17 year old pregnant?
By relundad
@relundad (2310)
United States
September 1, 2008 12:11pm CST
I just heard a tidbit for upcoming news program that said this:
"Republican VP Choice, Paelin's 17 year old daughter is pregnant,what effect will this have on the public's view?"
My question is do you think that this will have any affect on the public's view? How important is it to you that your political choice seems flawless or perfect? When you hear about real life stories in the lives of politicians do you expect something different?
My opinion is that politicians are real life people and are subject to the same situations as you and I. So I don't hold them in any higher regard than I would someone else, except in the job that they have or are applying for. I really don't care that a politician or celebrity got arrested for whatever. So did a million other people.
Its like we hold them to a whole other set of standards as if they are not of the human race and capable of the same mistakes that you and I will make in life.
Whats your take on this?
16 people like this
42 responses
@ClarusVisum (2163)
• United States
1 Sep 08
The part that may affect the "public's view" is that her daughter is NOT married to the guy who knocked her up. This is going to make Palin look like she's not serious about the whole "family values" thing her party is supposed to champion.
As I said before, the media is doing the vetting that McCain didn't, and his campaign is going to suffer for it.
4 people like this
@relundad (2310)
• United States
1 Sep 08
You are probally right in that the campaign may very well suffer as a result of this. However, I think that its possible that her "family values" are in tact as believed, but her daughter may not have been sold on the whole idea....lol.
But she is no different than the other 750,000. And the question becomes must Palin or the party have to suffer because of a decision that was not her's?
2 people like this
@nirvana2007 (205)
• United States
1 Sep 08
Not a big deal at all to me, shes a person who has to deal with real life problems just like you and me.
If elected as VP, she'll have to deal with alot more problems than a pregnant Daughter. I think she can handle this one all by herself with our or the medias involvement.
3 people like this
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
1 Sep 08
Will Palin's philosophy of life help or hinder her ability to deal with this nation's problems? Promoting abstinence is not an effective way to curb teen pregnancy and Palin's daughter is paying the price for that narrow view of birth control. She left her own daughter unprepared to protect herself while blindly depending on a teenager to follow the abstinence philosophy. This was obviously a mistake. What other mistakes has she/will she make based on flawed philosophical views?
2 people like this
@Barbietre (1438)
• United States
2 Sep 08
I feel exactly the same. I feel acting all preachy an ignoring the realities of life is an unrealistic way to live life, especially in politics.
2 people like this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
1 Sep 08
It was the daughter who sinned not the mother and I am sure Mrs. Palin lectured her daughter that the guy she was going with was no good and she did not listen. She was just like many teenage girls who got into the same situation. Now this part about choice, Mrs. Palin is pro=life, against abortion. So did you wish that because she is a woman she should have decided to say that now abortion is right because it would take the shame away from her family and now you would vote for McCain, because now there is a chance of him going over to your view?
(I am talking about those who are gloating over the situation)
Or you saying that Mrs. Palin is not as pure and noble as she is made out to be and therefore you can say, "aha!"
I am sure that Sarah Palin will take steps to help her daughter take care of the little one since she has already so much love to give. And that puts her good in my book.
So Sarah Palin did not have the illegitimate child her daughter did, nor did she encourage her to sleep with a guy before marriage.
3 people like this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
2 Sep 08
Now THIS is what the Falwells and Dobsons of the world sound like!
"It was the daughter who sinned not the mother and I am sure Mrs. Palin lectured her daughter that the guy she was going with was no good and she did not listen. She was just like many teenage girls who got into the same situation."
I didn't hear the Palins statement but from what I heard about it they didn't say that in their opinion their daughter had "sinned"; nor did they say they'd thought the "guy she was going with was no good", in fact I got the impression they're pleased he is going to be their son-in-law and the father of their grandchild.
"So did you wish that because she is a woman she should have decided to say that now abortion is right because it would take the shame away from her family and now you would vote for McCain, because now there is a chance of him going over to your view?"
That makes no sense whatsoever. Why should the family feel "shame" to begin with? I respect her for going public about the pregnancy and I commend her for proving she means what she says whether I agree with her views on the choice issue or not. For what it's worth, while I'm pro-choice and believe it's a personal decision, I wouldn't consider "taking shame away from my family" as a valid reason for a daughter of mine to have an abortion! Also for what it's worth, anyone gloating over the situation isn't worth much, in my opinion.
