Sarah Palin's 17 Year Daughter Is Pregnant

In other news . . .

While Gustav is battling the Gulf Coast, breaking news reports that Sarah Palin's 17 year old unmarried daughter is pregnant. The link to initial reports can be found HERE.  To continue my speculation from my previous post, I wonder what Conservative Evangelicals will say about this development?  From all accounts, Palin seems to be a good candidate with strong conservative credentials. I felt that McCain made a good choice to shore up his conservative base here. But, this throws a wrench in things, I would think. Contrary to what I thought consistency might demand, Evangelicals AND Baptists fell all over themselves in adoration of a Palin candidacy. Some have even said that among evangelicals "who read their Bibles" the response to Palin has been electrifying. How many are going to tie this to a breakdown in family values? How many are going to say that a mother should be there for her children instead of following a career?

I think that any type of analysis of this based on an absolute principle regarding women in the workforce is a mistake. Obviously, there are many women who work, whether they have to or they want to, and their kids are fine. There are many mom's who stay at home who have teenaged daughters become pregnant. There is no direct corollary here. But, with the rhetoric that has gone back and forth on this type of issue over the years, I wonder what the response will be? Basically, I am asking the same question this week as last week. Clearly, raising your kids should take priority over most other things. I don't know the exact situation in the Palin home, but it seems that Evangelicals will cool a bit on this candidacy.

I know that I am thinking more deeply about a 1st term Alaskan governor who is a mother of five children including a new born baby with Down's Syndrome and a 17 year old daughter who just became pregnant out of wedlock.  Consistency on family issues requires some type of reaction here besides unadulterated praise. Politics is important, but so is raising your family.

And, if anyone thinks that I wouldn't say this about a male candidate, maybe they're right. I still see motherhood in a certain way, I guess. But, I also know that even if Palin were a man, there would be a reaction from the Right on this - especially if he were a Democrat.

Here is some reader reaction from the MSNBC article on the subject:

Are you kidding me? What type of so called values is Sarah Palin presenting to the nation when her 17 year old daughter is pregnant? Is this the Spears family? This VP pick is utterly a disater!

Well so much for being conservatives. That what we need is sending signal to our 17 yrs old it is ok to have sex at that age and get pregnant. These conservatives and their moral values.

Uh, was any vetting done on this woman???   

So, Jamie Lynn Spear's mom for VP?  I guess that abstinence only training didn't work, yet again, as it never does.  Obama is right, we need to work towards finding ways to reduce the number of this type of "surprise" pregnancy.

WHAT????   
OMG! IT'S THE SPEARS FAMILY IN DISQUISE!
THAT'S GREAT MCCAIN, PICK SOMEONE WHO'S WHAT 16 YEAR OLD PREGNANT. GUESS PALIN IS A REAL ROLE MODEL.

How, what about the child that's 4 months old?
Who's is it??
Who's taking care of it?
Obviously not the mothers.

Good Luck McCain! You are gonna need it!

Wow, but we all the rumors and photos, I'm not surprised. Especially with the photo published by McCains daughter herself with a backstage photo showing a very big Bristol (I was wondering if she hadn't lost her weight if the original pregnancy rumor was true). Not surprising they were hiding her on the bus at events. Don't want to be too political, but it just goes to show the decision making process of John McCain, very scary. And now you have a VP candidate with a 4 month special needs baby and a pregnant teenager. Perhaps you should spend some time getting your family values in order before assumming a campaign for VP. This ticket is a dysfunctional or prototypical (depending on how you look at it) example of what the Republicans and the conservative right wing are all about.

Of course, much of this reaction is likely political and full of hypocrisy itself. I just wonder if Conservative Christians will have enough back bone to critique this the way that they have other issues of this nature, even if it will cost them the election.  The correlation to Britney Spears' mom Lynne and her sister Jaime is an interesting one.

