Will disclosures about Palin hurt McCain?

It was no secret. The secret is the denials Democrats are so fond of such as John Edwards, Bill Clinton and especially Ted Kennedy that has gotten away with murder for all these years.

Come on guys. This is not about Palin's daughter being pregnant, it is about how it was not revealed until the information was leaked out. In basically every photo shoot, Palin's daughter stood with the baby and blanket covering her mid section. If this was public knowledge, why such an overt effort to conceal herself. If we buy this story, then we are open targets to believe anything that sounds good. I really dislike politics because it often brings out the worst in us. I sympathize with Governor Palin because as a mother of four and Chief Executive Officer of a youth development organization, I know how hard it is to juggle family and a career. However this admiration has no baring on my choice for President. The issues of this country are bigger than feminist rights, therefore we cannot use one "single" issue to base our platform for choice but what can the next candidate do differently to bring about different outcomes. Hillary, Barack and Sarah Palin have remove lifelong barriers for our future generation, and individuals will never understand the significance of this unless they have been a female or minority. Nevertheless, the issue is not about race or gender, but who can move this country forward on a positive note so that every American Citizen can feel that they have a fair chance in life.

You're right, every family has "issues," but THAT is not the point. The point is that Palin's 17 year old daughter's getting pregnant makes Palin look like a hypocrite, and the "family values" talk looks like a bunch of hot air, AND it pretty well illustrates that "abstinence" which she supportes, does NOT work. We've had enough hypocrisy in the White House for the past 6 years - we do NOT need 4 more years of it....

Actually, her decision to keep the baby and not abort the baby is consistent with family values and values for life first. Also - terms for president are 4 years so I think that your math is off with your 6 year reference but I won't judge you.

Dalton,you're got it right. What does a candidate's pregnant daughter have to do with the job her mother will do as VP? Some people are just looking for controversy and if they look hard enough they'll find something on everybody. The Democrats have certainly had their scandals. For example a lying, cheating President, a Senator who left a girl to die in a car submerged in water, etc. it didn't hurt them. Clinton's lying got him into the worst trouble. Remember the blue dress with his DNA? A pregnant teen pales in comparison.

With children born outside of marriage to celebrities, couples having children without being able to make a committment to each other in marriage, why are people surprised? Anybody heard of Angelina and Brad and others in the Hollywood pack? Our kids are exposed to it everyday. This young lady will marry the baby's father and I hope it will last. Palin's family is Pro Life and they've demonstrated it.

Thiis doesn't change anything for me. I will still vote for the McCain/Palin ticket. Another thing, the part about her husband getting a DUI 22 years ago? He was a kid. My son got one at 19 and he's a sober, successful, and I mean really successful, business man today. They put erasers on pencils, don't they?

Just hope you're not scrutinized as closely as these folks are. Would they find something from your present or past? You can bet on it! Wait for the explanations before you jump on the condemnation band wagon.

Having been in Bristols position (a teenage mother), I found my situation to be extremely humiliating, painful and terrifying. This is every teenage girls worst nightmare! My parents were educators in the community and OH MY GOD people can be cruel and the rumors were rampant. My parents were never-the-less supportive and loving and my baby was adopted by a loving couple.

I cannot help but wonder what was going through Ms. Palins mind when SHE KNEW that this would be an issue and for all the world to see! The LAST thing I wanted was MORE ATTENTION!
I feel strongly that BOTH SIDES of the political campaign should have left Bristol out of it.

If my mother were to have put me in my condition onto the world stage and in the medias glare because SHE was running for office or for ANY OTHER REASON....I would have never forgiven her.

I think that THIS is what most people have an issue with....not a pregnant teenage girl.

God Bless you Bristol

Dalton - "alleging the driver of the truck that hit and killed his wife and daughter was drunk when there was no accusation no investigation and no proof of that issue."

An "allegation" is an accusation based on belief not grounded in proof.

Why is it that every time Republican character or ethics issues come into play, there is always some there to cry "well, Clinton.... oh, remember when...." Very bad example to use in this context, Dalton. Remember, in that instance, it was Republicans making a personal (family) issue a political one for their own purposes. Why should his moral character involving a family issue be fair game and Palin's (not talking about Bristol's pregnancy, who cares) off limits?

