Matter’s such as Bristol Palin’s pregnancy are private matters.  It should be left alone.  If you want to make an argument on abstinence-only education, there are so many other arguments that can be made without being specific to that family.

True, but few have as much of an impact as the hypocrisy charge inherent in the idea that a family that preaches abstinence-only education would fail to succeed within their own family.  It makes a mockery of their strongly held beliefs on the subject.

And, as crude as it is, it’s an effective counter-charge to show why Palin shouldn’t be listened to regarding sexual education, if that’s what you believe. 

I happen to agree with that belief and, to a large extent, consider this one of a litany of "litmus test" subjects that help reveal the fundimental thought-process of a politician. 

Put it this way.  If McCain dies in office (not an unlikely scenario) Palin will be in charge of the military, scientific, judicial, and public health initiatives of the federal government.   Her personal opinions on subjects like "sex ed" are of concern to the public, as are her own actions when dealing with those very issues.

The woman’s being publicly vetted to take over the most powerful job in the world because it seems the McCain team didn’t do their homework ahead of time.  Politics is messy and we’re foolish to expect this issue to go away any time soon. 

And, as crude as it is, it’s an effective counter-charge to show why Palin shouldn’t be listened to regarding sexual education, if that’s what you believe.

Those who seek to claim that Bristol Palin’s pregnancy is relevant to her mother’s qualifications for office rely upon two unexamined underlying assumptions: (1) that a comprehensive sex ed program would have prevented the pregnancy; (2) that Sarah Palin’s degree of support for comprehensive sex ed is a determining factor in who, if anyone, receives it.

Since I know of no evidence that either assumption is true (let alone both), I continue to insist that bringing a 17-year-old girl into a partisan political debate is not only irrelevant and abusive, but an indicator of extremely unethical behavior on the part of those who attempt to do it. The charge of “hypocrisy” simply does not apply unless it can be shown that Sarah Palin advocated in favor of her daughter getting pregnant. Tell me, Dustin, if one of your children shoplifts from a store, does that make you a hypocrite for having a position that says stealing is wrong???

There was once a time when many Democrats condemned the demonization of teenage mothers. Apparently, that principle (along with many others they claim to hold) is out the window the very instant that an empty rhetorical partisan advantage can be gained. And I thought only the Chinese and the Klingons held the rest of the family responsible for the faults of the children…

It is difficult for me to overstate the degree of anger and contempt I have for left-leaning partisans who try to use a 17-year-old pregnant girl as a pawn in their political game-playing. Even better than Barack Obama’s acceptance speech at the convention has been his unequivocal condemnation of these rumors and tactics. I think more of his supporters should take their cue from the candidate on this one. The longer they persist with these grossly offensive lines of inquiry, the more they generate sympathy for McCain/Palin among the very same group of moderates that they need to keep on board in order to win.

I think there are fair criticisms to be made about Sarah Palin’s record. But none of those fair criticisms involve referencing her daughter in any way. If Sarah Palin’s views on sex ed are wrong, then they are wrong regardless of whether her daughter is pregnant. Maybe you should try debating them that way — on substance — instead of dragging a 17-year-old kid into it.

i dont judge her at all , but it is unreal not to comment that the lady ’s hand are full with her house responsiblity. with the little baby who need her 24 7 with his condation and her teenage kids who need her for guidance and direction . at this time i trully believe her family should come first. she need to put her house in order first then try to put the whole country in order. country can manage with other leaders but her family will need her sopport now.    concerned mom

as private as they want us to believe , if the girl is a Dr somewhere we would be hearing how a good mother the senetor is. why do she want to take care of the  whole world children when her own family is burning? her little one and other children need her most. what a hypocracy. she is already over burdened to be a vice president, not to mention if she is ever needed to take over or travel.

Gov. Palin has made her daughter’s pregnancy relevant to public debate for two reasons: 1) she has made ‘family values’ a central theme of her public personae; and 2) she seeks a position of incredible power and influence. McCain is wrong; Obama too. Unless Palin is willing to declare that if elected, she will not allow her own ideas about family to effect her policy positions, then we have not just a right, but a duty to inquire about into both the content and the efficacy of her views.

High-minded declarations about the sanctity of family privacy might reflect a world we all wished we lived in, but - thanks in large part to polititicians like Palin, herself - such is not the case for the world we must actually confront.