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This, from Barack Obama:
"Let me be a clear as possible: I have said before and I will repeat again, I think people's families are off limits," Obama said, "and people's children are especially off limits.
"This shouldn't be part of our politics," he continued, "It has no relevance to Gov. Palin's performance as governor, or her potential performance as a vice president.
"And so I would strongly urge people to back off these kinds of stories," he said. "You know my mother had me when she was 18, and how a family deals with issues and, you know, teenage children, that shouldn't be the topic of our politics and I hope that anybody who is supporting me understands that's off limits."
Agreed, but it appears that the far-Left skipped the course in public decency.
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I've said this at Ann's and
I've said this at Ann's and Annie's, but given how critical of Obama I am usually, it seems important to go out of my way to note that he deserves major kudos for stamping on this so quickly.
Your view of Obama makes the kudos even more worthwhile, Simon.
You once again prove yourself a fair man. As to the issue at hand, it amazes me that people are this full of hate, that they would continue this meme, with almost brazen fervor. The Kossacks are actually proud of themselves for this garbage,
Again, I have nothing but praise for Obama for this, and will simply add that the civilized response to questions on this, ought to be "none of our business."
"In the world you will find tribulation, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world."
John 16:33
Same here! Go O (bama)!
Rachel
I brew the beer I drink
Awesome
I am no fan of Barack Obama (obviously), but well said and my thanks to him for trying to inject basic decency into this election. (I also thank Hillary for her gracious response to McCain's selection of Palin.)
Being a teenager was Not Fun. We all remember feeling as if the entire world knows everything we do, and remembers our every mistake. (In small towns, it is only worse.) It is tough enough to deal with the pressure all around you. I'm not convinced that it gets better as you grow up, just that you're not in high school anymore (or any environment like it, law school excepted).
Now, we've taken a young woman who must be stressed, upset, perhaps a bit ashamed - or made to feel that way by everyone around her - and told the entire bloody country about it. Teenagers already feel like everyone knows about every little thing that goes on in their lives, every little mistake made. We've, sadly, made that a reality for Bristol.
Give her peace and privacy, please!
I have fears
I have fears this will all start to get very ugly with discussions about "what did she expect since she only pushed abstinence" etc.
Having just reached 20 with our teenage daughter I can tell you even the best of friends can "doubt" you as a parent when your kids make choices. In the '60's it was said "Everything is political" and "The personal is the political" I fear we are about to live out that statement and then some.
Chris
Chris, are you kidding? You
Chris, are you kidding? You fear that it will start to get ugly, after 72 hours in which the leftosphere and the MSM have riden around Palin county looking for a rope and an appropriately-perpendicular branch? You fear it will start to get ugly when the leftosphere has pushed (and the MSM fawning restated) a slimy rumor that Palin's youngest daughter is actually her granddaughter and it's all a cover up? You fear it will start to get ugly when the Democratic candidate has repeatedly made unfounded accusations that his opponents and critics are racists? The "get ugly" ship sailed quite a while ago, Chris!
"When someone says their heart needs lifting, don't ask how come, ask how high."
Sadly Simon you are correct
And even more sad, some of the worst comments I found were in the comment section of Christianity Today.
Horrible.
Chris
Huzzah to Obama for that
Huzzah to Obama for that statement. It's nice to know there are some sober and intelligent advisers involved in his campaign.
In that one statement (assuming, of course, that he actually practices what he just preached going forward) he has put himself several major cuts above the Kerry/Edwards campaign in the department of class.
Not that it's a tough hurdle to clear, but it does deserve recognition.
on the Alaskan Independence Party
And now there's a big ruckus over her once being a member of the Alaskan Independence Party. Most people outside of Alaska don't realize that Alaska had a governor from the AIP in the 90s, Walter Hickell, who himself didn't believe in Alaskan secession. Recently, the AIP has been a state affiliate for the Constitution/US Taxpayers Party, which would mean they're supporting Chuck Baldwin this year. The AIP has been co-opted by different third party and independent groups in the state because of its ballot access.
Sarah Palin and third parties
(this is redfish)
Apparently, Palin has been a big supporter of third parties, and has not only addressed the Alaskan Independence Party (Constitution Party), but also the Alaskan Libertarian Party. When she ran for governor, she had a debate with all the candidates in the race including the minor party candidates--Democrat, Green, Libertarian, and independents. The Alaskan Libertarian Party ended up endorsing her for governor over their own candidate, and she has friends in the party. She believes in fair ballot access and media access for third parties.
If anything, to me, this is nothing but positive, because it strengthens her credentials as a reformer.
You should ignore the secessionist nonsense, she was endorsed by Walter Hickel, who I noted was against secession, and only ran on the AIP ticket because they offered him a ballot position when there was dissatisfaction with the Republican candidate.
I just sent a message to someone who knows about her positions with third parties, to add relevant information and sources to her Wikipedia article.
Definitely more class than
Definitely more class than McCain who made the following joke about Chelsea Clinton at a GOP function in 1998
Why is Chelsea Clinton so ugly? Because her father is Janet Reno.
It is funny but you know, it never pays to make jokes about a girl's looks because you never know how gorgeous she'll be when she grows up. So I guess McCain won't be able to date Chelsea.