Comments

[Joe Kennedy]

I know I'm biased, because quite frankly, I'm voting the other direction this year. Having said that, I can't help but apply *some* of the qualifications of an elder to our elected officials. And while I don't expect them to be above reproach (because they're not spiritual leaders, and because we'd never have any elected officials if we did expect them to be), I do think "manage your household" is one that can be applied. The Clintons were pitiful at it, and that's one of the reasons (there were plenty) I was one of the few Obama supporters who would have voted against the ticket (probably a third party) if Hillary were on the ticket.

It seems to me the Palins, with all their "executive experience," can't manage their own household. And it makes it even more clear to me that McCain chose her flying by the seat of his pants. Some of the reports I've read show his campaign didn't even check the archives of her hometown newspaper, showing she wasn't really vetted very hard. I'm sure she's a wonderful person, but I don't see why she's a good candidate. If I were on the edge about voting for a 72 year old man already, her candidacy would push me on over to the other side. But Katrina already did that 3 years ago (minus one election, when I voted Bobby Jindal into office).

Speaking of Jindal... I hope New Orleans is okay.

[Steven Taylor]

There is a legitimate question to be raised as to what the behavior of children means about a particular candidate. Certainly, the notion of a candidate's/elected official's children being problematic is nothing new (off the top of my head: Reagan's two biological children, Ron and Patty Davis come to mind, as does Al Gore's son, and Jeb Bush's daughter).

If a teenager gets pregnant, is that a direct failure of a given parent? I am not so sure. Apart from locking one's children in the basement, I don't think that it is possible to 100% prevent these things.

I suppose the only "parenting" test here is how Bristol Palin reacts to the situation, and keeping the baby and getting married are about the best thing that evangelicals can ask at this point, yes?

[Doug]

I have already stated my shock and offense at McCain's unwise choice of Ms. Palin in an earlier comment stream. I was dumbfounded once again when I heard of her daughter's pregnancy. What parent would ask their child to go through such public humiliation??? What about the father and his family as well. I can't comment on her household or moral sense - but I really have to question her judgment. Is she willing to sacrifice her daughter for her own ends? Sad!

[selahV]

Grace. And I truly mean that. I say the same thing with Palin's situation as I say in my heart each time I see an unmarried pregnant teenager come into our church. Or a wonderful Christian family struggle with children addicted to drugs and alcohol. Grace is what Jesus gave me. I owe nothing less to them. Philip Yancey's book on amazing grace would speak well to all of us.

Do I think judgmental thoughts? Yes. Do I repent of them? Yes. It's very hard to live in our world today and pretend to be more than what we really are. Sinners saved by grace. selahV

[Joe Kennedy]

I think what amazes me the most about the choice of Palin is how little it appears McCain checked her background. She's in the middle of a Trooper scandal, her teenage daughter is pregnant... I mean, what's next? She's actually an illegal Canadian? I expected McCain to at least make a thoughtful decision about his VP, and it just doesn't feel like he's trying very hard.

[Alan Cross]

No one is judging this girl for getting pregnant. It happens, and there is definitely grace for her. I also do not hold the parents fully responsible for every mistake their children might make. Steven is right that there have been many presidents who had problems with their children. The reason that this is a problem, however, is that at some point I think that you have to look at what is going on in your family. Brand new baby with Down's Syndrome. 17 year old daughter who is 5 months pregnant. This was known about by the McCain campaign, but they waited until 4 days after the announcement and buried it in the middle of Hurricane Gustav coverage. If McCain didn't know, that's a problem. If he did know and decided not to tell us until later, that's a problem. It is a problem because of the "family values" angle that the Republican Party has taken for years. No, we don't judge the girl and I have compassion on her and her family, but this is not necessarily an ideal situation and it seems to show a lack of judgment on the parts of Sarah Palin and the McCain campaign.

[Steven Taylor]

I agree with Alan: this is far from an ideal situation and I do wonder what the long-term effects will be with "the base" and specifically with Evangelicals. Dobson and the head of the Family Research Council (whose name escapes me at the moment) have reportedly declared the situation "a private matter" and have stated that the family has handled the matter properly.

I do think that this will ultimately end being a question about McCain'sw judgment as much as anything else.

