Annoy the media, defend Palin

I hope McCain would not assign Palin the responsibility to reform the nations’ " NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND" law:

Alaska ranks at the bottom of the educational attainment indicators in the nation -- from getting children through high school to achieving an advanced degree in a timely manner. Alaska is 8th from the bottom in the nation among states in the number of ninth-graders graduating four years later. 4th from the bottom in the nation in high school seniors going directly to college. Last in the nation in the number of college freshmen receiving a bachelor's degree within 150 percent of the normal program length. "This really sends the message of how immediate the need is and the gravity of the situation," said Diane Barrans, executive director of the Alaska state's Postsecondary Education Commission, which released this study.

There's no need to attack her, her policy on 'abstinence only' education stance is already bearing fruit.

It's becoming more and more clear that Palin will become a liability.

BRING BACK ROMNEY !
Before it's to late !

Ummmm? How about our Country? That's what were focused on!!! The possibility of this person running our country! Amazing how they just keep forgetting that little detail! What a moron!

Jeez, I wonder if the Rove crew running McSame's campaign would have capitalized on something like this? Given the history of Steve Schmidt, et al., I'd say there's about a 100% chance they would. Their hypocrisy is stunning.

"Yesterday the whole country is riveted by the tragedy on the Gulf Coast, but what is our media focused on?"

The media is focused on politics and fitness for office, while McCain is focused on watching the weather.

Typical gutter dwelling.
Grow up!!!

Yes there is a reason she has an 80% approval rating. She promised dividens of $1500 to everyone in their household plus an additiona $ 1,200. I moving to Alaska. But could you please tell me how you rack up a 2 mil debt for 7,000 people when she was Mayor.

I love how he says that we should be focusing on the hurricane. Gee dude, is that why you conveniently announced the pregnancy news just as the hurricane made landfall? In the hope that the country would be preoccupied? My, what a big SPIN you have!

Thank GOD for our media. Without them, we would be lost.

Its not the pregnant teen daughter that's the problem. The problem is the hypocrisy. If Sen. Obama had a pregnant teen daughter, it would be portrayed as a sign of poor family values, and we would all hear about welfare mothers. In the case of a white female Governor, it becomes a sign of her "good" values that she is keeping the child. If it was a black teen, she would be accused of wanting more welfare. The religious right is showing its hypocrisy.

It's not about Palin or her family! It's about McCains' incredibly poor judgement and risk based decision making style. It's time the media stopped coddeling McCain and let's the voting public have an honest assessment of his intelligence,lack of good judgement and decades long creation of his phoney image!!!

The "tragedy" in the Gulf Cost just happened to be a light rain storm compared to the one that they ignored in 2005. Now the focus is back on who is going to steer our country in the right direction for the next four years. If the shoe was on the other foot and this was a Democrat candidate's daughter what would the GOP and its pundits be saying about this situation?

tragedy on the Gulf coast? They must still be talking about Bush's Lack of Leadership following Hurricane Katrina!
In regards to Candidate Palin--does McCain really, trully believe that the first mention of her daughters pregnancy was "innuendo""? If so, that means that McCain didn't Know. Another question is McCains judgement--he personnally selected the running mate--what does this say about his ability to judge?

Who cares? I'm worried about the war and the economy, not whose baby is whose, or what that means about Jesus. That's Jerry Springer stuff, and I can't trust a politician who wants to distract me with nonsense. Focus on the issues, people!

Rick Davis is right... we should be paying more careful attention to the Alaska media, and not the NY Times, when it comes to Sarah Palin -- after all, they know her best. And it is the Alaska media that is questioning Sarah Palin's ability to be the Vice President -- see Saturday's editorials in the state's major newspapers (and these are not exactly liberal rags).

Are you joking? The media has been totally biased in favor of Palin, despite the fact that she is under investigation for ethics problems.

Since we are talking about vice presidential candidate's children, why is no one talking about Joe Biden's son? Biden's son is currently under "criminal" investigation. So let us all be responsible, take time to explore why, and report this news with the same level of enthusiasm???

NIce to nkow he's finally come around to see who his true allies are. Not the media.

McCain gambles the future of this nation by shooting from the hip and with a nakedly political move names an unqualified running mate who he hopes will appeal simultaneously to the disgruntled far-right conservatives and the disaffected Clinton progressives. He claims, incredulously, that her time as a beauty-queen mayor in a town of 8,000 (and who as a Creationist not only believes the earth was created in six days but supports teaching the same religious dogma in your child’s science class) is the intellectual equivalent to being President of the Harvard Law Review. McCain chooses political theater over national security by professing his future Vice President’s executive experience fighting for oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge has prepared her for being one heartbeat away from taking on a belligerent Iran, an unstable Pakistan, a resurgent Russia and an unfinished Iraq.

The prime requirement of a Vice President is readiness to step into the office of President at a moment’s notice. Period. As a former naval aviator, it is unconscionable that Senator McCain would take an enormous tactical risk that leaves the nation without a parachute.

Lisa Bloom, a Court TV anchor, says of Sarah Palin, "She's integrating her mom quality as a key part of her résumé. We didn't do that in the press; she did that."

And that's why the press is on her family's a$$!

Good luck.

Palin for President!

McCain has chosen a candidate for VP that obviously was unvetted. He can't blame the media for exploiting the gapping holes he left in her bio. They throw red meat to the dogs and expect them to not eat it? Judgement???? McCain you have sold your sold too the far right just to win an election - you are no Maverick - you are now pandering and it's not attractive.

Thanks to the Internet, the electorate is way ahead of you. This story was out on Friday and got worse yesterday! The National Enquired exposed her and told her there would be a full story. THAT IS WHY YOU GUYS EVEN ADDRESSED THIS. I am sure your campaign told you that by the time they found out about Bristol, you would be in the White House. You are a victim of not being in the information age. It's a shame that Joe Average was able to do a better job of vetting Palin than you did. You are indeed a relic and not worthy of the highest office of this country

I thought the news media was going to be super supportive of a woman in power. Apparently only a liberal woman will do. What about a black in high places. What about Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice? The media would have given them more well deserved praise had they been democrats. I am sick and tired of the media constantly leaning towards the left. President Bush was elected two terms in a row, because the people put him there. The people are predominately Republican.

There's no need to attack her, her abstinence only sex 'education' stance is already bearing fruit.

Sarah Palin is a breath of fresh air for the United States. I admire her immensely and hope she can make substantial changes in Washington. I will definitely vote for McCain-Palin for the United States.

We should be more concerned about the enormous damage caused by Bush and his cronies than whether or not a teen age girl is pregnant.

I, for one, support Sarah Palin and her promiscuous, non-condom using daughter.

He's smart... this "point to the media" trick has worked before. If this works out the way McCain hopes it does, then all of the mainstream media will be extra critical of Obama/Biden and extra sensitive to McCain/Palin out ot fear being labeled "biased liberal media".

Boo-frikidity-hoo. Somebody call the "WAH-mbulance".

Sure, when all else fails, blame the media.

The media blasting Palin about her daughters pregnancy is despicable. I don't get the connection between Palin's stance on the issue of teen pregnancy, and her daughter CHOOSING to ignore the advice. I for one didn't follow ALL my parents advice, but is that my parents fault? Hardly. They did their best to teach me and encourage me to make good choices. Kids don't always listen to their parents...that doesn't mean the parents are bad parents, or that their advice was bad.

Palin should withdraw!!!

Hurricane Gustav was a dangerous storm that had prospects of becoming a tragedy; it is perfectly fine for the media to focus on the VP’s pregnant daughter, however. Why? Because John McCain is attempting to be the man in charge when the next Hurricane Gustav hits.

It’s not as much a focus on whether or not Palin’s eldest daughter is pregnant, but more so the fact that it appears more and more that John McCain did not vet his VP as thoroughly as he claims.

"I'm an Alaskan, not an American. I've got no use for America or her damned institutions."

"Country First" huh? McCain, you just lost the election. Just because your adviser is Karl Rove's protege doesn't mean you should have let him choose your VP for you. If you hadn't panicked after the DNC went so well, you might not have picked someone who you didn't realize was a member of a separatist party.

Unfortunately for the Republicans, the American people are not as stupid as they think. When you make your #2 pick based on nothing whatsoever except that she might pull some right-wing votes, it comes back to bite you.

Give the American people a break. We all know how this story would unfold if Obama's child was the pregnant one.

"Yesterday the whole country is riveted by the tragedy on the Gulf Coast, but what is our media focused on?" he asked.

We're focused on another fundamentalist who thinks sex education, birth control and hurricane preparedness are a waste of time because God does what he will. Palin and the hurricane response are the same story, folks.

I think religion i.e. pro choice , right to life etc should be kept out of politics.
This pregnancy of the Govenor's daughter is a great way of hiding the real issues of the day that are not being addressed by Mr. McCain.

Ain't it funny that the news media finds it so terrible that Gov. Palin's daughter is unwed and pregnant, but the GLORIOUS ONE from Illinois is of unwed decent himself, is so for abortion rights, kind of makes me wonder why his mother kept him. Sweep in front of your own door , first, liberal idiots!

The probelm here is you are conservative. Teenage pregnancy is not conservative. This isn't her only drawback either.

Too Bad Gov. Palin's Family Ignores Their Mother's so-called Family Values, the flavor is in the pudding, not in the cook.

ah yes, using the hurricane as a cover for one of the most foolish political maneuvers (not to mention the most cynical) of the last quarter century.

sorry john, but eventually everyone gets tired of being lied to:
--that a governor for 18 months and before that a mayor of a tiny town is fit to be president if need be;
--that your pick of a woman was not solely based on politics and that this woman is most prepared to be VP (more than condi rice, susan collins, or christie whitman?)
--that you properly vetted her and did not make a rash, wild and reckless decision

as barack obama said thursday night: ENOUGH.

Palin is certainly more qualified than Obama, especially her knowledge of energy sources for the country is highly relevant. What expertise does Obama have? Well, let's talk about Palin's pregnant daughter. That's where this discussion is going.

Im sorry did i miss something, was this a emaculate conception,Im sorry I thought teenage pregnancy was something thats been around awhile, so whats news!!

Our media is focusing on exposing some lies that McCain and the Alaska mom who is claiming her daughter's baby as her own are trying to sell us. When will McC learn that truth is always best!

It is incredible to me that the media think there is something newsworthy about a pregnant teenager!!! How in H--- does that reflect ANYTHING on her mother???

Please let the nation know the beliefs of the Assembly OF God denomination. After you explain speaking in tongues, no dancing, no movies, no make-, etc the public can draw its own conclusion./

The press is in the cesspool as usual slinging mud everyone who does not agree with their agenda.

McCain made a mistake in his choice of VP. Palin is a very attractive woman with a good list of achievments. But the personal baggage she would bring to the Office of Vice Presidency indicates McCain did not do his job of vetting her. The effort of the Republican party to silence the press will work against them. Democrats, Independents and even some Republicans have, because of the track record of the administration of Bush, lost faith in politicians proclamation of "truth". McCain is swimming upstream when his declarations do not match what the common person would perceive as common sense.

Jeramiah Wright... "nothing to see here, move along"
William Ayers... "nothing here either, keep moving"
Tony Rezko... "Nope. Nada. Nothing..."

Palin's Daughter is gulp, PREGNANT!!!!! OH MY GOD!!! CALL OUT THE HOUNDS!!! How COULD she???? Palin is a vile, evil disgusting woman!!!! A TERRIBLE mother!!!!

Oh, the hypocrisy of the left wing media. What a raging joke.

The Main Stream Media is in the Tank for the Democrats, and has been since the 60's. Let's See:

Having Terrorists; Racists; Felons; and Anti-Semites as Friends is OK? But a woman with a Down's Syndrome Baby and a Pregnant Daughter is a Problem?

Go Figure...

yet another example of our left wing media trying to demonize what seems to be, a very talented woman (Sarah Palin).

Wonder why Joe Biden was not scrutney?

I do not care that Sarah Palin's daughter is pregnant. I wish her the best.
Now lets talk about somthing that matters..Pick a subject Health care, National debt, the unjust power the media has in our democracy.................

Republicans will hold up a sheet of black paper, say it's white and EXPECT US TO BELIEVE IT! Masters of illusion aren't they?

Its simple. The republican party cant run around advocating abstinence and have the VP's 17yr old daughter getting pregnant. Or they have to omit that there ideas/plan for birth control does not work.

obvious it doesnt if the girl is 17 and isn't married. Maybe if she had been taught to use a condom she wouldn't be in this situation.

Funny that the media didn't attack Palin until she was picked as the Republican VP. This is typical of CNN, NY Times, and other liberal media outlets. They use dirty tactics to try to help Democrats and hurt Republicans.

It's called republican family planning. No need to question it. There's no sex education and no condoms involved. Weddings are shotgun. Get used to it.

The Liberal media (CBS;NBC;ABC;CNN;MSNBC) are sinking to a new low in news reporting. Even Larry King who most of the time does a "Milk - Toast" interview was persistant in making what Gov. Palins family is going through as being somehow unique and all MOMS fault! It amazes me how the Libs are trying to connect an independant decission by her daughter to have pre-marital sex to being reflective of the Governors beliefs. Wow! As a father of 4 adult children, I only wish kids did what parents wanted them to do, especially as they get close to adult age.

Maybe Bristol Palin was tired of taking care of her siblings and decided to have one of her own.

This is common problem of the teenage. The media use the girl to attack her mother. It is no shame. Please mention Obama's mother at the same time for balancing the information. Family affair is not the subject for election

Leave Sarah Palin's family alone. Sin confessed should be forgiven and forgotten, not made a political football out of. I John 1:9

Um, they're focused on Christian Conservative and Republican HYPOCRISY Mr. Davis. If the pregnant shoe were on a Democrats foot, you christian jihadist would be ALL OVER IT, but when it's one of your own, well, we see how you like to spin the issues.

I say good for McCain. He sure has class on this one. No parent can control a teen's every action not even it she's a vice presidential candidate.

The mainstream media is out to lunch on this one.

stop hiding behind Gustav...

You're the media. Can I annoy you by attacking her? Wait...if the media is attacking her, does that mean this article is an attack? Or that this isn't media?

Honestly. It's time people stop blaming or elevating the media, or lumping them into a single box. If the media is talking about something, it's because people, at least some of them, want to hear about it.

LET HE WHO IS WITHOUT SIN, CAST THE FIRST STONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If I could ask this pregnant teenager one question, it would be "were you surprised when you became pregnant after being intimate with your boyfriend?" If Sarah Palin wants to keep her kids ignorant regarding important issues like making babies and staying free of sexually transmitted diseases, that's her business. When she wants to make such ignorance state policy and perhaps national policy, that's another thing all together. Alaska rates very poorly in terms of teen pregnancy and teen STDs. Wonder why?

Ignorance kills. These flat earthers cannot be given political power.

News of Barack Obama's half-brother living in a Kenyan slum has been ignored by most American news outlets, yet news of Bristol Palin's pregnancy has received full coverage. Both stories are relevant to judging the character of Sen. Obama and Gov. Palin, because both reflect on how they respond when public problems (poverty and teen pregnancy) become personal. Yet Palin's gets covered instantly and Obama's does not.

