RSS
Home › 2008 Elections › Presidential Elections
Daughter's pregnancy, but not Sarah Palin, off-limits for discussion among some in Upstate
Charles Rex Arbogast/The Associated Press
Bristol Palin, daughter of Republican vice presidential candidate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, and her boyfriend Levi Johnston attend the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., Wednesday.
Election Central
Check out the latest local election news!
Go to our exclusive Voter Guide »
View precinct results maps and voter turnout for Upstate races »
STORY TOOLS
Share and Enjoy
More Presidential Elections
- Anderson leaders hope Obama halts partisanship
- One hour to go, Anderson voters wait, North Carolina polls see little traffic
- Thousands have already voted in general election
Rate this Article
It seems to be something that those involved in the political process agree on, even if the media begs to differ.
Bristol Palin’s pregnancy is off-limits to discussion.
Days after Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin made her debut on the national stage as a vice-presidential candidate with Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, the campaign announced that her unmarried daughter, Bristol, 17, is pregnant. Bristol Palin said she plans to marry the father and keep the baby.
Type “Palin pregnancy” into a search engine, and dozens and dozens of references pop up – almost all on media sites.
“Americans are obsessed with celebrities and gossip,” said Laura Olson, professor of political science at Clemson University. “Every news outlet is fascinated by this story.”
And yet this “political” story is not being touched by politicians. One politician the Independent-Mail called did not want to be included in this article at all.
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., a McCain supporter said, “I think the universal reaction that I’ve experienced is that people feel it’s a family matter, and that’s the end of the story,” he said. “How would people feel if she was denied a place on the ticket because of this? Nobody would want that. I have a lot of confidence in the American people.”
His confidence is justified in the comments of Jeff Howard, a district sales manager in Clemson.
“It shows she’s a normal human being with everyday problems like everybody else,” he said.
Ken Campbell, chairman of the Oconee County Democratic Party, wanted to talk about Palin the candidate, not her children.
“I firmly believe that the children of presidential candidates — in fact, political candidates in general — are off limits,” he said. “No comment (on that).”
He, however, echoed his party’s concerns regarding Sarah Palin.
“It was a stunning, startling lack of judgment on the part of John McCain,” he said.
But not because of anything to do with Palin’s family.
“We’ve heard nothing but criticism from the McCain campaign on our candidate’s lack of experience,” Campbell said. “For a 72-year-old man with health issues to pick a person one heartbeat away from the presidency with not much more experience than my hometown of Walhalla’s mayor is breathtaking.”
On the pregnancy issue, Phillip Bowers, chairman of the Pickens County Republican Party, agrees with the man who usually is his usual opponent.
“It’s an issue the family is going to have to work through, and I hope the media leaves them alone while they do,” Bowers said. “I hope the media and public will show compassion toward the family, and especially the young lady, going forward. Sarah Palin is tough, but this shows she has to deal with real-life issues just like the average mother in America. It puts a more human face on her.
“To (Democratic presidential candidate) Sen. (Barack) Obama’s credit, he said children are off- limits. I respect him for that.”
Graham was eager to share his constituents’ responses to Palin the candidate.
“Our phones have been flooded at home with a thumbs up,” he said. “She’s an active mom. We’re making history, and I feel really good about the pick. She’s very tough. She’s taken on some powerful interests and won.
“A lot of people are attracted to both her personal and professional profile. From a personal point of view, more Americans can relate to her than all the other three (candidates). (She and her husband) have five kids, and they both have to work. That describes 99 percent of us.”
Olson said Palin’s politics are ideologically to the right, but people can relate to her regardless of that.
“She didn’t go to any fancy school,” she said. “She played basketball. She has a big family. She knows what it’s like to stand in line at Target.”
Bowers also wanted to talk about the candidate, not her daughter.
“(Response) has been positive,” he said. “I’ve gotten more e-mails in the past week than I’ve gotten in the past year wanting to help. People are excited. It just gave McCain more credibility in how he’s running his campaign.”
Olson said that in an unusual way, the pregnancy might actually help the McCain/Palin ticket.