Just an observation - I think both issues are a private matter and nobody else's business. Except that Palin is trying to push her reproduction beliefs on all of us. Look where that got her at home. Clinton never tried to ban oral, proposing an amendment to the Constitution to make it illegal while doing the opposite IN PRIVATE.

I am all behind Palin. I totally believe her when she says that she had nothing to do with it. From I have read so far she seems like a very honest person. That is what we need in the white house. Be it President or VP. I also like the fact that she does not take crap from anybody.

I am an Alaska resident who is not enamored of Sarah Palin. I do not live in JUNEAU (if you're going to use it learn to spell it). She has done OK for our state to date, but she doesn't have to do much to be better than our last governor (a crook and good old boy). She has accepted loads of earmarked money thanks to one of our crooked senators (Uncle Ted), which is something McCain claims to be against. She is continuing to perpetuate the "welfare state" mentality by handing out $1200 energy bonuses which is not an indication of being very forward thinking. She is no saint and certainly has not been investigated thoroughly before being selected to be a VP pick. Who gives a *^%& about her story? Plenty of hockey moms who have five kids and a husband who works on the north slope reside here, so BIG deal. These qualities do not a good VP make! She hates to admit any wrong doing and gets pretty testy when called out about any of the poor choices she has made over her short tenure as governor here. Open? No way! Transparent? YOU BET! She has a very difficult time separating her personal and official/elected lives and often crosses the line here. For the record I think they will find some shady things went on with the firing of Walt Monegan, though it was certainly her right to remove him from his position. Also, in my humble opinion the trooper in question is an @!$%# who should be removed from his position, but Walt Monegan did all he could do without stepping over the line. I think this choice for VP was a mistake that will come back to haunt us all.

Mr. P-Man, When was the last time you saw the question on a job application: Is your daughter pregnant? Has your son gotten a girl pregnant? Why in the WORLD would you expect or think (then that may the problem) he would ask that question? Come on, lets be real here. Don't expect more out of people than you would expect from yourself, even if they are in public office. They are still human and have problems and issues just like all of us. There is no perfect family. NONE.

E Spence.

I agree with you 100%, I have no issues at all with the points that you make. Perhaps I made my comments on the wrong thread. Family issues should be off-limits here, they are not germane to the point of whether or not Ms. Palin is qualified to have her control of our nuclear arsenal.

I was responding to the facts that McCain has only met Ms. Palin once, apparently has not spent a whole lot of time getting to understand the whole picture before making a decision. Can we agree that these decisions are extremely important to ALL of us, especially right now. I stand by my point that this candidate for the second highest position in the free world appears to have no experience with respect to foreign relations. But perhaps that's the plan.........just continue to snub our nose at the rest of the world and do whatever the hell it is we want....... torture included.

Thanks for you comments, I agree with what you had to say.

"was responding to the facts that McCain has only met Ms. Palin once, apparently has not spent a whole lot of time getting to understand the whole picture before making a decision."

Just for the record, it was twice. The second time was when he invited her for the interview. That said, meeting a vp choice is not an necessity. Quite often, a President HATES his vp, and the choice for the person to be the vp. That is exactly why we have a vetting process, which is NOT conducted solely by the presidential candidate. The point is to choose the best person professionally, meaning based on reputation, resume, history, voting record, accomplishments, methods of conduct and operation, etc. They do NOT choose based on personal friendship, at least they definitely shouldn't. It wouldn't make the slightest bit of difference if the first time he met her was when offering the job, there's not the slightest bit of need to be on solid personal terms prior to offering the position. This is about offering a job, not asking her for a date. The vetting process along with the lengthy interview IS the entire process. Biden and Obama were also not on personal terms, this is only ignored because everyone knows of Biden, so they ignore whether they was actually any personal friendships between the two. Despite the mainstream media lack of attention, she is a HUGE name among Republican activists, for her maverick style compared often to McCain. She was my top choice a year ago before there was even any speculation or knowledge of who the presidential candidates would be. No doubt she was already on a vetter's roster by that time as well. It's about choosing the best professional, not the best friend. Few candidates really know their vp before offering the position, and it seems more often than not that they don't even like each other. McCain is one up on many Democrats AND Republicans in this regard, he actually likes his vp choice.

Denver P-Man - What the heck is E Spence talking about? I don't think he/she read your post before venting -- not to be confused w/vetting, obviously.

