Cynthia Tucker vs. Bill O'Reilly: Does Palin Deserve Criticism for Daughter's Pregnancy?

She's a Pulitzer-winning columnist and editorial page director at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He hosts a Fox News show, a syndicated column and a radio show. Now they are at war over teen pregnancy (you can guess what kicked that off), with O'Reilly calling her a "nut."

It started with Tucker in her Wednesday column writing:

For some reason, the pious social conservatives of the Republican Party did not denounce the 17-year-old daughter of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. Instead, they greeted the news of her pregnancy as evidence of the strong moral fiber of Palin and her husband, citing the fact that they have offered Bristol their comfort and support.

For a minute there, I feared that right wingers would attack the young lady as evidence of the moral failings of a liberal, anything-goes culture, or as proof that her parents had failed to provide a Christian upbringing that eschews sex outside marriage. After all, that's what conservatives usually say when unmarried adolescent girls get pregnant.

When Jamie Lynn Spears' pregnancy was revealed, for example, Bill O'Reilly went after her parents: "On the pinhead front, 16-year-old Jamie Lynn Spears is pregnant. The sister of Britney says she is shocked. I bet.

Now most teens are pinheads in some ways. But here the blame falls primarily on the parents of the girl, who obviously have little control over her or even over Britney Spears. Look at the way she behaves," O'Reilly declared.

O'Reilly responded yesterday:

Now, the latest thing is that people like me don't condemn Palin's family but we condemn other people who, uh, gave birth out of wedlock. I've never condemned anybody who gave birth out of wedlock. Ever in my life. I don't make those kinds of determinations. What I do say and, this nut Cynthia Tucker in the Atlanta Journal Constitution makes a deal out of this, I said that Britney Spears and what's her sister's name who's pregnant, their parents were irresponsible - Jamie Lee - because they were running around unsupervised.

Yeah, I said that and I believe it. It has nothing to do with the Palin situation, okay? So, I mean, it just, it really, it makes me angry.

Comments

[darthmaul]

Tucker seems the rational one to me. She presents the facts, and what does Bill do? Call her a nut. What a comeback BIll!

[XME]

"We'll do it live!!"

[johnthomascook]

She is the one who put her under the spot light. Even had her come to mother's speech. Like it or not. Palin started it.

[bwilder]

Just donated another $20 and it feels so good !!
http://www.obama08.com

Give now till it hurts or it"s gonna hurt a whole lot more for
four more long ugly years.

[tworleys]

Palin's 17 year old daughter's pregnancy is a good example of why the "abstinence only" sex education Palin promotes doesn't always work, even in a home with extremely conservative values. One wonders why Palin would thrust her daughter into the national media spotlight while she is walking through such a difficult personal challenge by accepting the vice-presidential nomination. Also, having just given birth to a special needs child, her fifth, a few months ago means Ms. Palin will also be challenged to provide the extra care her new son will require. No one would question Palin's desire to continue in her present position as Governor of Alaska even while she faces challenges in her personal life, but to take on a task that will demand all of her time at the expense of her family is reminiscent of John Edwards' decision to run for the Democratic presidential nomination even though his wife, Elizabeth, was diagnosed with terminal cancer--and we all know how that turned out.

[esgabel]

The Daily Show called O'Reilly out on this one...and Sara Palin by advocating abstainence as the only form of birth control and stopping legislation for unwed mothers in her home state of Alaska places herself right in the middle of obvious public scrutiny. I personally feel sorry that her daughter and soon to be son in law were pulled into this but where was her compassion? Obama showed a great deal--when reminding people that his mother was 18 and unmarried and families were off the table. Eight is Enough!

[UltraClassic]

Tucker had no business mouthing off. She did it under the the guise of "making a point" but it was nothing more than a dig at a 17 year old girl.

This is SOP, look at what was done to the Bush twins. Tell me, are your surprised? You should not be.

[BluesDogLefty]

Probably not a good idea to try to use logic and reason with Bill O'Reilly.

I stopped watching O'Reilly after his lynching comment about Michelle Obama.

I used to watch because I wanted to see just how outrageous the right was becoming, but it isn't healthy.

Life is short and O'Reilly and Hannity and the like are a waste of time.

[Chris1234]

So wait - the Spears are "pinheads" because, according to O'Reilly, Jamie Lee ran around unsupervised. Presumably, this lack of supervision led to her pregnancy.

How is this different from the Palins? Did Bristol somehow get pregnant while under supervision? That doesnt make any sense.

Of course O'Reilly is angry, because he's being called out on his hypocricy and cant devise any reasonable explanation or meaningful distinction between the Palins and Spears.

[sonshine]

Huh?

[MPeter]

Angry? O'Reiley and the Repugs are hypocrites who speak from both sides of their mouth. They tell us that keeping the baby was Bristol's decision which means, she had that choice. Yet they want to make decisions for others by taking away a woman's right to choose! These are Right Wing nuts. Cynthia is bang-on. Thank You.

[Nomccain]

I agree with Tucker on this one but she has demonstrated time and time again with her articles that she is a RACIST!

[biglover]

Excuse me. How has she demonstrated that. I have never seen that from Tucker. Never and I do not believe she is a racist