I've been doing journalism in one form or another for most of my adult life. It is hard for me to ascribe this asymmetry as anything but partisan bias.

I think the media has no business delving into Palin's family affairs. Her daughter's pregnancy is not news worthy, does nothing to add campaign wise and I am astonished the media is bringing up Palin's husband's DUI when he was 22. Former and current Presidents have also had DUI's and I'm sure the bars are full of potential DUI media maniacs after hours. Should we bring up their sorid pasts. Stick to the real issues, economy, tax reform, ending the war on Iraq, making America take care of America first, stopping illegal immigration. Your plate is full enough with those issues.

Political Correctness (disingenuity) is the hallmark of today's media. They are protected under the second amendment because they were traditionally thought of as a counterpoint to government at all levels. Now they have become the marketing arm of the government, which is now a liberal establishment designed to thwart the will of the people.

80% approval comments is laughable its reminds me of george bush approval of over 90% in the past and now everyone wants to avoid him and distant himself from Bush including McCain

to the Media....Don't we have bigger things to worry about?

How many of us were perfect teenagers.?
Sara Palin has shown to be a good parent.
Are you without Stain? I approve of her accomplishments. She will be a
fine VP.

Hey man, at least the media isn't lying about Palin like Fox News has about Obama. I mean, it's horrible for him that she lets her daughter drink alcohol while underage, drink alcohol while pregnant, have sex without protection, act irresponsibily by dropping out of high school and then enter a marriage she's clearly not prepared for but none of those observations are based on lies. It's well documented that all those things happened and sure - they show a lack of parental responsibility, good upbringing and lack of character on the part of Ms. Governer, but it's not innuendo if those are the facts.

Unlike Obama being Muslim and taking the oath of office on the Koran and Michelle and Barack making "terrorist fist jabs" which are actual hysterically funny lies that the media has reported as truth based on... wait for it...

NEGATIVE INNUENDO!

Two questions -
When is the child's birthday? She's 17 years old and 5 months pregnant.
Is the father being charged with statutory rape?

Uhhhh . . . I saw a lot more of New Orleans on CNN last night than I saw about Palin's daughter.

Reporting what was in an official press release is not "innuendo." Citing that Palin knows about foreign policy because of AK's proximity to Russia is.

When all else fails, atttack the messenger. That doesn't bode well for free speech if McCain is elected, especially in light of his VP pick's history of banning books when she was mayor and firing the librarian who refused to bow down to censorship.

The (leftist) media is annoyed? Keep up the good work McCain!

Since when do we condemn a person for a mistake in judgment? This is a private matter and does not impact Gov. Palin's ability to be the VP. She's done more in her life than most of us and, I for one, will pull the lever for John McCain because of her. Further, let's focus our attention on the democratic candidate....have we forgotten about Wright, Weathermen and Rezko.

Look to your own family and then cast stones if you must.

It matters not one iota if members of a family are in the public eye, each and every family has its own trials and tribulations. And joys. And blessings. None of us are spared.

This latest 'news' item, if that is what you want to call it, has nothing to do with Sarah Palin's abilities as a govenor, a VP or a Mom. It's life. Pure and simple. Now let's get on with choosing the newest leaders of the free world. McCain and Palin have my vote!

I understand this is a "family" matter but part of being a good parent is installing the morals you as a person feel are good and honest morals to have. If John McCain were to croke while president (And that is a real possibility given his massive novel of medical records) that would mean Gov. Palin would be president and if she can't even keep her own daughter from getting pregnant at 17 then how could she handle the expansive reach of the presidency of the United States? Vote Obama if you want hope and a positive transition into the 21st century because we can not rely on foreign oil. If you vote McCain may God have mercy on your soul because you are just plaguing the world with 4 more years of George Bush and we all know how the last 8 turned out!

Excellent question.

palin failed in her own house. Sex without marriage in the house of morality -defendents.shame!shame!shame!

Do as I say not as I do hypocracy as usual from the republicans.
I guess No experience is ok when they choose a candidate. If the dems do it though its treason.... typical and expected.

Tradegy Category 2 hurricane

Katrina - Cat 5 hurricane- apparently not a tradegy in the republican eyes.

Whatever... Do they really think people Arn't going to talk about palin's bad parenting? And the fact the the repoblicans are going to try to stand on stage and adress the nation with a platform that highlights abstinence as their sex education stance?!?

Has McCain lost his mind?!?

Nice try Ricky Davis!

This isn't about the pregnant daughter. It's about the poor vetting and even poorer choice by the Presidential candidate.

If he makes this kind of bone head choice when not truely under pressure, what would he do at 0300 in the morning during a crisis.

McCain doesn't belong any where near the Presidency, and Palin doesn't belong anywhere near the White House.

So she pregnant its not the first teenage girl to get pregnant. I think the new media should spend there time on something that is really news. Maybe the media could spend a little more time on what good things are being done in Iraq. The GI is doing alot of good things to help that country but all we get is how bad things are, not one thing about the good things we are doing. As for the people running for the President of this country it doesn't make any diffrence who gets in Congress and big bussiness controls this country. When the people of this country decides to step up to the plate and fire the whole bunch and new people who will be for the people there will be no change just the same old thing with a different name running it.

I get really tired of hearing my fellow dems whine about how they are the “righteous” party, and how all repubs are inherently evil. I vote dem because it fits (most) of my belief systems, not because I think we hold the moral high ground. At the end of the day, it is still the Dems who were pro-slavery in the Civil War, and the reps who fought against it, so there are no moral absolutes in either structure, and there are none now. Vote for who you want with immunity. That is the law of the land

Give us a break...She is not the first and not the last teen. As a parent you can influence a child's decisions, but you cannot make the choices for them. No one is to blame here. Leave this family alone!

If this is an example of McCain's level of leadership and judgement, it's a poor one indeed.

I agree that this is a family matter and not to be used politically. With Palin's beliefs in anti-abortion (even rapes and incest), humans aren't responsible for global warming (over 95% of experts say it's true), she didn't like the idea of polar bears being put on the endangered list because it would affect oil drilling in Alaska (total lack of protecting nature), and her complete backing of Bush, that's where the media should drill this totally inexperienced and scary person...

From the New York Times, Aug 30:

"Ms. Palin has been a rising star on the right since she beat an incumbent governor in a Republican primary in 2006 and then a former Democratic governor in the general election. With an approval rating around 80 percent, she is among the most popular governors."

Nice try, Davis.

Outstanding point. True as an Alaskan blue sky.

I think this whole issue is being wrongly framed. This is not about a teenage girl getting pregnant and it's not about what parents should do if they found out their
teenager was knocked-up.

This is about a hypocritical political party that is always espousing ...Family Values This! Family Values That!

But when it's them in the spotlight with they're dirty laundry being aired... it's alright, we know what we're doing.

Republikkkan Party= Do as we say...Not as we do!
We're the party of Family Values!

Agree completely with Rick Davis

If Palin has a 80% approval rate, it is with local Mayberry (oops I mean Wasilla) residents who like the fact that she ordered tasty hotdogs for the spectators at the local dog sled race and the fact that she baked great brownies for the PTA fundraiser. She does not have an 80% approval rate with people who know what it takes to VP of America and think she's ready.

Besides, it's a non-issue, since it's been discovered that Palin used to be a member of a separatist (maybe even TRAITOROUS) anti-American group that wanted to have Alaskans vote on having Alaska secede from the union and become it's own country. The group's motto was "Alaska First, Alaska Always." McCain's current campaign slogan is "Country First." Anyone see any contradiction here?

Hhmmm.. a former America-hating radical for VP? That's what you get, when you let McCain make his legendary 'maverick' irresponsible decisions.. he likes to shoot first and aim second.

Oh, but it's ok that Caribou Barbie lied to America about refusing a pricey bridge that she actually supported, because she sold he predeccor's plane on the internet. So she's a hero, right?

Do you think Palin will have an 80% approval rate on the raising of her newborn baby Trigg, who has very special medical and parenting needs? How can a person say that Palin is a 'hero' for giving Trigg life, then say that it's okay for Palin to dump Trigg on someone else to have someone else raise Trigg while Palin spends the next 4 or 8 yrs traveling all over the nation and the world.

ANYONE can create a life, then have other people be responsible for the daily care and daily parenting of that precious life. Palin's husband will have his hands full with baby Trigg, Bristol's baby, plus Bristol and Bristol's 2 other young siblings in the house. I don't think one parent is sufficient for all the needy kids in Palin's house.

Palin probably slams absentee fathers who don't participate in the actual day-to-day raising of their children, and now she wants to do the same thing.

Ms Palin is certainly not quallified to be V.P. Is this selection part of the dumbing down of America? Does McCain think all of us are stupid? Perhaps!

If you believe in abstinence only education and your teenage daughter gets pregnant, it does relate to your character. It says: I choose to teach my children based on my beliefs in spite of the fact that all studies and surveys say this is exactly what will happen if you teach that way. I'm also going to impose my beliefs on you, despite the fact that I don't care whether or not they're for the best, you should all believe what I believe and I don't care about the consequences.

Most of the population of the USA know someone or are related to someone with the same said scandal of teenage pregnancy. Mistakes of of the human are made daily concerning morals, Start in ones on back yard I say!!!! In a country of such enormous trials and concerns... only someone judgemental would stick to this story of pregnancy as a reason for a mother to be vice president. My mother raised me, I was a teenager who became pregnant at 17, my daughter from that pregnancy is exceptional, my mother is also. The United States have polution, hunger, homeless, people without health care, schools going down the drain,not to mention leaders that somehow commit moral wrong doings themselves and are still in office or have family members who are. America get off your high horses and concentrate on the important issues... War, again hunger in our country.....This young lady having a baby should be her families affairs, poverty,and high gas prices should be yours(ours).

The personal life of a child or relative does matter; focus on the person, and their issues. The fact that the candidate does not support programs that could benefit those that are less fortunate than her offspring should be the topic.

I find it extremely hypocritical of the media and the Democrats to make Gov. Palin's family an issue while maintaining the families of candidates should be off limits.

I am growing more and more disillusioned with the media.

Sasha, you're a moron. Please stop writing blogs. You are truly the epitome of a right wing shill.

The In-The-Obama-Tank media deserves all the crap that can be hurled at it. It's disgusting how they ran with the pregnancy story.

Why is it a "Scandal"?? A girl is pregnant. You know what? That happens every day in this country. I don't know what's worse, the media that ALWAYS blows everything out of proportion, or the people that buy into their crap.

If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen... what is good for the goose is good for the gander... There is no such thing as a "left wing media" but there is FOX News, Associated Press and WSJ which is blatantly biased. The path of rightousness always narrows... to the point of corruption.

Scandal? What scandal? You are guilty as charged.

If this came out about Obama's daughter - there would be discussion about it being an example of what's wrong with America and it's lack of family and Christian values. What's up with the Hillary voters who have now decided that having a woman as a VP candidate is going to change the fact that the republicans want to send their kids to war. The leaders in the Feminist movenment wanted women to be empowered - not to put character on the back burner. Thank God she is a women with the means so she can take care of a child with special needs - being Gov. in Alaska affords her more time then being a VP. Someone else will have to raise that child which may have been part of her impetus to keep the child in the first place - that person's called a nanny. Please wake up America!

I truly feel that McCain's choice is a good one. We need more average people in Washington. There are too many lawyers getting fat off of the system, and from high-powered lobbyists filling their wallets. Some of the politicians in Washington are no better than people who abuse government sponsored programs such as welfare, bankruptcy laws and Medicaire/Medicaid. Sarah Palin is someone who might actually have the guts to stir things up in Washington, so that we - the average people of the United States can get ahead. Gas at almost $4.00 per gallon, failing economy, the foreclosure crisis, etc.. - the liberals are all pointing their fingers at Bush, but it is high time that ALL of our Senators and Congressman were held accountable for what is going on. The President right now is being used as a scapegoat for everything that is going on and they all know that they are just as responsible, but they are too afraid to admit it and they are too weak to standup for what is right.

"Growing scandal" ... un-flippin-believable Sasha. Your choice of words here are pathetic. You have a young teen that makes a mistake while doing everyday life who will now have to suffer global embarassment thanks to people like you who find it pleasurable and profitable to go after minor children in order to have some kind of a story to turn in.
Ever wonder why most reputable media outlets refuse to print the names of minors involved in incidents of any kind that could negatively mark them for their forseeable future?
You need to reassess your threshold for bottom feeding.

The National Enquirer scooped the media with Edwards, now the media is
being "tabloid". America loves an underdog, especially one that represents
middle America. The left wing bloggers and the media embarrass Obama
and contribute to his downfall.

Obama's mother was an pregnant with him at age 17. She didn't get married until she was 3 months pregnant when she finally married the father who was already married to another woman with other children. Should she have gotten an abortion???

If so, we would not be graced with a politician (Obama) with NO legislative experience who has snowed the DNC into thinking he could be President.

Maybe Bristol's baby will grow up to become President too...

Biden raised 2 boys on his own and had a career. No problem right?

Michelle Obama has 2 small kids, worked outside the home. No problem right?

Give me a break Dems...is THIS all you got???? Just shows the world you are scared to death of Sarah Palin because she has done EVERYTHING you Dems say women can do (have a family AND a career) WITH family values. She trumps your propaganda with her real life and THAT is a very good reason for you to be scared.

Republicans walk the talk. WE have the Reform ticket.

McCainPalin 2008!!!

I think the media is focusing on something that is not important in this election. They should be focusing on the issues like our economy and our homeland security. These are the questions that should be asked those who are running for public offices. How they are going to solve these. We should take care of cleaning our own home before we can meddle with our neighbors. The private lives of our candidates should be left alone. These are not the issues

I lived for 14 years in Northeast. That's why I don't have to spend any time in purgatory when I die.

For most of my life I have been trying to warn westerners (am a rocky mountain native) about how ethnocentric and elitist northeasterners are. Please continue your bashing? Because some hispanic mothers and apolitical westerners I know are beginning to take notice (Sarah's husband is native american).

Red vs. Blue- we've the energy, the food, the water, the men and the guns.
:-)

It's about time the media begins to report factual news and leaves political charactor assination to the pundits.

Personal stories inform domestic policy - Palin's faith, beliefs, and values all affect her family. But what about others' faith, beliefs and values...
I hope Sarah Palin and her daughter made the CHOICE that was right for them. I trust they will also allow every woman and teenage girl to make their own VERY PERSONAL CHOICE when facing the same challenges.
BTW - Abstinence-only programs have no evidence of effectiveness. Now the Palin family understands that first-hand. Would a McCain administration?

Did the media say anything when Albert Gore Jr. was arrested for drunk driving, right before the DNC? No....A 17 year old is pregnant. Is this illegal? Can Sarah Palin be convicted of anything. Can Bristol be convicted of anything?

Mr Davis [McCain campaign] - The media and American public are quite capable of multi-tasking, thank you.

