Should private family affairs be made known to the public concerning candidates?

Question

This weekend there were rumors circulating that Palin didn't give birth to Trig, her son, but that it was your 17 year old daughters. Blogs everywhere were grasping at straws, saying Palin faked the pregnancy to fool the American public.

However, Palin came forward and stated to the public today that her daughter is now 5 months pregnant. She came forward with this information to stop such horrid rumors (as Trig is 5 months old and thus impossible that the daughter can be the mother).

However, should issues concerning children even be involved in a presidential debate? Should Bristol's pregnancy even be made known to the public? Does American know too much about candidates private family life or do you think America has the right to know what's going on with candidates families?

And if we must know, does Palin's daughters pregnancy change your view of her? And would the reaction be as severe (or even noted) if Palin was a Bob instead of a Sarah?

Answer 1

It just goes to show to what depths the candidate who says he is "above negative campaigning" will go to.

I think it is hilarious that the hard truth showed what nasty propagandists the Obamacans really are.  

Answer 2

Expecting a child can't be kept a secret for long so it's futile to try to keep it a family matter.

Shout it from the roof tops! A Gift from God.

The horror is what the Dem blogs constructed on the net, you would think they were writers for Stephen Spielberg

Answer 3

Man! I sure don't want the world looking at my family, with private investigators questioning our neighbors, cops searching through records from my bank and workplace, people searching through the ethernet to get dirt on me. I can't imagine who would want to put themselves in that glass cage. The way that a person lives their life to play politics...hope your good! All aspects of a  Commander In Chief's life are under scrutiny. His opponents are equally examined. Opinions will be interesting in this historic time. I have an idea about how this election will go, but I'm not willing to attack.

Answer 4

If this had happened to a Democratic candidate, do you really, really think the same reaction would be different from the Republicans? The beat goes on....

Answer 5

The story about Sarah Palin's daughter's pregnancy is news.  It wouldn't have been news if John McCain had properly vetted his vice presidential candidate.  I don't think he would have chosen Sarah Palin if he had been aware of the problem beforehand.

Answer 6

Oh my God!  A 17 year old girl is PREGNANT?   How in the world could THAT happen???  I am so devistated!  The world will never be the same again!

I believe that the person running for office is fair game on the platforms that they have supported, the actions they have shown to the public, but I know for one *I* am not electing her 17 year old daughter, or her 5 month old disabled son.

It is NONE of our business what a family of a politican does.  It's not our business that Cindy McCain is a millionaire.  It is not our business that Bill Clinton liked the ladies, except that he used his office to conduct his illicit business...

It is not my business nor my place to judge anyone on their personal family.  I am totally not perfect, and can be pretty sure that no one else is either.

Good families across the civilized world have 17, 16, 15 or even younger children having babies.  It is not a surprise that a 17 year old child got pregnant.  You cannot control a 17 year old.  You open your mind and allow them a little lee-way, if they s***w up, well, it happens, doesn't it?

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I just thought of a program I saw a couple months ago.  The Amish in Wisconsin allow their 16 year old children to "sow their wild oats" and see how the outside world is before making the choice to stay within the religion or leave and go out into the world.  Those kids, who are raised as moral and religious as you would ever see in the USA go out have s*x, do drugs, drink alcohol, swear like the worst sailor, and behave deplorably for what I believe is 2 weeks.  

So, if the Amish have this kind of behavior from their 16 year old children who are raised in good "Christian" homes their entire lives, then a person who is raised in a standard Christian family is bound to "backslide"  Ever hear that word?  Christians???

Answer 7

No, of course they shouldn't.  And I developed a great deal of respect for Obama for saying so publicly.

At the same time, this is the political culture that has evolved, and any person who steps into the ring should be prepared for the inevitable mud-slinging that will happen.

Answer 8

If they have children under 18 I don't think it's anyone's business. People are happy to attack this kid but no one mentions Palin's son who is serving the US in Iraq.

