James Dobson, Barack Obama among those reacting to pregnancy of Sarah Palin's daughter

Those quickly issuing statements reacting to the news that Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's 17-year-old daughter is pregnant included James Dobson, head of the conservative Focus on the Family religious group, and Barack Obama.

Dobson, who has been noticeably cool toward John McCain's candidacy but was enthused by the Republican's selection of Palin as his running mate, had this to say:

In the 32-year history of Focus on the Family, we have offered prayer, counseling and resource assistance to tens of thousands of parents and children in the same situation the Palins are now facing.

We have always encouraged the parents to love and support their children and always advised the girls to see their pregnancies through, even though there will of course be challenges along the way.

That is what the Palins are doing, and they should be commended once again for not just talking about their pro-life and pro-family values, but living them out even in the midst of trying circumstances.

Being a Christian does not mean you're perfect. Nor does it mean your children are perfect. But it does mean there is forgiveness and restoration when we confess our imperfections to the Lord. I've been the beneficiary of that forgiveness and restoration in my own life countless times, as I'm sure the Palins have.

The media are already trying to spin this as evidence Gov. Palin is a 'hypocrite,' but all it really means is that she and her family are human. They are in my prayers and those of millions of Americans.

On the campaign trail, meanwhile, Obama commented....

...after he finished an appearance in Monroe, Mich.:

I have heard some of the news on this. So let me be as clear as possible. I have said before and I will repeat again. I think people’s families are off limits. And people’s children are especially off limits.

This shouldn’t be part of our politics. It has no relevance to Gov. Palin’s performance as a governor or her potential performance as a vice president. So I would strongly urge people to back off these kinds of stories.

You know my mother had me when she was 18. And how family deals with issues and teenage children, that shouldn’t be the topic of our politics, and I hope that anyone supporting me understands that is off limits.

Mark Salter, the longtime McCain aide and confidant, was peppered with questions from reporters in St. Paul about the news. Asked how he thought delegates to the Republican National Convention and, more broadly, voters would react, he focused on the Palins, saying, "It's a warm, loving supportive family, and they’re all doing the right thing."

The Times' Mark Barabak relates that Salter added: "These things happen. This has probably happened to millions of American families."

A journalist noted that those families aren’t running for vice president, to which Salter replied: "Millions of Americans will relate to this -– this is a loving, supportive, strong, compassionate family, like many other families."

As to the effect on the convention, already thrown off kilter by Hurricane Gustav, Salter said the impact would depend on the level of media "hysteria" in covering news of the pregnancy.

"We’d like to get through this as quickly as we can so the Palins can have some privacy," he also said.

Barabak reports that Steve Schmidt, McCain's campaign manager, took much the same stance when discussing the pregnancy and its possible political fallout. Said Schmidt:

At the end of the day, they have asked for privacy and it will be up to the media whether it is afforded. We don't have control over it. I think the American people will have a harsh view, potentially, of intrusions into the privacy of a good and decent family.

McCain's top economic advisor, Douglas Holtz-Eakin, was pressed by reporters -- somewhat incongruously -- about the pregnancy news.

The Times' Doyle McManus reports that Holtz-Eakin finally snapped: "This is the governor's daughter. It is their issue. This is something we believe ought to be treated with a lot of respect. ... She has a family, she loves that family, and this is their business."

-- Don Frederick

Bristol Palin, 17, holds her brother Trig during the campaign rally where Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., introduced Bristol and Trig's mom, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, as his vice presidential running mate in Dayton, Ohio, Friday, Aug. 29, 2008. Sarah Palin said Monday, Sept. 1, 2008, that her 17-year-old unmarried daughter is five months pregnant (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)

Comments

[Katharine]

I agree that everyone should lay off Palin's daughter. Her actions have no place for discussion in this campaign. However, Sarah Palin's do, and if it is discovered that there is any kind of cover up or that this new news is any type of red herring, it should be discussed as it is about her integrity and her principles.

[Vic Arpeggio]

I'm sure the Republicans would handle this with dignity if the shoe were on the other foot. And then Hell would freeze over.

[LAJAY]

Why doesn't the media ask Gov. Palin if she has supported and preached abstinence to her children? Most hypocritical conservatives do. And if she did, she obviously didn’t do a good job convincing her daughter.

