The statement, (text here) reported that Bristol intends to keep the baby and marry the baby's father. In full, it reads as follows:
“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.”
I admire all the Palins' willingness to be forthright about the pregnancy, their championing of pro-life convictions even when they entail personal cost or embarrassment, and their understanding that babies need and deserve to have a father and a mother who are committed to each other in marriage.
Although, for obvious reasons, this is news that no parents welcome from a 17 year old, it is reassuring to know that, unlike another candidate on the national ticket, Governor and Mr. Palin obviously don't feel that their daughter is being "punished with a baby."
What's truly disgusting is that this news had to made public at this time and in this way because of disgraceful, crazy rumor-mongering on the part of some lefties. After this, I trust we'll hear nothing more about the "Republican attack machine." Can anyone even imagine the outcry had Chelsea Clinton been treated this way?