do they both quit school? Most girls this young have their mothers close by to help them with their new baby. How much time does a vp of the United States have to help raise her daughter’s baby as well as one of her own? I wonder if they have answered any of these questions. I don’t have much respect for this woman who has abandoned her daughter at a very delicate time to pursue her own career.

I am an Obama supporter. I am also a Christian who is against abortion. I agree with Obama that Bristol’s pregnancy is not a campaign issue. However, it has been raised and I am not impressed with Palin’s response.

I agree that Bristol should not abort the baby and that she should receive the unconditional love and support of her family. However, Bristol is only seventeen! I think Gov. Palin’s response that her daughter is going to marry the father is almost an attempt to justify Brstol’s premarital pregnancy or to make up for it. I sincerely hope that she is not getting married because she is pregnant. That would be marrying for the wrong reason and that is something the church definitely does NOT support. This is where experience and judgement are needed and I don’t think the Governor is offering her daughter good advice if marriage at 17 is her best option.

Get off the “moral values”. We offer birth control in public schools. I wonder how many abortions have take place because we don’t want our “family” secrets found out? Once again, let he who is without sin cast the first stone. Sarah Palin is a proud parent that is standing by her daughter. How many parents have kicked their pregnant daughter out because of “what people will think?”

In the same way that you cannot judge Obama for his pastor’s remarks, you cannot judge Palin for her minor daughter’s premarital pregnancy.

On the issue of experience: Obama vs. McCain. What is the real issue? I agree with Obama that it is a matter of judgement. George Bush has more than seven years EXPERIENCE as President and he still can’t get it right. The proof is in the decisions. Look at the choices of Obama versus McCain. It will be real easy after that!

This whole thing was designed politically by John McCain. He cannot be trusted. We need to look at this man who is bred with confrontation. He loves to fight wars, he acts unilaterally, he shoots from his hip and does not have a credible process for making decisions and he has too much ego.

The American people, though we all respect his service to the country, he has used it to convience the American people that being a POW is a presidential qualification. As I watched the Saddleback interview, nearly all of McCain’s answers were indicative of fighting and confrontation. Listen to him. Stop being tricked. Listen to him please. Check him out and look closely at how he really leads. Keep in mind that his honorable service and POW status did not afford him the opportunity to make decisions or earn any other qualifications to be president and though he has a long senate service, that has been much to the American people’s advantage in most instances. Of course there is his 90% support of President Bush.

This shouldn’t be an issue of rather sara palin can lead a country because her daughter is pregnant at 17, she’s almost an adult. I could understand criticism if she was 12 or something but, don’t hold sara palin responsible for her daughter’s mistake, if thats what you wanna call it. Both canidates have agreed family is off limits and we as Americans need to shut up, and respect that

O’BAMA/BIDEN 08′

FLOZELLE – OR ANYONE FOR THAT MATTER please refute this point;

GOVERNOR PALIN has MORE executive experience (remember, they are running for Chief of the Executive branch) than SENATOR Obama.

(before you do; remember, senators are in the LEGISLATIVE branch…4real!)

Palin couldn’t have received this much exposure if the McCain campaign paid $20 million. I believe that the tawdry attacks on her will do nothing but increase sympothy and help her connect with mainstream America; something the Obama’s couldn’t accomplish at the convention telling everyone “we’re just like you…”

I’m appalled at the attention that you are giving to the Gov. Pallin’s expectant grandchild. Here’s food for thought: How many senators, governors or any other political figure HAD TO GET MARRIED (way back when such things were lied about to save face in the community and in the family ????) Maybe the media would like to remind those people who live in glass houses not to throw stones.
Let her and her daughter enjoy the upcoming birth of a beautiful baby.

It’s a shame CNN feels free to attack children to support their leftist agenda. I expect, in fairness, you’ll also be investigating Obama’s two girls and Bidens sons? After all, you opened this can of worms. During the Wright scandal, you were one of the commentators saying how the media shouldn’t be wasting time on that and should focus on the issues. I assume you’re just as vigorously avoiding covering private legal behavior of children. This isn’t the 1950s.

