Oh Baby

Interesting story out of the Republican camp today. It turns out that Sarah Palin's unmarried 17-year-old daughter is pregnant. The proud grandparents to-be announced that Bristol Palin will have the baby and marry the 18-year-old father. They also announced that Bristol will have their unconditional love and support and that's good too.

When asked about this turn of events, Mr. Obama said that families are "off-limits" in the campaign and he would not be commenting. I certainly understand his reluctance, but I couldn't disagree more. Once a candidate uses the family members for political gain, I feel he or she has then injected them into the political process. When Michelle Obama opens the Democratic Convention she then becomes fair game. When the Obamas decide to trot their children out on stage, they have made the decision to use their family for political gain.

When Sarah Palin decided to make her all-American family part of the campaign, she opened the door to those family members being scrutinized.

In the case of her pregnant daughter, I'm glad that they will support her. But what happens in the thousands of cases where the parents can't or won't support the child? That responsibility falls back on the society as a whole in many cases. I think his would be the perfect opportunity to discuss the many programs that the Republicans have cut that are designed to reduce unwanted teen pregnancies and provide for children in the aftermath. I wonder if Ms. Palin and her GOP buds will be champions of these costly social programs.

Will this girl now serve as a role model for other teens? Will she be the poster child for having a baby when you are still in high school without consequence because either your parents or the state will step in to get you that unconditional support?

I couldn't disagree with candidate Obama more. Not only is this an issue for the campaign, but it's an issue for society at large. Oh baby!