It's gotten really ugly and quite sad really.

Answer 9

No private family affairs should not be made public they should be kept private.

Answer 10

Kids are a reflection of their parents

and it shows the values being taught in that household

I do think it was horrible to accuse Palin of the faking pregnancy thing, but those rumors did bring to light something nobody knew

To have a political life revolved around christian values, then to have an unwed 17 year old daughter is not helpful in reflecting what they taught their daughter

Then it seems like they lied to the schoole saying she had mono

Answer 11

Republicans started all of this, many decades ago, when democrats families came under close scrutiny and were subjected to slandering. And while both sides have certainly slung mud, they have by and large given a h**l of a lot more c**p than they've gotten.

Answer 12

Yes.

Gov. Palin has let her personal views on the matters of family-values be known.  Items such as school prayer, providing s*x ed in school, providing birth-control to teens, who can and cannot be legally married have become part of this great debate.

This family-event gives the rest of us the chance to see how well Gov. Palin's views on family values (which may or may not eventually become law) translate when put into practice.

Matters of the family that politicians wish to leave out of the laws will probably not see much scrutiny in the political arena.

But if you want to legislate it, we will debate it!

Stop the Shot-Gun Wedding

End the Cover-Up: Who is Levi?

Answer 13

Republicans are the best at smear campaigns.  Let us see how they weasle out of this one!!!!!!

Answer 14

In this case YES



So here we are; They promote Palins Family values and all her righteousness and now we see rules can't control morals. They need to stay away from Moral issues. That's Gods job. The Governments Job is to provide resources for the people to cultivate their life.

In the Bible it says if you can't rule your home you can't run an office. Republicans were using her values as a weapon. Her plate is too full, her children need her. Now we can see which office is more important to her motherhood or Vice President. If she stands by her values she steps down and dedicates herself as mother until her youngest is 12.

As for the Conservatives, this is the Problem with culture christianity. Somehow we think laws can rule the heart and create morality. All the evangelical supporters are raving over McCain's choice of Palin because they feel her power will support Christian agenda.

Jesus said "render unto Cesar what is Cesar's and unto God what is Gods". It's not the Governments responsibility to support Christan's values because Christan values begin in the heart.

Answer 15

Yes, because character is the most important thing I want in a leader, so what is a better judge than their private lives and relationships?

If you want to enter politics you forfeit all privacy. Otherwise don't do it.

Answer 16

I would prefer not to know the details of candidates personal lives.   I certainly didn't want to know about Bill Clinton and Monica, but I heard about that forever and we spent millions of taxpayer dollars on it.

I think minor children should be left alone, but plenty of people made fun of Chelsea Clinton and poor little Amy Carter.  I have read a few pretty rude comments about the Obama girls on here also.

Palin's daughter's pregnancy did not change my view of her..I barley know anything about her except that I do not agree with her on a  lot of social issues.  I am glad that her daughter was allowed to make a choice about her pregnancy and her future.  Some teenage girls don't have a loving family to help them.

Answer 17

NO, THEY SHOULDN'T BE MADE PUBLIC, BECAUSE IT'S NONE OF ANYONE'S BUSINESS. PALIN'S DAUGHTER IS NOT THE FIRST TEENAGER TO BECOME PREGNANT AT A YOUNG AGE AND SHE WILL NOT BE THE LAST. EVERYONE FAMILY HAS SKELETONS IN THEIR CLOSET.

Answer 18

Everything I've read and heard about Sarah Palin and her family, make me admire and respect her more. She has to deal with the same issues that we the regular people have to deal with, which puts her on the same level we are. Having a better understanding of our daily issues will make her a better person to represent us.

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Answer 19

Your question is two sided...or at least my answer is.

This family matter that the Palins have would have become public anyway since we were bound to see Bristol in a "more pregnant" state.  

But that is where it should end.  It should be noted that she is pregnant and no further details needed.

