The Day I Stopped Shaving
Preview:
On September 1st, the news broke that John McCain's vice presidential pick, Sarah Palin, had a 17 year old unwed daughter who was pregnant. It was the biggest news story of the day, drowning out such insignificant news as Hurricane Gustav. Of course, nearly everyone piped in on the news media that "Children are off limits. Palin's daughter's pregnancy should have no bearing whatsoever on how Palin's character or ability to lead are judged." A CNN poll was worded, "Should voters care that Gov. Sarah Palin's unwed daughter is pregnant?" Of course, the vast majority voted No. In fact, a few Republicans called the Democrats and media sexist for even mentioning it. You know, because no Republicans would ever stoop so low as to say anything sexist about Hillary Clinton or Nancy Pelosi.
And I fully agree that **** happens, and 17 year olds will occasionally ignore their parents' authority and **** and get pregnant, and it's not the most conclusive way to judge the character of Sarah Palin, who, by the way, opposes ALL methods of birth control, including condoms, even for married couples. Surely this whole thing is completely out of her hands. And I also agree that voters should not be so focused on a candidate's spouse, children, or, even pastor. (Remember?) However, if this was the daughter of Barack Obama or Joe Biden, the Republicans would have taken it and used it as a sledgehammer to smash the Democratic campaign and demonstrate the egregious moral failings of liberals. It would be the key note of the ongoing Republican National Convention, and every speaker there would have alluded to it for a cheap laugh, and would have gotten nothing but cheers for doing so. If it was a Democrat, it would have cost them the election. Obama or Biden's illegitimate grandchild would have been their Donna Rice, their Willie Horton, their Swift Boat Veterans. But it's a Republican, so, c'mon, guys. Don't be so petty.
Oh, and a side note. The irony of this whole media blitz is hilariously hypocritical. The top story of the day on EVERY news media outlet in America: "Should the media be so focused on Bristol Palin's pregnancy? Well should it? Hey, let's talk about whether or not we should be focused on Bristol Palin's pregnancy, because I don't think we should be. What do YOU think about Bristol Palin's pregnancy? Do you think it's important? Here, take a poll about the importance of Bristol Palin's, daughter of vice presidential candidate, Sarah Palin, pregnancy. Oh, you don't think Bristol Palin's pregnancy is important? There you have it. Americans don't think Bristol Palin's pregnancy is important, or that it should be important. Bristol Palin is pregnant, by the way. She's Sarah Palin's daughter. But that's not important. It's totally unimportant and irrelevant... that Bristol Palin, the daughter of Sarah Palin, the republican vice presidential candidate, is pregnant... and unmarried. STOP PUNCHING YOURSELF! STOP PUNCHING YOURSELF!"
