Will (not should) Palin step down? Yes or No

Palin hasn't received a warm reception and now with the whole "knocked up kid" thing ..... I believe Palin will step down and a new selection will be made before McCain accepts the nomination.

Heck no, I love her on the ticket! It would be hard for her to step down now, since none of the dirt that's come out so far was unknown before she was picked. Now, I wouldn't be surprised if her daughter suddenly had a crisis that "forced" her to step down.

Interesting that DD supposedly got knocked up during the time she was out of school due to "mono."

I voted no for the same reason I posted on the other thread.

"No
She should not have to step down. I see you reason why HER life has to be put on hold for her teenage child.
Look at history, there are lots of VP and President's that have had children into legal problems (drugs, stealing,etc)
And no one thought they should set-down. I guess because they were all MEN.

What would you say if it where Todd Palin running for VP? Do you think the question would ever be asked if he should step-down.

No, as much as I think her baby(ies) need her the partisian in me wants her to stay on the ticket. She's a perfect example of the fallacies of the family values party.

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Ana
The Republicans have been putting lipstick on a pig for 8 years. Is a pitbull wearing lipstick an attempt to keep us from noticing the pig?

No one with her qualifications without a vagina would have ever been put on the ticket.

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Reading is Fundamental.

Yes.

The question was "will" she step down. IMO, this is a perfect opportunity for the McCain crisis control team to regroup. I really don't believe McCain "picked" her and I honestly believe he was throwing up a bit in his mouth when he introduced her last week. Honestly, the man who believes security is our nation's top priority considers someone is qualified because they live pretty close to Russia??? That doesn't pass a snicker test.

Now that they see she hasn't received the warm welcoming from those he thought a simple vagina swap would make happy, they have the perfect opportunity to change it up. And, everyone will believe the change is purely to allow Ms. Palin to attend to family needs.

You didn't answer the question.

Would you say the same if it had been a man instead of a woman?

What if Obama or Biden was in the same situtation? Do you think he should just quit?

I don't think any parent with a four month old child and a pregnant 17 year old daughter has any business running for VP.

I've answered that before, but the Righteous Witches chose to take my answer as something I never said.

Absolutely not. So her almost adult daughter is pregnant. It happens. So she has a 4 month old with Downs Syndrome? It happens. I think it's refreshing that they have chosen to not hide their family issues. It makes them more of a real family with real issues to me. Seriously, I cannot understand why there is so much venom towards Sarah. Is she perfectr? No. Is her family perfect? No. Whose is?

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Proud Wife of an Army Soldier and proud mother of an Army MP currently serving in Iraq.


"To any critics who say a woman can't think and work and carry a baby at the same time, I'd just like to escort that Neanderthal back to the cave." - Sarah Palin

That is the point. Everyone's family and situation is unique. And everyone has every right to go along doing the best they can with what they have given to them without someone sniffing their uterus or bedroom.

So, the irony is just ..... well ........ beyond words.

Or, perhaps it's only okay for rich girls with supportive families to get knocked up? Because, welfare and free healthcare is a horrible concept.

And the "sanctity of marriage" .................. Buwahahahaha

I don't see the irony. Palin is pro-life, that's old news. Now, had it come out that Bristol had an abortion with Sarah's approval, that would be irony and downright hypocricy. Rich girl? So her mom is governor -does that make her a "rich girl?" The Palins are pretty down to earth people. As soon as she took office, Palin put the governor's plane on ebay to get rid of it. She said her family didn't need a cook as they could cook for themselves and her kids knew how to make sandwiches. She got rid of most, if not all, of her security detail. Rather than living in the governor's mansion in Juneau, they choose to spend most of their time in Wasilla and Sarah works out of her Anchorage office alot. Moreover, just because a person does not support gay marriage does not mean they expect gay people to hide in the darkness. It's not one extreme or the other.

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Proud Wife of an Army Soldier and proud mother of an Army MP currently serving in Iraq.


"To any critics who say a woman can't think and work and carry a baby at the same time, I'd just like to escort that Neanderthal back to the cave." - Sarah Palin

I deleted the gay part because it didn't belong in the discussion. I apologize.

Almost adult daughter? She was born in 1991 which means she was just as likely to have been 16 as 17 when she became pregnant and for sure won't be an adult until next year. Stuff does happen but let's not dress up the facts to make them more palatable.

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Ana
The Republicans have been putting lipstick on a pig for 8 years. Is a pitbull wearing lipstick an attempt to keep us from noticing the pig?

Count me in with those who don't regard teenagers as "almost" adults.

Here is an interesting link.. this is a list of the President's children (of course this is not a Vice President)

A List of all the Children of the Presidents of the United States

I do wonder if people would be upset with President Kennedy's decision to be in office while he had small children. Lost an infant while in office before he was assassination.

