I thought candidates' kids were off-limits?

[Gravis Marketing]

Disgusting but not surprising considering the hatred for Palin. 

Phil, why do you say things like that? Do you really believe that people are motivated by hatred or is that just the strongest attack you can come up with?

[Lief]

I hate her, yes. Or at least strongly, strongly dislike her. There's some fear in there as well. It's a complicated cocktail of negative emotions, really.

[Gravis Marketing]

I hate her, yes. Or at least strongly, strongly dislike her. There's some fear in there as well. It's a complicated cocktail of negative emotions, really.

Ok, but Phil is still out of line to label everyone who criticizes or dislikes her as "hating" her. It's not helpful to view half the people you're talking to as irrationally malicious.

[Keystone Phil]

Disgusting but not surprising considering the hatred for Palin. 

Phil, why do you say things like that? Do you really believe that people are motivated by hatred or is that just the strongest attack you can come up with?

I think plenty of people here really hate her. I don't know why that seems surprising to you.

I hate her, yes. Or at least strongly, strongly dislike her. There's some fear in there as well. It's a complicated cocktail of negative emotions, really.

Ok, but Phil is still out of line to label everyone who criticizes or dislikes her as "hating" her. It's not helpful to view half the people you're talking to as irrationally malicious.

So much for this guy being such a fair poster. 

Point out where I said everyone who criticizes her or dislikes her actually hates her.

[anti_leftist]

This could actually be effective. If the McCain-Palin campaign doesn't mind ruining one of the most important parts of these kid's lives (I'm going to assume they don't for now) and it still looks like they are going to lose a couple weeks before the election, hell, hold it a few days before the vote. It could throw everything into chaos if it gets enough positive coverage, as laughable as it may seem to so many of us.

I just have a tough time seeing how someone could change their vote deciding to vote for Obama on issues like the economy over the VP candidate's daughter getting married.

Ever met a woman? They're not exactly rational people.

^^^^^^^^^

[Stranger in a strange land]

It is nobody's business.  If Palin were knocked up with some other guy's kid, it wouldn't be our business...until she started preaching family values and condeming John Edwards, etc.

But this is her child.  It's off limits.  End of discussion.

BS, JSojourner!

BS!

I love you man, but you're getting awful unreasonable.

The conservative creed is that you should not have a baby until you get married.

The conservative creed is that conservative mothers should teach abstinence!

This is a big hit to the McCain campaign. Period.

no, I think JS is completely right here: the religious right puts pro-life absolutism above everything now. And even if it weren't, even if they were sincere in their belief that sex before marriage is bad, they have a tendency to exempt politicians who support their viewpoints from scrutiny or criticism. It's a classic case of "Do as I say, not as I do."

And what would have happened if a black Democrat had a teenage daughter who was impregnated by a black teen with a myspace page in any way comparable to Levi Johnston's. It wouldn't be a private family matter then! No sir!

[Bacon King]

OF COURSE the media would focus on this for a week. Just like how they always focus on a single random missing white girl for days upon days. Never underestimate the television's ability to eternally focus on a single topic.

[Stranger in a strange land]

OF COURSE the media would focus on this for a week. Just like how they always focus on a single random missing white girl for days upon days. Never underestimate the television's ability to eternally focus on a single topic.

Now, if Bristol Palin goes runaway bride and is missing for a few days or kisses a chick...then all hell will break loose!

[True Democrat]

Oh god.  This is truly disgusting.  McCain, do you want to permanently lose my vote?

[Keystone Phil]

Oh god.  This is truly disgusting.  McCain, do you want to permanently lose my vote?

Nothing like voting on the issues, right?

It's silly to want to vote for McCain if someone was to see this the weekend before the election and just as silly to vote against him because of this tactic.

[Gravis Marketing]

Disgusting but not surprising considering the hatred for Palin. 

Phil, why do you say things like that? Do you really believe that people are motivated by hatred or is that just the strongest attack you can come up with?