I've know Governor Palin for five days and I know this.
1. She is a lactating mother with a Downs baby
2. She campaigned against sex education in schools and her teenage daughter is now pregnant.
3. The boy who did it has a website in which he says he doesn't like children and that he is a f**king redneck
4. Governor Palin was credited by McCain for stopping the "bridge to nowhere" but 2 years ago she campaigned as a supporter, said she was insulted by the reference, and she helped keep the money for the bridge, 220 million, even tho they didn't build it.
5. She tried to get a highway patrolman fired after her sister divorced him and when the Public Service Comission
er wouldn't do it, she fired him and now has an attorney defending her against corruption charges.
6. She is a creationist and thinks the world was miraculously created a few thousand years ago which is perfect for McCain who says he has no use for the Internet and knows little about the economy.
7. Mayor Palin was very successful in obtaining federal money for the small town of Wasilla. This is the pork she is determined to fight?
8.

I agree that Bristol's pregnancy is not a reflection of Gov. Palin's personal morals or decisions. Like the old saying goes, "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink." As a parent, you try to impart, to the best of your ability, your belief system and moral values. However, children most likely are not going to believe exactly the same or make the same decisions. This should definitely NOT change any views of Gov. Palin, herself.

I truly feel that McCain's choice is a good one. We need more average people in Washington. There are too many lawyers getting fat off of the system, and from high-powered lobbyists filling their wallets. Some of the politicians in Washington are no better than people who abuse government sponsored programs such as welfare, bankruptcy laws and Medicaire/Medicaid. Sarah Palin is someone who might actually have the guts to stir things up in Washington, so that we - the average people of the United States can get ahead. Gas at almost $4.00 per gallon, failing economy, the foreclosure crisis, etc.. - the liberals are all pointing their fingers at Bush, but it is high time that ALL of our Senators and Congressman were held accountable for what is going on. The President right now is being used as a scapegoat for everything that is going on and they all know that they are just as responsible, but they are too afraid to admit it and they are too weak to standup for what is right.

republicans need dumb hillbillies in order to win. the dumber the better, that's why sarah palin is the perfect fit.

What scandal? She's pregnant - big deal. At least she didn't choose to abort the pregnancy. Sounds like the Palin family practices what they preach. How refreshing! But what difference does it make anyway? Her daughter isn't running for office so why would anyone care what she does in her personal life? You want to talk about scandals? What about Obama's ties to Rev Wright and William Ayers. Now those are scandals. They (the media) seem to have swept those unpleasantries under the rug. Davis is right. We should focus on the issues that matter not nonissues that have no bearing on electing our president and vice-president. How sad.

The media should be blasted. They consistantly debase everyone.

Even my fellow Muslims at the mosque support Governor Palin; notwithstanding, the pressure to support our brother Muslim! Praise Allah!!

Sen. McCain, in an insipid effort to appeal to the dis-affected Hillary claq,
chose a woman without vetting her carefully and is now obliged to reduce
his gaffe by concentrating on the Louisiana drama & scoffing at anyone who
questions his 'choice.' Feh, Senator! You just tripped over your Christian
evangelists.

either Party with the help of media would focus on controversies to arouse public attention ... nothing new with what we already figured out ...

Gasp! So Bristol is pregnant. How awful. Probably the first time in history this has happened. Palin must be an unfit mother. There's no other conclusion that could be drawn. And she killed a caribou too! Simply appalling to think that anyone living in Alaska would hunt. She may be a popular governor there, but she still has caribou blood on her hands.
If Palin had driven her daughter to the hospital for an abortion, then used that forum to gather the press around her and celebrate her daughter's right choose, she would be hailed as a hero by the left.

Evidently the media has nothing else to report on and find that reporting on
insignificant issues is a big draw for the different stations. What do they
think, that the public is ignorant and will focus on Ms. Palin's private life. We only
want to know more about the candidates professional live's. The media
should drop the supposed political coverage and provide the real scoop so
Americans can determine who we will elect to the White House.

who cares about the media.they are just a bunch of liberal nuts anyway. most sane people in the contry know that 88 percent of the print and tv newsmedia in this country is liberal and just ignore them. the problem is the people that don't follow politics believe their garbage.

The media did not hunt this story. Palin put her own daughter squarely in the sights of this political shotgun. She issued the press release. If this was a private matter she should have handled it privately, as she did with the birth of her son. Did she announce his possible downs syndrome prior to his birth? No. Why? Because it was a private matter. You want to keep a matter private, don't issue a press release, then act upset because the media covers the story.

And there are lots of dumb people who fall for the arguement every time, that the enemy is "the media".

Let me make this simple, the medias job is to get people to read/watch/tune in and generate a profit. Once you put it into that perspective, it doesn't surprise you why they covered the Palin story the way they did.

The funny thing is that politicians have made people resent the only real line of defense we have against a corrupt government, the media. How many times did the media take a hit after it was found out Iraq was a big lie because "the media didn't investigate".

It should be the expectation that the media can and will report on anything and everything. It's not the medias job to make moral judgements about what is and isn't newsworthy. The real questions are:

1. If this is a "private matter" why did McCains people issue a press release, then try to attack the press for actually covering the story!?!?!
2. What kind of judgement did McCain show by choosing a candidate he knew had some difficult issues going on in their lives? Was he naive enough to think the media wouldn't start looking at Palin a little more closely than just on the surface narrative?
3. Bristols pregnancy is a family thing, I get that, but is anyone asking what mom would put their 17 year old daughter under potential media scrutiny at such a personal moment? I don't fault Bristol for being pregnant, that's life, I do fault Sarah for not putting her family before her ambition (and btw, let me save you the phony "sexist" rhetort, if Sarah was a man, same logic applies. At some points your career ambitions MUST be tempered against the needs of your family).

In the end, this is all just a transparent and cynical vehicle for McCain and his people to try to rally his base against "the big bad media". At some point perhaps politicians like McCain will try to win on actual substance (*gasp*) rather than the gimmicky Rovian crapola. We deserve better than another 4 years of spin and finger-pointing.

Our media coverage would much rather talk about how Obama needs to demonstrate that he has more experience than Sarah Palin. One of the big problems with that is Barack Obama is not running against Sarah Palin. We should have a press release to remind people that Sarah Palin has been chosen for the VP spot.

The Republican ticket has put experience first. The Democrats have put a no show first time senator first. How many days has Barack shown up for work since the campaigning began? That time away cuts into his experience, or lack of...

Palin's daughter's pregnancy is personal, but it IS still a reflection of her "family values" stance that she would want the rest of us to abide by. Her belief in not allowing sex education in the schools and teaching abstinance only, has come home to roost. Believing a 17 year old should be married and with child is not exactly what i want my vice president to be ok with.

What does the daughter's pregnancy have to do with her mother being a candidate for Vice President? My goodness, how some of the media love to harp on those little things they think may cause a story. I was very disappointed in Diane Sawyer today. During her interview with John McCain's advisor, her face wrinkled up like an old prude and she "suspiciously" looked thoroughly disgusted at the thought that a 17 year old young woman would become pregnant. I know Diane is not living in the dark ages, we've seen her sweet little interviews with other young unwed mothers but their mothers weren't in "Diane's enemies camp" now were they! She said her point was that McCain and Palin support teaching
"Abstinance". Well, abstinance is a proven preventative for pregnancy isn't it?
I'm glad Bristol chose to have her precious child and I believe she will receive all of the love and support her family has to offer. I had never heard of Gov. Palin until last week but I really like her. I also appreciate Sen. Obama reminding us all that families, especially children, should be off limits to the media's biting attacks.

This is hypocrisy in its highest form...lord knows what would have happened if this was Obama's daughter. The extremist wing of the Republican party must think we are stupid...can anyone at the center please reclaim the soul of your party?

Why have we not heard about the babies father ?

I'm FOCUSED on an "old" man that is making bad judgments! What happens if HE would be unable to lead the Country? We then would have a VP with "experience" of a small town in Alaska. What would Mr. Putin then have... to deal with the USA? STRENGTH

It appears that Republican double standards are such that the media is biased and unfair when it dishes out Karl Rove-like methods to Republicans but a.o.k. when the Democrats are on the recieving end. If American politics and politicians (especially Republicans) concentrated on real issues instead of images, cheap shot sound-bites and hiding behind a mantle of assumed patriotism (it is after all, the ´"last refuge of scoundrels") there would be less of this ridiculousness and perhaps a larger set of realistic and complex solutions for complex problems instead of the usual hoplessly simple (insipid) solutions usually offered up by most politicians (e.g., off-shore drilling to solve U.S. energy gluttony...)

She is way to Rightwing for me and wish people would pay attention to this more than her daughters problems. She wants to leagalize shotting polar bears from airplanes for gods sake. She is just ready to take the title of Sarah Chenney.

The media is focused on one of the most important elections in modern times. As I recall, three years ago the media was indeed focused on the weather, but then I'm sure Mr. Davis would rather have had the focus elsewhere....again.

(Johm mc should retire:
nelson mandela did it & said the world doesn't need a 72 years old president)

80% approval rating?...I don't think so....

It's no worse than Bush's choice of Cheney with a lesbian daughter.

Mr. McCain has aggressively charged Obama with playing politics with the war in Iraq for political gain. Here we see Mr. McCain choosing a candidate for VP who is at best marginally qualified in order to get the women's vote. He seems to care little if she has been vetted or whether she is qualified to be president. In short, for his political gain he has chosen a VP that puts the country in danger should McCain die in office or become unable to serve.

And of course Palin's daughter will marry the father of the baby. Afterall, she's 17 and prepared to make a lifelong decision at that mature age. Her mother should be advising her against marriage. Why make 2 mistakes? But instead, to show that she is a good christian republican woman, she'll force her daughter to "do the right thing". After all, it's not her life, it's her daughters. Or is it?

The situation occurring in the Palin family is family business. The idea of splashing private information about a miinor as if she were a criminal is disgraceful. Clinton actually had illicit sex in the white house. This family situation happens to american families. The press has another think coming if they think this is acceptable news. The media is too sefl important these days. They spend more time inventing news and making predictions than actually reporting the facts and important stories. What has the media said about the true issues in this country? Why haven't they said anything about the 5 billion gas line Palin promoted ? I am not a voyeur. I am sick of the soap opera attitude of the entire media. Language and appearance is offensive and disrespectful to all who do not wish to hear it . It is a violation of our civil rights,

The press corps should be put in their place. For them to attack the children of a person running for office is appauling and VERY unprofessional. They should go crawl back under the rock they came from!

Is the pregnancy of an unwed teenager worth comment?
A fine example of morals for the modern teenager.
The emphasis on marriage being a religious ceremony appears to detract from the actual fact that it is a legal and binding contract between a man and a woman to safeguard their commitment to each other which includes legally having children together and raising the kids with high moral principles.
Having kids out of wedlock - the devil finds work for idle hands.
And when parents find reason to praise such activity their reasoning is certainly questionable.
It is obvious that Mc Cain's selection is only to attract the votes of the women who
lost out on Mrs.Hilary Clinton. That's how much he cares for the country,I guess!

Just about the time I think the Media can't sink any lower, they find a way. We have a hurricaine affecting our people and what is the main story of the day a young teenage girl's pregnancy. I find this information extremely in bad taste and has no political or newsworthy interest except to the rabid media. The announcement of Sarah Palin by Sen. McCain for his VP has been met with such positive reaction the only way the media could react was to try to smear her through her teenage daughter. The Today Show anchors when they couldn't find an interviewee to respond in a manner they wished resorted to so called "professional experts" to voice their psycho-babel which provided the negative response they were determined to get. Leave this young girl alone, its private and personal none of our business.

The media hasn't even mentioned that Sarah Palin was pregnant before she got married. Check the dates yourself... Track's birthday and her wedding anniversary.

Palin is our Obama. They can attack all they want but they must be very careful because she is a women you know! They are only attacking her because she is a women with a funny name, she is from a cold state and she's hot. The Dem's lose agian but what is really funny is this one was their's to lose. It's the Republicains that make history in the 08 election and the Dem's that almost made history.

17 year olds ALWAYS listen to their parents and NEVER have sex with their boyfriends, so this anomaly just HAS to be discussed over and over because of its unique nature, right?. All teenagers go to the doctor and get birth control because they carefully plan a sexual event- unlike the virgins until marriage that must be out there by the millions who criticize this girl. So this just HAS to be a huge newstory. Like Bigfoot. But not a news story like a hurricane with a massively successful evacuation, which surely should be more important? What family hasn't had a pregnant teenage girl or the father of said child in it somewhere on the family tree? What is sickening is that the family HAD to come out with this because of the horrible lies and rumors put out as FACT by the Daily Kos and picked up all over
the world. Palin should sue them for defamation of character and libel. I would.Just because Palin believes in abstinence class doesn't mean her daughter would. Anyone who is fertile can get pregnant if they have sex. So what?

WE ARE CONCERNED THAT THE 1ST MAJOR DECISION AS PRESIDENT IS THE VP CHOICE. MCCAIN FAILED. OUR WE DO BELIVE HE REALLY VETTED THIS PERSON AND QUALIFIED HER FOR THE VP SLOT. HOW IS HE GOING TO SELCT THE REST OF HIS CABINET. MYSPACE? MATCH.COM? ARE WE IN FOR MORE OF WHAT BUSH DID WITH CRONY'S PUT INTO POSITIONS THEY ARE NOT QUALIFIED FOR. ALBERTO WOULD MAKE A FINE FEMA DIRECTOR JOHN, FIVE HIM A CALL

The media is out of sync with what really counts and resorts to shock tactics. New Orleans is going through another crisis and the media is more absorbed on Palin's 17 year olds' pregnancy. What a shame. Look at what is happening in Minnesota in the area of the Republican Convention. I saw a picture of a police officer down and a crowd of demonstrators around him. In the forefront was a photographer taking pictures of the downed police officer. He was no better than the demonstrators......he should have been helping the downed officer. What have we become here in the USA, nothing but a bunch of rabble rousers who take advantage of a situation to cause mayhem. It's impossible for me to comprehend people spitting at convention dignitaries which also happened in Minnesota. Whakind of peopl

Bristol Palin's pregnancy is very germane to the presidential selection process now underway in the United States because John McCain's poor judgment in selecting her mother, Sarah Palin, as his running mate speaks to his suitability to be commander in chief of the United States of America.

Republicans--the folks who run on "family values" platforms--should be able to come up with a better vice presidential nominee than a woman who has only 20 months of experience as governor of Alaska and a 17-year-old daughter who is pregnant out of wedlock.

Sarah Palin is in no way suited to ever be president of this nation. She lacks experience, education, and a certain refinement and dignity essential for a political leader.

John McCain is not suited to be president of this nation because he showed too little judgment when he selected Palin in the first place.

Americans have suffered eight years of humiliation with George W. Bush, the most incompetent president of the modern era, in the White House.

We don't need more of the same. Enough is enough.

I am annoyed that the media chose to TRASH Governor Palin's UNDERAGE Daughter. She had to reveal any and everything because if she had not the media would have exploited that. Perhaps she and John McCain gave the media to much undeserved credit and thought that they would not TRASH a child to sell a newspaper. Then there is the fact that they are in love with Obama so I gess their efforts are to get him elected??
McCain/Palin gets my vote.