Answer 20

Private lives should be private. But they are not and will never be in running for public office. Especially if there is the taint of hypocrisy involved.  

Answer 21

In general, I would say that private family matters should not be made public or involved in presidential debate.  I'm sure that there could be exceptions--but a pregnant teenage daughter should be left out of the crossfire.  It would have made news before the election; the release of this statement was more a matter of lets put it out there before someone outside breaks the story.  I'm sure that they were hoping that it wouldn't cause as much fuss if they released the information, but, unfortunately the hyenas have pounced.  As far as the guy who said Republicans do more of this than Democrats, I don't remember such a big deal out of an adult Alexandra Kerry showing up to a red carpet event with her nipples showing.  Its on snopes.com as true if you don't believe me.

Answer 22

It probably shouldn't be, but it is.  I have to say her family does bother me.  

Before trying to change the world, she needs to put her house in order.

Answer 23

well if a candidate shuns their kid because their g*y, then i know not to vote for em. I wanna know information about the candidates that show their attitudes and actions, their speeches can all be lies and bs. i wanna know what they really stand for, and what happens in their private life shows that.

example - clinton proved he was a coward when he wouldnt admit to sleeping around and tried to weasel hs way out of something when he was already caught.

bush has a past record of being selfish and lacking control, and not thinking before he acts... look at his presidency... his actions may have changed, but not his attitude.

obama will fake beliefs to gain support etc... and then when he chose the wrong church, he sure distanced himself fast...

i'm not even gonna start on mccain...

but yeah, i wanna know their private lives. if i'm gonna know how brittney spears grooms her bush, then i wanna know about who i'm voting for. does hilary have a personality? does obama ever go out in public in pajamas instead of the freaking suit and tie all the time?

i dont wanna vote for some blowhard whos personal friends with an evangelical con man, or is seen out and about town with the current talking monkey (w), or caught smoking crack in a hotel. some of their dirty laundry might even make me swing to their side, kerry tossing his medal got my attention but then denying it later killed it for me.

not all dirt is bad.

for instance this little bit about her kinda brings me more to that side... i mean i hate mccain and his republican conservative c**p.... but this women seems like she might actually have a realistic life, and some sense to her... but if she's still gonna be some christian values prayer in schools neo emperical inquisitionist, then she's still not getting my vote unless someone outs her for listening to ani difranco and casting love spells on other women.

i really wish dennis kisinitch had made the running this time around....

Answer 24

Realistically, what can be done to stop people from prying into this stuff?  

I would love to live in a world where people only cared about the administrative efficiency, management ability, and rationality of people seeking office, but unfortunately, there is a tendency to believe that nothing is off-limits when it comes to political campaigns.  

As perverse as this interest in the contents of politician's underwear, etc, is, the alternative would be to restrict the press, and we've already done enough damage in that area recently.  

IMO, the best we can do is to ignore all the mudslinging and gossip and base our votes on tangible facts, what the candidates stand for in terms of REAL ISSUES (like treatment of the military, economy, liberty, etc) and the candidates actual records of service.  

Answer 25

They tried to attack Michelle with no shame . RepubliCains are such Hypocrites!

In the Access Hollywood interview, proded a seven yr old.

It doesn't get any more evil than that!

Answer 26

WAAAH!  THEY STARTED IT!

Answer 27

It is sad to say "YES"  These people are the ones who with the push a button can end millions of lives.  Change laws that effect our daily lives.  We however do not need to make a Circus of these events. Look for the Question I'll post in elections, after I post this.

Answer 28

Someone’s private life should not interfere with a persons credentials and abilities; only if it is an extreme like murder etc... But what people chose to do behind closed doors, is nobodies business but their own.

Answer 29

Yes..... because u dont want an unethical person help running the country

so much 4 being so conservative  

Answer 30

When you're basing your candidacy on family values, family values are a valid discussion item.