“A lot of Americans can relate to a teenage pregnancy, either because they had a baby as a teenager, or knew somebody who did, or have a kid who did,” she said. “It makes her more approachable. And it keeps the interest off Sen. Obama and even, to some extent, off Sen. McCain. There was some feeling (McCain) was old and boring. Now there’s all this excitement. It’s unpredictable — that’s the brilliance. If he picked Mitt Romney, it would have been ho-hum. But he picks Sarah Palin, and it turns the whole thing upside-down.”
Comments
There are 45 responses to this article.
Comments are meant to offer our readers a forum for thoughtful, robust debate about local issues.
Comments are moderated, but you may find the content of the conversations offensive, objectionable or factually disputable.
IndependentMail.com does not necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post or respond to every suggestion for a comment to be removed.
Before you post, consider this:
Please read our official user-contributions policy.
In rushing to Sarah Palin's defense, the leaders of the Christian right have made it abundantly clear how they define a Christian. We don't care if you sin. We are not bothered if you put your ambition ahead of the needs of your children. If you have lied or broken the law, we will look the other way. It all comes down to your stand on guns and fetuses. Vote the right way, and you have our blessing. If any proof were needed that James Dobson is a political operative rather than a spiritual leader, his jumping on the Palin bandwagon offers it.
It is refreshing to see someone that is not defined by the status quo, the "good ole boys club," or the regular ideals of those in polictics and on Capitol Hill. VP Candidate Palin is a bull dog, a force to be reckoned with and someone who will not be defined only as a woman, but as someone with strong convictions, realistic vision and a true sense of leadership. She is also human with human issues and facing regular situations like you and me. Its not about pushing a situation under the rug because it might be controversal...its about addressing what is important and putting petty political and shameful media hype in its proper perspective...on the back burner. This election is not about religion or its place in politics. Its about addressing real issues and those running with actual experience in serving our communities, our states and our nation. God speed, McCain/Palin...and God Bless.
in response to adamlahm
I completely agree. But, her daughters underage pregnancy makes me question her ability as a parent, which in turn makes me question her ability as a leader. And if the proverbial shoe was on the other foot, and Obama had an underage pregnant daughter, then you could bet sure money on the Conservative smear machine being all over it like white on rice. The Republicans level of hypocrisy is simply astounding.
Republicans exercising Political Correctness. Isn't that a shame?
Yes, Sabby yes. If it were a democratic runners girl pregnant, they'd be all over it. Oh yes. She is anti feminist and I think boring. I sure don't want her in there to undo all women have struggled for since she was in diapers. Forget the GOP. They have lost already. And I am so glad.
I have two daughters that got sexually active at way too early an age. For one, I was glad they told me (both were 15). I gave them my thoughts about maturity and handling the responsibility as well as raising the concern for their health. The bottom line was, they knew before and after that I thought it was wrong.
Thank goodness neither had to deal with an early age pregnancy, which could have happened.
Would I have been a bad parent if they had gotten pregnant? I don't think so.
So, in that light, I believe people who want to convict Sarah Palin for being a poor parent because her daughter is pregnant, are sad examples of gossip mongers. It has nothing to do with being a bad parent, or politics.
It never ceases to amaze me that the media and then the "voters" manage to focus on things that mean nothing when it comes to what direction the country will move if one party or the other is elected.
Her daughter's pregnancy is unimportant to me but whether she is capable of leading this country if McCain can't is.
Well, so much for her vaunted "Abstinence" only.
Now all of a sudden the Republicans are crying "Sexism" in the media?
Even funnier!
Just remember, the Government cannot legislate morality. It doesn't work. Prohibition anyone? Just say no?
No matter how hard the right-wing fundamentalists think they can change the country be electing politicians that profess the same "Morals", it's not going to help.
What did Bush and his friends accomplish for you? More abortions are performed now then when he was elected, the "War on Drugs" continues and the US has the highest teen pregnancy rate of all the developed nations (again, so much for the "Abstinence Only" policy).