The hurricane coverage was actually the media drawing attention AWAY FROM the Republican convention and Ms. Palin's drama. They should thank the media for not covering the Republicans in all their incompetent glory. The Republicans just might get away with a "sound bite" smear campaign which would be good for them and VERY BAD for our country!

Perhaps the whole country - which would include our free press- should focus on the future of this nation, and which Presidential candidate has so far, demonstrated the leadership and thoughtfulness required to change the tragic course set by the Bush/Cheney year in power.

If governor sara could not manage her family, then she cannot manage america.

For me, as a married career woman, I am troubled by the fact that Palin is still willing to run for the vice presidency of the United States when she has an infant child with down syndrome. Working as a governor of a small state is one thing, but running for the the second highest position in the world is another with a special needs child. This is true for male candidates. When John Edwards did not give up his run for the presidency when his wife's cancer came back, I was disappointed in him, too. Since republicans are always talking about putting family first, it's really puzzling that they are still rallying around her. What this tells me is that they do not really care about family values and family--they only care about winning. Also, a candidate's teenage child getting pregnant should not be an issue, but we are right to question Palin's judgment on her stance on abortion, and her position against sex education and pregnancy counseling for our teenage girls.

Get out the burqas, American women! Our media is attacking another female who doesn't know her place. Just think how we would benefit if the 2008 version of journalism scrutinized male politicians and elected officials. Oops! housecleaning is relegated to the inferior female sex in this country.

to me, it's way less about Bristol's pregnancy, and lot more about a poor choice by McCain. One thing neither presidential candidate wants/needs is baggage and McCain had the opportunity to choose someone with less baggage. McCain just shot himself in the foot. (I guess that beats being shot in the face by Cheney)

Just how is this a " growing scandal"?

An unwed mother in 1953? Yeap, a scandal. An unwed mother now? Even those who are socially conservative probably wouldn't label this a scandal.

Most people think of a scandal like the dictionary does (in one of its definitions) " loss of or damage to reputation caused by actual or apparent violation of morality or propriety ."

I can see how government corruption would be a scandal, or extra martial affars like the one Edwards had - but being a teenaged unwed mother is - at worst - a bad choice, or a stupid mistake.

By the way, I am neither a fan of McCain/Palin or an unwed mother.

I understand that the pregnancy has attracted a lot of attention. But even those who are attacking based on the pregnancy seem to be making the saner point that it shows care in the vetting process for Palin.

Who cares? He only picked her because A) she is a she & B) she is younger.... Yep, I sure want a prez that bases decitions on what he thinks will make him a whinner.

The guy is spot on. Where are we in society when the details of an individual teenagers life is considered more newsworthy than everything else going on?
The NYT, and the mainstream media et al, along with every one of their advertisers should be ashamed of themselves.
Further- where is the same microscope being used on the opposing candidates?
Shameful.

I applaud Sarah Palin's daugter Bristol for supporting life over the abortion of her unborn child. Her child could grow up to run for President of the United States one day just like Barack Obama after his 18 year old mother gave birth to him. Imagine if Barack's mom had decided to abort him. Thank God she didn't and thank God Bristol is living her pro-life values and choosing to give birth despite the sacrifices she will have to make in her own life. No wonder I support Sarah Palin for vice-president.

Please send this reaction to the Senator: Please practice what you preach & inform Gov Palin that she should not exemplify the tradition Conservative practice of "Do what I say, not do as I do."As a retired school principal of 21yrs of service to young people and an educator of Special Needs children, and myself a pioneer & activist of the Woman's Movement of the 70's & proud mother of 2 young women professionals, I wonder who is teaching & inspiring & bonding with the children in her family? Who is teaching them family values? The media coverage of his decision making skills in the selection of a VP is important in order to highlight what he might do as a leader of our country in this critical election & time. Don't use Gustav as a disguise Only because of the media,do we have knowledge.

Forget the daughter and rumors that other baby is the daughter's too!

PEOPLE MUST READ; THE ANCHORAGE DAILY NEWS 1-27-08
"PALIN'S RESPONSES ON RADIO TALK SHOW VERY UNBECOMING"
This shows, in my opinion, that she does not need to be representing
our country. She is like an inmature cheerleader. Most men over the
weekend have had other unprintable comments!

The daughter apparently missed school five months prior to mother's
stating she had a baby...this might be rumors but now everything must
be explored as to this family.

I back women having choice in sex education, birth control, and right to carry a child to term.

Forget soccer mom...more like absent mom! Good thing her and her daughter are white or I could see other things that would be playing into this....Like who is going to pay for this child, who is going to educate this child now that she is pregnant. Who is going to force this male child into a marriage, etc.!!! SICK

Celebrities have illigitimate babies all the time. Their birth announcements are the cover of magazines and they are featured on prime time television NEWS AT SIX. The more famous unmarrieds sell pictures of their precious illigits for millions and of course the proceeds go to charities.

The very fact that this girl is keeping her child is to be applauded. Is is shameful to have a child out of wedlock or it is just shameful not to be famous and have a illigitimate baby. The democrats and the media are hoping to sensationalize something... anything... that will resurrect their diminishing momentum in this election.

Would it not be more shocking if the daughter had an abortion? THAT, quite sadly, would not be considered shameful AT ALL by her critics.

I wish this country ( i.e. the people) would get on with what's important. No more brittany or madonna sensationalism. Leave the petty personal life issues alone and start looking for what each canidate really brings to the table in terms of the positive attributes that they can offer. The whole anti-abortion/pro life, pregnancy/gay issues should be a personal choices because in the end we ALL have to answer to GOD for our actions.

Pallin is Unqualified and McCain never thoroughly checked her out

80% approval (Alaska ONLY) BEFORE the belated news release by the McCain Campaign about the pregnancy.
If McCain's VP decision was admitedly "shocking news" to most everyone as well as to his own staff, why wasn't there full disclosure about Palin as to avoid rocking the boat any further and avoid any embarassing or potentially destructive revelations about her past? Does anyone truly believe that someone with such a questionable past would ever be considered as a potentially viable VP candidate by the GOP if they actually knew about it in the first place?
How much more dis-information does the GOP think the general public is going to swallow?

Does this event call into question Palin's opposition to sex education?

Also, supporters applaud the teen's "choice to have the baby." Did she have a choice? Legally in Alaska? Given Palin's pro-life stance, it stands to reason her daughter was *not* given a choice. Should she have been?

It's entirely fair that this matter casts a spotlight on conservatives' views...withhold choice while giving it lip service; oppose government while giving it dominion over our bedrooms and the most personal events in our lives.

It's her (Gov. Palin's) business and her daughters, but it's our vote. We have every right to know whether our candidates are "family values" hypocrites or even liars.

If the baby Trig is Mrs. Palin's instead of her daughter's, then she has a lot of questions to answer. Why did she travel to Texas for politics so late in her pregnancy? Why did she choose to have the baby at a third-rate hospital in an Alaska village, since the baby was premature? Is this a possible cause of the birth defects?

All of this calls into question the judgement of Mrs. Palin and Sen. McCain. Ready to lead? He would be the oldest president and she would be the most inexperienced as far as public life. Is he getting senile? If he dies at his advanced age, will she be ready to take over?

Yes, there are lots of questions, and we expect the press to ask some of them.

A parent is obligated only for training up a child in a way he/she should go. Once this is done, the teenager makes a choice, either right or wrong, with the understanding you must suffer the consequences in whatever choices you make. The parent is not responsible past that point! So, Sarah Palin, I trust , did the best she could in raising her daughter. At 17, surely Bristol and boyfriend knew pregnancy was a possibility....."they" made the choice, so "they" have to live with it. Sad thing is that now a child is involved, who had absolutely nothing to do with the decision these two made just for the thrill of sex but this child's life will always be affected because of the decision Bristol and friend made. Should have waited until mature and could handle the great responsiblity a child brings into your life.

Let's get this straight. The Media is telling us to Annoy the media by defending Palin! ROFLMAO!!

I heartily agree.

The media is offending me by focusing on a single teenage pregnancy. They offend me by reporting what they feel is what I want to hear. Basically, they are assuming that I will find that piece of news interesting. Quit relegating me to the Britney Spears/Lindsay Lohan/Paris Hilton newsgroup. I am more interested in what Sarah Palin and McCain believe in, not a choice Palin's daughter made.

IT IS A FAMILY MATTER AND NOT AN ISSUE THAT NEEDS PLAYED OUT IN THE PRESS FOR POLITICAL REASONS.

SHAME ON THE MEDIA

Typical McCain ploy. when we screw-up, turn on someone else.

The methodology and nature of the Democrats and Democrat leaning press coverage is indicative of their real concern that Ms. Palin's has substance and she might resonate well with the American voting public. The American people deserve to hear about Ms. Palin's positions on issues and her credentials so as to formulate their own opinion on Ms. Palin's capabilities as the potential vice president. The media should provide objective, unbiased information which, unfortunately, they have failed to do to date as it pertains to Ms. Palin. Let the American people be educated on the issues and trust them to make the right decision for themselves.

80 % approval from a fraction of 1% of the population

Your Opinion Doesn't Matter!

Sarah will be a great VP, it is nice to see someone who can shoot from the hip without all the stuttering we here on the democratic side.
I am a lifelong democrat and Hillary supporter who is going republican this time...

Tragedy is something unforeseen. This strong storm should not be used as an excuse.

Come on Sasha! You know liberals, always concerned about Family Matters :-)

The Republicans have always been first to be hostile to the media whether it's reporting war or peace, life or death, weakness or power or a definitely pregnant teenager who's the daughter of a Vice Presidential nominee - who advocates for abstinence, drilling in ANWAR and is against abortions even in case of rape, incest, or Down Syndrome. Republicans are desperate to hold on to that image of what they certainly are not: moral, ethical, honest, hardworking, compassionate, concerned, and humanitarian. There is not a single great humanitarian among our present day Republicans, beginning with their first fear based leader Nixon, and eagerly carried forward by an equally cynical Ronald Reagan. Republicans only align themselves with fawning media hate mongers like Limbaugh, Hannity, Coulter, Malkin, Savage (or Michael Alan Weiner, a pseudo-person). If all of them were burning in Hell, I won't even spit on them.

A parent is obligated only for training up a child in a way he/she should go. Once this is done, the teenager makes a choice, either right or wrong, with the understanding you must suffer the consequences in whatever choices you make. The parent is not responsible past that point! So, Sarah Palin, I trust , did the best she could in raising her daughter. At 17, surely Bristol and boyfriend knew pregnancy was a possibility....."they" made the choice, so "they" have to live with it. Sad thing is that now a child is involved, who had absolutely nothing to do with the decision these two made just for the thrill of sex but this child's life will always be affected because of the decision Bristol and friend made. Should have waited until mature and could handle the great responsiblity a child brings into your life.

If this is democracy ( Mc Cain compaign and nomination of Sarah Palin ),
I better be communist or monarchist!
Natasha Gurevich,
Toronto, Canada

As a woman I was happy to see a woman chosen to be Vice President. My next mission was to do research on this lady. My research from local Alaska newspapers, Alaska governmental sites., Alaska governors state site, the small town she was governor at. I entered newspaper blogs to obtain information. Then I would research and move to validate. What have I found out??? I find she is feisty. She makes decisions quickly. I find many "red alarms". Since space is limited I can not get into. Anchorage Alaska Newspaper had 400+ pages of agency/governmental documents that were released by law enforcement union regarding "Trooper-gate Scandal." All documents were posted last Friday. I do not support Sarah Palin becauses of who she is and what she stands for. Danger!!

What did you expect from this? McCain's choice is a horrible as his campaign.

palin just had a baby 4 months ago and instead of caring for it she's touring the u.s with her nose up mccains crack whole. hahahahaha

Candidates and their people will be in the spotlight until the election. Each of the voters will judge them according to his or her political and unfortunately, personal beliefs.
Some readers and viewers, are attracted to such "innuendo" versus evaluating the positions of the candidates. The American voter will be better served by objective analysis of were the candidates have stood and now stand on the issues.
Lets hope that each is challenged on their positions and not their people.

Your Opinion Doesn't Matter!

Brilliant strategy. Yet more evidence that the Republican party is bankrupt beyond redemption .

Umm, in answer to Mr Davis's question: the media I've listened to seems to be focusing on the Gustav hurricane and its effects.

Davis seems to be: a)hoping to keep the pregnancy issue alive so they can continue the role of the righteously persecuted, and b) keeping the myth alive of a liberal media to stand up against..

Republicans are human just like Democrats - Could it be that that is the problem?
The press ignored Jimmy Carter's children - harped on which ever twin drank of George Bush's daughters - but live by the motto "Don't do as i do, it hits too close to our voting base. Goodness - look at the love affair with Hollywood by Demos.
From what I read Obama's mother was, if anything , a rebel and a free thinker.

Tsk.Tsk. media can't stand normal people who reside in the Republican Party. No mother or father would desire this situation - but who would give up a daughter to the liberal media appetite? Come in out of the dark ages - sex is not about education but emotions too hot to handle at the wrong time - Ask Bill -he'll tell you.

the news reporters just cause problems...!
no matter the subject....Iraq, or Sarah....
they always look for the negative......HOW can
a new baby be negative????

and what about all the schools and hospitals
our guys have built over in IRAQ???? So they
print that ......NO....................

Go for it Sarah........100%

Sure, defend someone just because people that annoy you are doing their job and asking questions. About the person that could be our next VP or even President.

I guess you'd rather we sit and wring our hands at home about an unstoppable force of nature.

MCSAME, IS THIS HOW YOU SHOW YOUR JUDEMENT AND CHARACTER. THIS IS THE STUPID DECISION YOU EVER MADE. WHY DO YOU PICK THE BRIDGE TO NOWHERE????

Yes the media has become extremely tiresome in focusing on small things that don't have big significance and ignoring the things that really imporant

The media was relentlessly and unceasingly focused on the hurricaine. Mr. Davis proves that in his statement. "the whole country was riveted". Well if the whole country was rivieted and the country gets its info from the media, what does Mr. Davis think the media was focused on.

The new york times is and has been against John Mc Cain from the get go that is why I and all freinds will not buy or read the times. John is an outstanding American and I'm sure he will make a great Pres. I am glad he picked the V.P. he did. I really am sick of hearing the jesture as to how many homes he owns, that is his business we dont care if he has 100. All we hope is that someone will guide our country and give us hope of the country we once new. I am a Veteran and proud to have served for God and Country. Both sides need to show us what they are planing to do for the country instead of finding fault with each other.

Your bias is so obvious in the verbage "growing scandal". Mainstream media, including your paper, demean themselves by the seeming infatuation with this private matter--to the exclusion of newsworthy stories. Grow up , move on, and demonstrate that you are more substantive than this would imply as a paper. Both candidates and most readers would appreciate focusing on the issues and performance
hikerdoc

Kinda like when people were dying in Bosnia and the only thing focused on was President Clinton's sex life. Why is it ok to drum up salacious scandals involving Democrats but not Republicans?

