Unfounded rumors that Palin is Trig’s grandmother gained traction over the past few days on Internet blogging sites following the governor’s selection as Republican presidential candidate John McCain’s running mate.
The Associated Press reports McCain campaign aides said news of Bristol’s pregnancy was released to put rumors to rest. Early Monday morning, a statement from Todd and Sarah Palin broke the news.
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The statement names Bristol’s boyfriend, Levi, as the father and says the pair plan to wed. No last name is given for Levi.
Mondays news about Bristol’s pregnancy has also created debate about whether it would, or should, play a role in the McCain-Palin campaign.
Democratic nominee Barack Obama was quick to respond that having pregnant teen daughter is a family issue and should not be campaign fodder. State Rep. Mark Neuman, R-Big Lake, agrees with Obama and said he doesn’t think it will.
“Barack Obama said that should be a family issue and should not enter politics,” Neuman said. “And that’s right.”
In a news conference in Monroe, Mich., Obama said Bristol’s pregnancy has no bearing on Palin’s potential as a candidate for vice president. Obama went on to urge media to back off the story.
But Neuman said he’s sure some will grab onto the headline and use it as a talking point against the McCain-Palin ticket. It’s a case of dirty politics, Neuman said.
“That’s life, you know?” Neuman said of the pregnancy news. “And things happen in life.”
Neuman added he’s proud of the Palin family for not using abortion as a form of birth control and said it shows the Palins’ morals to support their daughter and her baby.
That sentiment seems to be shared by many at the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis, Minn.
Alaska delegate David Lewis said Bristol’s pregnancy not an issue for him at all.
“It’s her life and the family will take care of the child,” Lewis said by cell phone from the convention hall. He added the consensus at the convention is leaning toward keeping the pregnancy out of politics.
“It’s a family matter,” Lewis said.
Even so, the news seems to be the top subject on reporters’ minds at the convention, and Lewis said various media outlets are asking the same questions and getting the same answers.
Just before losing the signal on his cell phone, Lewis said the fact that Bristol will to keep the baby is in line with the governor’s platform.
Alaska Republican Party Vice Chair Steve Colligan, who is at the Republican National Convention, said the media needs to back off.
“Shame on some media for trying to make it a big deal,” Colligan said, adding nearly everyone in the Alaska delegation can identify with the Palins.
“There are parents and there are grandparents on the delegation and it’s like, you know what? It’s a family matter and I think the governor has made a statement that it’s a family matter,” Colligan said. “I think at the end of the day that everything will be all right.”
Although the Palins broke the news themselves about the baby, their statement did not include information about Bristol’s age, which is being reported as 17.
Wasilla resident Karen Rhoades, who said she’s a good friend of Sarah Palin’s, said the governor told her Bristol is 18, although Rhoades said she cannot confirm that as fact. A call to Palin spokesman Bill McAllister was not returned by press time.
Rhoades agrees that Bristol’s pregnancy should not be an issue.
“All it is is finger-pointing and slander,” Rhoades said. “You cannot let it bother you, that will take away from your effectiveness as a leader.”
Rhoades said she and Palin have, in the run up to Friday’s announcement, discussed the potential for an onslaught of media scrutiny of her personal life should she become a candidate for national office.
“We’ve spoken about this all along her journey, that when you step into public office character assassinations come with it,” Rhoades said.
Perhaps it’s Palin’s relative unknown status in the game of national politics, but news outlets around the country have placed the Bristol pregnancy story at the top of their news lists. The New York Times ran the story Monday second only to news of Hurricane Gustav. The same position could be found on the Los Angeles Times Web site Monday afternoon. Some Republican aides and officials are now reportedly concerned more unknowns about the Palin family might surface during the campaign.
No matter what happens in the lead up to Nov. 4, the buzz around the Mat-Su Valley — and all of Alaska — seems to be touting the significance of having so much attention thrown on the state and one of its own.
For Neuman, although Palin would not be Alaska’s governor should McCain wins the presidency, he couldn’t be more excited.
