Obama To Media: "Back Off" Palin Pregnancy

ABC News:

At a brief press availability in Monroe, Mich., ABC News asked Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., if he had any response to Gov. Sarah Palin's statement that her unmarried 17-year-old daughter Bristol is pregnant.

"Let me be a clear as possible: I have said before and I will repeat again, I think people's families are off limits," Obama said, "and people's children are especially off limits.

"This shouldn't be part of our politics," he continued, "It has no relevance to Gov. Palin's performance as governor, or her potential performance as a vice president.

"And so I would strongly urge people to back off these kinds of stories," he said. "You know my mother had me when she was 18, and how a family deals with issues and, you know, teenage children, that shouldn't be the topic of our politics and I hope that anybody who is supporting me understands that's off limits."

Read the whole story: ABC News

Comments

[Kwaayesnama]

I respect senator Obama’s view that children are off limit, but there is another issue here and that is judgment. The issue everyone is missing here is this is a perfect time to discuss the most important topic here. This family is poster perfect as an add for birth control. No not aborting as the GOP is trying to spin this situation, but prevention. Any intelligent person knows when you choose to have unprotected sex at 43 you have a very high probability of having a child with Downs Syndrome. Sarah Pahin used poor judgment not using birth control. Abstinence is fine but a parent should use good judgment and also tell their teens that if they do not choose abstinence they should consider what the ramifications would be if they do not use birth control. If you prevent conception you do not have to consider abortion.

[TheAlchemist]

This guy is one class act. He really can keep to the high ground.

God keep this man and his family safe.

[athenasword]

Sen. O, you are one class act. Your statement was gracious, kind and perfectly in line w/ what you stand for.

I applaud this. Yet I wonder that her mother showed what I consider to be such poor judgement and insensitivity. I would think that she'd have left her daughter out of the spotlight (for now) and offered medical records to clear up the rumors. Instead, she used her daughter as a human shield.

I really don't care about the girl's pregnancy. But, I find it so distasteful that this girl will be used as a campaign tool, to market a story of pro-life, family values and "motherhood".

[pleeezzze]

Question here is "which party is using the girl for a political tool" ?

[STAYATHOMEMOMMY]

Pre marital sex is a big no-no according to Christian values. Palin is anti birth control but what about this boy Levi? He must know about condoms every teen does, why didn't he use protection? Obama is a classy guy. If this story were about Sasha or Malia Obama you can bet McCain would be questioning Barack and Michelle's parenting skills. Obama/ Biden 2008!

[JackND]

Today O'bama is up by 5 (48-43) on Rasmussen, and up 6 with leaners (51-45)

Yesterday it was O'bama by 3 (47-44) and up 3 with leaners (49-46)

[Whatashame]

Obama is a SMART man. he knows that if he keeps quiet on the Palin pregancy that the right wing will blame him. So what does he do, he comes out with a harsh statement. This guy is a genius.

[Jetling]

It's because he has consideration for the daughter.

Perhaps...­a bit more than Sarah Palin has the capacity for...

"It's not that John McCain doesn't care. He just DOESN'T KNOW."

Sarah Palin is more of the same old, same old.

[shelobo]

I agree with your comment on the MOTHER ,Palin having NO consideration for her OWN daughter !This shames the republicans and the political evangelics for USING the teens pregnancy as a political PROP !!

[jay1975]

The Democrats smear machine is just as good as the Republicans and neither candidate can control what their surrogates will do or how the media will react. Smart announcement by Obama on this but Olberman and others like him will not let it rest.

[emmaspeaks]

Sarah Palin announced and brought her family into it. Joe Scarborough now says if MSM is talking about her kids, then they can talk about all. I wish they would get someone reputable on that show.

1. Palin's life IS private, but she has lied and covered up things, and that is the point.
2. SHE brought it out to help detract from her cover-ups.
3 SHE used her daughter to prove something.

Her qualifications, according to a republican congresswoman on Larry King:
Sarah Palin sold a plane on EBAY. Look out Cindy, she may sell yours.

[amcg50]

great example for the rest of us..

[barackobama4prez]

I agree. Let's focus on other things, like why she is not qualified for VP.

[IthacaParent]

Ariana-

With all sincere respect, Sen. Obama's admonition should be most arduously respected in Huffpost. As parents, you & I realize that the non-criminal (or criminal, for that matter) behavior of named individual minor children is not ever proper public discourse. It doesn't meaningfully reflect on the parent but, much more important, it needlessly risks harming a child.

[mystiqal]

This is why I love this guy so much even after the media attacked him as far back as kindergarten grade!

Obama/Biden all the way!

[nubret2008]

I understand all the rage and sure it is another great example for Republican hypocrisy.

But Barak is right. You don't hurt McCain or his campaign, nor Doe-eyed Dubya Palin but the Kids. And that is utterly wrong.

IT'S THE FAULT OF MCCAIN'S POOR JUDGMENT - NOT THE KIDS SO LEAVE THEM ALONE!

[poco767c]

But But But.... I was told he was a Sexist and a secret Muslim. Could I have been lied to?

[nubret2008]

Palin is a Secessionist and Russian agent who wants to repatriate Alaska to the Russian motherland - Palin=Putin (same nonsense)

[DontBeFoolish]

Man, O is a trooper. I agree with him, although we all know that his opponnent would attack if it were him. Way to go Mr. President.

[x88justy]

Here, here! Obama is right on about this one. Remember Edwards going after Cheney for having a Lesbian daughter? Absolutely nauseating!