Also, if the Palin’s are such a “close and supportive family” as the McCain spin-doctors contend, then why didn’t she and her husband know that their daughter was having unprotected sex?

Why doesn’t the media ask these questions and expose another example of conservative hypocrisy, al la David Vitter, Larry Craig, et al?

[zepol61]

I had remained neutral on who to vote for in the November election until Sen. McCain picked his running mate. I could have seen myself voting for him, but not with his selection of a runningmate. I could put the country in Gov. Palin's hands. She isn't prepared to handle the difficulties of the presidency.

[Jay Walker]

It is fine as far as getting married and raise the kid with both parents around but what message does it give to the rest of the nation? That is is perfectly o.k to screw around as your parents will always support you how stupid your actions are?

[gerrrg]

Whoa, Dobson is wrong if he thinks anyone believes Palin to be a hypocrite. To the contrary, I find her to be the perfect Representation of the uncomfortable contradictions that define the Conservatives. The last time I checked, Conservatives frowned upon unwed mothers AND wanted to keep underage sex illegal - by considering it rape.

Hmm...no one is talking about prosecuting 'Levi', are they now? What it comes down to, is that the Conservatives are willing to forgive some (their own ilk) but not others.

[plankbob]

Good old Dr. Dobson:
"Some strong-willed children absolutely demand to be spanked, and their wishes should be granted. Two or three stinging strokes on the legs or buttocks with a switch are usually sufficient to emphasize the point, 'You must obey me.' '"
-- From The Strong-Willed Child, pp. 53-4.

"The boy's father has to do his part. He needs to mirror and affirm his son's maleness. He can play rough-and-tumble games with his son, in ways that are decidedly different from the games he would play with a little girl. He can help his son learn to throw and catch a ball. He can teach him to pound a square wooden peg into a square hole in a pegboard. He can even take his son with him into the shower, where the boy cannot help but notice that Dad has a peni$, just like his, only bigger."

http://www2.focusonthefamily.com/docstudy/newsletters/a000000264.cfm

[Balanor]

Governor Palin should keep family business in the family and out of the limelight.

Let the media do their "stupid" thing and expose a "non-issue".

Gov. Palin stated that she is happy that her daughter "chose" to have the child.

That is refreshing!....A Republican VP candidate who is a Pro-Choice woman.

[The Hokey Hockey Mom]

It's not that these things should or shouldn't happen, or won't happen.

But it shows the hole in this sort of lifestyle where one espouses such morality but with a hidden agenda that's really about making themselves feel good. By that I mean they can do whatever they feel like because in their mind it will be all okay with God's forgiveness. If they screw up, then they can tell themselves that it's okay since they're trying to practice "family values" and believe in America, Guns, and God. It's the same old story: hard drinking, wife beating, gun toting, churchgoers.

[pgbsan]

Of course millions of families will relate to this but there is a problem: is it a relation that's good to have? Teen pregnancies are invariably filled with strong emotions that have the potential to rip a family apart, as well as involve friends and other family members, as those families who have been through one know. How would those families understand that Palin is risking national exposure to those strong familial emotions, that privacy will be impossible?

[Sam]

When children have children, it’s largely because nobody is taking care of them; they’re lonely and lost. But we should never point a finger or suggest fault - after all, someone’s feelings might be hurt! And we all know that “feelings” are the most important value - right? Dead wrong.
Dr. Laura

If she can't take care of her family, how can she take care of our country?

[NK]

Oh, the warm, loving families of the Christian Right. Ask any child who's been there how warm and loving it is if you're gay, or if you get an abortion, or if you think seriously about a non-Protestant world view. You'll be forgiven for such "transgressions." How patronizing! Here's hoping Bristol gets lots of love and support from her mother to be the kind of woman SHE wants to be.

[Jon K.]

Palin is a hypocrite AND lacks the skill and ability to be president. It's that simple.

[Gerry]

Perhaps the Palin family, should have thought about their daughter before taking the job of Vice Presidental candidate. How any mother and father would put their 17 year old through this ordeal, knowing full well that this was the circumstance, and knowing full well that it would be covered in the media no matter what....is beyond my comprehension.

