Anyone see CNN last night?

[HAL 9000 96]

Besides, its choice, and 17 is nearly an adult. As stated ad nauseam, this is a non-issue. What media outlets are making a big fuss about it?

All of them.

Let's just say I'm having a hard time reading the Daily Kos and Huff Post without my blood pressure going up.

I would also add Andrew Sullivan to the list of people who are making political hay out of this.

Well, for those non-issues I practice a stress-busting technique developed in Ancient China called "change the channel" . Or type-in-other URL... but I think that was developed by Al Gore.

Besides, its choice, and 17 is nearly an adult. As stated ad nauseam, this is a non-issue. What media outlets are making a big fuss about it?

Because a contrast between the home circumstances of a politician and the conduct of their family smacks of "do as I say, not as I do". Its an instant headline grabber in other words. Social issues always make headlines - simply because stories about a politicians accomplishments don't sell.

Yep. Otherwise we'd be truly a nation of voters that cared about solving problems by issues.

[Teacher Mark 53]

This is just the tip of the iceberg. Get it? Alaska...iceberg...

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

Well, for those non-issues I practice a stress-busting technique developed in Ancient China called "change the channel" . Or type-in-other URL... but I think that was developed by Al Gore.

I shouldn't see it there in the first place when I go looking for "progressive" opinion about the issues on the internet. I don't see the writers there attacking Palin on the issues. Like when I turn on Bill Maher and I see him making a joke about 5 month old disabled baby and the fact the Palin family have more than 2.2. But it's there. And it will probably turn out to be a terrific own goal for the Democrats - if they do manage to to once again snatch defeat from the jaws of victory in November, I will point to this weekend as the point in which they did this.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

This is just the tip of the iceberg. Get it? Alaska...iceberg...

Wait. I didn't get it. Could you please explain???

[HAL 9000 96]

Well, for those non-issues I practice a stress-busting technique developed in Ancient China called "change the channel" . Or type-in-other URL... but I think that was developed by Al Gore.

I shouldn't see it there in the first place when I go looking for "progressive" opinion about the issues on the internet. I don't see the writers there attacking Palin on the issues. Like when I turn on Bill Maher and I see him making a joke about 5 month old disabled baby and the fact the Palin family have more than 2.2. But it's there. And it will probably turn out to be a terrific own goal for the Democrats - if they do manage to to once again snatch defeat from the jaws of victory in November, I will point to this weekend as the point in which they did this.

Oh if it comes down to pinpointing plenty of things to blame for a Democratic loss in November I am sure we can all come up with single reasons that contribute one way or another.

But yes... I do agree with you there that this should not be really emphasized more than what it really is. Republicans really should look in the mirror though. I suspect there is a lot of whining on their part as to similar 'gossip' they've benefited from indirectly over the last few months. In order to have a clean campaign, one must practice what they preach... and one has to give credit to both candidates for being able to dissociate themselves from much of the ludicrous gossip circulating the airwaves.

[Peikko 1,575]

Clean campaign be damned, Dems are shooting themselves in the foot if they carry on this line of 'dirty' and this will be a hot line to losing too if they don't get their heads out of their arses. It's pathetic. Sure, the pros and cons of sex ed/abstinence are an interesting topic but the outright stupidity of focusing on this one teen and going all apeshit over it, is pathetic.

Barack needs to reign in his troops over this one, and show some leadership and make sure that everyone knows that this isn't something that anyone in the Dem party condone or want to have splashed around the media. He can't stop the bloggs but he can certainly be more determined when he says this isn't a legitimate target. He sounded rather distant when he said that phrase. I don't think he's lukewarm over this, but I think he could do more to ensure that his campaign doesn't get tarred with the blogger brush.

[Nothing1234 2]

This is just the tip of the iceberg. Get it? Alaska...iceberg...

[GaryC 7]

Clean campaign be damned, Dems are shooting themselves in the foot if they carry on this line of 'dirty' and this will be a hot line to losing too if they don't get their heads out of their arses. It's pathetic. Sure, the pros and cons of sex ed/abstinence are an interesting topic but the outright stupidity of focusing on this one teen and going all apeshit over it, is pathetic.