WHY step down? Is her daughter running for office?

Some people might think that her family needs her. They seem to be in crisis.

Maybe they're better off with her not around quite so much . . . her being there doesn't seem to have been real helpful.

I wish I could say I was shocked at some of the attitudes towards Gov. Palin, but sadly I'm not.

I am thrilled with the choice and no I don't think she should step down, that's ridiculous. I can't wait to find out more about this real family. What I've heard is good stuff and I'm excited.

Why the hate??

Melissa

Because I ocassionally read conspiracy theories:

Could it be possible that the McCain camp chose Gov. Palin w/ the express intent of this information coming to light--and Gov. Palin declining the nomination? That way McCain would appear open minded to the female voters, and compassionate in general by being so understanding of Gov. Palin's situation. Just throwing some ideas out there.

I do believe Gov. Palin will step down.

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

1972 McGovern/Eagleton He withdrew for the "sake of the party"

Rove is a genius if this is the plan!

Here is an article that explains well what I think we are seeing on this board.

American Power: Feminist Movement Attacks Sarah Palin Nomination

"This seems a pretty typical reaction by feminists to the Palin choice. It's mostly anger mixed with frustration: That the Republicans would have the gall to steal Hillary's thunder by choosing a woman, but in doing so have chosen someone who (though female) is not their kind of woman--because she stands against their razor thin view of what is acceptable for women to believe in."

I would venture to guess, if Ms. Clinton were the nominee, a number of posters would run away laughing if someone said, "You're just jealous it isn't you up there."

Sounds silly doesn't it?

The Republican party has any number of qualified vaginas to go for if that was the criteria they were using. Personally, I am quite disappointed anyone thinks a woman votes for another woman based on genitalia. FWIW - I am no fan of Ms. Clinton or her husband.

I'm sorry--but you are assuming something not in evidence (at least from my view and opinion). I don't care whether Gov Palin is Republic, Democrat, Libertarian, Independent or a card carrying member of the KKK! I just question what she's placing the highest in priority--her family or herself! That's part of being a parent--sometimes giving up your wants, desires, even sometimes needs, for your children.
While I have no doubt Gov. Palin could juggle all the responsibilities. But should she? I wouldn't place any job over my children (and yes, I gave a job I dearly loved and was extremely good at when my oldest developed some adjustment issues...).
*shrug* It's not a question of whether a parent can, it's more of a question of should they.

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

You know I wouldn't doubt that scenerio at all -- headline "Governor Palin refuses nomination cites vicious attacks on her family by liberal media"

Rove just said on a fox show that Senator McCain made a political selection, not a governing selection.

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Ana
The Republicans have been putting lipstick on a pig for 8 years. Is a pitbull wearing lipstick an attempt to keep us from noticing the pig?

My husband (McCain voter who has now decided he can't vote for a McCain/Palin ticket) is mad as a hornet. What does that make him?

Then why where people not upset with President Kenndey when he had small children.
I see no difference whether it is a man or woman.

Why does everyone think her husband can not do the job at staying at home? Why does it seem like people have a harsh judgement for her than the man?? Why should a women be the one burden with making a career ending decision because she has children? Why is it that a "mommy" has to end everything for her family..why not the man?

To me it is a question of which parent needs to be around more. I see no difference between a mom or Dad rasing the kids. What works for their family is their CHOICE not anyone elses.

Where I come from, 18 is an adult. Thus, it's only logical to refer to a 17 year old as "almost an adult."

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Proud Wife of an Army Soldier and proud mother of an Army MP currently serving in Iraq.


"To any critics who say a woman can't think and work and carry a baby at the same time, I'd just like to escort that Neanderthal back to the cave." - Sarah Palin

Ugh - I wish she would step down. I already didn't feel good about the McCain ticket but adding Palin to the ticket just pushes me over the edge. If he wanted to choose a woman, why not a more qualified one?

I hate to say this but McCain is getting up there in age and he has had some major health scares; what if he is elected, dies in office and Palin steps in to take his place? SCARY thought. Especially when you consider that she is under investigation for a possible revenge firing. (FWIW - I'm not an Obama fan either but McCain strikes me as one of the 'good ole boys club' type. I want to move away from anything that resembles Bush.)

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Prayer is the burden of a sigh,
The falling of a tear,
The upward glancing of an eye
When none but God is near."

I really don't know about JFK--I was not born at that time in history. I can only assume that people were of a different mind set then. Women stayed home, raised the kids, baked cookies, etc. It was not the woman's place to be in a position of power.

If Bill Clinton had just started his bid for Presidency and Hillary had just had a baby born w/ some sort of disability and Chelsea turned up unmarried and preggers--I'd say the same thing that I'm saying now: Maybe Bill should re-evaluate his priorities and exam what is most important in his life.

