Can Republicans attack the children of Biden and Obama now?

The only justified commentary I've seen on Palin's kids is when she brought her son onstage to elicit votes from parents of kids with special needs. I think that's just tacky, but what kind of comments can be directed toward the child? I think kids should be left out, and I think that should be a pretty blanket rule. I don't mean that you should make an effort to conceal your children (a la Michael Jackson), but the children's issues shouldn't be used as either fuel for or against a campaign.

Taskr, I'm confused; I honestly don't understand what you're getting at here. First of all, I think you know I agree with you about leaving the kids alone, they don't deserve to be attacked, EVER. You wrote, "That said, all over mylot I see the majority of liberals constantly attacking Sarah Palin over her pregnant daughter and her son with Down Syndrome." Right here in your own comments you say you see...attacking SARAH PALIN over her pregnant daughter and her son with Downs Syndrome. You yourself said they're attacking Palin, not the kids. Fair enough, I'm not going to nit-pick here, but I'd really like to see some examples of these "attacks" regarding her children. Correct me if I'm wrong, Taskr, but it seems to me that if a candidate has held a particular position on an issue or if she herself has brought up a particular issue in the most high profile speech she's ever made, those issues should now be open for discussion, shouldn't they? Please be assured, my next few words aren't intended to be attacks on anyone, much less Sarah's children or anyone's children, but does the fact that the daughter of a Governor who advocates abstinence only education is pregnant mean that topic, which would no doubt have been brought up if Bristol had not become pregnant, is now off limits? Does that fact that she has a special needs child mean that topic can never be mentioned although she herself did say parents of these children would have a friend and advocate in the White House? Seriously, I'm as against the children of politicians being attacked as you are and as far as I'm concerned the kids have no party affiliation. I guess I just need to know what the definition of "attack" is regarding Sarah Palin and her kids. Back to the subject of your post, of course I wouldn't like it if Republicans attacked the children or grandchildren of Biden and Obama but I have a feeling that if there were a similar situation the subject would definitely come up. Annie

I think that most Americans are getting very upset over the attacks on the Children. I think it is alright for the Candidates to be seen with their children but the MEdia should stay out of the lives of the children. the only time children should come into play would be if the Candidate were to have the child (older) play an important role in the Campaign or might have a role in the government. I think the Media should lay off the children and spend more time trying to provide facts about the programs and policy of the candidates.

I believe it is the best policy to "take the higher road" and I believe that is what the Republicans are doing. Just because the Democratic supporters have chosen to (even though Obama said the kids were off limits) be openly critical of Sarah Palin's children and John McCain's adopted daughter, does not mean that the Republicans are going to lower themselves to do the same. We must note that Obama said that if any of his STAFF were responsible for these actions that they would be fired - he, of course, (conveniently) can't fire his supporters. The relationship between Obama's children and Biden's grandchildren means nothing to me and I don't see that it should mean anything to anyone else. If they saw it as a way to capitalize on these children, then I fell bad for the children.

It really is terrible how low these campaigns can go. I definitely think that the children of the candidates should be off limits. As I was preparing my thoughts on replying to your post I was about to say, "both parties" have stooped to this level. But the more I think about it, that's not true. It was the dems that focused on the Bush twins party-girl lifestyle, or at least made it out like that. It is the dems that are focusing on the Palin situation, both with her son and her daughter. I don't recall anyone spending any time discussing or smearing, the children of John Kerry, Al Gore, Joe Lieberman, or John Edwards. Didn't Gore's son have some troubles with the law not too long ago? And aren't Kerry's kids trust fund babies? No one had ever exploited them for political gain. At least not that I am aware of.

Don't you know, Taskr? Anyone with a higher social status than me is fair game! I'm an American, and that's how we do. Lol.

I think attacks on the children are really low blows. What else would you expect from the democrats? Really--they have been doing this for years.

I feel children should not be brought into politics. This also includes the parents parading their own children around as part of publicity stunts.

I agree with you completely. The children need to be left alone. They have no place in the political election and should not be attacked! I really wish the dirty politics would stop and we could get down to the issues that matter! Like that is really going to happen...LOL!

I wholeheartedly agree that the children (under 18) of all politicians should be left out of the mudslinging crap that goes on in politics. I feel sorry for Palin's daughter and yes, I am an Obama supporter. Now, being the devil's advocate though, I don't think that Democrats or Obama supporters see that they are attacking the children but rather Palin. Palin has used her children to promote her ideas and political career. She has paraded them and I am not talking about the fact that they were on stage (Obama and Biden had their kids on stage). Just because the kids were on stage does not constitute parading. However, I believe Palin has used her kids as examples of her beliefs. This I find abhorrent for a parent to do. In addition, Palin is a social conservative and is for the "family values". Well, she is basically saying, "do what I say, not what I do". Okay, I know - her daughter made her choice so can one really blame Palin? No I don't blame her but then Palin shouldn't be preaching social conservatism, which is one of the main reasons she was picked for vp.

The children should be left alone. No exceptions. Children are individuals who make their own decisions and live their own lives. The beliefs and values of the parent are not always adopted by the children. To believe that anyone's children will do exactly what their parents tell them to do or want them to do is ridiculous in a country that is all about individuality. Most of all, the children should be left alone by their parents. Using your child to get sympathy or telling the voters that you will be an advocate for their cause because your child has a handicap is disgusting.

There he/she goes again! Why can't one contribute to a discussion without one falling back to the old silly labels: liberals, conservatives etc. How could you be torn apart by what Sen. Biden said about his grandchildren and the children of Sen. Obama. Please, try to peel off some of your intolerant posture. Children are children must be off limit in the campaign that is turning uglier each other day. To the Reps it is a routine, and the Dems are determined to play it to their court this time round. And the American people seem to enjoy it. How sad!