So the big argument at the moment is whether or not the media and the voters should talk about Bristol Palin's pregnancy. The right argues that it is a complete nonissue and that families are off limits. The left argues that the discussion isn't about Bristol, it's about Bristol's mother -- who happens to be on the Republican ticket as their VP pick -- and as such is completely relevant and in bounds.
To be fair -- and complete -- Obama did respond to questions from the press about Bristol's pregnancy by saying the candidate's families are out of bounds. Of course, what else could he possibly have said? To respond in any other way leaves his own family open to attack. To respond in any other way also goes against what both he and Senator McCain have been saying about their wives throughout the entire campaign: spouses are off limits. Of course, that hasn't stopped anyone on the right -- including McCain himself -- from going after a comment of Michelle Obama's regarding patriotism. Nor did it stop anyone from McCain's or Obama's camps from going after Mr. Clinton.
So back to the Palins. Sarah Palin is the Republican party's pick for VP. And she has accepted this invitation. As such, her life is now an open book. There is nothing new or different about that. That's how it works when you're on the shortlist for the big office.
The right likes to say that Palin "walks her talk." This is generally said right before or after a statement that Palin recently had a special needs baby. Palin discovered during her pregnancy that the baby would have Downs and choose to carry him to term regardless. Palin is anti-choice to the extent that she also opposes such a choice even in cases of rape and incest. Imminent death of the mother is the only circumstance under which Palin believes that abortion is an option. Therefore, having her own special needs baby is seen as her walking her talk.
Okay, great.
Palin is also a supporter of abstinence only education in the schools and is against pre-marital sex. However, it appears that her eldest was born less than 9 months after her marriage, which was an elopement. Granted it is possible that the baby was early. However, the child's birthdate has been removed from Wikipedia and there are several reports online that the child was indeed conceived out of wedlock. This doesn't look like her walking her talk. Perhaps it was the folly of youth (though I believe she was in her mid-20s) or perhaps she has changed her stance. But it's fair to look at and consider and weigh while considering her for Vice President of this nation.
Palin is also supposedly an ethics reformer. And yet she herself is caught up in what is being called Troopergate. She is being accused of having her ex-brother-in-law fired. She says she didn't do this and reports are that it's all been blown out of proportion. And yet she's just recently hired an attorney to represent her. It's fair and relevant to talk about ethics charges that have been leveled against a potential Vice President of this nation.
Sarah Palin is the mother of 5. One is about to deploy to Iraq. One is a pregnant teenager. And one is a 4 month old with Down Syndrome. These facts in and of themselves are absolutely relevant. The time and concern and stress that each one of these facts place on a parent are understandably great. But all three together?
The job of vice president is incredibly time-consuming and stressful. And let's not forget that she would be second in command to the oldest president in US history, one who has also had several bouts with a dangerous skin cancer. She would be, as they say, a heartbeat away from the presidency. With the present concerns in her family, would Palin really be able to put country before family? I don't think it's any kind of secret that those in the big offices generally put the family second during their tenure. And the party that espouses family values has just chosen the mother of a special needs baby to be in such an office for the most formative and important and challenging years of his life. Do we really want to elect someone who would volunteer to do such a thing?
I've known parents of children with Downs. The struggle to balance a "regular job" with their children's needs have been quite difficult and stressful for them. Vice President of the United States is not a "regular job."
Now back to Bristol's pregnancy. How did that happen, one has to wonder. Was this the case of a rebel teenager doing what she likes regardless of what mom and dad say and believe? Bristol doesn't appear to be a rebel, but either way, if this is the case then it's none of our business. Was this about teenage hormones and runaway passion? If so, though it doesn't say much for the chances of the upcoming marriage, it's none of our business. Was this about parents who were always at work rather than at home; parents who put work before their children; parents who kept a closer eye on their Blackberries than their children? If so, then it's absolutely our business and it's absolutely appropriate to discuss it. Because if this is the case, then it says something about the kind of person Sarah Palin is and what kind of person she is is absolutely relevant to the kind of VP she would be. Another option, is the reality that Governor Palin says what is necessary to get votes, while believing something different and raising her children under a different standard? If so, then Bristol's pregnancy is absolutely relevant to this race and is an absolutely appropriate talking point.
And notice that in the paragraph above, Bristol herself is not the topic. Bristol herself should not be judged by the masses. Bristol should not be badgered by the press about this. But so far, I haven't seen anyone approach Bristol. I've seen this discussed only in terms of Governor Sarah Palin and what it says about her. And again, that is absolutely relevant.
I know what you're thinking. You're thinking that I wouldn't be saying these things, wouldn't be having these concerns, if it were Todd Palin being put forth as a VP candidate. But you're wrong. I absolutely would be. Infants and very young children need whatever parents they have to be there for them. If Obama or McCain had an infant at home, I would have the same concerns about that infant's father being missing in action for the most formative years of his/her young life.
So don't tell me that Bristol's pregnancy and Sarah Palin's family in general are off limits. Because they're not. No one should be attacking them or hounding them, that is absolutely true. But to discuss these issues in terms of Sarah Palin herself?
Yes, it is relevant, and yes, we can discuss it.
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