Palin Walks Fine Line Fusing Politics And Motherhood

New York Times:

Sarah Palin's baby shower included a surprise guest: her own baby. He had arrived in the world a month early, so on a sunny May day, Ms. Palin, the governor of Alaska, rocked her newborn as her closest friends, sisters, even her obstetrician presented her with a potluck meal, presents and blue-and-white cake.

Most had learned that Ms. Palin was pregnant only a few weeks before. Struggling to accept that her child would be born with Down syndrome and fearful of public criticism of a governor's pregnancy, Ms. Palin had concealed the news that she was expecting even from her parents and children until her third trimester.

Read the whole story: New York Times

Comments

[DragonMama]

Good to read that at least she doesn't totally treat her kids like fashion accessories, the way it seems like she did at the RNC. I have a little more respect for her after reading that, but I still don't want such a Revelationist Wing-Nut anywhere NEAR the West Wing unless we're talkin' reruns on TV.

Doesn't really tell me that she's going to do much in the way of improving maternity/paternity leave for parents who don't have the kind of job flexibility and ability to bring the kids along to the workplace, tho. And her "voluntary pay cut" doesn't say good things about the whole "equal pay for equal work" fight, either. Those are much bigger issues. Biden's done then single parent thing, and not by his own "not wanting to be married anymore" misbehavior like some of the "family values" proponents on the other side. I trust someone who has done the commute, made it to the parent-teacher conferences, and believes in arming kids with the knowledge to let them have a bit more control over their own family size and start-date ofer any of her or McCain's policies we've been able to suss out.

[Whoislying]

Republican and Democrat mothers work. So, her children like many other poloticians attened the convention. Big Deal. I thought with N.O.W. democrats would be a little less harsh on her.

[Justice0713]

I am all for working mothers & fathers as long as family comes first. I believe when a family is in crisis, both parents should have to sacrifice some of their work ambitions to put their family's needs first. For years we have been faulting fathers for working too much based on selfish ambition while ignoring their family's needs especially when their families clearly have multiple issues. So, let's not start the double standard when it comes to women who go beyond the call od duty to follow their selfish ambition despite having a family in crisis - a pregnant seventeen year old, a son off to war, a child with special needs, and young daughters who have to make sense of it all.

On a side note, the following things are extremely peculiar -
1. Going into premature labor did not scare a women into getting to the nearest hospital to save her baby.
2. Being 8 months pregnant but not showing.
3. Having a high risk pregnancy but continuing to fly in the 8 month.
4. Normally the more children the quicker the delivery but with Palin's 5th delivery after her water breaks she was able to a) give a speech, b) gather herself and staff to board a plane, and c) fly about 4 hours to Anchorage.

She must be Superwoman!

[TruepatriotinRI]

Now THIS is very, very FRIGHTENING!!!!

Later that day, Ms. Palin sent an e-mail message to her relatives and close friends about her new son, Ms. Bruce said. She signed it, “Trig’s Creator, Your Heavenly Father.”

“Many people will express sympathy, but you don’t want or need that, because Trig will be a joy,” Ms. Palin wrote. She added, “Children are the most precious and promising ingredient in this mixed-up world you live in down there on Earth. Trig is no different, except he has one extra chromosome.”

Palin speaks for God??

[MConde]

I didn't know that being a conservative meant that you were uneducated and out of touch with yourself, and that's what's going on today in America. They said that they love America, but that America has more debt than the whole world's money combined. They're looking for someone who can lower their taxes. I don't know who they think is going to pay for all that and i know it ain't John Bush.

[drewtom]

It's especially difficult to kake your pregnant to cover-up your daughter's first baby. I know it is sexist but I'm going to ask anyway. where was Bristol for 5-months last year? How is it Sarah had the baby and was working two days later?

[franklin opt]

The Palins' family affairs are private and should not be the focus of the news media. I happen to be a committed Obama-Biden supporter and don't believe that Sarah Palin's parenting style should be part of the public discourse.

That being said, if Gov. Palin does not want to be questioned regarding her 17-year old daughter's pregnancy and the Governor's 3-day parental leave, she should not have allowed the McCain campaign to thrust her family into the spotlight.

All of this media attention being paid to the candidate's family is taking the focus away from the relevant issues. i.e. Palin's stands on the issues and her ability to take over as president. Palin's refusal to take questions from reporters impedes the democratic process. This selection shows an appalling cynicism on the parts of John McCain and/or the powers behind him and the "I'll talk - Don't ask" policy reinforces this impression.

[DWP]

Who cares. What is important is how far right she is. Give us all a break this is way out of the mainstream and shows she is not at all in touch with most of America. I just hope people pay attention and realize this.

[marymansour]

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz! yawn!

[Danny Boy]

With all this nonsensical whining about sexism going on, please allow me to get in on the act.

If a male governor were to keep a crib in his office and have his children running around the office with their dogs, he would be tarred and feathered as unfit for office and most likely removed from office via recall or impeachment.

[booksnmore4you]

I don't care what anyone says, babies need their mommies, yes, their mommies, much more than it would be possible if Palin became Prez.

[dadw5boys]

This story is BULL !!!

Makes it sound like she knew the child was impaired from day one of her Pragency.

It does not work that way. They are counting on men and some women not knowing this.

The test is not done until later when the child is devolping. She never told anyone for a long time and that is not the reason !!!

I hate storys that play me for a fool , you should too.

[mesmerize]

They ask, what does her family has to do with her as V.P? Isn't her baby a part of her family? if so, then why is he constantly put in the spotlight? Could it be pregnacy doesn't garner as much sympathy as a downs syndrome child? Could the Republicans be even eviler to use Sarah Palin and her child to win? Maybe this is why she wasn't vetted properly because they needed a winning strategy right then and there.

[jtown]

What a mess!

[PlainBread]

If I were her, I would resign from my job, become a proud housewife and mother, and take care of all of my kids, especially the youngest one. I would say NO to McCain because I knew he's using me, and I don't want to see me using my kids as political tools.