Say It Ain't So: Trig Palin's Post-Debate Photo Op

Is it just me?

Or did one thing irritate you more than any other "Aw, Shucks," " You Betcha," "Say it ain't so, Joe" moment during the debate?

It actually came after the debate, when for seemingly the millionth time, Sarah Palin trotted out her piece de resistance, her favorite prop of this campaign season: her five and a half month old son Trig.

Why is this child up so late every time there is a camera op? Why isn't this baby sleeping in a crib or bassinet somewhere with a sleep sheep or some other sound apparatus lulling him into night-night? Is it just me or does it seem like she carts this poor child around like a living breathing example of how wonderful a mom she is? After all, she's more than adopted the "I'm just a mom, just like you moms out there, America" attitude.

But the truth is, if she was just like all you other Moms out there, America, then she'd know the best thing she can do for this infant is to make sure he is tucked safely in his bed and out cold at eleven pm. And please don't say well, maybe she doesn't have anyone to watch him. Believe that, and I've got a Bridge to Nowhere that I want to sell you.

I've been a mom for eight weeks and two days, which automatically qualifies me as an expert, and you betcha, my son is as close to the pillow as possible by 7pm, on a good night. Well, no pillow... I read the books.

My point is, if Palin is going to keep shoving the motherhood card down our collective throats, maybe she can start being a mom again and stop using her own kid for political gain.

Trig deserves a good night sleep.

Comments

[blindsheep]

Funny how liberals, who believe they hold a monopoly on human compassion, will use any tactic necessary to smear a woman who is running for Vice President.

Don't like her foreign policy? Attack it! Don't like her views on the economy? Attach them! But to attack her parenting style opens the door to a host of problems and proves you have nothing intelligent to say on the issues and have to resort to appealing to the lowest common denominator.

Maybe before you judge someone on their handling of their child, you may want to look at the handling of your husband, Rich Eisen. Two words: Alycia Lane.

See, I could have attacked this "article" on its "merits", but decided I would take the liberal approach to name calling instead of addressing actual issues.

People in America don't care about Sarah Palin's child when they are working hard to support their goverment spending and their families.

[mirandawilde]

I'm so glad that someone else noticed that Piper was carrying Trig around after the debate! That is insane.
And the next day Palin had the nerve to call Obama "reckless?"
I've said before, and I'll keep saying it until election day: the only office Sarah Palin should occupy is that of a very patient and skilled psychotherapist.

[AshevilleVoice]

I thought the same thing. plus, she holds him like a sack of potatoes, always slung to one side so he won't block any photo ops. She was rather harshly and roboticly slapping the baby's back.

In Alaska, she vetoed funding for Special Olympics but we are supposed to be impressed that she is now an advocate for special needs children. Well, maybe that makes sense in an 'it's all about me' sort of way.

[missbelladog]

For all of Palin's grandstanding as the supermom, her children always look miserable, and I've yet to her connect connect warmly with her family. Are Palin's family members around her as props? You betcha.

[workingmother2]

So, were Obama and Michelle looking out for their children's best interest when they allowed a magazine to interview them?

[liberalrebuttal]

During the day time ? Sure. I don't see the relevance though in your argument.

[Lotus19]

No they weren't. The Obamas stated that they were caught up in the moment, since they were getting interviewed before the girls came out, and they regretted letting it happen. They also said they wouldn't do it again. Big difference lugging a baby around in the bright lights and noise but keep trying.

[uheardme]

Its interesting that most of the critical commentary about Gov. Palin's parenting skills is coming from women. Is her"Hockey Mommy of the Year" shtick growing old with this key demo?

Just curious....Why doesn't Todd hold the baby in public?

[Emerald1943]

I thought it was interesting that, when coming down the steep steps of the plane when arriving for the VP debate, Sarah was carrying the baby! Any mom can tell you that it's difficult enough to carry a child wearing high heels, but coming down those steps with a baby in arms is a recipe for disaster! Meanwhile, Todd follows dutifully behind her, both hands free.

Just another staged photo op, but one that put her child at risk for injury should she have fallen!

SP will let nothing get in the way of her blind ambition!