Bristol Palin's pregnancy is a non-issue. Just be ready for the sting when you get slapped in the mouth with non-issues, because Dems have been dealing with this garbage for decades.

80% approval (Alaska ONLY) BEFORE the belated news release by the McCain Campaign about the pregnancy.
If McCain's VP decision was admitedly "shocking news" to most everyone as well as to his own staff, why wasn't there full disclosure about Palin as to avoid rocking the boat any further and avoid any embarassing or potentially destructive revelations about her past? Does anyone truly believe that someone with such a questionable past would ever be considered as a potentially viable VP candidate by the GOP if they actually knew about it in the first place?
How much more dis-information does the GOP think the general public is going to swallow?

3 years ago when the media was focused on the tragedy in the Gulf Coast, what was John McCain doing. Cutting cake with W.

As an americn who parents were attacked and jailed to gain the right ot vote I see not humor in this...redcuing our vote to a joke

oh, btw, b. obama was boasting about his experience that he is more experience than palin because he is able to handle more than 3x the budget of gov. palin's city when she was still a mayor while he is able to handle that budget in a month. obama is boastful of his less than a year experience in holding such budget though he is not directly accountable to his donors unlike palin who has to make sure of what he is doing because her constituency are not the mere yes guys that obama has. this is what obama calls judgment and experience. okay bill gates you will be the next president coz you handle billions in a month.

IMHO, people shouldn't give a damn about annoying the media.

The legacy mainstream media needs to give us facts in their news stories, not opinions, innuendo, probablilities, guesses or theories. Such nonsense only implies a lack of facts in anything reported.

There is no scandal around Palin, nor her daughter - who is not a political figure. Just the title of this blog entry implies more than what is there. This is typical biased and anti-republican opinionating. It is this sort of old-school media balloon that gets put into a legitamate front-page story. It is small wonder subscriptions are declining and people are finding more reliable sources of factual information elsewhere.

A true scandal was passed over by rags like the Boston Globe: John Edwards' mistress and child.

As an americn who parents were attacked and jailed to gain the right ot vote I see not humor in this...reducing our our vote to a joke

I don't really get what the big deal is? The daughter is not on trial is she? Are we upset that the daughter has had sex? Has no one else had sex before? Are we blaming Sarah Palin for her daughter's promiscuity?

how about that Palin,dont tell them about the hardship with having a baby at age 17 --let alone not married-----Palin is one Greedy woman to make her daughter go thru this---wont stop til NOV>>>>>>robby

hypocrisy is a slippery slope....

I don't believe the issue is the daughter but one has to ask of the character of the mother and all of the other issues surrounding her (including troopergate, earmarks, and connection to a separatist group). At the same time if this where Obama's daughter the extreme right would be calling for blood.

In the end this patently speaks of McCain's gimmick motivations and points to how demeaning he actually is towards women. Particularly those that have worked extremely hard (if not harder than their male counter parts) to get to where they are today. I wonder if Mrs. Palin will be taking less pay, if elected, since McCain does not believe in equal pay for equal work?

How he thinks he has 80% approval rating for Palin is extraordinary.Two days ago noone had ever heard of her and even McCain had hardly ever spoken to her.All of a sudden she is the flavor of the month..give me a break!

There are hundreds of Senators,Govenors and Congressmen who have done far far more than she will ever do. She is a mediocre,Govenor in an area of 9000
people,one quarter the size of Brooklyn...I do not think she has the qualifications to ever be President,a Country of 350 million people.

Much ado about nothing the point here is Sarah Palin is John McCain's exit strategy. The means by which he can lose the election while saving face because he chose a woman as a running mate. Nothing more, nothing less.

What else is new? I recall that at the time when Obama was racing with Clinton, the media kept telling us almost EVERY OTHER DAY that delegate(s) so and so turned their cheeks away from Hilary. In short, we are brainwashed by the things that we read. That's the price of democracy.

DNA testing for the whole northern red neck Palin clan. We can't wait for the movie. Jed and Granny Clampett

The Teenage daughter's pregnancy speaks for itself the kind of influence McCain's choice for VP really is within her own home. Doesnt she Palin need some good Parenting classes. They are offered all over the world by UNO as well if a county cannot afford and USA puts up a big chunk of that money. So go figure.

everyone should get back on point.we're not electing a teenage daughter.the main stream news should be ashamed going after this young girl.

What is the media focused on? I watched about 6 hours of TV yesterday (Labor Day and all). MSNBC, FOX, and CNN were in full Gustav coverage, start to finish. Touchy and defensive. Just how I like the GOP.

Why should a young girl's pregnancy be used to determine whether her mom is qualified for public office? Mrs Palin's personal life is her life....

Let's stick to priorities not juicy gossip...

Newspeople sometimes makes me sick to my stomach....They focus on tragedy like there is no tomorrow..

This isn't news. Do your job as the press and leave the concluding up to the people. We determine whether this is a "scandal", whether McCain's response is an "attack". Stop infulencing by using extreme words to describe minor events. Only when you report facts in an unbiased manner will people begin to respect the press again.

Bristol's pregnancy is totally irrelevant to how her Mother could assist in governing the US if elected.

This is absolutely absurd from the news media as usual. Don't they have enough relevant information to go to press with, i.e., the candidates views on issues, etc.???

What a waste of time.

Maybe nobody but the media really cares if the media is annoyed? I know I sure don't.

If McCain did not even do his homework to research about his running mate's baggage, how is he going to research about Putin, Ahmadinejad, etc.? Outsource it to the Chinese? Nice try!

This type of news definitely wouldn't be a story if Fox News hadn't turned the national conscious into the vapid, sex-crazed, celebrity-drunk state it's in today.

Oh, you poor, stupid Republicans. Dying by the sword that you sharpened.

"innuendo" an indirect intimation about a person or thing, esp. of a disparaging or a derogatory nature
Seems strange that McCain's campaign manager would blame the press for a story his people released, doesn't it or maybe that's why they put it out there on the day the Gulf Coast had to deal with a storm!!!! Why didn't they just put it out when they announced Palin as VP???

I think it is wrong that the media is focusing in on Palin's daughter. This is a personal matter. There is more important things going on in the world. Give them their privacy. I feel sorry for the young girl. The media needs to fous on more positive things. I've head this story over and over this morning.

Son going to war = ok for media to cover
Daughter knocked up = not ok for media to cover

Now that's sexism

Gov. Palin is an experience "changer", she will rise above all the obstacles and trash talking that the American "unbiased" press produces. Shame on the press for dragging family matters out as if was some type of dirty laundry that needed to be aired. Let Gov. Palin's actions speak for themselves and leave personal private issues out of this race.
Let's talk about the matters of importance to our nation and how the next leader will handle them and how he will lead our country and government.

Agree or disagree with the attention - McCain and Palin had to know it was coming. Shame on both of them for putting this girl and boy in the spotlight. McCain should have never asked Palin to do this to her family and Palin should have respectively declined the VP invitation. I am disappointed in both of them.

Only those who have never participated in pre-marital sex, or who are immune from the actions of their own family members, should be permitted to report on those who have had these life experiences.

Sarah Palin is a good choice for Vice President and her selection has made my
decision firm for November.

This issue shows the true colors of a very ugly and biassed press. I am ashamed to be a Democrat. Even I can see their attempt at trying to help Obama. However, it makes me ill. I think the press needs to change their behavior or they could lose this election for the Democrats. I believe their behavior on this issue is so outrageous that their credibility will sink to a very low level and the Democrats will be drug down with them. ABC, NBC, CBS and all the other low life and bottom feeders, quit it!!! You suck!!!

Totally agree, the mainstream media hold different standards for the different parties, if you don't see that, your blind.

Palin should resign gracefully and say she has to care for her family.
A really poor choice has been made by Mc Cain, and the deeper we go the worse it gets,her "shining' resume has too many flaws and contradictions.
MC Cain choose someone else before it gets too late!
America has a gut feeling about this too.

There is an elephant in the room....

Not my vote!

there is no growing scandal about a teenage pregnancy--you just wish there was one since you a democrat that cannot register as such due to your "unbiased" reporting

Mrs. Palin's daughter's private life is about as important as Mrs. Obama's private life; neither has anything to do with electing a President.

In general, the media is sooo liberally biased its not even funny ..

Annoy the media? Why would I do that? The media is doing the work that McCain should have done before he dumped a poorly vetted candidate on us.

Palin seems like a nice person, but this whole fiasco makes McCain look like a moron.

McCain changed his mind and then sent his people to vet Palin on Thursday and announced her on Friday... Why? Because he wanted to trample over Obama's convention press.

He could have waited a couple days to make sure Palin was the right candidate. But he put politics first.

As a result, McCain made a bad pick, he rushed it into the media, and then was unable to deal with legitimate questions that voters have about his pick.

It all reminds me of Bush's rush to war in Iraq. No thinking. Arrogant attitude. No backup plan. And now we all have to pay through the nose.

This article makes no sense. Its more like an opinion. The American people could care less about the bitterness of the media. Get a life.

It cannot be good to have the media focus so much on Palin's problems. But John McCain has to blame himself for not doing his homework. Maybe he should learn how to use a computer so that he can do what his campaign people apparently did not. I do not know how you can spin anything positive from a 17 year old who is pregnant. Its obvious that teen hormones trump abstinence. Most of use who use more common sense can figure that one out. Certainly her lack of any national political exposure should worry any Republican who has a presidential candidate that is in the 70's. As far as I am concerned 70 is pretty old for a job that puts age on even the younger presidents of the past. I could care less about Bristol having a baby. But I am concerned about Palin's lack of experience

The pregnancy doesn't matter, I doubt the 'troopergate' even matters. What matters is a Presidential candidate who cloaks himself pontif-like in the trappings of "Presidential demeanor" with decades of experience, solemnly reminding us of the first and most important decision the nominee must make, and then whimsically turning that decision into a media ploy designed to grab attention, and prop up the 'maverick' mythology he craves, but at the end of the day, leaves us with a charming but hopelessly ill-equipped candidate to step in and become President of the United States, should any number of plausible circumstances require it. I am a Republican who once admired this man. Now I think he's off his rocker.

What's truly disturbing about all of the allegations surrounding Palin -- teen pregnancy, membership in AIP, Troopergate, laughing at the disgusting language of a radio host, etc. -- is that John McCain made this most important decision of his potential presidency in an impetuous rush. Palin may be unqualified and carrying too much baggage to be VP; but McCain might not have the judgement, perspective and temperament to be President. Of the two, the latter is clearly scarier. "Country First" must mean don't vote for McCain.

I am all for annoying the media. That there are blemishes with respect to Palin should surprise no one. After all, people who live in glass houses should not throw stones.
No one has led the perfect life, done perfect things all their lives. It strikes me as the pinnacle of hypocracy on the part of the media.
Maybe the media should focus on the 80% approval rating, the fact a governor of a state, no matter how small has a huge job and she has done the job. Afterall I would rather vote for someone who has balanced a budget, reformed parts of the economy and all the while gotten big approvals from the voters, than a senator with virtually no record.....

I want media scrutiny. Americans know very little about Sarah Palin. What we know so far suggests that she is not the best qualified candidate for a job which is a heartbeat away from placing her in what is arguably the most powerful leadership position in the world. Voters have serious doubts about the vetting process leading up to what appears to be a very risky choice of running mate. Those who have followed these political events, also know that Sarah Palin is apparently a cross between William Jennings Bryan and Buffalo Bill Cody, interesting figures in their own time but hardly the image of people who fit into the modern world. Socially and politically Sarah Palin is someone on the fringes. She is not the obvious choice, because in many ways she appears not to represent the values and aspirations of the majority of modern day Americans. This was John McCain’s choice. It says a lot about him, and he will have to live with the consequences of that choice.

I think Mr. Davis should get his sense (and tense) of past and present in order,
yesterday is a 'was' not an 'is'. This completely vindicates my notion that the Republicans are out of step with the times.

You know I've been turning the Palin pregnancy story over and over in my head and it just doesn't add up. McCain claims to be all about straight talk but he neglected to tell America that the VP's daughter was pregnant. If she were married and 24 I am sure they would have felt that it wasn't a private family matter, and would have proudly told America that Palin was going to be a grandmother. But more to the point, McCain couldn't have possibly believed that this story wasn't going to come out pretty soon, so why didn't he say anything? The only answer I can come up with is that McCain didn't know, in spite of claims to the contrary, that Palin's daughter was pregnant. Of course he can't admit now that he didn't know because that would show that he hadn't done his job in vetting Palin.

But how is it possible that McCain didn't know about the pregnancy, because Palin didn't know either. That's the only answer that makes sense. Palin's daughter hadn't told her and Palin is so wrapped up in Being govenor of AK, having a Down's syndrom baby of her own, and running for VP that it was easy ofr her daughter to keep it from Palin. I think that behind closed doors there is a John McCain thowing things at his staff, and saying how could nobody have noticed this? The answer is probably that due to the extreme secrecy that McCain wanted to maintain about his VP picks, very few people even knew to be looking at Palin, even on McCain's own staff.

Even the story about the daughter planning to marry the boy doesn't wash. If she was planning to marry the boy then why not get on with it, do they think it will be better or easier to have the marriage in a few months. Perhaps a wedding at the maternity ward would be good? They got to the boy after they figured out the daughter was pregnant (a couple of days ago) and made him a deal. They don't want anyone to know who the father is yet because they don't yet know if they can trust him to back up their story. Nobody in Washington seriously believes that the pregnancy of an 17 year old unmarried daughter to the VP is considered private, and nobody in Washington would have believed that the story could have been contained.

I think examination should be shifted from Palin's daughter to Palin herself, for instance her past membership in THE ALASKA INDEPENDENCE PARTY re: The AIP wants Alaskans to get an opportunity to vote on whether or not they will remain a state, or become a commonwealth, or split off as an independent nation; and potential abuse of power re: pressuring Walter Monegan, the Public Safety Commissioner she appointed, to fire Michael Wooten, her sister's ex-husband (who both were in a messy custody battle). Palin put herself into the middle of the divorce and tried to have her sister's ex-husband fired from his job as a state trooper in Alaska and when Monegan refused, was promptly fired by Palin.

Shouldn't the focus be on these issues? After all there is an 18% probability, that based on his age, McCain will not survive the next 4 years in office. A complete unknown would be the most powerful person in the world (seems really responsible - doesn't it?). Consequently I would like to know if this teenage pregnancy may not be in part be due to a lack of values taught.

politics, politics, politics.

whatever they will say, McCain is still a better president than osama...err obama.

Any mother who can't teach her daughter to keep her legs closed shouldn't be a heartbeat away from the presidency.

Plus, the media hasn't spent any time on covering John Edwards' affair. They ignored the story for a year and were beat by that bastion of journalism, the National Enquirer. So, why are they covering the story about Gov. Palin's daughter so intensely? No need to state the obvious.