Family values are campaign issues. The candidate’s family is not. It’s clear that Palin appeals to the conservative right from small town America who see her as the antithesis of Obama who appeals to the the inner city liberals. It’ll be interesting to see which camp turns out to support and vote for their candidate.

I am the father of a teenage girl. The message coming out of the Republican Party is that it’s OK to be pregnant as a teenager if you keep the baby. I’m glad Sarah Palin’s daughter has the right to CHOOSE that option BUT teenage pregnancy is not OK!!!! What is it with these people???!!!

The press’s issue with Sarah Palin never traveling over seas is elitism and shows how out of touch they are. A majority of americans have never taken trips over seas and to think that a trip over seas has something to do with foreign policy is just dum.

Mccain, Stated that Americans are whinners now we see who the whinners it the Reps. After months of attacks on Barack and Michelle Obama now it not right to say anything about Sarah, we might hurt her feelings. Or she might get a head ache and have to go home from work early.
Mean while the terrorist plan attack all over the world!!!!!

Go home Sarah your family needs you!

Your country will be fine without!!!

Maybe I just haven’t listened enough, but there’s one big point that I haven’t heard mention yet…
Palin said “proud of Bristol’s decision… ”
Ok, so she’s proud. Great. But the key word here is DECISION.
No?
For someone very pro-life, doesn’t this seem a little or a lot hypocrytical? If she is proud her daughter made a decision, that means there was a choice. Um… choice. Isn’t that a word Palin is against as a pro-lifer? If the pro-life had there way, her daughter would NOT have a choice to get an abortion.
So the way I read it, is she is proud her daughter COULD make a choice, pretty much what all the pro-choice people are all about.

Go home Sarah your family needs you!!!

Your counrty will be fine without you!!!

A couple of observations. First, it appears that the Republicans have picked a great successor to Bush. In an administration that repeatedly promoted people based on personal beliefs and political orientation (e.g. the Justice Department), McCain’s selection of Palin is a great example of just “hold the course”. She was not selected because of her competence, but because of her political and religious beliefs, period. The Republican party has abandoned competence as a criterion, perhaps because thinking, well educated people tend to be Democrats.

Second, for those women who will vote for McCain because he picked a woman, that mindset undermines the whole feminist movement. How many times have they railed against men with lesser qualifications being picked for a job/promotion/etc. over a woman? I understand the deep desire to break through that political glass ceiling, but a “vote for the gonads” philosophy rather than choosing who is better qualified renders their arguments for equality meaningless.

I do not believe most of the McCain supporters are so blinded by their wealth or prejudice to actually go along with what his campaign is trying to do. Although I am a mother and a good one I am not “qualified” to be the president. That is not to say that women are not ever capable but it is the truth. People put more thought into what daycare’s their children are going to attend. What neighborhood they are going to live in. I put more effort into what clothes and accessories I am going to wear the next day. This man met this woman TWICE, and decided that she would make a great President. I mean come on. All I see is him going after the leftover scorned Clinton supporters and the working mothers vote. I have not heard him say one thing that is in the benefit of this country. All of a sudden he has found the 21st Century Joan Cleaver and wants us all to believe that he is so caring and into what truly matters. If you fall for it you deserve what ever he gives you.

I have no studies to substantiate this position, but it has been my experience that the unwed teen pregnancy has been of epidemic proportions within the evangelical community for many many years.
I don’t know if it is for lack of education or support from parents in terms of birth control.
I think that there are many families within that community who will see Palin as their champion in that regard.
I find it very unfortunate.

The Right Wing talking heads frame the situation of her daughter’s preganancy as “shows Sarah is a normal person with normal problems”. Howewver, if it was the Democratic nominee whose daughter was pregnant, they be saying that “this is an example of the low morals of the left wing Democratic party”, I guarantee it. What a bunch of hypocrites. I am fed up with the Republican party. All they really stand for is paying less taxes. Their quest for smaller government is justa smoke screen so they pay less taxes. They really have no other agenda. Oh, that and starting wars that drive up the deficit so when a Democrat sees the need to raise taxes to cover the actions of the previous irresponsible administration, they get painted by Republicans as “tax and spend liberals”. Go look it up. Reagan blew the deficit through the roof as well as Bush 1 and 2. Democrats have to come in and clean up their mess.

what do you get without the “L’ ? A PAIN for McCAIN.