"So Sarah Palin did not have the illegitimate child her daughter did, nor did she encourage her to sleep with a guy before marriage."
Her daughter didn't have the child yet either but get real - this is 2008, not 1908, do they even use the word "illegitimate" anymore? Besides, her daughter is engaged to the guy, it's not like she's promiscuous! Also, I understand it's pretty cold in Alaska and there's not too much to do...lol!
Annie
3 people like this
@ElaanR2 (277)
• United States
2 Sep 08
The reason why she went public with the announcement, Annie, is because some people were saying on the internet that the child with the Downs syndrome is her grandchild, not her child. She had to set the records straight. Not that the way the media is playing it up is right but just to let you know that she didn't just come out to talk about it as a mark of her honesty or otherwise. We probably wouldn't be having this discussion if the false rumors had not hit the internet.
3 people like this
@mcat19 (1357)
• United States
1 Sep 08
Abstinence only didn't work, did it? Why push it on others? Yes, there are many other pregnant 17-year-olds, but their mom is not running for Veep. I feel sorry for the girl. She now has to marry this boy; they are both ill-equipt for the real world. I'm sure her family will help her. Gov. Palin will be right by herside between meetings and trips abroad. It won't change my vote. I was never voting for McCain in any case.
2 people like this
@Taskr36 (13963)
• United States
2 Sep 08
Abstinence didn't work because her daughter obviously didn't practice it. I knew plenty of highschool kids who got pregnant using birth control so that isn't a guarantee either. How do you know if her daughter and future husband are ill-equipped for the real world? My wife's parents had her when they were 18 and they faced the world just fine. Obama's mother was 18 and she seemed ready to face the world. This girl has a supportive family so she's not alone in this.
I can't believe anyone could be so ignorant as to think a pregnant girl can never attend college. Even if she was unable to go to classes she's perfectly capable of taking online courses at major colleges.
1 person likes this
@casey080689 (14)
•
2 Sep 08
its a private matter it has nothing to do with the public its there private family life .
3 people like this
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
2 Sep 08
This would not affect my opinion or vote in anyway. Obviously it does affect all the Obama worshippers as his mother was just 18 when he was born!!! That IMO is one of the reason that Obamaniacs have non run wild with this piece of information and why Obama is saying that family is off limits in the election process. Plus that fact that his family has more skeletons in the closet than Sarah Palin has.
2 people like this
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
2 Sep 08
oops meant to say "does NOT affect Obama worshippers" sorry!
@irishidid (8687)
• United States
2 Sep 08
I'd rather my politicians not be perfect. We have enough non-human ones in DC as it is.
2 people like this
@littleowl (7157)
•
1 Sep 08
No-one is perfect and shouldn't be expected not to have skeletons in their cupboard..to me politician is a word and nothing else they are ordinary human beings that have ordinary problems and something like this shouldn't make any difference to the public at all..I have no problems with the fact some celebrity etc has real life situations in their lives why should anyone else? It comforting to know that they have to deal with the same things as anyone else may have to not to look down on them for it..littleowl
2 people like this
@newtondak (3946)
• United States
2 Sep 08
I think it will actually help people to identify with her - they are a normal American family that have the same trials as the rest of us. They are dealing with it, the same as any other family would deal with it. I jut feel sorry for the daughter and her boyfriend that they have to deal with all the media hype.
@relundad (2310)
• United States
2 Sep 08
Yeah its bad that they will have to deal with it because her mother is on the ticket. She didn't choose to run for election nor did her mother choose for her to get pregnant.
I am glad that Obama has publicly stated that "children and family have no place in the campaign"
1 person likes this
@blackmantra_x (2732)
• Philippines
2 Sep 08
Good day... I think what is private should be private and what is public is public. Politicians are also people, imperfect, flawed and sometimes unpredictable but nevertheless their standard should also be as of us.
What happens to Palin daughter is her own responsibility, she's the one that let herself get pregnant and we can't blame or even associate it with Palin herself. Her job as a governor however should be her defining trait. If she is good at her job, honest and incorruptable then by all means let her have her chance at the vice presidency.