I, on the other hand, did read it. It would be so funny, except..... well, no. It's funny! I'm going to choose to laugh through this part and keep my fingers crossed that people come to their senses before November.

I have an idea, McSame/Pawnin' supporters, instead of casting a ballot, hang on to your writin' tools until December and send a congratulations card to Bristol instead!

It is not a matter of her daughter being pregnant, (which by the way is bad), but the fact that she will have the whole world knowing of her daughter's irresponsible behavior. Do have three successful daughters myself so do know what I am speaking about. Do feel that if she cannot control her own family, how in heavens name is she going to control this country.

Can you control your Kids every minute of every day!!?? No, and if you think you can you are fooling only yourself! Besides, does it really matter that her daughter is pregnant?? If our "leaders" had to be perfect, with no family problems, or skeletons in the closet (no matter how small, or how long ago), We would still be searching for our First President!!!

"Do feel that if she cannot control her own family, how in heavens name is she going to control this country."

The actions of her kids directly correlates to her ability to control a country? I would hope she wouldn't manage a country like managing her own children, that's a horrible way to run a country. And ignoring that entirely, do you honestly think that a vp or even President could step up onto the stage and make every teen stop having sex? I'm pretty sure that it doesn't matter who is President or vp, at least some teens will keep getting pregnant. So not being able to stop ONE teen doesn't say anything about being a vice president, no politician will control every single human in the country. I'd pack up and run if they gained the ability. No politician can CONTROL an entire country, that isn't even the job of being a leader. Rather, it sure isn't supposed to be, and it wouldn't be her place to try. Entirely separate issue, not a single basis for comparison.

I agree with Lynette. No logical person, Republican or Democrat, can believe that out of all the possible choices for VP on the Republican ticket that Sarah Palin was the most qualified and/or the best choice. All signs point to the fact the McCain chose her because he couldn't have Lieberman AND because he wanted to give his campaign a bounce. This does NOT seem like the responsible thing for a presidential candidate to do. I used to respect McCain for forging his own way, but his campaign has "caved" to politics. Too bad, really. He used to have a good reputation....

"The issue here is that McCain appears to be more interested in finding ways to secure votes rather than focusing on the important issues that will help to bring our country out of the situation it is currently facing."

I was thinking the same of Obama, with her promises that ignore ALL long term consequences. Talk about not caring about the damage he'll do to a country. Reduction of work incentive programs, universal government regulated mandatory health care at government inflated costs, corn ethanol and the high oil demand its production brings, robbing from the rich without regards to how this REALLY affects the poor and middle class, etc.

"No logical person, Republican or Democrat, can believe that out of all the possible choices for VP on the Republican ticket that Sarah Palin was the most qualified and/or the best choice."

Actually, she was my top choice, though I doubted she would actually be picked. It was a rather pleasant surprise. Being a moral Democrat (pro-choice, gay rights) and economic/business Republican (work incentive programs to reduce poverty levels, privatized SS and universal privatized choice based health care), she has been on the top of my list since being the top talk among Republican activists (though largely ignored by the media). Within the party itself, there's been speculation that she would be chosen no matter who was the presidential nominee for several months now. Her appeal to moderates was a hook they had to bite. Going after any politican regardless of political party if she feels they're corrupt, complete disregard for party lines and no care for the spotlight, not only no oil scandals (she conducted the investigations for the Alaskan scandals instead of being the target), but serving on the natural gas and oil conservation fund, regulating oil corporations while going after corrupt politicians...she'd be the best choice to stand by MOST Republican candidates.
Being COMPLETELY logical, she definitely IS the best choice out of all possibles, and there is little doubt that she's been on the vetter's lists for several weeks now. She was too well known among those activists, her accomplishments too well known (even while being ignored by the mainstream) to not be on that list. You base you assumption on mainstream media, on the things they choose to report on, instead of the actual candidate and her standing not just within the party, but outside its lines. I don't think there was a single better choice for McCain, and that's easy for me to see because I'm a very logical person. It only appears illogical to those who focus on mainstream media instead of looking at state accomplishments, records, and official proposals. You only get less than a half of one percent of what is happening in politics from the main news sources, and that's no doubt why you hold the opinion that you do. Sorry, but I have to disagree on your assumption.

