Palin, pregnancy and politics
Back from a long weekend ...
Let's jump right into the Sarah Palin story.
Gotta tell you, it makes the race even more interesting for political junkies and those of us in the news business. As someone who deals with spin controllers all the time, I'll be interested to see where this one lands.
The most obvious talking points:
It's no one's business. Obama said it, and it's certainly legit to ask that when it comes to family matters, where should we draw the line - as an electorate and as journalists?
Who knew what, when? Was Palin herself aware of her daughter's pregnancy before Friday? Was McCain fully aware before choosing her? We know what they're saying publicly, but ...
What kind of mother would ...? It's easy to judge how another family handles adversity. Things happen. But if we buy that Palin was aware of the situation before accepting the nomination, was it right for her to expose her teen-age daughter to the kind of public scrutiny that would invariably follow?
Does all of this make her selection all the more impressive? Does it better connect the GOP with real people who face real problems? Or does it put the party that has long preached "family values" in an impossible situation?
Comments
"What kind of parent would..."?
Wow, Steve, right out of the Liberal playbook.
Palin knew, McCain knew. "Why would a mother" lay the blame, on her daughter, for declining an opportunity to be Vice President of the United States of America? Yes, that is right out of the Conservative playbook.
Can't we stick to issues that affect our country? You know, the real issues; economy, energy, immigration, education, to name a few.
Personally, I'd vote for Palin before I'd vote for McCain, or Obama! Sarah Palin comes off as a real human, not an elitist. She is facing the same family problems that many of us face, have faced, or have yet to face. It does not diminish her ability to lead.
Posted by: Tori | September 2, 2008 1:08 PM
Having an unwed, pregnant teenaged daughter is symbolic of a woman who has placed her career before her children. Palin has been popping kids out for years now yet places them in the arms of her older kids so she can take the podium. A bit disgusting and definitely not worthy of my vote. Here I come, Obama/Biden!
Posted by: Melissa | September 2, 2008 2:51 PM
What was Palin's teenage daughter thinking? Where's her responsibility in all of this? Her mother is the Governor of Alaska. Do you think she would not have been "exposed to public scrutiny." The daughter put herself in the spotlight through her own actions.
What kind of mother is Sarah Palin? I believe she is like millions of working mothers, juggling a career and a home life.
Should she have turned down the opportunity of a life time because of her daughter? Absolutely not!
Posted by: Sherry Wessel | September 3, 2008 8:18 AM