I find this to be a case of bad parenting all around. Yes...it does happen and it happens to good kids. However, those kids aren't usually thrust into the limelight by parents on the campaign trail. For myself, I would forgo the job, and stand behind my child through a difficult time becominig a mother at age 17.

[Happy2BLiberal]

I wonder if poor Bristol had any form of sex education in school. If she had, she might have been able to prevent this pregnancy. No matter how many times you go to church and Bible study, you can't stop yourself from being human. You might be able to slow yourself down. But sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. Just ask McCain and his lobbyist girlfriend.

[chalres]

Dobson: "...we have offered prayer, counseling and resource assistance to tens of thousands of parents and children in the same situation that the Palins are now facing."

Um, what he meant to say was: "...for decades we have fought tooth and nail to legislate forced childbirth for women in this situation."

[Billy Bobb]

The first Redneck Twins in the White-Trash House?

What are Redneck Twins? Well, they happen when you have a child and a grandchild in the same year!

[chuck]

I support Obama and people from both sides should leave this alone.
I applaud her decision to keep this baby, in my opinion it is always the right thing to do in this situation.

[Patrick]

I think that it's perfectly legitimate to ask Gov. Palin whether, in light of her family's circumstances, she will reconsider her opposition to what she derides as "explicit" sex education in the schools.

[Julia]

Behind the media's comments, I get the feeling most people think it would be better for Gov Palin's career if her daughter was just taken to a clinic and had the unborn child taken care of. That's what this is all about. Spare the embarrasment, just go to a clinic and have an abortion.

[chad]

"We're proud of Bristol's decision to have her baby and even prouder to become grandparents," Sarah Palin, 44, and her husband said in the statement.

In McCain and Palin's America, women young and old will not be able to make that decision.

[George]

This is none of anyone's business--as long as the GOP drops the religious right "values" garbage. But as soon as they utter one more word about "values," as soon as they utter one more lie about Barack Obama being a Muslim, as soon as we see John McCain refuse to reject the endorsement of "ministers" who preach a Gospel of intolerance, as long as the right attacks anyone for not following "Biblical" values and morals, then Bristol Palin is fair game.

Now we can see whether the right and the GOP practice what they preach. Remember, the Biblical penalty for premarital sex is death by stoning.

And don't tell us that Jesus never said a word about this. He also never said a word about homosexuality, and that never stopped the right from screeching about the Old Testament.

[Ginger K.]

If John McCain vetted this woman, knew of her troubled past and family, and still wanted her as V.P., I think that is cause for concern about his ability to make good decisions on behalf of this country. Let the woman take of her family and her special needs child and then try for big time politics a few years down the line. Remember when Karen Hughes left Washington because her teenage son was so unhappy? That was honorable.

[Kwame BK]

See, it is not about the kid and the fact that she is pregnant or whether she should keep it or abort it, it is about judgment, which tells us about the ability to lead!

John McCain said he was aware of the kid's pregnancy and yet went ahead and picked Mrs. Palin, knowing full well the kind of media scrutiny he was subjecting the kid to. Is this becoming of a parent and a potential commander-in-chief?

Mrs. Palin obviously also knew about the pregnancy but went ahead and accepted the offer, also knowing full well the consequences of her actions and its detriments to this poor kid. What does this tell us about her judgment? Is this putting her family first? Can she really say she is a good mom?

That the kid is pregnant and wants to keep the baby is no big deal. What is big deal is the judgment of the adults involved in putting their careers first.

[David Blackburn]

It seems that Senator McCain was trying to hide this news from the Republican delegates! When exactly was he planning on springing the news on them?

There should be a new theme song for the Republican convention:
“We're Puttin' White Trash in the White House!”
“We're Puttin' White Trash in the White House!”
“We're Puttin' White Trash in the White House!”
“We're Puttin' White Trash in the White House!”
“We're Puttin' White Trash in the White House!”
“We're Puttin' White Trash in the White House!”
“We're Puttin' White Trash in the White House!”
“We're Puttin' White Trash in the White House!”

[Marcia B]

I can't imagine having a special needs infant AND a pregnant teenager at the same time and leaving them both in the hands of others while I run for office. Really. It's not decent. I'm a working mother, too, but this is just too much.