And, I must confess, I had a similar thought to Doug's: "What parent would ask their child to go through such public humiliation???"

That one is ahead-scratcher. Granted, Palin is already governor, so it wasn't like this was going to be a fully private matter. On the other, there is a difference between the Alaskan press and the international press.

[Debbie Kaufman]

No one can keep an eye on a sixteen year old all the time, not even a stay at home mom. You could lock her in her room, and they would still find a way, without your knowledge. It may put a damper on evangelical support, just not this evangelical.

I'm still for Sarah Palin, and still think she has the qualifications for office. This happens in the best of families. It may hurt her, but not as far as I'm concerned. I understand McCain knew before he chose her for VP candidate. I'll still vote for the McCain/Palin ticket.

[Ron]

I'm amazed how harsh, critical, and judgmental so many are. What about redemption? What about forgiveness? What about compassion? It is exactly this kind of judgmental attitude in people that turns them away from the church. Didn't Jesus say, "Go and sin no more?"

We live in a culture of over the top criticism. People with cracks in their glass houses are throwing rocks as fast and as hard as they can. And that makes me sick.

Put yourself in Palin's shoes. Or better... put yourself in that precious young girl's shoes. How would YOU want to be treated? How would YOU want people to relate to you, or your child? My guess is that those who have been so harsh in their comments would be singing a different tune were these reports be about their family.

And I guess what ticks me the most is that the harsh comments come from ministers... those who are to "forgive others as God in Christ has forgiven them."

As for me... this revelation has absolutely no effect what so ever on who I will vote for. Obama did a good thing when he suggested the press leave this one alone.

[wesmith]

Alan,
I do believe this is over the Top.

Some Food for Thought.

"What Makes You Different?" or at least it should!

September 2, 2008
KURT'S DAILY MUSE
"What Makes You Different?"

Have you ever thought about what makes a believer different than the world? We might say - faith in Christ and His resurrection. But then we'd encounter many who are religious, who will tell you they have faith, but their lifestyles are no different than unbelievers. No, the world has heard way too much rhetoric from us, as it is. The difference is having a faith that works. Paul wrote a little treatise on Christian virtues in Romans 12:14-21, saying a real Believer:1. Blesses those who persecute him, and doesn't curse them [even when they give you "bad press"].2. Is outwardly happy for those who succeed [even if they are promoted instead of you], and openly grieved with those who weep.3. Lives in harmony with others [not trying to cut in line].4. Never lets pride have center stage, and is not afraid to associate with the needy [not demanding recognition, but willing to volunteer].5. Doesn't get a big head about himself in any situation [would still do it even if no one ever saw or knew].6. Won't give "just desserts" to those who harm him [doesn't call "my attorney" to sue for every injustice].7. Is not afraid to let his godly lifestyle be open for all to see [even if it meant searching your files, computer, and receipts].8. Attempts to live in peace with everyone, as much as is possible [not demanding your "rights" at every turn].9. Will not seek revenge against anyone, knowing that the Lord has said, "Vengeance is Mine; I will repay;" but is willing to feed his enemy, and overcome evil with good [even if it means going the extra mile, out of your way, and loving the unlovely]. Booker Washington once said, "I will not allow any man to make me lower myself by hating him." Jesus Christ moved His world, not by just resisting evil, but by conquering hatred with love. Perhaps a good test to see where you stand is to place your name at the beginning of each point. Does that sound like you? Or is this a good place to admit that Christ's love hasn't quite "filled you to overflowing," yet? Today, may the God of peace, love and joy draw a line in the sand between you and the world, giving you a testimony to the power of Christ in you, and showing those who are trapped in hate, the difference His "saving" love can make.

To subscribe to the Muse, at no cost, click on "Update Profile/Email Address" below. Feel free to send comments to: kdmuse@hotmail.com.

Wayne Smith

[Alan Cross]

Ron, you completely miss the point. I am not being harsh or judgmental of Sarah Palin, her family, or her daughter. If they were members of my church, I would accept them and love them. Our whole church would. Forgiveness and restoration would be offered and we would support the family in any way possible. I know because this has happened before. I have nothing but grace for Palin's daughter and am very happy that she is keeping the baby. Mistakes happen and I do not fully hold Sarah Palin or her husband responsible for what their 17 year old daughter does.

