This Reuters story caps off 72 hours of shame for the leftosphere and their pals in the MSM who trafficked in wretched rumor about Sarah Palin and her family. This led to the breach in the family's private life, and to an extent that should appal everyone. The children of candidates and officials should be off limits, even if the nutters declare they are not. I even understood the MSM's reluctance to pursue the Edwards story because of the impact on Edwards' family.
I applaud the Palin for their candor and their decision to be compleletly transparent with the public, and expect the vast majority of decent Americans of all political stripes will respect their wish to keep the young couple out of the news. This is hardly a rare story, though it is always a difficult one for families to work through. In the end it just means that Sarah Palin will not only be the first woman and mother to be vice president, but also the fist grandmother to hold the office as well. Here is the statement of Sarah and Todd Palin:
"We have been blessed with five wonderful children who we love with all our heart and mean everything to us. Our beautiful daughter Bristol came to us with news that as parents we knew would make her grow up faster than we had ever planned. We're proud of Bristol's decision to have her baby and even prouder to become grandparents. As Bristol faces the responsibilities of adulthood, she knows she has our unconditional love and support.
"Bristol and the young man she will marry are going to realize very quickly the difficulties of raising a child, which is why they will have the love and support of our entire family. We ask the media to respect our daughter and Levi's privacy as has always been the tradition of children of candidates."
UPDATE: This e-mail is very representative of what I expect the reaction to this announcement will be from all decent people of good will:
Hugh –
There couldn’t be a clearer difference between conservatives and liberals than this one…
Obama…
“If my daughter makes a mistake, I don’t want her punished with a baby”
Palin…
“As [our daughter] faces the responsibilities of adulthood, she knows she has our unconditional love and support.”
(also… "Bristol and the young man she will marry are going to realize very quickly the difficulties of raising a child, which is why they will have the love and support of our entire family.”)
When I, myself, became pregnant in college, my soon-to-be mother in law (a hard-core liberal Democrat who had openly encouraged me to have un-married sex with her son) expressed her “disappointment” in both of us – and immediately pushed for an abortion. My own mother (a sex-before-marriage-is-sin Catholic) immediately comforted me, affirmed her love for me and said, “There’s always room in our family for another baby.” My husband and I have been JOYFULLY married 21 years and have 4 amazing kids…. What an beautiful gift of love my mother gave me that day!
Babies...Punishment vs. Love. I think I’ll take love.
Warm Regards,
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