Did he put her on the ticket for pure controversy? to create a buzz?
or just a misjudgement on his part? Is he playing judge & jury before
the investigation?

it was an insult for him to assume that the Palin would gain back Clinton supporters based on gender.

think again, mcain

Roe vs. Wade is about choice.

How responsible is a woman that would allow a 17 year old girl to get married. That girl should have her baby, keep it or put it up for adoption and continue her education. If she and the father are still interested in 5 years that is soon enough to get married. Don’t they know the failure rate of teen marriages and that rate is worse if the marriage is because of a pregnancy,

Palin’s family issues should not be a campaign issue. there have been numerous children raised by our leaders in washington. the majority of them turned out okay. how can someone put down a mother who is trying to make a difference in our crazy country. Who should say we have a say on how many children an elected official. when she had a amniocentesis and found out her baby had down’s-if she would have had an abortion, everyone would really be flapping their jaws about that. Her daughter is pregnant and it is outrageous that she has been made a specticle by the press-HER daughter made a choice and now the DAUGHTER has to live with that plus being humiliated across the US. what it all boils down to is that palin is just like most american women- a mother who has real issues with her family and a strong individual who has worked to be successful and strong (what most women want to be). Do the dems feel threatened now? Why are we still not questioning Obama’s cocaine use?????

I remember long ago when reporters (journalists as they now preferred to be called) reported the facts and not their opinions. It is sad when a network of journalists will win the election. What is even more sad is that the US population does not get out and research the facts for themselves and they depend on these journalist for the facts to base their vote on. I agree that when you run for public office your life becomes public. However, lets just report the facts and not the whys or how comes or what if’s since that is only speculation. Sarah Palin and her husband are not the only two parents that believe in abstinence, no birth control in schools, no sex education in schools, etc and had a daughter get pregnant. No matter how religious you are and how great a parent you are, you can not control your 17 year old children 24/7. Mistakes happen to the best of us and how we deal with that is what counts. I am saddened that journalist believe that because a person has certain beliefs they are on a pedestal and can do no wrong. Maybe someone out there needs to “keep the journalist honest.”

I agree with Stephen, I heard the same comment.
“She is proud of her daughter decision.”

I wish I could ask Sarah Palin one question.

If her daughter were 8 months pregnant and the doctor told her Sarah that she could save her daughter or the baby, how does she tell her daughter she is going to die? That’s pro-life choice right?!

God forbid that would happen and that Bristol will have a healthy baby, but I believe there are people that have to make that DECISION.

As a Father and a Grand Father I could never tell any woman how to make that decision and I certainly don’t understand how others can tell others how to make it either.

For the good of the Republican Party, I think it would be in the good interest of John McCain, and Sarah Palin, if Sarah withdraws her candidacy for Vice President.

This is very interesting. When Sarah Palin was first introduced to the American public it was made Loud and Clear that her oldest son was en-route to Iraq. It seemed very important for the McCain camp to share that with us. Isn’t that putting your children in the political game? But when it’s the unwed, pregnant,17 year old daughter everyone is screaming foul. It’s either all in or all out. You can’t pick and choose what parts of your family are public and what parts are private. If we can’t talk about the pregnant daughter, we can talk about the son going to Iraq, we can’t talk about the two children Cindy McCain adopted from Bangladesh 17 years ago and we can’t talk about Obama’s half-sister and brother.
Part of who we are is represented in our family. As an American citizen who will practice their right to vote in November. My vote will be for the person I think best represents my family values. To do this I just might need to know a little bit about the person I’m voting for, which in part means their family.

