ABC news: "Palin Pregnancy Rocks Political World"

[npincus]

I don't know if this has been posted already...

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Story?id=5701331&page=1

The news that Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's 17-year-old unmarried daughter is pregnant rocked the political world Monday almost as much as Palin's joining the Republican ticket did just three days ago.

The announcement sought to put to rest a potentially damaging Internet rumor concerning the parentage of Palin's infant son. It also showcases one of Palin's strengths as a candidate: the perception that she is a "real" person who has coped with setbacks that average Americans face every day.

But by the same token, the pregnancy raises complicated questions for conservative voters regarding issues of teenage sexual activity. And -- perhaps more troubling for the McCain-Palin ticket -- the revelation comes during a critical period where voters are just beginning to learn about Palin and her family.

"Republicans will look at this like it's their primarily their family's business and the fact that they're keeping the baby underscores Palin's personal commitment to life issues," said Matthew Dowd, a former top strategist to President Bush and an ABC News contributor


<snip>

The news -- released to the public on the first day of a Republican National Convention severely truncated by Hurricane Gustav -- sent shockwaves through St. Paul, the convention site. Many Republicans expressed relief that the timeline of her pregnancy apparently means that Internet reports that Palin pretended to be the mother of a child who was actually her daughter's cannot be true.

[the Sundance Kid]

1. this revelation is too convenient by far

we need to see a birth certificate at this point.

[YDogg]

4. not that it wouldn't have been forged, if necessary.

welcome to DU!

[kristopher]

6. AP Photo of Sarah on 3/14/08 (34 days before birth) with totally flat stomach

Here is a documented 3/14/08 Associated Press photo of Sarah Palin. The original, on my computer, is too dark to make out the detail of her torso, but I downloaded it and upped the "exposure" setting. This reveals that her coat is open and gives a clear view of Palin's lower stomach.

I'll let others draw their own conclusions about whether that image is one of a woman 6 1/2 months pregnant.

http://www.daylife.com/photo/0fcQ5EM7gafd9

[YDogg]

2. thank goodness for abstinence-only edumacation.

:sarcasm:

[Sarah Ibarruri]

3. I want to know who had that Down's Syndrome baby, 'cause it wasn't Sarah Palin nt

[dkf]

5. Hey, looks like they were seriously worried about the Trig story.

And all this time they were accusing us of being crackpots.

[Arugula Latte]

7. OMFG ... Look at this bullshit spin:

"It also showcases one of Palin's strengths as a candidate: the perception that she is a 'real' person who has coped with setbacks that average Americans face every day."

:wtf:

[Deb]

8. Grandchildren are not "setbacks" !

Shame, shame on Grandma Palin if SHE or her party think it.