[faith]

This baby should be in bed. Women see right through Palin and her self righteous women can do it all facade. I agree about why Mr. Palin does not hold the baby - ever. Guess it wouldn't be macho dude enough, huh? I find it heart breaking, that Palin instead hands off the baby to her teenage daughter. Constantly. Yes, constantly. I have always felt that women who choose to have the child should not expect their other children to raise them for them. The baby is Mr. and Mrs. Palin's responsibility. They need to be the caretakers.

[RedneckNOT]

Kids should be off limits. And if the parents/politicians don't adhere to that, at least the public should.

And if you wanted to be fair, her youngest daughter shouldn't be awake that late at night either! But their lives are anything but normal right now ... only a month left before they can go back to just being kids.

[zedthewizard]

the children's lives could be more normal. they don't HAVE to be there. i bet many people giving speeches and presentations don't bring their very young children or infants no matter the time of day or NIGHT. did you notice during the convention speech that cindy mccain just happened to pass the infant to todd just as palin began speaking of spec. needs children. notice that except for those several minutes he never held the baby again except possibly for a moment on stage.

if you don't want the public speaking about your children then act like parents and not like pandering politicians.

hey, this is america, joe, john, barack, and sarah can do what they want. should i say nothing if the baby is dropped by the youngest child. i'm not saying the kid shouldn't hold the baby, but she shouldn't be the primary care provider.

[GingerB]

Congratulations on the birth of your son, Suzy!

Enjoy being a mom. : )

[workingmother2]

OMG ¦ call the authorities ... a mother had her child out past 9:00 at night! Are you serious? This is all you can come up with after a very highly anticipated and publicized event!?! Nothing about her views on foreign policy or energy. Palin was going to get heat no matter what she did. People are just looking for reasons to knock her down a few pegs. They must be jealous. I agree with LRM216. Who are any of you to judge? Do you have nothing better to do with your free time than post comments passing judgment on another parent? Or speak like experts on a childs behavior that you know NOTHING about. I HIGHLY doubt any of you are "the" model parent; I know I'm not. And because of that, I would NEVER openly spew such hatred toward a mother who wants to be surrounded by her ENTIRE family during such a momentous time. Sarah is a proud wife and mother who wouldn't want it any other way. I relate to that.

Female democrats (small d intended) call themselves the party of thoughtfulness and support? It"s because of articles like this that feminists like me are abandoning the democrat (small d intended) party in droves. Notice I didn"t call it the "democratic" party. There is nothing democratic about these versions of the feminist message.

Congratulations, Suzy. The only thing you"re accomplishing is keeping a true feminist, Sarah, in the spotlight! Thanks!

[Lotus19]

Go right ahead and abandon the Democratic party but here's a news flash for you. The
republican party could care less about you, your family, whether you eat or not, have health insurance, lose your pension, or whether you live or die. Like George Carlin used to say, the pro-lifers are pro-life while it's still a fetus..after that, you're on your own. Go ahead and vote for them, because after your vote, unless you're deep pocketed, they have no use for you, they don't want you.

[bardmusic]

What I would like to know is why I have never seen this kid actually awake. I am a mom of two, and the odds are I should have seen him awake at some time. Especially all the times I've seen him he's being walked, bobbed around.

[Lindy222]

Two words: Down syndrome.

[PoliticalJules]

A large number of children with Down's syndrome have a condition at birth called hypotonia. It means floppy muscles. The muscle tone is low at birth and it increases with age and therapy. Many infants born with Ds are literally rag dolls who sleep alot at first. It can be distressing for parents because the child does not feed well and will sleep 20+ hours a day. It freaked me out with my daughter because she just slept all the time, even with a frieght train going by. In retrospect, it was great. My baby slept through the night from day one. I could take her everywhere and it did not phase her. Now at age 3 she is about to drive me crazy. She is a typical toddler who destroys everything she can get her hands on, but you would never think it was the same baby who never moved when she was an infant. The floppy muscles make their gross motor skills (walking etc) slow to start, but most if not all kids with Ds catch up with their peers around age 4.

[faith]

I have wondered the same thing. Especially with all the activity and lights and noise.