Ah, I know, the rich got richer, the poor got poorer and the middle class is shrinking, FAST.
The question isn't what Bush did for you, or what Obama or McCain can do for you. It's what did either the republicans or the democrats do for you. The president is just the one who can get enough votes to beat the other person to allow one party or the other to have a crack at running the country.
If you get more from democrats you like to having you're life run by the government and if you'd rather take responsibility for your own life then you probably would rather see the republicans in office.
The president is the vote getting figure head and can't do whatever he wants. You are only lead to believe that by the media and the rest of the president's party in case they don't want to be associated with him if things go wrong. Reality hurts, but it's still reality.
in response to origrethnk
Really? The Democrats want to control my life?
I thought it was the other way around.
Wow, I am soooooo misinformed.
Just so you know, President Bush has signed more Executive Orders than all the rest of the Presidents combined. That's reality.
Want to know the difference between a Conservative Republican and an Ostrich???
...
...
...
There isn't one! They both like to stick their heads in the sand!
I agree with Niblets. This is not about the daughter or Mrs. Palins ability as a mother. The daughter made her own decision, but it will not control how the country is run...the media is blowing this all out of proportion. I think Mrs. Palin is a good candidate for VP, it gives me more confidence in the Republican party. Lets face it, before the announcement, there really wasn't much to vote for!
To Yankee,
Then, you must be one or the other.
Jwhigg, well said!
Obviously, absurd, out of touch comments like "her daughters underage pregnancy makes me question her ability as a parent" just proves how out of touch the left is.
It's nice to see them running scared. I guess the celebrity will have to come down from the greek temple and talk real issues.
I think salute to niblet and simpletaxpayer, you hit the nail right on the nose, Amen.
the media always blows things out of proportion, just like with Clinton/monica situation, I feel he got what he deserved mind you but I believe the media brought to much of there personal life into the situation and it should have been kept as family matter, I feel Palin's Daughter is gonna get drug thru the mud and the child also due to the media to get that almighty dollar. I believe there wasn't much to vote on until this came up.
go McCain and Palin.
in response to jwhigg
I don't know of anyone who is so perfect that they have a right to condemn others. I think we should have a contest for perfect parents who raised children who have done no wrong.
There are no perfect parents so how can you expect perfect children.
in response to Sabby
You might not ever know it. He's already said he would't want to ruin their life with the mistake of a pregnacy. Good thing he believes in abortion.
It is sad I know, a teenager is not ready to be parent. I married at 16, had a child at eighteen. He turned out good though, so did I but I had to finish growing up.
in response to origrethnk
could it be because they want to believe they are perfect. Where were these people when a grown man who was their president commented adultry in the white house.
"He who is without sin, cast the first stone"
Do We really want to keep on with their kids? I heard the other vice president nominee's child got arrested a few days ago for fighting. Does that make him less qualified if it is true?
It is astounding to me how some people are coming on here trying to condem Gov. Palin for her 17 yr. old daughter becoming pregnant. In my opinion this does not make her a bad mother or unable to help lead our country. On the contrary I believe it does make her more real. Think of how many families in America have dealt with or are dealing with this very situation. Does that mean that every mother who has a daughter get pregnant is a bad parent. What if it was her son who was 17 and his girlfriend got pregnant would she be a bad mother. What if it was Gov. Palin's husband or a man who was running for VP and going through this same scenario would people rush to judge him and call him a bad father. Gov. Palin's daughter made a choice and ended up becoming pregnant. I certainly don't agree but I certainly don't believe it makes her a bad mother. I am glad that she and her campaign were open about this and are supporting her daughter. I am a mother of two,one of which is a daughter, and I pray every day that when she becomes old enough to make those decisions she will make the right one but if she does not I hope that people would not view me as a bad parent. I also know that no matter what I would support my daughter. People need to take a step back and think about if this were them and how they would handle the situation and want people to view them. I totally agree that Gov. Palin's children should be off limits. Anyone's children should be off limits for any negativity. I was impressed by Gov. Palin last night in her speech and I believe she will appeal to many people. No one on this board or in America can say they have not ever made a mistake or sinned and it is not for ANYONE to judge Gov. Palin.