[Pamela]

I think Sara Pallin did not use good judgement, at the expense of her daughter privacy and emotional well being, she chose to accept John Mcain's offer of VP of the US. She through her family under the boss for her on ego. That's not the person, I want the VP of USA. Give me a break.

[s10]

I wonder, how would the Republicans and Dobson react if Barack had a teen daughter and today it was announced she was 5 months pregnant? Any thoughts from the bloggers out there?

[Roz]

I am an Obama supporter, so let me get this out there. I believe a woman can be president or vice president regardless wheather she is a republician or democrat. I am the mother of children ages 33,31,24,20 and 14. Palin still has a baby (6 months)with down syndrome and a pregnant teenage daughter. What do you do with such a high powerderd job when your baby is sick and needs you at home. When your daughter needs your support and can't wait until you get back. When she has the baby it will be like you having another baby. I was a teen mother and I need my mother each and every day! So with two babies to take care of, how in the world is she going to handle that when all our (Americans) lives are at stake! I know Obama is a father, but in this country I bet his wife is still the MAIN CARETAKER of the children. That the world we live in and Ms. Palin is not exemple because she is a republican.

[Dominic Soto]

If this was Chelsea Clinton or one of the Obama daughters (if they were older), the GOP/Focus on the Family/Right-wing attack machine would go nuts. They'd talk about family values and the importance of abstinence and waiting until marriage.

We all see the hypocrisy.

No one likes attacking some 17 year old and her life.

However . . .

This is about the right-wingers and so-called Christians attacking everyone else's way-of-life. How our gay and lesbian friends are an abomination to God. How God wants America to be strong militarily. How sometimes people make mistakes and are told how to treat their bodies.

Hypocrisy.

This needs to be called out again and again.

[frances gallman]

Well, well. Finally someone said it, but strange as it seems, to say" the Palin family is only human" . Why have you not seen that in the Obama family. They have to be the African american, or the black man. Hardly even the Senator, everything but human. Why is that? did he not know? Just in case he didn;t know, I'll tell him. He is a human with mixed genes both black & white. To call him an African american means one thing, that his black genes were so powerful they obliterated his white genes, because they go out of their way not to mention the white side. Francoise.

[cece]

To all those who refer to the term "white trash"....I can't help it if my mind goes to the name "Clinton." The Clintons are not fit to tie the shoelaces of anyone in the Palin family. I guess having the President of the United States serviced in the Oval Office while your family is upstairs is real class.

[kiddc]

who names their kids bristol and trig.....

this chicks a nut!!

and mccain is way out of touch....didnt realize the drama around this nutcase!! and we want him with his finger on the red button??

obama/biden in november

lets restore the respect of the world

[John]

Of course everyone wishes Ms. Palin all the best in her pregnancy and raising of her child. What bothers me is this: - The republicans always claim the moral high ground. So are they holding Mrs Palin to the same level of scrutiny. The fact is, Governor Palin is the mom and where were her "mothering" skills when Ms. Palin got pregnant? If the shoe was on the other foot and a Democratic female VP candidates' daughter was pregnant, the republicans would be writing it in the sky with no feelings of support for the Democrate. The republican are such hyporits. The claim the moral high ground only when it suits them. What about now?

[Suzanne]

I always thought the Republicans looked down their nose at the rest of us. Now, I don't think they can even look anyone in the eye. Talk about talking out of both sides of their mouth!

[steveJJ]

Who cares? I'm not voting for her daughter, I'm voting for her. Go Sarah Barracuda.

[Joan Opyr]

Bristol Palin should be off-limits, but her mother's poor judgment in accepting John McCain's offer of the Vice Presidency is fair game. Sarah Palin accepted knowing that her 17-year-old daughter was pregnant. She accepted knowing that her daughter would be subject to intense media scrutiny. Putting family first or throwing your family aside for the sake of political ambition?

As for McCain knowing about Bristol Palin's pregnancy before he made the VP offer to Sarah Palin, sweet Fanny Adams, who does he think he's fooling? McCain met with Sarah Palin once for half an hour before deciding that she was fit to be President if he kicked the bucket. Palin was a cynical choice, and she and McCain are demonstrably selfish and self-centered politicians. What a nauseating pair.

http://joanopyr.wordpress.com

[Stubenville]

Would Dr. Dobson and his fellow conservatives be urging the media to back off if the girl "in trouble" were the unwed pregnant daughter of a Democratic candidate? Hell no, those hypocrites would be broadcasting commercials about it.