Let me get this straight, Beckwith, are you the "moral Democrat," or is Palin? If it's Palin, she is not pro-choice. If it's you who are pro-choice, where do you land on other issues? How do you feel about gun control? What about the war in Iraq? Climate change? Do your views mostly agree with her's?

I still think this is a Hail-Mary pass, a desperate attempt to lure some of Hillary Clinton's supporters. To a degree, it will work. Some will support McCain because of Palin's sex. I believe most women are smarter than that, and will look at the policies and beliefs of the candidates and base a decision on that.

Let me get this straight, Beckwith, are you the "moral Democrat," or is Palin? If it's Palin, she is not pro-choice. If it's you who are pro-choice, where do you land on other issues? How do you feel about gun control? What about the war in Iraq? Climate change? Do your views mostly agree with her's?

I still think this is a Hail-Mary pass, a desperate attempt to lure some of Hillary Clinton's supporters. To a degree, it will work. Some will support McCain because of Palin's sex. I believe most women are smarter than that, and will look at the policies and beliefs of the candidates and base a decision on that.

You better watch that truth saying. We all can see the real deal, and we really know that there is still an attitude of - "if it ain't a white man, it better be a white woman next in line."

We are entering a new phase in American politics. Women want to be, and should be recognized more. McIgnorant's move may cause women to loose pace. His choice is to force women to vote for an unkown female running mate who they don't know - over the many qualified and tested women in his party. Actually, this should be recognized by nonrepublican women as a slap in the face. Republican women have no choice - they have to support the ticket for the party.

You better watch that truth saying. We all can see the real deal, and we really know that there is still an attitude of - "if it ain't a white man, it better be a white woman next in line."

We are entering a new phase in American politics. Women want to be, and should be recognized more. McIgnorant's move may cause women to loose pace. His choice is to force women to vote for an unkown female running mate who they don't know - over the many qualified and tested women in his party. Actually, this should be recognized by nonrepublican women as a slap in the face. Republican women have no choice - they have to support the ticket for the party.

You better watch that truth saying. We all can see the real deal, and we really know that there is still an attitude of - "if it ain't a white man, it better be a white woman next in line."

We are entering a new phase in American politics. Women want to be, and should be recognized more. McIgnorant's move may cause women to loose pace. His choice is to force women to vote for an unkown female running mate who they don't know - over the many qualified and tested women in his party. Actually, this should be recognized by nonrepublican women as a slap in the face. Republican women have no choice - they have to support the ticket for the party.

I beg to differ - unplanned/unwed pregnancies amongst celebrities are CELEBRATED, not given to shaming the unwed mother. Why is this so different? Because she's a conservative, and that's all. Even those socialites are given fairer treatment than Bristol! Besides, Palin knew the consequences before accepting the nomination. And she knew her family would also be scrutinized.

And another thing, why didn't anyone tell Jack Kennedy to go home and take care of his children? He had small children at home and not one person even suggested that! That would be called discrimination if she was told that at a job interview! 'Oh no, she has too many responsibilities at home. She can't do this job.' Can you say EEOC?

Wow, what an utterly sexist and contemptible thing to say. Shouldn't you be saying the same thing about Obama, who does not live with his family and takes no part in the daily care of his two daughters! Oh wait, he's a man! It's always a woman's role to be the one taking care of the children, right, Tom?

How much more would you like to disenfranchise woman in this country with your sexism and ignorance, Tom?

How bout the fact that Palin returned to work 3 days after giving birth to a disabled child. A baby needs it's mother to survive (until the invention of formula, the largest scientific experiment ever). Or what about the fact that at the tender age 4 months old Palin feels it is more important to advance her career (VP nod) than to care for her child to give that child the best possible home. Maybe she will hire someone else to do it, possibly an illegal immigrant at $10/ hour (happens all the time). Family values???? What family????

And let us not forget that this was McCain's first really big decision. Republicans and Democrats all know there are others in the Republican party far more qualified than Palin. He definitely messed this one up. What is he going to decide for our country if he can't even get this one right?