But, none of that is my point. My point is that conservative evangelicals offer full support here, but have we done the same when the situation involved liberal Democrats? I would say no. Instead of being judgmental and harsh, I am actually making the case that we be consistent and evenly apply our standards across party lines. No one can tell me that if Barack Obama had chosen a 1st term 44 year old female governor of a small state with 5 children including a newborn with Down's Syndrome and a 17 year old unwed, pregnant daughter, that conservatives would not cry foul. We WOULD offer forgiveness to the girl, but we would also use this as an example of the breakdown of the family in American life. I say this because I have observed closely American politics and the actions of Republicans and Conservative Evangelicals for the past 20 years. I know how we work because I have been one of them.

Ron, there is no judgment toward the Palin family here. My prayers are with them and I do not think ill of the girl at all. Mistakes happen and I praise God that she is keeping the baby and is getting married. She is doing the right thing. Grace has been and should be offered. We are doing well here. My critique is toward us. Would we have the same reaction if Sarah Palin was a Democrat? Are only the people in our camp worthy of grace? And, if we are all about grace here (which is not a bad thing), then what does that say about all of the pronouncements that we have made on the family and morality over the years? Are the people that agree with us politically more deserving of grace than the people who do not?

[Alan Cross]

Wayne,

I agree with you on those things. If you have read my blog for any length of time you will know that I consistently point out those virtues. But, how can we call for grace here without also repenting of all of the harsh, judgmental rhetoric of the past that we have directed toward those who disagreed with us? Don't those virtues also apply toward liberal Democrats? Do we only use them towards those in our camp? How can the leaders of the Religious Right offer grace to a conservative evangelical while we know that if the situation were reversed, a liberal Democrat would be opposed?

My point is not that we should not be loving, forgiving, and accepting to the Palin family. We are confusing the issue here. We are talking about politics and the leadership of America when we talk about the Palin's. We are talking about theology and the role of truth when it comes to us. The fact that holding Conservative Evangelicals to their own standard and calling for consistency creates a cry of "you are harsh and judgmental" is telling. We are embracing a double standard here, I believe, and you can't do that and claim to be people of truth. If we extend grace here (which is an appropriate action), we also need to repent of our harsh, partisan political judgment on the personal and family mistakes of those on the Left, lest we come across as hypocrites.

This is not about Sarah Palin - it is about us.

[wesmith]

Alan,

This is what Dr Al Mohler had to say about this matter.

http://www.albertmohler.com/blog_read.php?id=1521

Wayne Smith

[Alan Cross]

Thank you so much, Wayne! That is an excellent perspective and is exactly the kind of consistency that I was hoping for. Grace is important, but so is truth. I am not saying that this should disqualify Palin, but it should raise questions and cause us to think deeply about these issues. Dr. Mohler said the same thing that I was thinking, but much more cogently.

I praise God for consistency on this issue. My opinion of Dr. Mohler just went up.

[Ron]

Alan,

I didn't miss the point... in fact I got it quite well. Why did you assume I was writing my post in reply to you and your comments (Which was not the case. My guess is that because my post followed yours your assumed incorrectly.). My comments were directed to the same point you made in your presumptive reply... that if it happened the other way around there would have been condemnation... and THAT is what I am tired of.

Truth be told, which may be a surprise, we are on the same side. We hold to the same thoughts. We're not pitted against each other.

I think one problem many people do have is reacting and making pronouncements without taking time to think things all the way through... whether they are Democrats or Republicans... whether they are Preachers or Deacons... whether they are Christians or non-Christians.

Note to self: "Even a fool is deemed wise when they keep their mouth shut."

[Alan Cross]

Sorry for the incorrect assumption, Ron. Since you were commenting in this post, I assumed that you were directing your ire toward me, which is fine, but I felt the need to further explain myself.

Thanks for the clarification.