2008 Woodie Awards
Hot Topics: Parent vs. politician
Issue date: 9/4/08 Section: Opinions
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The Internet has been buzzing over the news of Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin's announcement of her 17-year-old daughter's pregnancy.
News and gossip Web sites have updated regularly with information about Palin's daughter, Bristol, and her 18-year-old boyfriend, Levi Johnston.
At this point, much of the focus has been on her daughter, but the spotlight should be on Palin herself.
It is wrong of Palin to accept Republican presidential candidate John McCain's offer to be his running mate when she knew her daughter was pregnant.
Obviously any parent - mother or father - running for office exposes her or his children to media attention. But Palin, a politician, had to know her daughter's pregnancy would garner more attention than any other candidate's child.
Bristol and Johnston have been splashed across the blogosphere and front pages of newspapers nationwide.
Reporters have written extensively about Mary Cheney, Vice President Dick Cheney's daughter, because she is a lesbian.
But there is a significant gap between Cheney's and Palin's decisions to run for vice president. Mary Cheney differs from Bristol Palin in age. Cheney was an adult when her father ran for vice president, and Palin is a minor.
The opportunity to serve as vice president of the United States is an incredible one, and would be difficult for any politician to pass up.
But when you decide to have a child, you assume the responsibility to care for and protect the child for at least the first 18 years of life.
Palin took on this responsibility when Bristol was born. She should protect her daughter from scrutiny by not accepting McCain's offer.
Since the news broke Monday, there has been bias in much of the treatment of Palin. If she were a man, coverage would not have been so severe.
My opinion of Palin's decision to join the ticket is not based on gender. Palin is wrong to run, not because she is a woman, but because she is a parent.
As I watch the developments, I question Palin's loyalty. If she is willing to forgo protecting her own daughter from intense study to serve personal drive, what will she do to the country?
Bristol's pregnancy is not her mother's fault, and the governor shouldn't be punished for it. But the Palin should have enough concern for her daughter's emotional well-being to put aside ambition for the sake of her child.
- Kristen Coulter is editor-in-chief of The Red & Black.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 10
john
posted 9/04/08 @ 8:01 AM EST
"But when you decide to have a child, you assume the responsibility to care for and protect the child for at least the first 18 years of life. "
Wait, what? You do realize that she is the Gov. (Continued…)
Kyle
posted 9/04/08 @ 8:52 AM EST
This article is same liberal CRAP we have been getting for days! Please R&B run a story on the issues of the election. Health Care, Energy, the Economy, The Middle East, Russia. (Continued…)
zaid
posted 9/04/08 @ 12:44 PM EST
Taking care of your kids doesn't have anything to do with being liberal or conservative.
Richard
Richard
posted 9/04/08 @ 2:02 PM EST
I am very confused about this article.
It seems to be a conservative attack on a conservative candidate? I mean seriously, the liberal view of this should be "who cares". (Continued…)
Katie
posted 9/04/08 @ 5:10 PM EST
What a pathetic attempt to make Palin look bad. The fact of the matter is that Palin is a mother and a politican - something that women have been fighting for years to be able to do. (Continued…)
zaid
posted 9/04/08 @ 5:51 PM EST
Again, what the hell does this have to do with being liberal or conserative? I didn't see Kristen write, "AND WE NEED TO NATIONALIZE THE OIL COMPANIES!" at the end. (Continued…)
Cody Rotten
posted 9/04/08 @ 5:59 PM EST
Kristen, that's completely absurd. Sarah Palin shouldn't have to pass up an opportunity to become VP or even president down the road because of her 17 year old daughter being pregnant. (Continued…)
Anna
posted 9/04/08 @ 6:26 PM EST
You should be ashamed of yourself; as a woman trying to make it in a similarly male-dominated field you should appreciate the notion to take a step up the ladder when it comes to you. (Continued…)
KP
posted 9/04/08 @ 6:28 PM EST
I am embarrassed to go to a school where the editor of our paper is capable of writing an article that lacks any sort of intelligence. I hope this failed attempt at writing keeps you from getting an actual journalism job one day. (Continued…)
greer
posted 9/04/08 @ 11:03 PM EST
I'm sick of reading comments about "liberal crap" or "liberal BS" anytime the R&B publishes anything that casts doubt on, or takes a less than positive look at, a republican candidate or issue. (Continued…)
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