First, I think all need to be very, very careful in leveling the "bad mother" charge at Governor Palin. While it's pretty infuriating to see the right rally around a working mother of five when it's one of their own, after years of criticizing others for making similar choices, this is a no-win argument. The internal workings of a family are always unknowable to those on the outside. We simply don't have enough information to make any judgments. More important, critics of Palin's choices are vulnerable to a charge of hypocrisy that weakens their legitimate criticisms and feeds the right's sense of grievance about the media.

On the other hand, I just heard that the father of Bristol Palin's baby will be at the Republican Convention tomorrow night for Sarah Palin's speech. Isn't this inconsistent with the family's pleas for privacy? It seems to me that the Palins can't simultaneously demand privacy and put the young unly-weds on display. And it would not surprise me if the Republican delegates give them a standing ovation.

What a strange year.

Ladies and gentlemen, let's give a warm Republican welcome to the man who is having sex with the vice presidential nominee's daughter!

My thoughts exactly. When you ask for the public spotlight, it shines on everything. I was flabbergasted to see Levi will be at the convention tomorrow for the very reason you point out and that they seem hell-bent on making this a three day story. But - I assume this is all part of a twisted plan. When people like Carly Fiorina put out statements slamming people who talk about the Palin baby, it appears they're trying to keep this topic of discussion going - either to degrade McCain's opponents or invigorate social conservatives.

I can assure you from the media coverage that the convention delegates are eating it up. Governor Palin has become a heroine to the Republican base and a rallying point for criticizing the supposedly liberal media and the alleged hypocrisy of feminists who are now questioning Governor Palin's choices. This is why I think the "bad mother" argument is a loser and should be dropped. (Aside from that, I do try not to dump on other women's work/life decisions and, after thirty years of living through "the mommy wars", I'm very tired of chasing that dog around the block).

I was dismayed by the tone of the convention proceedings tonight---more of the same extremely divisive Republican rhetoric, more of the exclusionary "we have the corner on patriotism" stuff, and what was up with Bush's reference to "the angry left"? Who was he talking about, exactly? Even Republican commentator David Gergen didn't know. I interpreted it to mean that people who are upset about the failures of government over the last eight years are a mob of crazed radicals--from whom John McCain will save us. Apart from anything else, it seemed politically stupid to be so confrontational, so dismissive of those nasty liberals, so smug, when the Republican brand is in such low repute and they need to appeal to independents and Democrats if they're to have a prayer in November. Conventions are for the faithful, I grant you, and they want red meat, but the convention has a much wider audience than those in the hall.

On the Palin thing, I am at a loss to understand why the family has chosen to make a public spectacle of these two teenagers at the convention---and why the kids are allowing themselves to be paraded this way. Do they have any idea of the media glare they will be facing? Do their parents? I think it's unconscionable.

Yes, but the other shoe has yet to drop, and that is Baroque Obama was neither born in Hawaii, nor in United States, as the Democrats contend.

This will leave a void which if they closed it in the now defuct Democratic convention, then all for Democrats would not be lost in 2008.

Instead, when Billary tires to make a return in 2012, she will be forever laughed off the stage! All that Baroque has is to attack Palin, on with the public views as non issues, but in the end, Baroque's thrust will only frustrate his ultimate goal!

Yes, but the other shoe has yet to drop, and that is Baroque Obama was neither born in Hawaii, nor in United States, as the Democrats contend.

This will leave a void which if they closed it in the now defuct Democratic convention, then all for Democrats would not be lost in 2008.

Instead, when Billary tires to make a return in 2012, she will be forever laughed off the stage! All that Baroque has is to attack Palin, one which the public views as non issues, but in the end, Baroque's thrust will only frustrate his ultimate goal!

Yes, but the other shoe has yet to drop, and that is Baroque Obama was neither born in Hawaii, nor in United States, as the Democrats contend.

This will leave a void which if they closed it in the now defuct Democratic convention, then all for Democrats would not be lost in 2008.

Instead, when Billary tires to make a return in 2012, she will be forever laughed off the stage!

All that Baroque has is to attack Palin, one which the public views as non issues, but in the end, Baroque's thrust will only frustrate his ultimate goal!

How isn't the fact that Gov. Palin does seem to be sacrificing her family for the sake of political ambition a mark against her character? A baby with Down's Syndrome and an unmarried pregnant teen daughter. The nation asked tough questions about Sen. Jon Edwards when he chose to continue his quest to be the Democratic nominee in light of his wife's cancer diagnosis. Why can't we ask whether this woman is throwing her family under the bus to gain political power? She should have declined the VP nomination. Point blank. But, it is nice for a change to see the Republicans unable to raise the moral banner. This candidacy makes the GOP look like trailer trash.

I believe the objective is to create an image of family unity.

efto1-

You're really ignorant. There are three ways to become a American Citizen:

1. By birth

2. By parentage

3. By naturalization

Obama's mother was an American citizen and he was born in Hawaii so he is covered by items #1 and #2, and he only needed one of them.

Good try.

This is definitely the strangest election year I've ever witnessed.

Excellent points and post.

"Governor Palin has become a heroine to the Republican base and a rallying point for criticizing the supposedly liberal media and the alleged hypocrisy of feminists who are now questioning Governor Palin's choices.

This is why I think the "bad mother" argument is a loser and should be dropped. (Aside from that, I do try not to dump on other women's work/life decisions and, after thirty years of living through "the mommy wars", I'm very tired of chasing that dog around the block)."

Thank you for this!

I don't agree with Palin on much but her reform and challenge to the status quo, however, I do respect her as a dynamic candidate for her party.