This is a HUGE PLUS for the Obama campaign. It highlights McCain’s irrational thinking. The correct definition of ‘Maverick’ is in fact – a dissenter/stray/disoriented/lost/’unable to find the correct way’/non conformist/unbranded. Well, McCain’s choice of VP shows a clear lack of judgement. Apprarently she prays before making decisions on a gas pipeline & the war in Iraq…I guess she’ll be spending alot of time praying in the White House. Actually she needs to pray for McCain.

A HUGE PLUS for Obama!

if circumstances arose which required her to step into the President’s shoes and she was to become pregnant again, no doubt we can count on her to make the same high moral decision she has in the past.

The McCain campaign clearly knew this pregnancy issue would be a hot topic. In every photo I’ve seen about this, she was cleverly covering her baby bump. This appears staged, and that is whats disturbing to me. I think the vetting process missed the boat here.

As far as her experience, there is no way this women is qualified to be VP let alone the President should something happen to McCain. For GOP strategists to say that she has more experience than Obama frankly leaves me speechless. I’m sure she has done great things for Alaska but VP is a whole different story. This is will be very interesting to watch as this plays out. I suspect after her first debate with Biden, it will blatantly evident just how “green” she is.

If McCain was truly sincere about selecting a women as a mode of chance there are soooo many more qualified women…..Olympia Snow of Maine comes to mind……and thats only one.

Has it ever occured to any of you that someone can get pregnant even if they are VERY well educated regarding sex? Women of all ages and all walks of life and all races have unexpected pregnancies and kids who attend school with sex education also get pregnant.

It seems as if most of you think that educating kids in a classroom or teaching sex ed at home will magically do the trick and eliminate teen pregnancy? Being against teaching sex education by way of tax payers has nothing to do with what your actual 17 year old daughter and her boyfriend are going to do on their dates.

How can ANYONE say that having a down syndrome child with special needs represents poor family values…that is just sick, sick, sick! She made the choice not to eliminate a child because of his special needs why does she have to be bashed for this?

Keep up this disgusting talk bashing and blaming her and it will earn the McCain camp more votes and they will be the deciding votes that come from conservative christian women, parents with children who have special needs and parents who have 17 year old pregnant daughters.

Mrs. Palin needs to go home and take care of her daughter Bristol is still 17 years old and P.G.. And it is ashame that daddy wasn’t watching her right. Both parents should be in parenting instead of trying to run a country, they can’t even run the own home! And what about the father of Bristol unborn child? What kind of person is he and how old is he over 18 or 21? Yes, it is the people business we will be paying for the baby’s nannys.

I just think this whole thing with Mrs. Palin’s daughter Bristol, is sad. Mrs.Palin knew excepting the VP with McCain would put her and her family in the spot light. How could a mother knowingly place a child in this kind of public microscope. I feel that Palin is self centered, egotistic and only is looking after what she wants in life. She is not looking for what is best for her family.

I work at a High School which has a Mommy and Me program. I know that these teen mothers need an education. But I also hear other students making comments like “Oh, you look so cute”, “I’m so happy for you”, “When is your baby due”. Hay, it’s not all right for kids to be having kids. With Palin now flaunting Brstal’s pregnancy on national TV, these young girls will say, “it’s o.k. to get pregnant” look at Palins’ daughter”.

I still don’t understand a mother who could place her child in this situation with the national media.

Also remember Daddy Bush gave W several business opportunities that he ran in the ground (e.g. Note The Texas Rangers) before using that great experience to run the country in the ground; If this is presidential experience who needs or wants it!

I used to be a big fan of Campbell Brown, but after the last couple of days of witnessing her nasty side as she relentlessly attacked her guests about Palin she and CNN have lost me for good. I don’t understand her distain toward Palin? No matter what or who people support, a reporter, or TV personality like Campbell Brown should try to remain impartial and demonstrate more professionalism and responsible journalism

McCain has already told us the VP will play a significant role as he becomes President. Palin is just someone who will be under his thumb.

