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Sarah Palin: Ideal veep or unsuitable mother?
Sarah Steimer
Issue date: 9/3/08 Section: Opinion
My choke and gag came with the announcement of her 17-year-old daughter Bristol's pregnancy. The topic had to be accounted for, as the media can and will find out in the end. The way the family chose to release such information, however, was appalling. The decision to release news of the pregnancy was made in response to liberal bloggers claiming that Sarah Palin's disabled infant was actually Bristol's baby.
Trig isn't our daughter's son, silly. In fact, Bristol's got one of her own on the way! No one has ever said teen pregnancy was easy, but to put your terrified young daughter in the limelight at a time when the media will grab any scandal they can get is inexcusably cruel. With the release of the pregnancy news, the Palins were also sure to tack on the small fact that Bristol will be marrying the father of her unborn child - a poor kid (or man, no age was released), known at this point only as "Levi." Regardless of whether Bristol really loves Levi, she'll have to marry him, because a baby without a daddy in an uber-Christian's eyes is like Pat Robertson without a telethon.
What will Sarah's husband Todd Palin say when his children ask him where mommy is? Sorry, honey, but mommy found 300 million people more important than any of you. Man or woman, and I want to be very clear that I would ask this question even if Sarah was a man, how can any parent ask so much of his or her children? Many, many other presidents and vice presidents have had children of their own, but Sarah's family is one that begs immediate attention and care. Certain members, namely Bristol and young Trig, do not deserve the type of gawking they're receiving.
After the announcement of Bristol's pregnancy, a McCain spokesperson called the Palins an American family. This must be the first time in history that American patriotism has meant abandoning the next generation of voters at home.
Trig isn't our daughter's son, silly. In fact, Bristol's got one of her own on the way! No one has ever said teen pregnancy was easy, but to put your terrified young daughter in the limelight at a time when the media will grab any scandal they can get is inexcusably cruel. With the release of the pregnancy news, the Palins were also sure to tack on the small fact that Bristol will be marrying the father of her unborn child - a poor kid (or man, no age was released), known at this point only as "Levi." Regardless of whether Bristol really loves Levi, she'll have to marry him, because a baby without a daddy in an uber-Christian's eyes is like Pat Robertson without a telethon.
What will Sarah's husband Todd Palin say when his children ask him where mommy is? Sorry, honey, but mommy found 300 million people more important than any of you. Man or woman, and I want to be very clear that I would ask this question even if Sarah was a man, how can any parent ask so much of his or her children? Many, many other presidents and vice presidents have had children of their own, but Sarah's family is one that begs immediate attention and care. Certain members, namely Bristol and young Trig, do not deserve the type of gawking they're receiving.
After the announcement of Bristol's pregnancy, a McCain spokesperson called the Palins an American family. This must be the first time in history that American patriotism has meant abandoning the next generation of voters at home.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 26
Michael
posted 9/03/08 @ 11:31 AM EST
Another horrible opinion article in the DKS. Something's never change.
Do read a different perspective from someone who actually did some research read this one from the NY post. (Continued…)
We HATE You, Sarah Palin
posted 9/03/08 @ 5:24 PM EST
Where does she get off thinking she can be vice president of the United States? Up against the one million years in the Senate her opponent, Joe Biden, has logged in between expensive rides at taxpayer expense on the Acela, what can she offer? Mayor of a town of six people and ten caribou [sneer]? Miss Congeniality [sneer, sneer]? Illegitimate-child baby-grandma [sneer, sneer, sneer]? Poster chick for "family values" [sneer, sneer, sneer, sneer]?
Sorry, I'm running out of sneers. (Continued…)
Andrew P
posted 9/03/08 @ 11:44 PM EST
How can Palin juggle being a mother, soon to be grandmother and VP all at the same time? Really, are you serious? If that's the case, Barack Obama should not be running for President. (Continued…)
FiftySomethingSister
posted 9/04/08 @ 2:14 PM EST
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrG8w4bb3kg
Listen to the enclosed audio & video of REPUBLICAN talking heads caught talking about the Palin pick as "political BS" and a "gimmick" when the didn't think the tape was running. (Continued…)
Mary Jo
posted 9/05/08 @ 8:58 AM EST
I applaud Sarah Palin and John McCain (that doesn't mean I will vote for them). The reason I say that, is because she does represent the American woman, like it or not. (Continued…)
Travis
posted 9/06/08 @ 4:21 PM EST
This is a horrible HORRIBLE article!
Would ANYONE ask Obama if he needs to spend more time with his two daughters? No, no one has yet to ask him that. (Continued…)
Michelle
posted 9/11/08 @ 4:08 PM EST
I think it is easy to say that you would question a male candidate in the same way, when you are not in the position to do so. Did you ever stop to think that the only reason these issues have come to light is because she is a woman? How many former male presidents had critical family issues that we don't know about?
Furthermore, I am sick of people assuming that John McCain is likely to die in office, discrediting him as a candidate. (Continued…)
Robin Anderson
posted 9/11/08 @ 7:34 PM EST
Huh? Wah??
Where, besides on any internet blog, have you ever heard Governor Palin asked such "sexist" questions as to whether or not she should be "barefoot and pregnant at home" instead of serving as Vice-president? If she had been asked such an assinine question by any legitimate reporter. (Continued…)
Michelle
posted 9/11/08 @ 8:22 PM EST
OH, I'm not talking about the media or politicians. I hear these things amongst my friends. I hear these things amongst co workers. My mother even! I read it in the Kent Stater and other newspapers. (Continued…)
Robin Anderson
posted 9/13/08 @ 2:15 PM EST
Well, all's I got to say is I'm glad I got friends in low places cause I ain't heard none of them denigrate Ms. Palin's chances at political office cause she's a Mom! I've only heard such reference made second and third hand by some news-media-policy-wonks looking to drum up some viewership!
Sorry, ma'am. (Continued…)
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