As always, the media cannot possibly pass up an opportunity to try and discredit.
Governor Palin's family, and especially her children, should be totally off-limits.
Is there anyone out there who can relate to what this family is going through right now? Obviously, as parents, we want our children to make all the right decisions, but guess what? They make mistakes, and they fall short of our expectations,
just exactly like WE fail short, and disappointed our parents. Our children should have our unconditional love, and this young lady needs her parents' love, guidance and support, not national attention.

This is just what major media is all about. Anything goes just to make a buck
and keep those ratings up. I would hope that this would be sickening to most American families, and especially parents.

With all the problems that this country faces, I find it unbelievable that they have focused their attention on a young 17 year old. Give it up!

The media is doing a great job vetting the GOP VP, a job that McSame did not do.
Good job media...keep it coming and don't worry about the GOP's fear mongering.

Vote for President Obama, honesty, integrity and ready on day one to make decisions regarding our country. No way, no how, no MCSame/Painful.

The GOP is supposed to be the party of "family values". How does an unwed, pregnant, teen daughter, square with that? Palin is against sex udecation or prevention being taught in schools, but her "abstinence" message clearly went in one ear and out the other.

Davis is right for a change.

"Innuendo." That's rich. A fact can not be innuendo. And to claim that the media is solely focused on the Palin daughter issue is lazy and dishonest.

I'm leaving my politics out of this one. I'm just criticizing the language and tactics.

That's their tactics when they fell backed into a corner. Blame the media first as if the media is responsible for the scandals. I just wonder what these phony family values hacks would be saying had it been that one of senator Obama's daughters was pregnant. I am shocked to hear these so called conservatives laud the fact that a 17-year-old girl is pregnant out of wedlock. They have unanimously lifted it to the rank of a super-virtue. As if to say, as long as your mom is a republican governor who is running for a VP spot, you can pregnant all you want at any age, any how, as long as you chose to keep the baby and marry your baby daddy your are just fine. What a shame that the givers of moral lessons have been caught hands in the candy jar.

We should be more concerned about how, if Mc Cain is elected, to repair the damage caused by the Bush administration than whether or not Mc Cain's running mate has a pregnant daughter.

What "scandal"? A member of the Govorner's family having a baby? Why would that be a scandal?

Rush Limbaugh on Jamie Lynn Spears pregnancy:

CALLER: Would you tend to think that a family in this position, though, wouldn't you think that there would be a more watchful eye as a parent to be watching over these kids so this doesn't happen to them?

RUSH: I would certainly hope so, but it's long past time for this to happen. The parents here are the culprits!

Not sure exactly why Bristol Palin's pregnancy is my business. The only scandal I see is how the press has turned this into a front page story. Reminds me of what happened ten years ago when Osama Bin Laden declared his fatwa on the United States. The media completely missed the story because it was in a feeding frenzy to learn more about Monica Lewinsky's little blue dress. It's pretty easy to see why the media in this country has gone from one of our most respected institutions to one of the least respected. I wonder when it will reach the bottom.

Palin is a hero and shows that she really believes abortion is wrong. Good for her. I am a democrat but I'm voting for McCain & Palin. I'm sick of the democrats tactics.

If Palin's Executive Experience is Better than Biden and Obama conbined "Repubilcan Talkign Point" then it stands to reason that she has More experience than John McCain who has no Executive Expereince. Why is she not at the top of the Republican ticket.

The liberal news better known as the attack dogs of the liberal democrats think that a pregnat daughter, not in the running, is national news and that it will turn the voter against the mother. WRONG!
This is the same liberal news that idolizes a senator who is nothing more than a killer, who drives a woman into the water and does nothing to help save her, untill it is way too late and he has done everything he could to cover his butt. Anybody else and they would be in prison. Plus he has a son who is a drug addict and also in politics in another state. Now thats a person to really look up to. Useing Barrack O'bama's own words He looks up to Keenedy for guidance and inspiration.
The pregnant daughter's mother has my vote.

oh leave Palin alone, her daughters pregnancy should not be a show of how she will run the country, actually her 4 month old baby with down syndrome who is going to be put on the back burners so she can glorify herself should show how she would help run this country.

Alfonso, it's people like you, who insist on calling Mr Obama a name with hateful overtones, that are a disgrace to this great country. How very immature.

If Bristol Palin had been the daughter of a Democrat this would not be a story. Look, as a retired prosecutor, I have seen many children of politicians, judges, lawyers, doctors and prominent business-people who have gotten themselves into jams that might not have happened if the parents had been home. That is the curse of living a public life or a busy professional life while trying to raise a family. That problem does not mean that we ought to give up all aspirational standards of behavior or, in the finest traditions of the left, just "give up" and legalize everything rather than fight for a better standard of life. What it means is that people who are engaged in their careers have a special problem raising their kids. OK liberals, how about a law that women such as Palin should stay home in the kitchen where they belong? Or better yet, how about wholesale abortion of children ? Or best of all..why don't you shut up.

Senator Obama has said very clearly "Family members are off limits" As a STRONG Hillary supporter I was really unhappy she did not get VP. However, because she pointed out "it is not about ME " she is right. Senator McCain's choice of Mrs. Palin, one that left many GOOD Republican women more qualfied out in the cold confirmed my intention to vote for Senator Obama. Mrs. Palin is not pro choice, I am not for abortion but I am for the right to chose. it now makes it easier for me to vote for Senator Obama. Bristol's pregnancy has nothing to do with this Good wishers to the young lady

This is a national disgrace!

Sarah Palin, the republic candidate for vice-president has admitted that her 17 year old daughter is 5 months pregnant.

Palin clearly shows she is not a good mother, how can she control the country, when she can't even control her own daughter?

Teenage pregnancy is a nightmare, a living hell for everyone involved. Who is the father? If he is above age 18, then by definition and law of the United States of America this is a case of statutory rape!

Where are the morals in this Alaskan family? Where are the ethics? Where is the upbrining?

Palin needs to concentrate on raising her kids, and now her grandkid, not on the White House.

The Media spent a full week on Edwards' affair, what rock were you under Dean? John Edwards is not on the ticket, Sarah Palin is. You nutters and your inability to notice details says a lot about how our nation elected Bush twice...good grief.

Looks like that "abstinence only" sex education Ms. Palin likes so much didn't do the trick.

@ Dean Wilkerson

Exactly. It should be totally obvious that Palin's intense media scrutiny is because she's running to be a heartbeat away from the presidency right now, and Edwards is yesterday's news.

Thanks for clearing things up for us, Dean!

The issue really isn't about the daughter - it's about Sarah Palin. Anyone that thinks she is ready to be assume the responsibilities of VP of the US is nuts. Sure, she's a great governor of Alaska and has done many wonderful things for her constituents of that great state. Yes, she hunts, rides snow mobiles and likes moose burgers - all good stuff. But the challenges that she faces and has faced in her life as a public servant have not prepared her to be VP. And int he event that something were to happen to McCain - I'd hate to think Gov. Palen as president.

Yes, there's a reason she's got an 80% approval rating. Alaska's just about the most Republican state in the U.S. apart from Alaska. A survey of Alaskans is a survey of Republicans--of course Republicans will approve of their governor. I'd be concerned that t's only 80% in that one-sided a state.

So what if Sarah Palin is pregnant.
It is about the VP running mate and not about her daughter.
My daughter at 18 got pregnant and married at 19 so this did not effect me in being able to preform my job.
We have to focus on the issues. Is this an election or a article for People Magazine?
Many in the media wants to destroy her so they have something to write about.
End of Story!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

First off the tragedy on the Gulf Coast is nowhere near as bad as Katrina. The general public are concerned but relieved that Gustav weakened considerably and veered away from New Orleans. Gustav ranks way down in terms of damage and deaths compared to other storms of recent years and is not that newsworthy. The news cycle moves pretty fast - ask Obama how quickly attention moved off him after the DNC when McCain announced his VP!

Palin's daughter is the latest focus of their attention because it opens up all sorts of questions about McCain's decision making, Palin's fitness to assume the Presidency should McCain fall ill or die and their policy on sex education for kids.

I feel sorry for Bristol and agree with Obama (and many others) that she should not be hounded. The questions should remain with McCain and Palin and not Bristol. The fact is that the party of family values has feet of clay (like almost everybody) since they still refuse to accept that this poor girl would have been better off with sex education that included contraception rather than a simple request to abstain from sex until after marriage. Like the majority of her age hormones rule and she was one of the unfortunates who got caught out. Luckily she has the love and support of her family unlike many other girls in her position.

The fourth estate are following the news items they believe are of most interest to their readers/viewers and, unlike their performance before the Gulf war, they now have the intestinal fortitude to follow through. McCain needs to martial his communications staff and provide a positive message of interest and relevance. Railing against the media won't cut it.

Repubs say liberal bias...as a liberal I say the media is Conservative!

It all depends on the color of your lenses as you look at the world.

The Left is so stupid they can't even see or hear how stupid they sound. Welcome to the America you fools have created. The reason why many of your 15 yrs old daughters aren't walking around pregnant is because the baby was MURDERED.

Teenage pregnancy is not a new dilema.

Talk about real issues, like Edwards and his affairs.

The issue is not the daughters pregnancy. The issue is that Palin promotes abstinence only education as an alternative to teaching birth control. A plan that didn't even work in her own household.

The other items surfacing regarding her past- troopergate (where her staff attempted to use undo influence to have her ex-brother in law fired from his job), that she used lobbyists in an attempt to garner earmarks for her town- something she claims to have always opposed. Raise many more questions regarding Palin's ethics and the ethics of those she surrounds herself with. These are the question marks that have moved me from the "undecided voter" column to a Obama supporter.

Suppose it was Obama's or Biden's kid? I'll bet the farm that Palin's apologists would be singing a far different tune.

It's sickening to see how the racist hate speech of Obama's wife is "off limits" as a legitimate topic, yet the fact that she raised a daughter who made a poor choice is now Obama's primary wedge issue this election. Obama's pals at DailyKos start the smears and give Obama enough critical distance to pretend he has no role nor approval in their actions. Obama is doing EXACTLY what he criticizes Republicans of doing. He is using surrogates and smears. The sad part is, he is attacking a teenaged girl. When the mainstream media piles on it will resemble a gang rape. Nice going folks. Obama is a typical Chicago politiican: unethical, crooked, and not above jumping into the mud and hurling slime at a moments notice.

Grandbo and Bimbo... I love it.

Sarah Palin's qualifications to be Vice-President:

1. Her appearance, and status as a former beauty-pageant contest (Miss Wassila). Whether she won or was simply Miss Congeniality in one of the contests remains controversial.

2. Her hunting skills. She has apparently killed a lot of elk, deer and caribou. But were they head shots or did she go for the heart?

3. She was an excellent basketball player in high school. Her ability to dunk the basketball remains unproven.

4. She got a troublesome state trooper fired, although it was a bit difficult and she may have broken some rules.

5. She is outspoken supporter of "abstinence only" sex education in schools. (I am not sure how well this has worked out for her.)

Girl gets pregnant, big deal millions of happy family's have started this way. Admittedly many tragic situations have as well, but this one has a family backing her. And an awsome set of parents, it isn't news, perfect children aren't a requirement of public service.
If everyone doesn't watch out the first dude of Alaska might just start punching someone in the nose. I would if it was my daughter. Go Sarah Go.

blah blah blah, republican this, democrat that. Both candidates are not fit for president. its now just about deciding who will harm our country LESS if elected.
Both sides are tied as of today.

The McCain camp is missing the point! There is not a problem with Palin's daughter being pregnant. This is not a new thing. The troubling part is McCain's judgement and the handling of such an important introduction. He has even lied obout it! My question is, if he thought this was such a great idea, then why not introduce her as a grandmother to be? The other question is just please explain when will she have time to take care of her son with special needs and her family? Why would she put her family through such an ordeal? Just where are her family values? This goes to the heart of the conservetive base. Frankly, I do not want these two people running the country. We have big issues to solve. There are so many other people to choose from that are so much more qualified.

exactly, this has been the mode all along. To focus on the negatives for two reasons, the need for the media midgets to sell their crap full of advertising and to feed the humanity who wants a liberal president.
This election has divided the country on several fronts all of which the press wishes to "sell" to. Thus, they send up these asinine stories about the daughter of a possible VP whch should be a wholly confidential and private matter. Can you imagine if HRC's daughter was pregnant? Sheesh, they would castigate anyone who would even question it, but the dems? hell no, it is fodder for the new media and they think it is fine. What a bunch of hippocrites and loosers.
Makes me ill thinking of how I once voted for Clinton and the democratic machine. I will vote for McCain this year

Those who say Palin private life should stay private forgot what party she is in!

Yes, "there's a reason she's got an 80% approval rating ..."
Palin sent every resident a check for $1,200 ... at the expense of every gas consumer in the country ... from increased oil taxes. Sadly, economic sense probably precludes buying political popularity that way across the country.

What irritates the McCain staff is that the media is trying to find the truth, even when the Palin "spinsters" try to obscure it.
Note, for example, that nobody in the Palin family says Bristol is five-months pregnant. That's just the number that McCain publicists needed to "prove" that Bristol didn't give birth to Trig. The truth will out, even if it takes time.

Sadly for Palin, her ethics probe report will be issued *before* the election.
She won't last as long on McCain's ticket as Harriet Myers did as Bush's nominee for the Supreme Court. Does anyone remember Thomas Eagleton?

If 18 is the legal age at which one registers for the Selective Service, enlists, trains to use an automatic weapon and can kill another human being then why can't people respect the decision of a 17 year old high school senior to become a parent? Just think, Bristol is less than a year from registering to VOTE and the Selective Service.

The McCain camp is missing the point! There is not a problem with Palin's daughter being pregnant. This is not a new thing. The troubling part is McCain's judgement and the handling of such an important introduction. He has even lied obout it! My question is, if he thought this was such a great idea, then why not introduce her as a grandmother to be? The other question is just please explain when will she have time to take care of her son with special needs and her family? Why would she put her family through such an ordeal? Just where are her family values? This goes to the heart of the conservetive base. Frankly, I do not want these two people running the country. We have big issues to solve. There are so many other people to choose from that are so much more qualified.

"Let you who have not sinned cast the first stone"

I have 7 children, 5 girls and two boys. The youngest daughter is now 46, a mother and balet teacher. Each girl found her way before she was 21. All are moral, responsible, and loving parents who gave us 16 Grand Childre and 10 Great Grand Children.

I was an only child with an adopted sister. My mother lost two or three at birth. I met my wife who was one of 14 children, 7 girls and 7 boys. Her mother who was a NJ Mother of the Year said "The baby isn't too soon, the wedding is too late!" God bless her understanding and her tolerance. I never thought about when or how they got pregnant but sharing the togetherness and becoming a part of them.

The "media" has been doing their best to rationalize this choice, and the public cant take it. Check the blogs vs the TV media. As a distraction from McCain's temper, and lack of judgement, this is a great ploy, but as a rational choice - uh no.

Palin(-comparison) bragged about standing up to the oil companies, and now it seems that they have gotten her out of their way. Who do the oil company's now get to look forward to dealing with as Alaska Gov? Does Palin have to step down? If so, when?