The funny thing about all this is that pretty much every attack that was thrown against Obama now also apply to Gov. Palin; from her inexperience to her association with a controversial Pastor, Ed Kalnins. It gets deeper with her though. Dems should get off talking about her experience and her daughter and look deeper into her association with the Alaska Independence Party.

McCain has already told us the VP will NOT play a significant role as he becomes President. Palin is just someone who will be under his thumb.

Anderson,
I think Governor Palin is a brilliant pick for McCain’s VP. She is almost invincible. It
will take some time for people to figure this out, especially for those Obama’s supporters
Now they can easily find out that inexperience is biggest weakness for her and attack her
on it. In deed, the picture that she would be president if McCain dies in the day one
worries some people. If a person worries it the person also should worry Obama because
Obama has less governing experience than her. This will make all the attacks on her
naturally ricochet to Obama. Remember Obama is running for President, not VP.

As a feminist and a mother, there is one major sticking point that I can’t get beyond. If one of my teen daughters came home and told me she was pregnant, one of the last things I would ever put her through would be dealing with the onslaught of the media so that I could further my career goals. This is a difficult enough time for her daughter – one that she will be affected by for the rest of her life, so how can Ms. Palin, as a mother, consciously subject her daughter to the pain of this media circus? And, why wouldn’t John McCain or his wife consider this poor girl’s situation? This is a time when a girl needs her mother more than ever. The point may be posed that the father could step into the role of helper/caretaker, but, even we feminists realize that there are certain times in our daughters’ lives when we have advice and wisdom that their fathers simply cannot offer. There was no way my husband could have been there to support our daughters when there babies were born the way I could. He loves them as much, I believe, but doesn’t have the same life experiences to help guide them as I do. She should cut back her duties, if that’s financially possible for their family, and help her daughter through what I know to be a difficult and painful time, even without all of this outer scrutiny. Shame on her for not focusing more energy on her daughter and her need for privacy than she does on her own unbridled drive to succeed.

I read that Palin takes her baby boy to work with her because she’s breast feeding. Wonder if she plans to continue that practice should she become VP?

Also…..has anyone thought about her daughter’s boyfriend’s family being thrust into this spotlight? Palin has not only put her family “out there” for her political gain, but now has involved another family as well. I’m sure his parents are not at all thrilled over this!

The boyfriend, Levi, MySpace page is full of 4-letter words and an interesting comment that he doesn’t “want” kids! From what he says, he’s a typical 17-year old high school jock just so full of himself. My guess, he has absolutely no intention of marrying this girl!

McCain needs to build support with the religous right but I think he has made a mistake. Palin may be a great governor. I do not know. But she has a family that needs attention. Her daugther’s pregency and a daugther with Downs syndrome requires that.

Palin’s lack of attention to her family should raise flags all over the place and McCain should have never asked her and she should never have accepted this nomination.

Finally, the moral and ethical compass of both need to be checked. Only a man who has engaged in multiple affairs (cheated on his wife over and over again) would support someone who sees nothing wrong with pregency out of wedlock.

Just returned from Alaska. Interesting that no one’s talking about the population of Alaska…600,000 people! That smaller than many US cities, which means she has been little more than a mayor of a mid-size US city. She was mayor of Wasilla??? Very, very small town. How many people are actually in the Alaskan National Guard? With a total population of 600,000, not very many. This is executive experience?

McCain blew it.

I feel offended every time Sarah Palin implies that the “18 million cracks” that Hillary Clinton spoke about will blindly follow her for the simple fact that she is a woman. For the record, Sarah Palin is not running a campaign to be my “bff” — she is running for Vice-President of the most powerful nation in the world, and whether the Republicans like it or not, she is certainly not qualified to take over the presidency should the need arise. Saying that she is qualified to run the most powerful country in the nation because she is the Governor of a town in Alaska is like saying that because she is a teacher in a one-classroom schoolhouse she is qualified to teach at Harvard University. Most importantly, I am a woman, and one whose father was a Korean War veteran and one who worked for the Department of Defense for many years, and I definitely do not feel represented by Sarah Paliin or by John McCain or by this republican administration!