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

[serecovery]

He's right. Its quite obvious they've shot themselves in the foot with a bazooka on this pick. The Titanic didn't need help sinking!!!

[BourbonDemocrat]

Thank you, Barack, for showing class and decency. Too bad that some of your supporters seem to have none at all.

I have been very disturbed at some of the comments from so-called progressives this weekend. If this was being done to a child of one of "their" politicians, they would be screaming bloody murder, and rightly so.

This whole bizarre ordeal reeks of some kind of Rovian trap. And all too many liberals seem to be eager to take the bait. Be careful. The Repugs have proven themselves to be better at this game; this could end very badly for the Dems.

[Gary47]

I say we back off Palin alltoghether, and start talking again about Obama, and Biden, and Democratic values, and energy independence, and ending stupid wars, and educating children (including sex education, oops), and doing the massive work of repairing foreign relations, and tax fairness, etc.

[MGhamma]

Gobama!!

[athenasword]

He's right. And as usual, shows a huge amount of class and grace. (I hate to think, though, how he would be slaughtered by the Right, and by the MSM if the shoe was on Sen. O's foot... sigh).

At any rate, in the end it is about issues. Health Care. Sex Education (and the abstinance-only approach). Reducing unwanted pregnancy and teen pregnancy. Choice. Supreme Court Justices. And understanding how McCane makes big decisions.

And as for Gov. Palin, it looks like her family needs a full time mother, given a pregnant teen and a special needs baby.

[DieHardObamaSupporter]

I agree with Senator O, children are off limits. I want him to win, and I want him to punch back hard, when they come after him, however not at the expense of a child, teenager or unborn. This young girl has a lot to deal with now. Please everyone leave her alone.

No I am not taking the high road, because I will be the first to go after McBush Rovian & Co, as dirty as they get. However, This is were I draw the line.

[GuyFawkes]

Palin's problem right now is that they're using her life story as a selling point. I remember in 2004, the swift boaters saying they weren't going to smear Kerry until they saw how much he used his war record at the convention (I know, they were anyway. I'm just saying...). If you're going to use her life story as a selling point, there is an argument to be made that that life story needs to be dissected and scrutinized.

[mistlesuede]

Barack is an exceptional politician. He will not go for the jugular against this woman. That is what surrogates and journalists are for. He will always show class and warmth. Meanwhile she can implode with the help of others.
I send you a fist bump Barack. You are awesome!

[GolfingDevil05]

I applaud Sen. Obama for saying this, and I will follow his lead on this. Besides, I have a feeling there will be many on her own side of the aisle that will be tearing into Gov. Palin for not removing herself from contention for the VP selection. I've already seen numerous posts where conservatives are talking about a floor fight at the convention, and others who say they will attempt to write in Mitt Romney on their ballots in November.

There's no need to attack a teenager for this. There's plenty of political points that we can use against Gov. Palin.

[whiskeytangofoxtrot451]

Good for Obama.

There's plenty of other stuff to hammer Palin (the worst VP choice ever!) without this one issue.

There's no way the democrats can push this issue without looking like they're picking on a pregnant teenager.

He's showing that he's got more class than the GOP does, because you know they'd be all over this issue if it were happening to Biden's daughter.

[Einstein44]

I must say that Obama is truly a gentleman and a scholar...My respect goes all the way for this fine man...We need to focus on the serious issues at hand.

[MedMunky]

I applaud Obama for his position regarding Gov. Palin's family issues. However, her family issues do speak volumes about her capacity for making good judgment. With a new baby with special needs AND a pregnant teen daughter, there is no way she should have accepted this position. Her children--and grandchildren--need her much more than I do.

[STAYATHOMEMOMMY]

I commend Barack Obama. I know that the RNC would've had a field day with this story if it was the other way around and one of Obama's daughters was unmarried and pregnant. Obama/ Biden 2008!.

[robXdion]

He's right. The media isn't focusing on the REAL scandals that speak to her qualifications and performance. They're trying to build up a backlash for her.

[Serious Lee]

The daughter's pregnancy is none of our business. Bravo Sen. Obama for stating this.

What is our business is the charactor of the candidate. I can not imagine pursuing a job that would throw my family into the public spotlight during a time of family crisis. I know how difficult this time is on a young teen. I do question her parents judgement. (I would question a man or a woman).

I question McCain's judgement. I don't understand McCain's vetting process. Why add a canditate that will distract us from the serious issues?

I remember previous democratic scandals of the past. What was the righ wing's line?
Oh yeah, the infamous "What will I tell my children?" Of course I believe that this is an excellent time to discuss the values and expectations you have for your child with your child, but, I am wondering what the republicans are saying, now.