I think plenty of people here really hate her. I don't know why that seems surprising to you.

I've learned by now that you see criticism as a form of anger or attack first, and not motivated by actual disagreement or judgment. I hope that you will move past that way of interacting with people you disagree with.

[Keystone Phil]

Disgusting but not surprising considering the hatred for Palin. 

Phil, why do you say things like that? Do you really believe that people are motivated by hatred or is that just the strongest attack you can come up with?

I think plenty of people here really hate her. I don't know why that seems surprising to you.

I've learned by now that you see criticism as a form of anger or attack first, and not motivated by actual disagreement or judgment. I hope that you will move past that way of interacting with people you disagree with.

I'll ask you again (since you cut this out of your response) - Where did I say that everyone who criticizes or dislikes Palin hates her?

Do me a favor...when you can't back up what you're saying, don't continue saying it. I clearly ask you to point it out and you decide to respond with, "I hope you'll stop saying that everyone who criticizes her hates her."

[True Democrat]

Oh god.  This is truly disgusting.  McCain, do you want to permanently lose my vote?

Nothing like voting on the issues, right?

It's silly to want to vote for McCain if someone was to see this the weekend before the election and just as silly to vote against him because of this tactic.

I vote on character of the candidates, not just the issues.

I really do want to vote for McCain, but frankly, one of the reasons McCain was such as attractive candidate was because of his ability to transcend regular partisan politics.

If this wedding were to go through, it would be further proof that McCain has, unfortunately, moved away from that image.

[Keystone Phil]

Oh god.  This is truly disgusting.  McCain, do you want to permanently lose my vote?

Nothing like voting on the issues, right?

It's silly to want to vote for McCain if someone was to see this the weekend before the election and just as silly to vote against him because of this tactic.

I vote on character of the candidates, not just the issues.

So do I. This really doesn't reflect on character.

I really do want to vote for McCain, but frankly, one of the reasons McCain was such as attractive candidate was because of his ability to transcend regular partisan politics.

If this wedding were to go through, it would be further proof that McCain has, unfortunately, moved away from that image.

I have no idea how this is partisan politics. It's politics. Every campaign has some gimmick unrelated to policy. Welcome to reality.

[Snowguy716]

Oh god.  This is truly disgusting.  McCain, do you want to permanently lose my vote?

Nothing like voting on the issues, right?

It's silly to want to vote for McCain if someone was to see this the weekend before the election and just as silly to vote against him because of this tactic.

I vote on character of the candidates, not just the issues.

So do I. This really doesn't reflect on character.

I really do want to vote for McCain, but frankly, one of the reasons McCain was such as attractive candidate was because of his ability to transcend regular partisan politics.

If this wedding were to go through, it would be further proof that McCain has, unfortunately, moved away from that image.

I have no idea how this is partisan politics. It's politics. Every campaign has some gimmick unrelated to policy. Welcome to reality.

You accept gimmicks as a part of politics... good.  But you shouldn't use that as an argument against others' criticism of your candidate.  A big part of what makes McCain (or made, i should say) attractive is that he seemed above these gimmicks.  The guy supported the surge when it was very unpopular.. he has brought that up time and again... but he engages in these petty personal politics like forcing his running mate's daughter into marriage to make the campaign look good and give them coverage in the media.

But I guess that's where I disagree with you.  I absolutely do not believe that Bristol Palin wants to marry this guy.  That is reality.  The entire marriage thing is nothing more than to satisfy a moral obligation not only of her and her family, but also their supporters. 

The guy just seems miles behind Bristol and I think she needs to be left out of this completely.  Let her have her baby and raise it with the support of the father, his family, and her family... but don't force them into something I'm almost positive they don't want to do.

[Keystone Phil]

But I guess that's where I disagree with you.  I absolutely do not believe that Bristol Palin wants to marry this guy.  That is reality.

Dude, that's your opinion, not necessarily reality.