Dean... In Case you didnt know, Edwards doesnt hold an elected office anymore. he is a private citizen. So while it should have come out earlier, it doesnt matter anymore. But rest assured if Edwards was the VP Pick, it would have been trumpeted on every right-wing show there is. And I'm sure they were holding it as amunition and didnt want the story aired unless they needed it.

exactly, this has been the mode all along. To focus on the negatives for two reasons, the need for the media midgets to sell their crap full of advertising and to feed the humanity who wants a liberal president.
This election has divided the country on several fronts all of which the press wishes to "sell" to. Thus, they send up these asinine stories about the daughter of a possible VP whch should be a wholly confidential and private matter. Can you imagine if HRC's daughter was pregnant? Sheesh, they would castigate anyone who would even question it, but the dems? hell no, it is fodder for the new media and they think it is fine. What a bunch of hippocrites and loosers.
Makes me ill thinking of how I once voted for Clinton and the democratic machine. I will vote for McCain this year

I reject the idea that the press should leave this alone and that it's irrelevant.

This is very relevant in demonstrating the flawed logic and policies of someone who would take away a woman's right to choose.

Ms. Palin is anti-abortion, anti-contraceptive, anti-sex education, and she is essentially saying; "the only responsible way to fight teenage pregnancy is 'abstinence' ...but don't pay any attention to MY pregnant teenager. She's off limits".

I hate to bust your bubble, but reportedly Palin left the Mayorship of Wasilla with a 20 million dollar deficit. Not easy to do when the population was just over 4,000. James Carville was devastaing on Larry King Live when he put up a picture of Wasilla's City Hall building which looked like a bake shop

I love this from the far left:

"Any mother who can't teach her daughter to keep her legs closed shouldn't be a heartbeat away from the presidency." Diggy Zazz

Yeah, that's real enlightened. Zazz must not be nor have ever been the parent of a teenager. Plus, it demotes women to nothing more than idiots whose role is to enforce chastity on their daughters. Hmm....I thought abstinence based sex ed was pointless and that all teenagers were having sex? Edwards impregnated a campaign aide. Clinton had sex with anything that moved. Funny about hypocrisy.

"treat her with the dignity and respect she deserves. The media will most likely eat her lunch. She’ll fall on her own and the McCain campaign will be waiting for a chance to point a finger." I wrote that in my Blog on Aug 30th...days before her daughter's announcement. I must be a prophet.

It's a pity that the American public has to play part in the Republican..."straw man" games. Name one Democratic Official who has attacked Ms Palin because of her daughter? Anyone? It's the media's job to find out facts about our Public officials. But they are being played by Rove and Co.

Media Indeed! It's typical Rovian Straw Man Politics. The Medasi should dig to find out the truth
The GOP set this woman up to be a fall guys to the media so they can say that the straw man (some Democrat) did it to her. Typical Rovian politics. Imagine that.

Time for a change! Obama|Biden 08

Sheesh. Let me get this straight. This article is the media attacking a spokesperson who is attacking the media for an innuendo that no one cares about. Journalism at it's best.

The media can and should investigate this. Nothing is "off limits" when you're talking about the second highest PUBLIC office in the world. As an Independent I can tell you that my "family values" are above teenage pregnancy. It has nothing to do with abortion or the lack thereof. It has to do with getting knocked up at 17 in the first place.

There is no way you can convince me this is above the realm of media scrutiny and if McCain, the Palins or anyone else in the GOP thought this would quietly and cordially go away THIS UNTO ITSELF displays a lack of judgment that is not consistent with that required of world leaders. Obama got my vote.

A teen being pregnant a "scandal"........give me a break.
It is just interesting because it happened to the daughter of someone who happens to be a governor and VP choice.
Palin could be the best think to happen to American politics in decades.
She seems to really have the PEOPLE and their interests at heart...BECAUSE she has ALWAYS been one of the average people.
I wish her success and hope for the best.

I too thought this would be the democrats to lose. If Palin is as tough as she seems to be, this could be a very exciting campaign season.

On with the campaign!

John McCain picked someone who would make for a big show (as we see) to be his VP. Barack Obama picked someone who can help him run the country.

The idea that John McCain picked the most qualified individual to be his second could only be seen as smart by a "numbscull".

Republicans have once again shown that they are sheep who would lead us all to the slaughter. Baaaaaa!

I agree with Palin, Alaska should seceed from the union and she should be crowned queen. That way no one could question her about anyone she wants to fire for any reason she may have.

The Republicans took off the gloves early this year and went straight to the Dumpster on Obama, I say to the Democrats, "Take off the Gloves and put on your Brass Knuckles and lets start bloodying some noses !!!!!!!"

Future Quote.

"Obama our next President"

So... to comment on comment No. 103... I guess you could use the same line of moral reasoning about past presidents. Perhaps a President shouldn't be leading the country if he can't keep from pronging Whitehouse interns! "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." Palin is young, aggressive, resolute, a qualified thinker, and attractive, too! Just what we need!

If she puts her family first. Why would she put her unmarried daughter through all this media. All the lady cares about is herself and power. I was undecided who to vote for. But McCain made that choice for me when he choice her as a runnung mate. I beliave with our media today you have to teach a child if she is to have sex to have safe sex. And do not think that your daughters will not have sex.
she was to busy to take care of her on family. I DO NOT TRUST HER TO TAKE CARE OF THE USA

The Slobbering Liberal Media hacks defending Obama, covering for him, hiding his terrorist buddies, lying for him, are now united in a disgusting orgy of smear stories on Governor Palin.

Barak Obama's mother was an unwed 18 year old. Is that news?

The media has been fair enough in balance. This story didn't preempt the reporting on the "tragedy on the gulf coast" (I wonder why he didn't refer to that as hurricane Gustav). Mr Davis insults us all when he implies we can't follow more than one news story at a time. This is the Republicans' problem. They claim that they vetted Sarah Palin. They knew her daughter was pregnant. They need to defend their decision to nominate her, not blame the media for telling the story or the rest of us for being interested in it.

You libs are simply searching for ways to make a sound shiny apple look as if an awful bite were taken out of it. The fact is Sara Palin is a great choice and she was thoroughly vetted by the McCain team. She is and will continue to be a huge hit with the American people as she campaigns and once she is installed in office.

> Yes, there's a reason she's got an 80% approval rating. Alaska's just about the most Republican state in the U.S. apart from Alaska. A survey of Alaskans is a survey of Republicans--of course Republicans will approve of their governor. I'd be concerned that t's only 80% in that one-sided a state.

Apart from UTAH, I meant to say before.

I've said it before and I'll say it again:

Everyone agrees that the kid's pregnancy is a private family matter, and not politically relevent in terms of the mother's ability and qualification for VP...

So how do you people make stupid statements like "Choosing her shows McCain's judgement is flawed."?

Seems to me he chose not to give consideration to an issue that everyone agrees didn't deserve any consideration. So what IS the issue here?

Nicely put Dean, Of course the dems will go after this because she is a repub and repubs will go after dems for the Edwards fiasco..the thing is the dems get traction because of the hugely biased osama I mean Obama lovers the media.

Interestingly, when repubs were and still are Osama's I mean Obama's credentials/experience..the lefties(commies) said it doesnt matter...now they are questioning Palin who actually has the same ammount (years) of experience as Osama and actually has some exec. experience. Does Osama.I mean Obama?

Change CHange CHange thats all you will have left in your pockets when the Osamas get done with you...I prefer Dollars paper money..something tangible which is what Mcain can offer over Osama...oops I mean OBAMA nation.
Peace out
Oh yeah I am serving my 3rd tour in Iraq and we are here for all the right reasons and I wouldnt want it any other way for my kids and my kids kids

Have you asked yourselves why our "mainstream Media" is focusing on Sara Palin's daughter and not on Sara Palin?

Because they are afraid to let the American public get to know Sara Palin and hear what she has to say. She is smart, principled, authentic, unabashedly patriotic, believes in limited government, and governs that way. Speaking of governing, I hear the Democrat Public Relations Agency (also known as our Mainstream Media), say she has no experience. Let’s see; she has been on the City Council, a Mayor and now a Governor. A governor who made difficult decisions, such as supporting the oil pipeline in her state, taking on a corrupt politician (now former governor who happened to be a Republican)…She has already lowered taxes in her state and provided more jobs through capitalism…. (the ONLY way to create jobs I might add.) She has an 85% approval rating in her Alaska. She has a heck of a lot more experience than a “community activist” who has spent a total of 143 days in the United States Senate.

Do yourselves the service of listening to her speak tomorrow (Wednesday) at the Republican National Convention. Listen to her yourself and do not let someone else shape your opinion. Use your own good judgement.

"There is no such thing as a 'left wing media'"

That may well be the stupidest comment I've ever seen on a blog/forum, which is really saying something.

It says on his Myspace site that he is 19. Is he going to be prosecuted for statutory rape as in some states if this is correct?

It's not right to pick on Palins daughter, however it is ok to try to understand what is going on, after all if they win, they will be making decisions that affect not just the people reading this but everyone.

Women will not have a choice, even in cases of rape and incest.
We will stay in Iraq until we have won. (I wish that winning was defined someplace).
We will Drill, Drill, Drill including ANWR.

I believe the media is totally wrong going after the childern of a person who is
running for the office of the Vise Presindent. the childern should not be involved
I want the media there for me, to see things go on truthfully but not attack children.
I am ashamed to read a news paper,its biase, how 's come the news media is afraid of the truth? In my opion if the mongoles who are faceless and want to be
leaders ,why don't they run for office?these faceless people are target shooter, but they don't want to be the targets themsleves, maybe they could not stand up to there own scrutiny.

The media acts as if this is the first time an unmarried teenager has gotten pregnant. They are doing everything they can to find fault with Sarah Palin. They are implying that it is her fault that her daughter got pregnant. Give me a break! Every single person on this earth is an individual with a mind of their own. We all make decisions that may not reflect how we were raised. To say that there must have been something missing in this young girls homelife that resulted in her getting pregnant is just ridiculous. Mistakes are made, it's how you handle them that shows true character. Sarah Palin is a strong woman and I for one applaud her and will give her my vote. I wish the media would go back to covering real news stories!!!

post # 167 johnb

Hey man - cool it. You are making outrageous statements without a vestige of facts to back them up. Using emotive words like racist hate speech about Obama's wife, gang rape applied to the current media focus and your attack on "typical Chicago politicians" are flagrant attempts to stir up hatred against the Obama campaign and Democrats in general.

If you have proof that Obama was behind the Daily Kos piece bring it out. Nothing would finish the Obama campaign quicker! Put up or shut up.

to Diggy Zazz (#103),

And I'm sure your mother taught you when to keep your mouth closed, but just like Governor Palin's daughter, it seems you also make your own choices even after receiving counsel from your parents...

WHAT is wrong in a natural fact of life? She got pregnant... she CHOSE to keep her baby. She's getting married ... so seriously, what is the problem? Have you NEVER met a successful mom who has children when she was young?

PRO-ABORTION does NOT equate to Pro-LIFE. Stating the obvious here. But it just seems that b/c Palin is PRO-LIFE... everyone is jumping on her w/her families' issues. IT is the group SUPPORT is what nurtures any relationship. There is ABSOLUTELY NO need to judge an event that is natural to humand kind. And the question arises on sex education or not... can go on and on and on... and both have it's benefits and minuses.

Life happens, deal with it. Make the best of what you have... this is how you should teach. when the parents are not there any more... what will children do? You teach them to be true to themselves, have strength, and be happy regardless. Let's not let a natural thing be a gloom doom situation. By all these negative attacks, it seems our culture only thrives on other's problems.

McCain/Palin '08

The fact that Obama's sepoys are attacking the Palin family while obama pretends to be above the fray is typical of how his fetid campaign operation works. yesterday, on an e-mail from the Obama HQ, Obamanistas began attacking WGN Chicago for daring to interview a McCain supporter, while Obama was in Berlin giving his "morgan die welt" speech, his thugs were protesting outside FOX news. Wake up folks, because this is scary stuff. The radical left can and will unleash a vicious mob at the snap of a finger. Opposition candidates will be publicly excoriated and will see their children's private lives dragged through the mud, opposition media will be silenced, opposition voices will be deluged by a chorus of bleating liberal sheep (a la "Animal Farm") . What is next from Obama, a "Krystallnacht"? Forget swiftboating, Obama has learned from the best (Castro, Che, Allende, Lenin, Hitler) . Obama has a moral duty to stop this outrage or resign from the campaign. I call on all decent Americans, liberal and conservative, to demand Obama's withdrawal from this race.

We have only begun to hear the dirt on Shocking Sarah. It wouldn't surpise me if he is asked to resign her appointment.

Seeing as how McCain passed over more qualified VP candidates and chose Palin, it is commonly viewed that McCain chose Palin to attract disgruntled Hillary voters and possibly "lock" the presidency.

Now, to overlook qualifications because of someone's sex is pretty sexist and disgusting. Shame on McCain!

The more I look at all this, the more I wonder if McCain would eventually reduce Palin to some "Trophy VP" or the "Co-First-Lady"

I'm gonna f.. y'all ups in Alaska dudes. Yous don't mess with me aiight *spit*.

The fact that Obama's sepoys are attacking the Palin family while obama pretends to be above the fray is typical of how his fetid campaign operation works. yesterday, on an e-mail from the Obama HQ, Obamanistas began attacking WGN Chicago for daring to interview a McCain supporter, while Obama was in Berlin giving his "morgan die welt" speech, his thugs were protesting outside FOX news. Wake up folks, because this is scary stuff. The radical left can and will unleash a vicious mob at the snap of a finger. Opposition candidates will be publicly excoriated and will see their children's private lives dragged through the mud, opposition media will be silenced, opposition voices will be deluged by a chorus of bleating liberal sheep (a la "Animal Farm") . What is next from Obama, a "Krystallnacht"? Forget swiftboating, Obama has learned from the best (Castro, Che, Allende, Lenin, Hitler) . Obama has a moral duty to stop this outrage or resign from the campaign. I call on all decent Americans, liberal and conservative, to demand Obama's withdrawal from this race.

We have only begun to hear the dirt on Shocking Sarah. It wouldn't surpise me if he is asked to resign her appointment.

Seeing as how McCain passed over more qualified VP candidates and chose Palin, it is commonly viewed that McCain chose Palin to attract disgruntled Hillary voters and possibly "lock" the presidency.

Now, to overlook qualifications because of someone's sex is pretty sexist and disgusting. Shame on McCain!

The more I look at all this, the more I wonder if McCain would eventually reduce Palin to some "Trophy VP" or the "Co-First-Lady"

Just What America Needs, Another Hick Town Governor, Haven't we seen enough of these under qualified brainless republicans !!!!

1) Ben is right, the media are conservative. Even if you have liberal elements a networks like MSNBC, a) you still have Scarborough and Buchanan on regularly and they've hired Laura Ingraham and even the Savage Wiener in the past; b) the network itself is still owned by a multibillion-dollar weapons manufacturer (GE). It's the same for any media outlet, they're all owned by big business, which by definition always leans heavily conservative/Republican.

