McCain Fought Teen Pregnancy Programs

WASHINGTON — Republican John McCain, whose running mate disclosed that her unmarried 17-year-old daughter is pregnant, has opposed proposals to spend federal money on teen-pregnancy prevention programs and voted to require poor teen mothers to stay in school or lose their benefits.

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's announcement Monday about her daughter Bristol was aimed at rebutting Internet rumors that Palin's youngest son, born in April, was actually her daughter's. Palin said her daughter intends to raise her child and marry the baby's father, identified in news reports as Levi Johnston, 18, of Wasilla, a high school hockey player whom Bristol has dated for about one year. The baby is due in late December.

McCain's record on issues surrounding teen pregnancy and contraceptives during his more than two decades in the Senate indicates that he and Palin have similar views. Until Monday, when the subject surfaced in a deeply personal manner, teen pregnancy and sex education were not issues in the national political campaign.

Palin herself said she opposes funding sexual-education programs in Alaska.

"The explicit sex-ed programs will not find my support," she wrote in a 2006 questionnaire distributed among gubernatorial candidates.

McCain's position on contraceptives and teen pregnancy issues has been difficult to judge on the campaign trail, as he appears uncomfortable discussing such topics. Reporters asked the presumptive GOP presidential nominee in November 2007 whether he supported grants for sex education in the United States, whether such programs should include directions for using contraceptives and whether he supports President Bush's policy of promoting abstinence.

"Ahhh, I think I support the president's policy," McCain said.

When a reporter asked McCain whether he thought contraceptives help stop the spread of HIV, he replied: "You've stumped me." McCain said later that he was sure he opposed government spending on contraceptives. Asked whether he would oppose condom distribution if he knew that condoms stop the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, McCain said he had never gotten into those issues before.

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The McCain campaign on Monday did not respond to repeated requests for information.

In Senate votes, McCain has opposed some proposals to pay for teen-pregnancy prevention programs. In 2006, McCain joined fellow Republicans in voting against a Senate Democratic proposal to send $100 million to communities for teen-pregnancy prevention programs that would have included sex education about contraceptives.

In 2005, McCain opposed a Senate Democratic proposal that would have spent tens of millions of dollars to pay for pregnancy prevention programs other than abstinence-only education, including education on emergency contraception such as the morning-after pill. The bill also would have required insurance companies that cover Viagra to also pay for prescription contraception.

McCain voted for the Family Support Act in 1988, which passed overwhelmingly in the Senate and required teen mothers who receive public assistance to remain in high school and, in some cases, to live with their parents.

"Young parents who have not completed high school will be required to stay in or return to school to complete the basic education so necessary to a productive life," said President Reagan, as he signed the law in October 1988.

McCain cited abortion, sex education and birth control as some of the issues on which he differed with Joycelyn Elders, former President Clinton's nominee for surgeon general. He quoted Elders as telling lawmakers that abortion has had positive health effects, including reducing the number of children "afflicted with severe defects."

"As a father of a number of young children, including an adopted daughter who was born with a birth defect, I am deeply, deeply troubled by these views," McCain said in a 1993 speech opposing Elders' confirmation.

Palin's fifth child, a son named Trig, was born in April with Down syndrome, a genetic abnormality that impedes physical, intellectual and language development. Conservatives supportive of Palin as McCain's running mate have praised her choice to deliver Trig even after the family learned about his condition during prenatal testing.

McCain said the country unarguably had a problem with teen pregnancy, but said Elders' approach would only make it worse. He said Elders started a program to distribute condoms in schools, but the rate of teen pregnancy actually rose in those counties. When it turned out many of the condoms were defective, Elders decided to continue the program rather than halt it or inform the public of the risk, McCain added.

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Associated Press Writer Steve Quinn contributed to this story from Anchorage, Alaska.

(This version CORRECTS question to role contraceptives play in stopping spread of HIV.)

Comments

[Sseb]

Well, at least McCain/Palin'll get the FLDS vote. Anybody else would have to have rocks for brains. Dems for Hillary can't vote for her b/c they have nothing in common ideologically. Conservatives can't vote for her b/c (despite all their faux support and spin on the blogs) they have judged her as the unfit mother they believe her to be. Right? If you cast stones, blaming the disintegration of American families and values on Holly wood and unwed mothers all these years, it follows that you can't come back now and claim that teen pregnancy is a good thing. Oh wait, the standards are different. Forgiveness of adultery, corruption and bad parenting are reserved only for the GOP. Ok, sure, but "Ye will be known by your fruits." Having seen some fine examples of the Republican loin-fruits (party-girls Jenna and Barbara, anyone?), the GOP appears to be rotten to the core.