A candidate's grandchild is NOT a "political story" - as this article wants to claim. I planned to advertise something today w/ the Independent.. I will find a better company to advertise with. One that does not try to sell newspapers by making a "political story" out of an unborn child. I hope that Grady's will quit putting their ads on this liberal site as well... As much as I like buying my shirts up there, I'll stop & vote w/ my wallet - as I have done today.
The same ones writing all the negitive info now are the same ones that wouldn't have voted for her even if her daughter's were nuns. So who really cares. She has really scared a lot of people so being vicious works best for them.
Is it me or does anyone else think that Sara Palin resembles a Brunette "Murphy Brown"???? Watching her speech, she is a politician, but i believe she is genuine.
in response to simpletaxpayer
Wait a minute. I thought the FIRST Dan Quayle condemned Murphy Brown?!
I think she has what it takes to be elected president in 2012!!!!!
The media should be more concerned with how America hopes its next president will pull them out of the downward spiral that the last two parties have landed us in. The two Democrat terms of office with Clinton saw a large number of military installations stateside as well as overseas shut down and the defense force downsized. Along come the two Republican terms in office with the Bush administration and due to bad foreign policy planning the US has ended up at war in two foreign countries. Soldiers are dying left and right because of the need to put a "hasty, large quantity Army together" to fight terrorism and all that is newsworthy these days is " a pregnant teenager", please give me a break.
As Clemson-girl said, (let him without sin, cast the first stone). Christians don't claim to be perfect we're just forgiven. Because of Jesus Christ dying on the cross for our sins, and we have asked for forgivness. Just because she is with child, the main thing to us is she is keeping the baby, and for most of all of us, we all were lucky that we did not get in the same situation. Yes some people act like they are better than I am, they act more religious, maybe they are, I am a biker and I work for God in my way, a lot of people don't like the way I dress. That still don't change the many ways God has worked in my life. Please don't judge her, it could be your daughter or granddaughter.
Let's not forget the special needs baby that was passed around to everyone (including Cindy? -- so maternal) so that TV could get 45 different shots. "You have no right to talk about my family, especially when I'm busy using them as props."
Fact #1 Obama and Biden are extremely left wing liberals...socialists actually.
Fact #2 McCain is a moderate liberal, Palin is a moderate conservative.
We don't have a true conservative running this time. The only one that asked for the job was Fred Thompson. He asked South Carolina to keep him going and we sent him packing.
As for the Palin controversy...We may as well face facts. Both parties will use any possible amunition available to dis-credit their opponent. But in my opinion if you label every parent who's child has gotten drunk, had pre-marital sex, etc you may as well condemn most of us....in which case we don't have the right to judge. We all do the best we can with our kids and hope they do ok. Good parents help pick up the pieces, bad parents don't...simple.
I think the pregnancy story is a non-issue. What I believe the real issue is how the candidate handles it. Had Sarah Palin and her husband sent the girl away to a boarding school or "camp" to have the baby in secrecy I would be the first to comdemn her for it. But she is supporting her daughter and the young man that is willing to stick around, and they aren't hiding it from anyone. That to me is moral charcter and courage. For that she gets a pass on the daughter issue.
Once everyone gets past this we"ll see how she stacks up on the issues that affect me and my family....which is what counts the most to me.
The democrats are getting desperate. Their hatred is so intense they will do and say anything to destroy someone. They have been reporting that her husband had a DWI 24 YEARS AGO. Who cares what her husband did 24 years ago?
The next move by the dems will be something like "Sarah picked her nose when she was 2, so she is not qualified to be vice president".
I think the entire thing is a mess. Her speech was candid, but had no substance regarding any REAL issues that face most Americans such as foreclosures, the economy, and lack of jobs for Americans.Anyone can read a speech from a teleprompter that was written for them. So, BIG DEAL, she rehearsed then recited a good speech. What about the issues?