2) Cheryl says "Palin is a hero and shows that she really believes abortion is wrong. Good for her. I am a democrat but I'm voting for McCain & Palin. I'm sick of the democrats tactics." 1) I doubt you're a Democrat, we're not that easily fooled by this pandering; 2) imagine if all kids in this position had their families' support--this is clearly not the case. I'm sure this pregnant daughter and "f****in redneck" boyfriend can write their own ticket, that there are enough Republicans out there who would give them money just to set up a sham marriage, job and family to keep this image of domestic bliss afloat.

3) Woman voter wrote: "Looks like that "abstinence only" sex education Ms. Palin likes so much didn't do the trick."

No, but apparently the redneck did "the trick."

4) I'm more than content to get the focus off the family (what would James Dobson say???) and put it squarely back on her utter unpreparedness to take over if and when something happened to a President McCain. It was maybe two months ago that she told a reporter on CNBC that she doesn't even know what a VP does all day. Let's discuss that instead. Mind you, it's the Republicans holding themselves up as the adults, the arbiters of everything moral, so their inability to enforce their own morals within their family speaks to their lack of leadership. If she can't keep her own underage daughter from becoming pregnant, how can she govern?

I am so angry at those liberals who ask whether Gov. Palin can shoulder the responsibilities of the vice presidency and also have five children. If a conservative male were to raise this question, pro-abortion feminists would immediately crush his testicles between two rocks. Women don't come in one size or one flavor. I find it refreshing that we can vote for a woman who has stood up to corrupt politicians in her own party, has defended fisherpeople who suffered from the Exxon Valdez oil spill and who also hunts caribou. Go, Sarah.

Re post 31 "Palin should withdraw" - obviously true and that is what her daughter's boyfriend should have done.
And Patrick Henry - that is the biggest load of horse manuare I have ever seen.

Palin approval rate 67%,

WOW...

Why isn't anyone pointing out that she was a leader in an independent party that was trying to get Alaska to secede from the Union?

When Mrs. Obama said she was proud of her country for the first time, the republicans jumped all over that questioning her loyalty as an amercian. Sheeeet this gal is trying to divide the United States and no one says a word, just focus on the kid...believe me there is a lot more to focus on that is far more damaging and everyone is ignoring the more important things.

Screw her daughter...oops someone already took care of that.

Brian in Iraq wrote:

> Does Osama.I mean Obama?

> Change CHange CHange thats all you will have left in your pockets when the Osamas get done with you...I prefer Dollars paper money..something tangible which is what Mcain can offer over Osama...oops I mean OBAMA nation.
Peace out

Wow, that's amazing, Brian, if you're in the top 2% of income earners in the US and you're serving in Iraq. Interesting fact is that 19% of Americans think they're in the top 1%; you must be one of them. Obama and Osama, wow, what a comedian...you must be the first one to ever notice that they kind of sound alike despite having no relation whatsoever. Must be a Limbaugh fan. Being in Iraq, the US take on the news that filters back to you is more than a bit skewed. I'd suggest trying something more than Fox "News" or AFN or whatever you're using.

> Oh yeah I am serving my 3rd tour in Iraq and we are here for all the right reasons and I wouldnt want it any other way for my kids and my kids kids

Thanks for serving in the military, but we are most definitely NOT there for "the right reasons." That's been shown time and time again with trumped up intelligence about WMDs, yellowcake from Africa, smoking mushroom clouds over US cities, freeing the Iraqi people, hunting down al-Qaeda (terrorists were never in Iraq until the US toppled Saddam btw) and whatever other lies you've been fed.

Do the reasons we're there for your kids include attacking a country that never attacked us or posed a legitimate threat? How about a war that costs trillions of dollars and we've been paying for it on credit from the Chinese and we haven't paid off nickel one yet? How about war crimes such as torture, er, enhanced interrogation commited in the name of the US people and at the expense of our reputation as the great freedom in the world? If you were really so concerned about your kids, you'd encourage your government to get out of Iraq and go to Pakistan and Afghanistan to track down the people who attacked us 7 years ago and haven't been broughto to justice, like President Clinton did those that bombed the WTC the first time. But then again he read his presidential daily briefings and consulted with terrorism advisors.

If I wasn't clear enough there, Brian, the point is that being in the top 2% is the only reason you might be left with less money in your pocket, since your taxes would then be increased, which is only fair since your taxes have been disproportionately low since 2001. Mind you, as the federal gov't nominally gave you tax cuts, local and state gov't have no doubt rasied your taxes, fees, services, what have you. Look at property taxes and tell me you have more in your pockets now than 8 years ago. Try having a catastrophic illness and see how much money's left in your pocket. Under President Obama you'll have healthcare, not to mention veterans' services. Tell me, Brian, why Senator McCain has so consistently opposed veterans benefits when he himself is both a veteran and a warhawk?

For all the talk on judgment vs experience, and how McSame has the better on both compared to Obama, this incident shows the former poorly on both and has real potential of a 1-2 punch against the Repugs this fall...

1) Judgment:
a) Mama Palin - for choosing to travel from TX to Alaska after her water broke when she was carrying Trig
b) Mama Palin - for preaching abstinence but not being able to enforce it in her own family
c) Mama Palin - for choosing to bring her family into the limelight by entering the veep race despite knowing the embarrassment it might cause Bristol
c) Mama Palin - once again, for entering the veep race and not being able to bring up a Down's Syndrome child in its first year
and finally...
e) McSame - for not doing a thorough job of checking veep credentials and bringing someone who is such a potent disaster with her own family as the caretaker of the nation a heartbeat away from the presidency

2) Experience:
a) Palin - of the Ms Alaska 1984 fame
b) Palin - of the Wasilla City Hall Mayor fame - the city hall is no bigger than an ice-cream store
c) Palin - whose first overseas trip was in 2006 and also the year she got her first ever passport made
d) McSame - for choosing someone with 'two' whole years of executive experience and passing up several others better vetted and with oodles more experience

As an Alaskan woman, working mother, and registered Independent voter, I defend Senator McCain’s choice of Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate. Although her stance on the social issues is contrary to mine, as I am Pro Choice and don't believe Intelligent Design should be taught in school, I am not worried about her trying to shove her beliefs down my throat because she has proven here in Alaska that she won't.

One of the first issues facing her as our new governor two years ago was an attempt by our legislature to deny gay state workers the same health benefits as heterosexuals. Governor Palin vetoed this bill, as she stated it was unconstitutional. Although she did state she would support changing the Alaska State constitution, I think it was a very savvy response to pressure from her own extreme right wing prochoice folks for a symbol that she sympathized with their side of the issue. This of course will never happen. Think about it – it would be just as hard to change the Alaskan constitution as it would be to go back and deny women the right to vote. By throwing it back to the legislature to change the constitution, she in essence put it back into the hands of the people. This wouldn’t happen on a national level either – since the legislature is ruled by the Democrats now. She knows it is a political hotbed, and I hope I am correct that she is smarter than to get involved in that issue politically. I think she finds that just having the platform of Governor as a showcase for her beliefs is sufficient to serve her theological and social evangelical desires. She puts her life on the stage for all to see, in the hopes that by showing how she lives, others may be drawn to it. I do not believe she has any intent to make it a part of her agenda when in federal office, based on her record as Governor of Alaska.

What she will make a priority is reducing our reliance on foreign oil. In this area, she is an expert. She understands that we have to transition from oil to alternative sources, and one of the most obvious ways to do this is to tap our own resources now and use them in the interim while alternative sources are being developed. Who really needs to step up in the next few years are the oil companies – they need to increase drilling on American soil while actively developing other alternative sources of energy such as natural gas, wind, nuclear etc. Although I do not know the exact amount, Alaska holds a huge amount of undeveloped oil and natural gas, and Governor Palin has held big oil accountable and stood up to them here in Alaska by increasing the states take on oil profit and pushing forward the natural gas pipeline to transport gas to the lower 48. Unlike the good ole boys. Do you know they actually had hats made up with the letters CBC? CBC stands for corrupt bastards club. They and their minions hate her because of her tenacity for ethical reform. She has a proven track record of fighting for Alaskans, and I would almost hate to see her leave her term as governor before she finishes cleaning up our political corruption here, but I understand that she is now needed nationally. She and Senator McCain will change Washington and politics as usual. I understand completely why Senator McCain chose Governor Palin. With his new message of Country First, he has a solid ally to take it to the man in Washington and put our needs in front of politics and corporate greed.

One last thing - this investigation of “troopergate” is such a farce. It is another example of her political enemies trying to bring her down. She was trying to clean up our state troopers who cover-up for the misdeeds of one of their own. Abuse of power? Absolutely not. She had first hand knowledge of the conduct of one of the troopers who happened to be her former brother in law. Has it leaked out to the general media just what this trooper did? Among many other charges, the most heinous are that he drove a state car intoxicated, threatened to kill her father, and tazered his 10 year old son, because he said the child wanted to know what it felt like! That is absolutely not the type of person I want in my state troopers, and why they didn’t fire him is beyond me. I can understand her frustration with Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monogan’s seeming support for such another good ole boys network. She may have never known about the conduct if it hadn’t been her former brother in law because of the corruption and cover-up. Wouldn’t you be just as furious with your own state troopers if that kind of person could possibly pull you over?

What attacks? The Media is just reporting the facts. John should have told all this already. Looks like he is uninformed, was his vetting shallow? About 2" deep looks to me. Shame. Palin is/was simple minded to think none of her problems would be exposed. So was John.
Palin is unqualified to be Veep. Mc lost my vote.

> As an Alaskan woman, working mother, and registered Independent voter, I defend Senator McCain’s choice of Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate. Although her stance on the social issues is contrary to mine, as I am Pro Choice and don't believe Intelligent Design should be taught in school, I am not worried about her trying to shove her beliefs down my throat because she has proven here in Alaska that she won't.

Victoria, considering that the next president is likely to appoint at least 3 judges (for life) to the Supreme Court and McCain himself has already indicated tha they'd be in Alito/Roberts/Scalia mold, how do you think Palin's anti-choice beliefs will affect those choices?

Yes, Victoria, the oil companies do need to increase drilling on U.S. soil...try doing it on the millions of acres' worth of leases that they already have that they're just sitting on. That failure to drill is what's artificially holding down domestic oil supply, not liberals. I've yet to hear one conservative explain why the oil companies aren't drilling on land they already have leased.

Also, guess what, the oil companies can't just race in there and drill. Where are the refineries with excess capacity to process any new oil? The oil companies despite their record profits haven't built a refinery in how many decades? Then there's the machinery needed to extract the oil. That would have to come from China since we don't have a steel industry in the US anymore. Great job everyone.

Hey Patrick Henry, it was the Republicans, let's not forget, who mobilized a mob of out-of-state operatives (yes, they were bused and flown in) to bang on windows and doors to intimidate election workers trying to complete vote recounts in Florida in 2000. If you're scared of mobs, get yourself a mirror, pal, you guys perfected it.

Hey, just occurred to me....Palin's a hockey mom and now, so is her underage daughter! What an inspiration.

This paper is garbage. Bias and obvious in its Obamaism. No journalistic integrity. And all you posters who are attacking that 17 year old girl...I hope you all die slow torturous deaths. Sexist losers.

Thanks jmy9595, for a civil response to my statement. I would like to address your question about why we aren't drilling on leases we all ready have. Governor Palin has instigated the legal process to remove the leases at Pt Thompson from the oil companies because of their inactivity and willingness to drill. They of course are out to make the almighty dollar for their stock holders, and screw what is best for America. That is why I am so disgusted with Bush et al. - he is just another good ole boy/big oil man. I appologize for not knowing which oil company holds those leases, I am an RN, and not as well versed in our energy/oil specifics as I could be.

As for judicial nominations, I hope that the democratic congress will do their job and not allow any far right judge in. That is what we need, a meeting in the middle of our government. Which I might add, has happened in our legislature up here since Sarah Palin became governor.

Now, this may be far fetched, but why couldn’t we have a bipartisan ticket? I actually proposed this idea to the Obama web site groups page. I didn’t have the time to follow up on it, but earlier this year I thought it would be cool to see an Obama/Palin ticket because I definitely want change from politics as usual. Now, I support McCain because Palin is on his ticket!

The worst things we are hearing about Sarah Palin is about her family. All families have problems; I was a single mother and raised an outstanding, caring, individual who is a teacher and is married with two children. It is still the mother who gets attacked for anything wrong; hey what about a presidential candidate who has admitted taking cocaine, other drugs, getting in trouble when he was young but that is o.k. I guess or at least the media coverage sure wasn't much or what about a governor whose name was found in a call girl madame's book or a representative who was playing footsy with another man in a bathroom and more and more. How about a president who had a child by an African American woman, you remember him don't you? His name was Thomas Jefferson. This just goes to show that sexism, or hatred of women still exists in this country and I am sure if some could get away with it women here would be wearing burquas. Experience? What experience did George Washington have? Military, for sure, but what else; because he could run a plantation with slaves? Racism is still in this country and must be worked on for sure but right now I do not know which is the strongest hatred, RACISM or SEXISM. Don't any of these people have respect for the women in their own families? When they attack Palin with some of the outrageous things they do they attack women in their own families. I am an independent and the attack on Palin makes me sick. McCain and Palin may get my vote. One more thing, how does anyone know about any prior politicians whose wife, daughter, any woman in their families may have had to or wanted to abort their own child and to this day suffer the pain from it. The male politicians have had so many scandals attributed to them, even JFK, we all know that and his brother left a young woman in a car in the water so please leave her and her children alone; concentrate on the issues in this country. Perhaps, she will be able to help McCain with the economy, war, everything else we need because the men sure have not been able to do anything about it. My husband pays $50 a week in gas just to get to work and home and we are considered middle class but not for long at those prices.
Leave her alone and think of the women in your own life.
Roberta

Palin is a breath of fresh air. Alaskans love her and we all will too when more details of her experience are revealed. Any parent (black or white) supporting their child in any way has to be commended - it's called unconditional love and support. As a parent with a great relationship with two daughters, I know that at the end of the day, they will make their choices, and not always ones I agree or are happy with. Let's get to the real issues. The left wing and democrats who are slamming Palin for this, must be fearful of her qualifications - seems they can't come up with anything else that really has to do with running the office. She's for reform and we'll get it with her - when has Obama ever shown anything of this nature? Did we really know anything about him before this election? No. Also: if Obama were white, would Oprah be supporting him?

After reading all of your comments I have to ask...do any of you even know what is going on in this country? Do you know anything other than what you see and hear from main stream media? If you care to expand your way of thinking I suggest you visit this website....infowars.com. People believe what they want to, but isn't it easier to make decisions when you know EVERYTHING??

As for Gov. Palin....I think she was a good choice. The media is focused on the wrong issues. Palin is the most "real" person we have in office. I honestly believe she will take charge and actually listen to the American people. This country is turning into a 3rd world country. It’s pretty bad that over 1.3 million immigrants are going back to their home countries because of the fall of our economy. It's only going to get worse. Don't get me wrong...I am happy to see the illegal immigrants go, but with no jobs available even when they leave how much does it really matter. Is it too late?

I'd rather annoy you and do whats right for this country at the same time and vote Democratic.