[Gma11]

How ironic, and humorous, it would be be in McCain's downfall is due to his hypocrisy and antifeminist views.

[DRaymond]

Karma can sure sting, can't it?

On the other hand I think even Democrats agree that having teen mothers complete their high school education is extremely important.

But honestly, if you actually want fewer abortions, as opposed to just being pompous and pious, you have to look at what really works in terms of reducing unwanted pregnancy. And every study of the subject shows that comprehensive sex education decreases teen pregnancy while not increasing teen sexual activity.

[IFeel]

Lets talk about the present and forget the past:
This was Mccain's first opportunity to make a sound decision!!! he's a joke!!

[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

[DrDemon]

Exactly!

[KQuarksSuperKollider]

Nobody is really attacking her family. Most of us are attack Palin and worse McBush's horrible judgment for picking her.

[2008debate]

Palin and her family are just being used.

McCain wanted Lieberman or Ridge (Penn governor) but his superzealot base would not "let" him. So, he picked a supremely unqualified (Harriet Myers comes to mind) with superzealot views to shut up his base, get them to start discrediting themselves in the eyes of non-zealot republicans, and shortly drop her. THEN he will be free to take on a pro-choice running mate like he wanted to in the first place.

Palin and her family are just being used. As full-on nutjobs (wanting the law to FORCE raped women to carry their rapist's child to term and deliver it is nutjob in my book -- it's pro-rapist, it's like slavery for God's sake) she thinks her ridiculous advancement would be part of God's plan.

This Machevelian motive for McCain clears him of the "horrible judgement" charge in this one instance, but what no one has said is that Palin's acceptance of the position is also an example of horrible judgement on her part.

[oommoore]

Wonder how much she's gonna get paid for it

[zuffaloo]

You're forgetting what she's already getting out of the bargain - the GOP machine taking care of her little abuse-of-power investigation.

[KQuarksSuperKollider]

I'm starting to think the Maverick is spiting his own party by picking Palin instead of the people he wants like you say.

[Cybersquirt]

No argument she's a token but to say he picked her to appease his base is a cop out.

McCain is not pro-choice so why would he pick a running mate that was?

[who38]

I agree. Ridge is in and Rush can't say a word, especially since the entire week has been spent hashing over things that occur as a result of anti-abortion, anti-sex education topics. Think Mac would prefer Joe but Ridge will get more votes.

[jezzabella]

This is not about Palin’s daughter getting pregnant. It is about Palin pushing a no tolerance policy for sex education. Palin’s daughter was raised in a household that teaches abstinence only. Did it work? Teenage pregnancy is a tragedy no matter how you slice it. No matter how much support Palin’s daughter has, she is still going to be a child raising a child.
This mother has a pregnant teen daughter and she still believes we should not teach kids how to make responsible decisions about birth control. Making the decision to be responsible after a human life is created is a little late to the responsibility party. I don’t understand why parents will tell you they would throw themselves in front of a car to save their child but they wouldn’t do anything to save their child from the tragedy of teen pregnancy.

[elbzee]

*DING* *DING,* *DING*! We have a WINNAH!!!!
Spot on jezzabella!

[YouDisgustMe]

i'm sorry folks....i still think the 4-month old is actually bristol's baby...apparently none of her staff even knew she was pregnant til she said so when she was "7 months along" (and she didn't look it one bit)

[CaliTLC]

I know Alaska is small but there MUST be pictures of constituents shacking Gov. Palin's hand the week preceding her delivery in late April. What was Gov. Palin's public schedule 10 days before she delivered? Start there because the pictures are out there and they won't lie [unless doctored of course by GOP operatives]. Bring on the pictures from 10 days before the delivery. With her popularity, everyone must have taken her picture.

[DavidNOE]

Something interesting that I haven't seen mentioned yet is that Trig was supposed to be an 8-month baby (a month premature) yet the information I saw was that he weighed 6 lb 2 oz at birth - which is pretty close to average for a full-term baby. WTF?

[learnsomething]

I believe Trig is Bristols baby, too.

[okayigive]

It should be obvious that the thinking and approaches to s.ex education of the 20th century did not work then and surely is not working now. We are in the 21st century and need to start approaching s.ex education by proactive means instead of reactioning or ignoring the fact that the desires are there. To continue with this flawed ideology that it will simply go away if we just say "no" is delusional. In our society the word "no" has the tendency to awaken curiosity, especially when there is no sound options to why not to or what to do if it does happen. Millions of dollars are pour into programs to educate children and youth proactively of the health risks of smoking beginning in elementary school, while many programs adressing s.ex edication are treated as a taboo. The taboo thinking of Mcc and P.alin to s.ex education is a just do as I say approach, just don't do it. Nowhere do either of them have a concern about prevention of teen pregnancy beyond simply saying absti.nence. Nowhere do they show sound judgment towards prevention of STDs or other health risks beyond abstin.ence.