And, to workingmother2 many of us women democrats find a sense of reasonable balance. Some put careers on hold, or at least gave up some opportunities . That is not a whine. It is fact because it is not possible to be be all things to all people, all the time. Palin's baby should not be out that late at night, Trig is not a purse. I am sure to an infant that it does not matter if he/she is in the limelight or not. I have been involved in serious meetings when a parent brought their sick child, or lack of babyssitter child to a meeting. As a feminist I found it disruptive, and very inappropriate. So what is Palin going to do when macho dude dad says I cannot babysit and teenager daughter has her own hands full with baby diapers? Is she going to bring the baby to cabinet level meetings, or will she expect her administrative assistant to take care of the baby?

[CompetenceMatters]

I think one of the things to be discussed in journalism classes across the country for a long time to come is the question of: how do you ignore a candidate's child when it is shoved in your face? When are the kids fair game? Where is the line?

I think that if you keep your kids out of the limelight, then the press should leave them be. But if you claim that the kids are part of your qualifications for the job, then we have a right to know how you are handling that particular aspect of your life.

I could tell you I'm a juggler. You'd be impressed, right? You would think, gee, that could really come in handy in this librarian position, I better hire her, right? (You don't see the connection , either, huh?) I wouldn't tell you, though, that I just took it up last week, and I can only keep two items in the air at one time, and mostly I drop them, too. You didn't ask.

[AlreadyVotedinMO]

I think Sarah Palin is suffering from postpartum mania (remember Brittney Spears). This rare condition could have produced such illusions of granduer that she believed she could do anything, including taking on the arduous task of being VP. It also unfortunately causes you to be dismissive of the little, unimportant things...like babies.

[hoosier1997]

"arduous task of being VP" you're being sarcastic right?

[phab]

I am happy to see I am not alone on this. The way she permitted Piper to carry him around like a toy was shocking. Alll the adults seemed oblivious. Some one please remind Sarah she has a moral obligation to care for that little boy.

[highlyamused]

Oh thank you for saying this. I just posted the same thing but it's in moderation land somewhere!!!
And when Piper carried him down a couple of stairs........I literally held my breath and looked to see when some adult would take over..........they didn't.

[highlyamused]

Oh thank you for saying this. I just posted the same thing but it's in mod eration land somewhere!!!
And when Pi per carried him down a couple of stairs........I liter ally held my breath and looked to see when some adult would take over..........they didn't.

[ZeusBoots]

What drives me nuts is how she hands the baby off to her youngest daughter who never supports the baby's head. Last night she was balancing him on her chest and holding him behind his knees as she walked across the stage.
If that baby jerked backwards, as they often do when startled by loud noises, he would have fallen onto the stage and landed on his head. It is selfish and circus style behavior on Palin's part. She should find a nanny and make sure the baby has the rest and proper care, rather than using him like a prop. Sickening! Where is Sarah's mother anyway? Did you notice we never see her? All you hear about is the father.

[maying]

oh and if they truly are using the baby as a prop couldn't they have provided him with a stroller and some sort of earmuffs to muffle the noise (granted thursday's debate wasn't "noisy" but when they trot him out during their normal gatherings the crowd does get loud).

[davehuns]

Spoken like a non-parent. Kids go to all kinds of events with parents in the real world, outside of beltwayville.

[faith]

Right. We know just the type of parents, too. Those who bring their sick kids to class and expose everyone. Those who bring their kids to important meetings and the meeting is interrupted every five minutes by the child needing to go to the potty, needing a snack, asking what is happening. Sorry, I don't think children belong at adult events.

[PoliticalJules]

He was born with Down's syndrome, and as infants they can be very mellow sleeping 20+ hours a day. There is not a loud sound in the world that will shake that sweet boy's sleep. Don't comment on something you have no idea about.

[allicansayiswow]

thank you and I absolutely agree with you! Since she drags two of her daughters on stage with her during campaign rallies (Ohio 9/29/08) I'm a bit surprised she didn't introduce all of her children before the debate started.

[Colmore]

Sarah missed a golden oppotunity. She could have breast fed the baby during the debate, show her parenting "skills" So is so glaringly opportunistic I am amazed she has not thought of that.

[faith]

What a hilarious thought !!! It certainly would show a very different Sarah Palin.

[lincheryl]

How many "starbursts" would the crazy guy have seen coming through the screen during that? He would have loved it.