@moonlitmagikchild (22181)
• United States
1 Sep 08
i rather them have flaws and ADMIT them than try to cover them up and act like their family is perfect so that you will vote for them.. makes no difference to me at least.. i still have no idea who im voting for
2 people like this
@moonlitmagikchild (22181)
• United States
2 Sep 08
i will always vote i just have to decide something.. i will prob will cram everything in the last minute and decide if i havent by then.. i wanted hillary so her not being there shot everything to hell.. i have been trying to keep up as its going but im so sick of hearing about every one i think i may not be paying good enough attention lol
@LouiseKnittel (4764)
• United States
2 Sep 08
I do not think that it should have any effect on Sarah Palin because what her daughter does is not what Sarah did!
Her daughters sins are Sarah's. All parents know this. How many time have you heard Parents saying that they have tired to teach there kids. and they just do what they want.. There is no such thing as a Perfect family.
We all make mistakes.. we all need to learn from them. Not place the blame on the mother for the daughters mistakes..
@relundad (2310)
• United States
2 Sep 08
I wholeheartedly agree with you. Everyone seems to think that its an automatic that whatever ethics, morals and disciplines that she preaches apparently her daughter missed. As if this is a first for a parent or daughter...it happens all day everyday, 750,000 times a year. Its not the first case and won't be the last. Get over it and move on!
1 person likes this
@LouiseKnittel (4764)
• United States
2 Sep 08
Was supposed to say thet.. Her Daughters sins are Not Sarahs sins
2 people like this
@alnoodle (48)
• United States
2 Sep 08
I honestly don't think that the kids of politicians should be brought into elections. I mean, they did not choose to be in the election... their parent is running. But I think that what the kids of the presidents do have less affect on kids than celebrities... I would be willing to bet if you asked any high school kid about the kids of the president and vp... at least 9 out of 10 would be clueless. It's just not part of their culture. As far as the daughter being 17... it happens. We are all entitled to our mistakes... and she should be getting credit for not marching her daughter into an abortion clinic in desperation to hide it! She is teaching her daughter to take responsibility for her mistakes!
2 people like this
@chertsy (3798)
• United States
2 Sep 08
I think this will be a huge issue with the public, only because the media will make it a big issue. I honestly don't care, because that's personal and has nothing to do with running a country. I'm glad Paelin came forward before the media leaked the news which would have made it worse. Now I do care if a politician got arrested, but it would depend on why they got arrested. So what happens in their household should stay there, only reason this is a big deal to people is because mommy dearest is McCain's running mate. If it was Sally Mae's daughter, nobody would give 5 cents if she is going to marry her child's dad or not. So instead of focusing on pregnant daughter, the media and every single American citizen needs to focus on who will be the next president to lead us out of this depression that Bush put us in.
1 person likes this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
2 Sep 08
Hi relundad, I'm with you on this one, politicians are like you and me, and we should not expect more. All I look for in someone running for public office is, are they capable of doing the job required of them? I would be concerned with their experience and polices. Sadly though, I think it will make a difference with some voters. Blessings.
1 person likes this
@alpha7 (1910)
• France
1 Sep 08
No effect at all,Children are different and atimes things like this does not have anything to do with the upbringing of the parents,only people looking for excuses will accuse the parents but the actual fact is that children are different,the mum is so couragious to have come out to announce this to the public,i'll say bon courage to her.
@Taskr36 (13963)
• United States
2 Sep 08
No, it was announced because there were rumors that Palin's son Trig was not her son and that she was lying to cover up that he was her daughter's son. Those lies of course were perpetuated by liberal blogs like Clarus's favorite DailyKOS.
1 person likes this
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
1 Sep 08
alpha7, it was announced because it was already on the internet.
1 person likes this
@Tianna2 (1273)
• United States
1 Sep 08
I have no problem at showing that Gov. Paelin's family isnt perfect, it just shows they are just as human as the rest of us. As someone else mentioned above about Gov. Paelin's stance, maybe she may learn something from this which in my mind would make her all the better. Someone said that this would make her look like a hypocrite, I say the only way she would look like a hypocrite is if her daughter got an abortion which I asume she's not doing.
Cheers, Tianna
2 people like this
@nanajanet (4436)
• United States
2 Sep 08
That would not affect my view of her as a politician. Even the best parents have kids who make choices they would not want them to make. It happens.
There are other issues about her that would give me reasons not to want her as vice-president.
I think he was running with the Hilary fever that having a woman on his ticket will bring in the female votes. Does he think that women are that shallow that we would vote for him because she's a woman?
Here is what I told my children about famous people in life, "Everyone has to squat over the pot!" meaning, essentially we are all the same so hold no one above you. You are on even ground.
