We've seen this all before. Angry left-wing activists and diehard Democratic partisans going full tilt against someone who is in a societal group that they feel is and should always be on their side.
We've seen it with Clarence Thomas and Condi Rice being depicted as Uncle Tom's.
We've even seen it with Hillary delegates who Obama's own political godfather called an Uncle Tom.
We've seen it this election where gun owners and religious voters were depicted as duped by the GOP to vote against their own interests during the 'bitter' comment flareup.
And we've seen it with conservative women figures and voters, who they just can't contemplate may disagree with them subjects they consider fundamental to women's rights.
And now they're attacking Palin for having a daughter in a tough situation and making a choice to take responsibility for her actions, with love and support of her family. Pretty much the ideal of the social conservative movement... recognizing we're all sinners, recognizing that love should be unconditional, and doing the right thing to protect innocent life.
To the religious right this is a story of heroism. Not embarrassment.
To the left-wing NARAL types, Palin is just an 'Uncle Mom.'
And that's just sad.
Before you start spreading manure like those you accuse, let's stop distracting from the real issue about Palin. Agreed, she is a person dealing with problems many deal with, and while she deserves our respect and perhaps even admiration, she shouldn't be VP, and the most important aspect is that McCain and his team did such an incredibly poor job vetting Palin it shows McCain's lack of judgment.
It's not Palin herself who hurts the ticket, it's the choice of Palin that is a deal breaker.
So what does this say about anyone that votes for Obama? No judgment? For a leadership position Palin, a VP pick, has a better record than Quayle, your presidential candidate has a worse record than Quayle.
It's gotten so bad for Obama that even Obama has been using the 'my campaign is my experience' nonsense that's been used here to defend his pitiful resume.
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Glock21 Op/Ed
Interesting, Glock, that you continue the drumbeat of Obama's lack of experience instead of defending the Palin choice. Not Palin, but the choice.
To paraphrase myself, manure smells the same regardless of who is spreading it.
Glock---Please give me your opinion as to the response by the "religious right" if Palin's family situation would have happened to one of the Democrat canidates?
To the religious right this is a story of heroism. Not embarrassment.
To the left-wing NARAL types, Palin is just an 'Uncle Mom.'
But I'd guess to most people, Palin's just a mother with some tough things to deal with.
Is anyone saying that a 17 year old having a baby is a good idea? Palin and the religious right all believe that high school pregnancy is a bad thing, and still will after Bristol has her baby.
I turned to CNN last night to get a hurricane update, and I got Campbell Brown ripping into the McCain rep. It was disgusting. She acted like a DNC activist in a debate. I have never watched her before, so maybe she treats all guests this way - don't know.
McCain and his team did such an incredibly poor job vetting Palin ...
I realize this is the media talking point because THEY didn't see it coming and couldn't do her own "vetting". But the truth is, you have NO idea about the vetting process. Just because it was a secret doesn't mean it wasn't done.
And besides, they knew about her pregnancy so that was vetted. I find it appalling that Democrats still are trying to use this as a means to get at McCain. It could backfire on them and the media in a huge sympathy vote.
If it had been a Democrat candidate, the same applies. It's personal and a courageous decision. They walk the walk.
At their convention, the Dems elevated Barack's mom in a video. She was 18 when Barack was born. Move on.
I'm struck by the assertion any popularly elected governor wouldn't be even qualified to be vice president. Even the worst governor in the country would be qualified, just an awfully hard sell.
http://www.suntimes.com/news/mitchell/1139356,CST-NWS-mitch02.article
I thought Mary Mitchell raised some cogent points in her column today. Click on the above URL to read the column and Sun-Times reader comments.
And my concerns, Glock, have to do with the fact that Bristol Palin and her fiance face a high likelihood of divorce.
Someday I'll get really ambitious and search the Web and the library for quotes from all the people who are defending this pregnancy while they have ripped other unwed, sometimes teen-aged mothers in the past (Dan Quayle and "Murphy Brown" stirring up any memories? How about Jamie Spears?).
"And my concerns, Glock, have to do with the fact that Bristol Palin and her fiance face a high likelihood of divorce."
I'm sure they appreciate your concern. I'd ask if you could get much lower or absurd, but I've already read DailyKos today. I'm glad you're equating your concern with Dan Quayle's most baffling moment of minding other people's business. That's just full of awesome.
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Glock21 Op/Ed
Another Quayle reference:
Wow, how the mighty have fallen. One of IP's strongest posters reduced to a bumbling partisan hack. When Alex Rodriguez made the majors, he had less experience than Gary Scott. OMG, That means they were the SAME GUY!
Have you ever seen them in the same place at the same time?!?!
To everyone: The only thing dumber than attacking someone through their family is attacking an entire grouping of people based on what a small portion of the group are doing. The largest group of people addressing the pregnancy are journalists. You know, people whose job is to investigate stuff like this. You know, the group of people that is mildly fiscally right-wing, and socially mildly left-wing.
Now, you might think it should go back to the good ol' days when journalists wouldn't touch this, but stop acting like journalism hasn't changed. These days, it doesn't matter if it's a democrat, republican or martian, this would be a stuff, and that's not a comment on "democrats" or "liberals" or whomever else you want to smear.
Because after all, if you conveniently ignore that fact and use this pregnancy to smear your opponents, that seems suspiciously like you are also using a 17 year-old's life situation for political gain.
Where's that plank?
Anon... you'll notice my criticism in this post is towards more specific people within a couple of the general groups you list doing vile things. Not all democrats or all liberals. You might also notice that the Dan Quayle references are in response to Palin's detractors using them here and elsewhere. Further you may notice that, while it may be politically advantageous for a McCain supporter to criticize their opponents for a dispicable tactic, that isn't the same as using the dispicable tactic yourself. Though it was an impressive spin.
And even more importantly, you seem to have missed my prior comments on the Palin pick altogether because you seem unaware of the fact that I've stated numerous times that she wouldn't have been my pick, primarily because of the level of experience is too low. I was leaning in favor of Tom Ridge at the time of her pick. And you may have noticed in those arguments I noted that my primary support is for John McCain, not his VP. And while many are going on and on about the possiblity Palin may have to step in some day, I'd feel far more comfortable with her than Obama after comparing their records. I believe the choice was primarily political in nature, but also quite possibly the best political pick for the mad dash to November. It's a risky move that may backfire, but it may be a necessary risk to ensure McCain has any shot to win. Only time will tell on that.
But I'm sure all the partisan hacks feel the same way. ;-)
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Glock21 Op/Ed
Ah, the old "he started it" defense. Comparing Obama to Quayle is as stupid as comparing A-Rod to Gary Scott. It doesn't matter whether someone was making fun of Derek Jeter and he's your bestest buddy. It's still a hollow, worthless tactic that does nothing to advance the discussion and plenty to derail it.
If your only goal is to derail discussion to benefit the people you want to win, then you are, by definition, being a partisan hack.
I'm not allowed to reference people's arguments and lines of attacks when arguing against them or else I'm a partisan hack? Gee whiz. What was I thinking? Have fun with the partisan label. I'm sure you'll have your giggles with it. I'm done talking to anons on the subject. Had enough of the concern trolling and mobys and other anti-Palin nutroots that have been all over the net lately.
Hugs and kisses!
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Glock21 Op/Ed
At their convention, the Dems elevated Barack's mom in a video. She was 18 when Barack was born. Move on.
Was she married to his father?
"Was she married to his father?"
As far as I know, yes. I don't remember the question coming up until now.