Republicans are enthusiastic about John McCain’s running mate, Alaska governor Sarah Palin, perhaps even more so than they are of the man at the top of the ticket.

Regarding one topic of this campaign, we’ll say up front that we agree with others, including Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama, who maintain that families are not fair game in politics.

But it does seem ironic that there is such a dismissal from the GOP in light of many previous stances on situations such as that in which Palin’s teenage daughter finds herself.

We can imagine the outcry from the ultra-right if the situation had been on the Democratic side this election year. The reaction from the usually unforgiving James Dobsons and the like would have been righteous indignation that a candidate’s child was — gasp! — pregnant without benefit of matrimony.

Isn’t it odd how a perceived wrong is only wrong if it concerns the other guy?

That’s one of the things that bothers us most about politics and some of the people who practice it: It is so often hypocritical in who and what it chooses to revile.

It’s not just the Republicans, of course. Democrats have their own brand of “do as I say, not as I do.” But this particular incident bothers us more because it speaks to a deeper problem.

A young girl and a young man made an obvious mistake. And now it is entirely possible that two teenagers are being forced, because one’s parent is a public figure, into a marriage that could be the worst solution for all concerned, including their soon-to-be child.

The case also illustrates the irony that the federal government (read: taxpayers) has spent $1.5 billion on abstinence-only programs and the teen birth rate is rising again, after taking a dip just a few years ago — before the federal funding was authorized to expand a program that fails so many in light of its stringency.

Abstinence is the best policy, especially for teens who don’t see that there is life after baby.

Yet abstinence-only proponents expect us to believe that teens won’t have sex, just because we tell them not to. According to a report in USA Today, about 750,000 teens — one in 13 — become pregnant every year.

Why does it have to be all or nothing when it comes to telling teens about sex? What’s wrong with a program that encourages abstinence but also includes reality checks in the mix?

We find it additionally curious that the McCain campaign machine is crying foul that the news media is trying to learn more about his running mate. Isn’t it responsible to find out as much as we can about the person who, should McCain win in November, be next in line to lead the nation? If elected, McCain, at 72, will be the oldest person to attain the presidency. While good health habits can extend our lives, the office of president carries an unusual amount of stress.

Additionally, his campaign spoke derisively about Obama’s lack of experience, then selected someone equally inexperienced (who in a televised interview not too long ago said she didn’t really know what the vice president did and didn’t seem to care too much about taking on the job).

There also are some inconsistencies in her politics. Both as mayor and as governor, she sought earmarks for local projects. Her latest request, according to The Washington Post, totals $300 for every man, woman and child in her state. McCain is fiercely opposed to earmarks and has said she will help him fight against them. She favored the famous Alaskan “Bridge to Nowhere” U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens pushed, until it was deemed politically wise to withdraw support.

Palin made an impressive debut speech at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., although in many respects, it was more stand-up routine than political ideology.

But don’t discount her value to the ticket. She will likely bring new life to the party as she has brought it to the campaign. And those Hillary Clinton supporters may just take their votes to the Republican candidate because of her. Bright, articulate and well-organized women are desperately needed in politics, now more than ever.

But don’t make her more than she is because she is a new face. Don’t presume that the media is sexist because questions are being asked that would be asked of any other candidate, especially one virtually unknown until a few weeks ago. What is sexist, however, is if a candidate is chosen because of gender.

People who vote for — or against — someone based solely on gender or race rather than qualifications and potential are only asking for disappointment.

And they will get what they ask for.