Barack needs to reign in his troops over this one, and show some leadership and make sure that everyone knows that this isn't something that anyone in the Dem party condone or want to have splashed around the media. He can't stop the bloggs but he can certainly be more determined when he says this isn't a legitimate target. He sounded rather distant when he said that phrase. I don't think he's lukewarm over this, but I think he could do more to ensure that his campaign doesn't get tarred with the blogger brush.

The trouble is that he can't reign in the likes of the DailyKoss or Moveon. The fringe is going to continue to hammer on this because they think they have an issue.

[Peikko 1,575]

I heard some halfwit on the news this morning telling us what 17 year olds 'should' be doing. What a moron and what moronic media to think that was news!

[Peikko 1,575]

Clean campaign be damned, Dems are shooting themselves in the foot if they carry on this line of 'dirty' and this will be a hot line to losing too if they don't get their heads out of their arses. It's pathetic. Sure, the pros and cons of sex ed/abstinence are an interesting topic but the outright stupidity of focusing on this one teen and going all apeshit over it, is pathetic.

Barack needs to reign in his troops over this one, and show some leadership and make sure that everyone knows that this isn't something that anyone in the Dem party condone or want to have splashed around the media. He can't stop the bloggs but he can certainly be more determined when he says this isn't a legitimate target. He sounded rather distant when he said that phrase. I don't think he's lukewarm over this, but I think he could do more to ensure that his campaign doesn't get tarred with the blogger brush.

The trouble is that he can't reign in the likes of the DailyKoss or Moveon. The fringe is going to continue to hammer on this because they think they have an issue.

True, but he could show some force of will and make this into a non issue. I don't think he likes what is going on, but he is either convinced it will blow over on its own accord (which it might) or he doesn't think it's damaging. I think he is wrong if he thinks the second and who knows how long this will run without some stern talk? It's crazy, crazy stuff and I hate that this is what politics comes down to for so many.

[GaryC 7]

Clean campaign be damned, Dems are shooting themselves in the foot if they carry on this line of 'dirty' and this will be a hot line to losing too if they don't get their heads out of their arses. It's pathetic. Sure, the pros and cons of sex ed/abstinence are an interesting topic but the outright stupidity of focusing on this one teen and going all apeshit over it, is pathetic.

Barack needs to reign in his troops over this one, and show some leadership and make sure that everyone knows that this isn't something that anyone in the Dem party condone or want to have splashed around the media. He can't stop the bloggs but he can certainly be more determined when he says this isn't a legitimate target. He sounded rather distant when he said that phrase. I don't think he's lukewarm over this, but I think he could do more to ensure that his campaign doesn't get tarred with the blogger brush.

The trouble is that he can't reign in the likes of the DailyKoss or Moveon. The fringe is going to continue to hammer on this because they think they have an issue.

True, but he could show some force of will and make this into a non issue. I don't think he likes what is going on, but he is either convinced it will blow over on its own accord (which it might) or he doesn't think it's damaging. I think he is wrong if he thinks the second and who knows how long this will run without some stern talk? It's crazy, crazy stuff and I hate that this is what politics comes down to for so many.

It's going to be hard for Obama since he attended the DailyKoss convention and even spoke there. Despite the fact that he condemned the statements (and I believe he is sincere in the condemnation) his support of that group was there.

[Marilyn. 340]

didn't Obama already say that the families should be kept out of this...??

[MichelleN 0]

didn't Obama already say that the families should be kept out of this...??

He did. But people aren't listening. I think him saying that made it even more of a story.

[Staashi 371]

I will say though that what really gets me about this situation is that 5 months ago, Lynn Spears - Jamie and Britney's mother, was vilified by Fox News and all other conservative media outlets for letting her 16-year-old daughter get pregnant. Where's the vilification now? Just because she's a conservative/VP candidate does it mean she gets a free pass on this.

[Peikko 1,575]

Yes, he said it, but to me it sounded half hearted. I think not because he wants this to be the type of campaign that he is associated with, I think his rationale was he should say something but not make too much of it because it would go away on its own. Clearly, there are some 'frothing at the mouth' types who can't see the wood for the trees and they are making this into one huge dung heap. He needs to squash it, and fast.

Edited September 2, 2008 by Madame Cleo