Pregnant Daughter of Sarah Palin
The Candidate for Vice President Exposes Bristol Palin to Media
Sep 6, 2008
Sarah Palin is a politician. She had to know that her family would be scrutinized when she ran for Vice President of the United States. Is it unreasonable for her to expect the media to ignore her 17 year old, unmarried, five month pregnant daughter Bristol.
Candidate for Vice President
This is not a matter of journalism ethics. Ordinarily reporters ignore children of politicians unless there is a reason. Chelsea Clinton grew up in the White House but got little coverage because she wasn't an issue. The daughters of George W. Bush were left alone until they got caught drinking underage. Ordinarily unwed teen pregnancy is not something reporters care about. However, Sarah Palin is a evangelical Christian politician on record as opposing abortion choice while saying she supports her daughter's "choice" to keep the baby.
Pregnant Daughter of Sarah Palin
Rebecca Traister of Salon.com says, "that's just peachy in its presumption that Bristol had a choice about whether or not to continue her pregnancy. It's true that in 2008, she certainly does have a legal choice. But she wouldn't under the proposed administration of her mother and John McCain, both of whom oppose abortion rights and tell us they would work to overturn Roe."
Bristol Palin Pregnant
Bristol Palin is not a victim of the media. The fault for all this attention lies with Sarah Palin. It was her choice to run for Vice President and accept all the unwanted attention that comes with it. If she cared more about keeping Bristol Palin out of the limelight she did not have to run for Vice President
Sarah Palin's family
Ruth Hochberger of the Huffingtonpost.com disagrees. She says, "has the family member injected herself into the campaign? Absolutely not. Aside from a quick photo shot of Bristol, alongside her brother and sisters on the platform on Friday, I have not heard a word she's uttered in support of her mother, McCain, the Republican platform or, for that matter, any public issue."
Bristol Palin Media
The media is not judging Bristol Palin. No one is condemning her situation or her choices. It is Sarah Palin who placed her daughter in the middle of a nationwide debates on teen pregnancy, reproductive choice and Christian values. Had Bristol just been the daughter of the Governor of Alaska or the daughter of a pro-choice progressive candidate for Vice President, she would not be getting the national attention.
Sarah Palin Republican
It is unrealistic to believe that a 17 year old, unmarried, pregnant daughter would not be an issue for a candidate who claims to uphold evangelical Christian values. It is appropriate to expect our leaders to practice what they preach.