So....you see--it really has nothing to do w/ gender or political affiliation. It has to do with family,and love.

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

Perhaps stick figures would help?

Apparently, trying to explain family values to a group whose selected future leaders include a man who had affairs on his wife and then left her for a very rich younger woman, and now a woman who can't put her kids before her career (flying while very pregnant and with leaking amniotic fluid to make a political speech, and putting her pregnant teenager in the national spotlight) and who listen and actually believe a man who has been divorced three times and has a drug addiction, isn't easy.

Maybe if you say "Because God says so" might help?

I love the "almost adult" daughter. It only brings up the hypocrisy of the Republicans that I mentioned in an earlier post. When Monica was in the news, the Republicans, including many on this board, insisted on calling the, (I believe 22 years old at the time), Monica a "child." For a Democrat, childhood evidently has a longer shelf life than for a Republican.

I don't have venom towards Palin. I do have venom against many of her beliefs. And since she and the Republican Party see no need to stay out of other's lives and bedrooms, then I see no need to stay out of hers, in spite of what Senator Obama says.

I think a surprising number of people on both sides agree that Palin shouldn't step down. Republicans seem to think she's a real winner of a nominee and Democrats think she's an albatross and both want her to stay on the ticket! Pretty funny.

Wonder what mud will dump today? The news on her fondness for earmarks isn't good for McCain's no earmarks platform, that's for sure.

I have a real problem with calling someone "knocked up". Pregnancy is pregnant and people have been doing it for years, that's how you got here. What the heck does your daughter's being pregnant have to do with your job?Didn't Bush's daughters behave less than perfect in public? Get a grip. President Clinton had his own "blow up".

Palin's daughter being pregnant is nothing compared to Bill clinton having an affair while in office. What if Obama chose Hillary for his candidate what would you think about that? I think she will stay and i don't think she should step down or will step down. They will get my vote as well.

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SAHM of Bailey 12, Tyler 10 , Emily Ann 6, and Ryan Matthew 4 yrs old.

I understand what you are saying. Let me just throw this out there: A career military man is married with 4 children, has a fifth with Downs Syndrome. He truly loves his career, and believes he is making a difference in the country, by his service. His wife is proudly and happily "holding down the fort" at home. Said military man, who goes on frequent missions away from home, many of which the wife is not able to even KNOW about, decides to take orders to a foreign country in a dangerous area. This will be unaccompanied duty. This will further his career, get him a much desired promotion, and his family is proud beyond words. OOOPPPS, the man's DD gets pregnant. The wife assures him she has it all under control (heck, she's practically been a single parent all these years anyway) and tells him she knows how much it means to him to follow his dream, and insists he go for it. And, the beat goes on......

I don't think anyone would bat an eye. Trust me, I see this a LOT!!!

This can be argued both ways, and I truly see both sides. What I am focusing on is if she can be an effective VP.

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Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

When you are talking about a 40something year old man having (and later lieing about it) sexual relations with a 22 year old, YES, she is a "child". Legally, an adult, but a mere babe compared to a 40+ year old man.

I guess the Democratic Party has a different definition of "sexual relations" as well.

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Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

You know, the same people who are defending her TEENAGE daughter's pregnancy are the same people who had something to say about TEENAGE Jamie Lyn Spears getting pregnant, TEENAGE Miley Cyrus taking a photo shoot they didn't like, etc.

I know I'd respect you more if you simply came out and said, she's a teen, not an almost adult. She's pregnant. NOT COOL. I don't like it. I don't support it. But I'm still going to vote for her. Jeez. Stop trying to find stupid excuses for her. If you find excuses for her teen pregnancy, then can we assume that you won't mind if your TEEN daughter/son has a kid? After all, they're almost an adult right? So it's ok???? And all BS aside, we ALL know that if it the tables were turned and it were Obama whose daughter was pregnant, you guys defending this CHILD now would be doing/questioning/saying exactly what we are. Same way you guys did with the whole "he's not experienced enough" and now you're trying to use her damn PTA experience as proof she's experienced. I CALL BS.

Stop beating around the bush (no pun intended) and simply come out and say that you're going to support her simply b/c she's a republican and not on Obama's ticket. Stop trying to come up w/ these ridiculously stupid excuses for her and simply be woman enough to put out there that you are voting republican regardless.

Cause I can damn sure say that as much as I admire Obama, there are things I don't like that he's said/done. However I will cut off my hand before I EVER vote republican.

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"Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God? " ~Epicurus

I see your point, as well. I would still suggest that the career military man evaluate what's important and whether his wife should be the one to shoulder all of the responsibility and stress. I realize it happens all the time, that's the way it's always been done, etc. But, just because it does happen all the time--doesn't mean it should. And just because that's how it has always been done--doesn't mean that the right way to do it.