[Molly]

Attn: Hokey Hockey Mom

"It's the same old story: hard drinking, wife beating, gun toting, churchgoers."

Please don't paint all Republicans and/or Christians with the same brush. I thought libs were supposed to be tolerant!

[Denis Z]

When John McCain announced Sarah Palin as his VP choice, my first reaction was who? Then I seriously questioned his judgement in selecting a running mate that is clearly unaccomplished. Now that her 17-yr old is going to have a baby, I question Ms. Palin's credentials as a parent to put her daughter through this national scrutiny and embarrassment. But in the world of the Christian right and right wing GOP politics, hypocrisy always trumps the truth. If the shoe were on the other foot, the Dems would be Swift-boated into oblivion.

[Patti]

The media didn't bring Bristol Palin to the national spotlight, her mother did.

The way for Sarah Palin to have ensured privacy for her daughter was to decline to run for Vice President.

I could have lived my life perfectly well without knowing Sarah Palin's daughter is pregnant. That I do, was a parenting decision made by Sarah Palin.

[Heather]

"“We're Puttin' White Trash in the White House!”
Posted by: David Blackburn "

Hey David, your misogyny is showing!

[goodrich4bk]

Too bad Sarah can't solve this family problem by asking that somebody be fired. Of course, she could solve the problem by declining the nomination, but that would require her to put country over family. Indeed, maybe McCain should consider that solution for his own misjudgments in this drama.

[jjdunc]

let he who has never made a mistake cast the first stone--

[Concerned in Los Angeles]

Does Bristol Palin have health insurance? Would she benefit more from McCain's or Obama's plan?

[tomK]

It's amazing how many perfect people are on this blog, and the funny thing is their favorite derogatory label is hypocrite. I know plenty of friends that had sex education in High school were told by their parents to use a condom if they had sex and still got their girlfriend pregnant. So what's the point here, Sarah Palin should have not taken the Governor's job and instead followed her daughter around all day? like that would have worked.... since when did the left become the " Mom's should always be at home party"

What a bunch of crap

[A Christian Mother]

As soon as McCain announced Palin as his running mate, I was excited. When I found out she had a 5 month old, I knew I would not be voting for that ticket. As a Christian, I had to question the character of a mother who leaves a 5 month old child (with special needs) to pursue her career. Her daughter is pregnant because you have a mother who was more focused on her career than her children. Let's just be honest here: If the shoe were on the other foot and one of Obama's daughters were pregnant, James Dobson and his conservative zombies would have a ball condemning Obama’s ability to lead a nation.

[Gary M]

Sarah Palin for V.P. is a total disaster! Her family obviously needs her, but she's too busy with her "career". With a special needs baby and an eldest 17 year old daughter pregnant, this professional mom clearly has more on her plate than she can handle. If someone were to call in to the Dr. Laura Show and ask if they should pursue a political career while balancing the needs of a downs syndrome baby and a pregnant 17 year old daughter, I'm sure she would be told to get her butt home and start taking care of things in the family! I don't see how McCain can continue on with this VP pick and it totally knocks the foundation out from under the very people that Sarah Palin is supposed to be a champion of! Please, John McCain, get out of this mess while you can and pick a new running mate.... male or female, but someone who has the time and legitimate experience to do this job! This is what happens when you gamble and make decisions based on pandering!

[Tim McGarry]

Senator Obama is right -- this is a private family matter and simply not relevant to judging Governor Palin's fitness for the vice-presidency. I don't often find myself agreeing with McCain's campaign adviser, Steve Schmidt, but his remark that "life happens in families" is exceedingly wise and leaves little else to be said.

I also agree with Schmidt's observation that most Americans will be appalled at attempts to politicize this. Here's is one Democrat who wishes more pro-Obama bloggers and commenters would follow the Senator's advice and focus on issues that matter.

[Connie]

Okay, it's 3:00 AM and the phone rings, but the baby is crying and your daughter goes into labor. What do you do next? - I don't want to think about the end to either one of these stories.
Mr. McCan is time for you to "Put the country FIRST".