McCain Vetting; Palin Priorities Called into Question
Okay, so riddle me this, BSB readers: if you knew your 17-year-old daughter was pregnant, why in the hell would you accept your parties' Vice Presidental slot, knowing that your daughter's name is about to be dragged through the mud as a symbol of how "abstinence education" has been an utter failure? Don't you think your priority should be helping your daughter prepare for this child's entry into the world, knowing full well that a 17 year old won't be able to handle the responsibility on their own?
Because Sarah Palin doesn't know what the duties of the Vice President of the United States are, maybe she thinks she'll have time. But it sounds to me like she isn't giving her family life the due consideration it deserves.
And, what does this say about John McCain's process for vetting VP picks? If he knew about the pregnancy, then this only becomes an even larger gamble on McCain's part, showing just how desperate he is to try and peel off some Clinton supporters from Obama while throwing red meat to the far right. It calls into question his judgement: why take such a gamble when the polls show you nearly tied with your opponent? If he didn't know, then his entire vetting process was a joke. Which is it? We'll have to wait and see.
I know it wasn't your intention, but stuff like this provided them with the fuel they needed.
Dr. James Dobson
DR. DOBSON: Some women are able to maintain a busy career and a bustling family at the same time, and they do it beautifully. I admire them for their discipline and dedication. It has been my observation, however, that this dual responsibility is a formula for exhaustion and frustration for many others. It can be a never-ending struggle for survival. … Consider what it is like to be a mother of young children who must arise early in the morning, get her kids dressed, fed and located for the day, then drive to work, labour from nine to five, go by the grocery store and pick up some stuff for dinner, retrieve the kids at the child-care centre and then drive home. She is dog-tired by that point and needs to put her feet up for a few minutes. But she can’t rest. The kids are hungry, and they’ve been waiting to see her all day. […]
On weekends, there’s housecleaning to do, clothes to be ironed and pants to be mended. … A little push in any direction and she could go over the edge.
you think Dr. Dobson is talking about Sarah Palin?
ever hear that one? I think Sir Iassac Newton said it. How about as the twig is bent, so grows the tree. That, I am sure is from Davey Tree.
I wonder how many parents of high school age children are just cringing at the thought that the GOP is legitimizing high school pregnancies?
I just kinda wonder....is Alaska the new West Virginia?
and you call me an idiot?
how about Jamie Lynn Spears? How many parents were upset with that? Bad role model and all. You don't think that either Palin or her daughter will be a role model?
Hey, Nick, what about the cop who goes to work knowing he may get shot and leave a wife and family behind? Or a fireman and father who risks his life in a fire while saving the lives of others? Think about a soldier who understands that there are things bigger than himself and yet places himself in harms way, knowing full well that his service may result in great pain and suffering by his family, but help protect the freedoms and liberties of a nation.
I'm one of those people Nick. And it's not a "superfluous point of hypocrisy". Sarah Palin's willingness to enter the race reveals as much about her character as your partisan pontification says about yours.
Tudorman, if you think there's a comparison between serving as a soldier, cop, or firefighter and serving in political office you're dreaming. They're not even remotely comparable.
Cops, soldiers and firefighters get to live more or less private lives. Not so political figures, every detail of their lives is subject to scrutiny. Knowing that, and knowing your 17 year old daughter is pregnant, why drag her through the mud like this? Her name's in every major newspaper in America. Why would you do this to her?
Sarah Palin is only 44 years old, does she think this opportunity will never come along again?
Nick, I understand what you are getting at, but I look at it differently.
Consider those people throughout history, who, because of a belief in a cause greater than themselves, put their family's fortune, reputation, and in some cases, lives, at risk. At the time of our nation's founding, many of the patriots, both those who took up arms and those who defied The Crown politically, could have certainly chosen another course, one of relative safety. But they didn't ,and boy am I glad!
I probably would have made the same decision if I was in Sarah Palin's position last week. I would have asked my daughter (and family) to be my partner in a venture that could influence the lives of millions of people generations from now. I would have asked her to stand by my side as I stood by hers, in mutual support during what would no doubt be a test of our resolve and beliefs.Let's see if Palin has what it takes. It could be a crash and burn campaign. But if she proves she has the moxie and can connect with enough voters, look out. The Dems may be sorry they underestimated her.
But on the pregnant daughter issue, you should let it go. It does nothing for your cause and makes your side look like small thinkers.
Randy, I work in the private sector for a software company (isn't that cliche?).
Honestly my post came from an honest question I was asking myself about what I would do with my family, putting myself in Palin's shoes. I do have some political ambition, but to accept a VP slot when my teenage daughter was pregnant (if I had one) would seem to be selfish. At least I would feel it would be selfish.
I grew up with the son of a local politician. I think he was a state senator or something. Later the dad ran for governor. Based on the way his son was treated, I refused to vote for the dad. My theory was that if the dad treated the son that way, I didn't want him running the state. The dad won anyway and later became a cabinet member for President Clinton.
But I had personal knowledge of the sitution. I don't have equal knowledge of Palin's situation and won't make comments pro/con her decision. Obama essentially said the same thing.
I also heard that one time, she loitered in front of a building, and there was a clear sign that said "No Loitering". I can't vote for anybody who loiters.
Obama/Biden: "No Loitering" you can believe in!!!