Everyone knows when you run for political office your family, past, etc. will be scrutinized. Where were all the righteous people when Obama was under fire for the words of his pastor??? It stands to reason that you can't say you support abstinece as one of your platform issues with a preagnant teenage daughter and expect no one to comment. PLEASE PEOPLE, LET'S BE FOR REAL!THAT'S LIFE AND POLITICS!
I think McCain knew just was he was doing by choosing her. His campaign was BORING and had no momentum.I wouldn't be surprised if they chose her because # 1 she's a woman, #2 she has all this mess going on, #3 it was a huge surprise to anyone with sense and they knew at least this would get everyone talking about their campaign.
When no one is talking about you at all, a good scandal always get's you mentioned. We can see this tactic all the time with famous artists who are about to release a new album, or movie starts about to lauch a new film.
It just goes to show, when you're minority, and you need to be accepted by the majority, you have to work twice, no three times as hard at everything to be accepted. If this were one of Obama's daughter's he'd have to pack up his campagin, because it would be over!
I want the best candidate to represent me and my family.
in response to starflyer59
What do you expect from a party that could embrace the likes of Bill Clinton, John Edwards and Ted Kennedy...and then call Sarah Palin a bad mother?
i just want people to make an informed decision about who they are going to vote for. it doesn't matter what "party" you are with you should vote for who you believe has the better visions for our country. i have always voted democrat because i thought they were always right. now, when i hear obama talk about change but not what he wants to change,he just doesn't make sense. and it is scary the way he is a star. he is nothing!! and i wouldn't vote for him under any circumstance. i am voting republican for the very first time and i am positive i am making the right decision for my children's future. palin's daughter will help win her votes because alot of people have been in that situation and her having a special needs child will take her a long way as well. go mcain!! go palin!!
I'm more concerned about who is raising her other children including the 4 month old with Down's Syndrome.
in response to hadmopoo
She has a husband that shares the care of her children and apparently is supportive and successful....unless you think a man can't handle it?
But frankly it's none of your business...or mine.
In response to my own comment, after rereading it I realized how insensitive it must sound to others. I would like to clarify that I wasn't saying that "a pregnant teenager" wasn't something to be concerned about. What I mean is that the media should not try to use that against the Republican VP candidate in such a way as to throw a slur upon the daughter's or her mother's character. I think the fact that the family stood behind both teenagers says a lot for the parents.
The fact that this ambitious over achieving, under qualified mother would put her daugher through this for her own political career makes her all the more distasteful. Her daughter's life, mistakes etc. are nobody's business, EXCEPT it becomes relevant and fair game when the mother is anti-choice, anti-sex education, teach abstinence only and a "no welfare for poor mothers", kind of "conservative." (compassionate conservative, I believe is their term.) SO, let's use the child to further her political career, and at the same time try to take a swipe at anyone who DARES mention it!
in response to nybob
She is not anti-choice. She made choices about things. Just not liberal choices. Like a woman's right to kill her baby.
hahahahahaha...Palin is going to Barack Hussein Obama II all by herself.
in response to tdr1945
Being pro-choice is not a liberal/conservative distinction. I'm conservative; I also don't want the government (i.e other people) to invade the personal decisions of pregnant women. If this violates your religion, then pray for those women. Don't impose your religious belief on them.
in response to nybob
I wasn't trying too. I said she was not anti-choice. She made a choice not to kill her baby. Is that not right? When you choose to abort, they are killed. It doesn't sound good that way, but they are killed just the same.
gametes, zygote, embyro, fetus, then.....baby. Try to keep it straight.
I guess it goes back to when does life begin. There are a lot of different opinions about it.
I am especially opposed to it when it is called partial birth abortion.
May I am not as smart as I thought I was. I had two babies and always called them that from the day I found out there was going to be one. I have heard of embyro, fetus and baby. Gameetes and zygates is new to me.
I will try to remember to keep that straight in case I need it.
agree with you on partial birth abortion. Only the most rabid people think that's ok.
(Requires free registration.)