"How can she care for her own baby AND care for her daughter, who will need a lot of
assistance to adjust to motherhood? Something does not seem right about this....... "

I don't know, maybe the father? Roles can reverse you know, this is the 21st century, sexism is dead and all that until it's time to attack a politician. Women work, men stay at home. If she was a man, I'm sure that you would expect the women to follow and take care of the kids, without a question. Why is this situation any different, just because they switched roles? He's at home for the next several months, on leave from work. It's no different than if he was a woman and she was a man. He is with the kids, they also have things called child care nowadays that most parents take advantage of, there's no issue here whatsoever. It's her and her family's choice if they want to bring the family farther into politics. She already has been running a full time job, remember, so this doesn't change her time with the kids. It's just another full time job, if she loses this one she's right back to the full time one she has now, where she ALREADY isn't a stay at home mom.

Very interesting and food for thought. You dislike the candidate selection because of her children's names! You assume that her support of sex education and contraception would have prevented her teenage daughter from becoming pregnant ( I am more than certain she was there when it happened). You condemn her eyes! Wow - very impressive reasons for voting!

Valerie, Governor Palin has executive experience that both Obama and Biden themselves lack. Palin has run Alask with a near 90% approval rating as well.

It's shocking how little experience Obama actually has; he has never run anything in his life!

In choosing Joe Biden, an admitted plagiarist ( dropped out of the 1988 presidential race in disgrace ) with a record of racism-- and a really bad hair transplant-- Obama conceded that he did not have the experience to hold the office of President based on his own experience.

Electing Obama would not only be a gamble, Valerie, it would make us an ObamaNation. Don't let that happen, sistah!

Governor Palin has executive experience that both Obama and Biden themselves lack.

Don't forget Senator Bomb Bomb Iran on your list on candidates with no executive experience. I think the real shake up on Thursday will be when the Republicans realize Sarah Palin should be at the top of the ticket.

Kathy, as I pointed out above, Governor Palin has actual experience serving in an executive capacity running Alaska. Obama does not.

Many believe she has better experience than either Obama or Biden as a result of her serving in the office of governor--with a nearly 90% approval rating as well.

She's bright, talented, courageous and, yes, more experienced than Obama.

Palin is not qualified to run the country should something to McCain

And Obama is? Just what qualifications does he have. So far he has run a campaign with a 330 million dollar expenditure.

2007 Alaska budget was the 32nd biggest in the nation at $5.5 billion dollars in expenditures. (http://www.neilchilson.com/?p=128)

Lets review
Palin Budget. 5.500,000,000.00 (5.5 BILLION)
Obama budget 330,000,000.00 (330 Million)

Ok Obama is a lawyer? According to the US census 1 Lawyer for every 300 Americans
Has he ever owned a law firm? been a senior partner? NO

Obama Community organizer: Was he on a financial board, in charge of budgetary decision? NO

So I am trying to find some indication that he has experience to run a country?
I seem to be having a problem?

If qualifications means you know a influence peddler Tony Rezko who is facing sentencing on 16 counts of influence pedding? Obama is qualified.

If qualifications mean you know how to use the system to get black voter signatures challenged on the petition to keep other black candidates from running against him the 96 election? Obama is qualified.

If qualifications means that you worked for ACORN as an attorney and organizer and your campaign spent 800K with them this year and Acorn is under investigation in several states for voter fraud, Obama is qualified.

Yep Obama's got qualifications all right! JUST THE WRONG KIND!

Please tell me where are you getting your information? It is totally wrong.

Many believe she has better experience than either Obama or Biden as a result of her serving in the office of governor--with a nearly 90% approval rating as well.

You might want to check her current approval ratings. They have slipped to 67% since the people of Alaska have had more time to get to know her. Given her corruption and history of lying I suspect they will be in Bushland by the end of her term.

Sharon I'd be happy to, I don't make statements without sources, the facts are I find that Obama supporters havent done any real research therefore their opinion of him are based on popular media not facts:

Obama and his Rezko ties
http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/353829,CST-NWS-rez23.article

Obama's Rezko ties deeper than land deal http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/184540,122306obama.article

An Obama Patron and Friend Until an Indictment
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/14/us/politics/14rezko.html

Obamas 96 election sources:
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/05/29/obamas.first.campaign/index.html
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-070403obama-ballot,0,1843097.story
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121918996082755013.html?mod=fpa_mostpop

Obama and acorn:
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/election/s_584284.html

I can give you more FACTS and sources if you would like. These are real media sources mind you not some blogsource.