The guy just seems miles behind Bristol and I think she needs to be left out of this completely.  Let her have her baby and raise it with the support of the father, his family, and her family... but don't force them into something I'm almost positive they don't want to do.

You guys really do amaze me. I'm so happy that you guys have this completely analyzed by following it all on the national news! You definitely know what's going on without even knowing anyone involved personally. I'm impressed. Really, I am!

[Snowguy716]

But I guess that's where I disagree with you.  I absolutely do not believe that Bristol Palin wants to marry this guy.  That is reality.

Dude, that's your opinion, not necessarily reality.

The guy just seems miles behind Bristol and I think she needs to be left out of this completely.  Let her have her baby and raise it with the support of the father, his family, and her family... but don't force them into something I'm almost positive they don't want to do.

You guys really do amaze me. I'm so happy that you guys have this completely analyzed by following it all on the national news! You definitely know what's going on without even knowing anyone involved personally. I'm impressed. Really, I am!

Sarcasm noted.

I have somewhat personal experience with my sister getting pregnant at a pretty young age and parts of my family trying to pressure her into marrying the father.  She tried to go along with it and he proposed to her... but they're not together any more because, well, he's a loser and very immature and much more interested in the immature things that people at that age are interested in.

My sister, however, has had to grow up.. being a mother and all.  This has not rubbed off on the father.

But that's just my opinion and analysis from personal experience.  Maybe Bristol really does want to marry this "winner" before the election just because.

[Keystone Phil]

I have somewhat personal experience with my sister getting pregnant at a pretty young age and parts of my family trying to pressure her into marrying the father.  She tried to go along with it and he proposed to her... but they're not together any more because, well, he's a loser and very immature and much more interested in the immature things that people at that age are interested in.


My sister, however, has had to grow up.. being a mother and all.  This has not rubbed off on the father.

But that's just my opinion and analysis from personal experience.  Maybe Bristol really does want to marry this "winner" before the election just because.

Sorry but that doesn't make you the ultimate authority on all of these situations.

And, again, to judge this kid and sarcastically call him a winner when you know so very, very little about him is immature.

[Alaska Thunderfvck]

Sad.

I'd be pissed if I we're being forced into doing something like this...and just so it could be used as a publicity stunt.

Just sad.

[Gustaf]

None of us know much about the people involved. It isn't really far-fetched that there might be some pressure on those two to marry even without any politics involved. Given, you know, the FAR-RIGHT CONSERVATIVE FUNDAMENTALIST "I DON'T BELIEVE in EVOLUTION" LOL WHAT AN IDIOT etc

views that we all know Sarah Palin holds.

There may also be an element of "I will do this so as to not destroy my mum's career"

I don't know about all the icons of morality on here but I don't think I would stop the marriage if I was McCain.

[Keystone Phil]

Sad.

I'd be pissed if I we're being forced into doing something like this...and just so it could be used as a publicity stunt.

Just sad.

So you know for sure that she's forced into this?

[Alaska Thunderfvck]

Sad.

I'd be pissed if I we're being forced into doing something like this...and just so it could be used as a publicity stunt.

Just sad.

So you know for sure that she's forced into this?

Not so much forced into marriage...but making it public and part of McCain's campaign pretty much. Exposing this marriage just to boost his numbers. That's what im getting out of it anyways.

[afleitch]

Sad.

I'd be pissed if I we're being forced into doing something like this...and just so it could be used as a publicity stunt.

Just sad.

So you know for sure that she's forced into this?

Not so much forced into marriage...but making it public and part of McCain's campaign pretty much. Exposing this marriage just to boost his numbers. That's what im getting out of it anyways.

There would be no talk of filming and broadcasting this marriage if Palin was not the running mate. It would probably only have got a brief mention in state newspapers. The bride and groom should not be used as expedient pawns.

[JSojourner]

Aren't they only off-limits for your opponents?

Obama can bring out his baby girls for political theater...

Yeah, what did a couple of posters here call Obama's daughters? 

I think it was "cute 'lil pickaninnies".