I'll be glad when s.ex education is approached as a science thereby giving an understanding of life; appreciation of one's body; what health risks are involved; how to prevent health risks, positive and negative impact on society, etc., instead of constantly trying and using methods that don't work.

[KateAB]

News flash - News Flash! No matter what you teach kids about abstinence or protection, some still go out and have sex!

Do we need more school programs-no. Do we need to throw mass quantities of condoms from airplanes-no. What we need to do is stop giving our kids double messages. Parents often say "I don't want you to have sex, but if you do, here's a condom." That's like saying to your 5 year old " I don't want you playing in the freeway, but if you do, here's a helmet."

We need to be clear of what we expect. Where the possible fault lies is if Palin wasn't clear in her expectations. If she teaches her children to abstain from sex, at least in high school, I hope she was clear in that at least. Kids ulitimately will make their own decisions, but it's our job to make our message clear and stop confusing them or promising them that using birth control will take away all consequences from stupid decisions.

[SouthernBlueBelle]

So, this is about punishment, oh excuse me consequences. Let's not think about these kids who are by nature immature and not likely to make good choices. Don't want to confuse them with the facts of pregnancy prevention, just sex prevention.

[SuppersReady]

In the Netherlands teenage pregnancy is low. Why? Not because of abortion but because of education which includes the entire society. The Purtians of America are not only against sex-ed but they are against sex in general and the last thing they want to do is talk about it. I have found that in modern households where parents have an open and honest discussion about sex, is the key. I have three daughters. Their knowledge of sex came from us, not from some teenage boy in the back seat of a car. They know all the good and they know all the consequences of sex. Especially the consequences of unprotected sex, (AIDS, STDs and of course unwanted pregnancy). Sure, kids will do stuff anyway so my point is they not only will I talk about it, but I will be taking them to the Doctor and the drugstore to get the stuff they need. It is the right and responsible thing to do.

[AnotherMike]

Spot on.

Well said.

[Daps]

Congratulations, in all seriousness. It's a shame that voters continuously destroy our attempts to do that here. Those that refuse to do it at home also refuse to let our schools teach facts in place of rhetoric.

[DFL]

GOP MOTTO: DO AS WE SAY, NOT AS WE DO

[elbzee]

Ain't that the truth!!!

[daviddag]

Your argument is ridiculous. We DO need more school programs. We DO need to throw condoms from airplanes. Palin's daughter is the perfect example. Perhaps if her mother had discussed with her the possible outcomes of teen sex - i.e. you'll have a baby - she wouldn't have become pregnant. Furthermore, if her mother had given her a condom and explained how to use it, it is highly likely she WOULD NOT have been impregnated.

[lessbs]

HuffPost's Pick

This spin is unbelievable. The thought process ends up with "it doesn't matter how you raise your kids-they will make their own decisions". Nice try. Many of us are proud of the way our children have turned out and take some of the credit because of the way we raised them. They did not have unprotected sex, they didn't have shotgun weddings, and they care about those that are less fortunate than they are. The Obamas and Bidens families represent what is right in this country---hardly a comparison with the Palins.

[swift goat pet for truth]

Gut decisions = poor decisions.

[CaptainZero1969]

Guts lack synapses. Repugs should use their heads for something besides a hat rack.

[HamletsMill]

I have always had women around me all my life who had major fashion sense. I read the New Yorker and Vanity Fair and sometimes look at the ads. I have a close female friend who once had an eight page spread in Italian Vogue on her design line. She once clothed all the wives and girfriends of the Rolling Stones at the height of her empire. But I must admit I have no fashion sense whatsoever myself. But even I must ask if those hoop earrings Palin is wearing in that photo with Mac Daddy appropriate for a national hurricane disaster press conference. Just saying.

[slamkitty2]

Astute observation.

[bronceye]

I have a family values question. If Sarah has to take over the reins of Pres. , who will this special needs child grow to know as his mother?

[pupbayer]

Maybe she can find a wife to raise her kids like the other VPs have done.

[franklin opt]

Sarah Palin is ready to take the reins of this country's reindeer.

[mabinog]

I think that has already been answered as it appears that the gov/vp has already delegated that duty to her eldest daughter.

[LanguagePolice]

Amen to that. She has a special needs child that needs his mother. She has a pregnant daughter who also needs her mother. She wants to take a job, for which she is not qualified, thousands of miles away.

Family values?

[Daps]

"who will this special needs child grow to know as his mother?"

Their illegal help.

[LeeCalif]

...successfully it seems.

[teron678]

Mac ....... what the hell is wrong with you??? . .. this needs to be out in the open ...............