The Media's Obession with Palin's Daughter

The media scrutiny surrounding Gov. Sarah Palin's daughter is so intense, and disgusting, that I predict a major backlash. I have to admit that I was saddened at first when I heard the news that Ms. Palin's daughter, Bristol, was pregnant. Yes, the thought went through my head "Is she being an attentive mother? How can she juggle a newborn baby with special needs, and a daughter who is pregnant?" However, now I am pissed off.

The hypocrisy in this situation is not that Sarah Palin has traditional moral values and her family fails to live up to them. The hypocrisy is the media. The New York Times devoted their front page to the Palin story, as did the Washington Post, and most other major newspapers in the country. Interesting, considering the deafing silence when it came to the recent controversy surrounding John Edwards. Every liberal on the planet seems obsessed with Sarah Palin's views on public funding for abstinence programs. Do these people know for sure that Bristol Palin did not use a condom? And why were they not as upset with John Edwards' lack of birth control? Or Jesse Jackson's?

I am so disgusted by the media during this campaign. Disgusted doesn't even seem like a strong enough word. Why lay off Cheslea Clinton, but make Sarah Palin's children fair game? Did they ever investigate Cheslea Clinton to see if she was sexually active, and possibly had an abortion? Any pregnancy/abortion cover-ups among Joe Biden's children? A McCain spokesperson said this morning that the media obsession with Bristol is comparable to their intense scrutiny of Princess Diana. The media will not be happy until the poor Bristol Palin kills herself.

Since when are feminists concerned about whether a woman can have a career and a family? Sally Quinn has a column out trashing Sarah Palin's choice for choosing a career. Apparently, she needs to wait until her children are grown before she can venture out. Oh really? Let's face it, the democratic party has reduced the entire the feminist movement to once issue: abortion. If you love killing your unborn children for your own selfish wants and needs, you are a "real woman". Choosing life simply makes you a right-wing nut case.

The internet rumors this past weekend made me ill. Let it be noted that Daily Kos, the left wing blog and Andrew Sullivan, were floating the despicable rumor over the weekend that Sarah Palin did not give birth to her Down Syndrome child Trig, but her daughter Bristol. For crying out loud, Sullivan was demanding a birth certificate. Unbelievable! When an Alaskan reporter, who interviewed Mrs. Palin while she was pregnant, provided pictures of her very pregnant, the Daily Kos simply said "Never mind", although Sullivan still demanded additional "proof". Barach Obama spoke at Daily Kos' convention.

The fact is, Mrs. Palin has a husband (who recently took a leave of absence from his job), and probably a nanny, to help take care of her newborn, and other children. Bristol Palin is like any other teenager girl. Truth be told, if it wasn't for dumb luck, I could have found myself in her situation when I was a teenager. Bristol Palin deserves some credit. The girl could have had an abortion behind her parents back. The fact that she went to her parents with this news says a lot about her relationship with her parents. Sarah Palin, if she wanted to be a hypocrite and choose political ambition over values, could have encouraged her daughter to have an abortion and save her this embarrassment. Instead, the Palin family encouraged their daughter to do the right thing. The courage the family has shown is remarkable.

I read a post by Bill Kristol on The Weekly Standard website this morning.

McCain aides whose judgment I trust are impressed by Sarah Palin. One was particularly amused by this exchange: A nervous young McCain staffer took it upon himself to explain to Palin the facts of life in a national campaign, the intense scrutiny she'd be under from the media, the viciousness of the assault that she'd be facing, etc.:

Palin: "Thanks for the warning. By the way, do you know what they say the difference is between a hockey mom and a Pit Bull?"

McCain aide: "No, Governor."

Palin: "A hockey mom wears lipstick."

I have never been pulling for a candidate more than I am now for McCain/Palin. I want her to succeed and drive the nutroots crazy. Release the Barracuda!