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

The Dems are not the ones telling the country what is acceptable and moral sexually the way the Republicans do. So what the Dems do should not have to follow the same "rules" the Republicans have laid down in the obviously futile hope that everyone else will follow them. If the Republicans want the morality they have espoused, then they should be the flag bearers of that morality. And they should be judged more harshly should they fail.

The thing that puzzles me most is that I would do absolutely anything to protect my child from unwarranted attention and sanctimonious prigs. Palin knew that her daughter was 5 months pregnant. McCain supposedly knew too. Why would she expose her daughter like this?

Am I the only one who thinks she's using her daughter as a prop?

IMO, not as a prop but with complete disregard for her wellbeing.

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Ana
The Republicans have been putting lipstick on a pig for 8 years. Is a pitbull wearing lipstick an attempt to keep us from noticing the pig?

Heck, I'd be content if they judged their own as harshly.

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Ana
The Republicans have been putting lipstick on a pig for 8 years. Is a pitbull wearing lipstick an attempt to keep us from noticing the pig?

Probably because most would have thought this would have been a non-issue.
The daughter's pregnancy was not a secret. People there thought it was not revelant to doing her job. It did not prevent her from doing her job, and doing it well.

Sorry forgot link that some always ask for.
In Wasilla, Pregnancy Was No Secret - TIME

"People in Wasilla are Alaskan tough, so not only does a thing like teen pregnancy not seem like anyone's damn business, but it's also not seen as the calamity so many people in the lower 48 might think it is."

And, that "my friend" is where I have a difference of opinion with the Republicans. While, I personally, do not like the idea of same sex sex, who am I to say what is right or wrong? While I personally would not have an abortion, who am I to take that right from someone else to choose what is the best decision for them??? I despise anyone who is self-righteous and sanctimonious, Republican OR Democrat.




My beef with the Democratic party is that they stand for lots of social programs and that penalizes the people who are responsible and take care of their own affairs. I am all for helping someone out, but I do not like the notion of keeping them supressed and giving them the feeling that they can just sit back and let their government bail them out.

So, what's a person to do???

I had a good discussion with my dental hygenist today, and we were yakking back and forth (yes, I most certainly CAN carry on a conversation with dental instruments in my mouth ) and the thing she was telling me made me think she was a Republican - she spoke of personal responsibilty and being accountable. So, I asked her what party she was ?? She is registered Democrat, but, voted Republican last time. She said she pays no attention to the "party" and votes the issues. We both agreed they should do away with the "parties", it just causes division. Clearly, eh????

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Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

What if the person is sitting on the South side of 10 years......you can retire at 20 and start drawing retirement pay....... tough one, for sure.

I agree with your last sentence, and it applies in many areas. I think ultimately it comes down to each person's own personal situation and what THEY think is best for them.

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Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

From what I have heard, the left wing bloggers (the term they used on TV) had been saying that Trig, the 5 month old, was actually Bristol's child. Gov. Palin wanted to clear that rumor up. This is the explanation I have heard. Truth?? Who knows, but, I think their hand was forced.

It was interesting that when shown on TV, Bristol was holding Trig, with a blanket over her front (to cover a baby bump????) I don't think they wanted extra attention on it.

I will say it, if not clear before......I am not FOR Teenage pregnancy. It happens. We need to work on making it NOT happen in the first place. However, I think the way the situation is handled speaks volumes to a person's values.

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Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

Well...that doesn't shock me about you. Not one bit.

Sorry, I forgot what board I was on for a second.

Now back to your regulary sched program....

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I'm the kind of woman when my feet hit the floor in each morning, the devil says "Oh crap, she's up."

Some people are, deliberately or otherwise, confusing the issue of Bristol's pregnancy (a non-issue, completely irrelevant to the campaign) with the issue of her mother choosing to reveal it to the world (an issue of Palin's judgment.)

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Reading is Fundamental.

Oh no no no....I think the band from the 80's Dead or Alive said it best.... "you SPIN me right round baby, right round. Like a record baby, right round, right round...."

Or something like that...

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I'm the kind of woman when my feet hit the floor in each morning, the devil says "Oh crap, she's up."

How can we know what kind of Palin family meeting took place before she accepted the nomination? We can't. Do you really think they went into this blind? Do you really think all possibilities weren't considered?? I don't. Someone as respected as Palin for her forthrightness certainly didn't let this info out without handling it first. She is not stupid and neither is McCain and all of his "people". The pregnancy may have been an accident, but the release of info wasn't, you can bet on it.


I'm convinced that Sarah Palin, the mother, is greiving the loss of her daughter's innocence, and the fact that she will have to grow up faster, but is ready to help her throught this time.

I talked to my neice who just recently moved from Wassilla and she loves her and said she is VERY respected by the ppl of Alaska because of how she conducts herself.

Melissa

Thread closed at 50 posts.

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