“I think this is the best thing to happen to Alaska in a long time,” Neuman said.
Contact Michael Rovito at michael.rovito@frontiersman.com or 352-2252. Frontiersman reporter Andrew Wellner contributed to this report.
Comments
42 comment(s)Reflection wrote on Sep 13, 2008 1:31 AM:
Palin was absolutely furious at Bristol for becoming pregnant and kicked her out of the house - to her sister's house 30 miles away. Look at all of the most recent photos and convention clips - Bristol is absolutely miserable.
So much for the support of a loving and understanding family. Of course Palin tucks her horns under the pageant 'do so the public continues to be fooled by her Christian soccer-mom facade. "
Jaana from Atlanta wrote on Sep 9, 2008 7:43 PM:
Jaana from Atlanta wrote on Sep 9, 2008 7:37 PM:
BJ wrote on Sep 7, 2008 10:26 PM:
Gohan wrote on Sep 5, 2008 3:02 AM:
Jo wrote on Sep 3, 2008 3:02 PM:
vicky wrote on Sep 3, 2008 12:08 PM:
sadstate wrote on Sep 3, 2008 11:11 AM:
Politicians and their families wont be able any longer to hide secrets of their personal lives because anyone with a computer a digital camera and an internet connection can become a world reporter.
Although the rumors about Trig were wrong those rumors had enough meat in them to cause the hidden secret to be revealed. So anyone in the public eye along with anyone associated with them including family members will be in the public anytime they are not locked behind mansion walls. "
Mother of two and Grandmother to be wrote on Sep 3, 2008 10:03 AM:
Pam St. Louis Mo wrote on Sep 3, 2008 9:28 AM:
Ron wrote on Sep 3, 2008 6:45 AM:
From one gramma to another gramma wrote on Sep 3, 2008 12:34 AM:
Minnesota wrote on Sep 2, 2008 10:31 PM:
susie wrote on Sep 2, 2008 9:07 PM:
Gerry wrote on Sep 2, 2008 4:29 PM:
Ron wrote on Sep 2, 2008 11:41 AM:
Deer wrote on Sep 2, 2008 11:27 AM:
lisa wrote on Sep 2, 2008 9:33 AM:
michele wrote on Sep 2, 2008 3:44 AM:
Kathy Gibson wrote on Sep 2, 2008 2:18 AM:
year old female wrote on Sep 1, 2008 11:30 PM:
Wrong Wendy wrote on Sep 1, 2008 10:26 PM:
Wendy wrote on Sep 1, 2008 8:50 PM:
MATANUSKA T-Fer wrote on Sep 1, 2008 8:45 PM:
Wendy S Rosko wrote on Sep 1, 2008 8:21 PM:
Chale wrote on Sep 1, 2008 5:49 PM:
Bigprezy wrote on Sep 1, 2008 4:28 PM:
Washington Woman wrote on Sep 1, 2008 4:23 PM:
Palin seems arrogant to lay claim to the 18 million HRC supporters that are deciding which way to go.
All that Palin and Clinton seem to share is their female anatomy.
It's only been a few days, but the more I learn about Palin, the more I question her integrity and her decision making.
I think McCain will regret this pick. "
Barbara wrote on Sep 1, 2008 3:53 PM:
Joe Jarosz wrote on Sep 1, 2008 2:53 PM:
Patricia wrote on Sep 1, 2008 2:45 PM:
Three issues: The Bench -who McCain might nominate, national healthcare c) and civil unions for the gay community. Democrats support these issues.They are importanat to me. However,I'll keep my integrity and not vote according to my personal needs/opinions.
My country comes first. I will vote for the team with the experience needed for these difficult times. Mr. Obama desperately lacks executive and foreign policy experience. These are the issues that will keep MY COUNTRY safe. If I must wait longer for my domestic preferences, so be it! "
Elizabeth wrote on Sep 1, 2008 2:07 PM:
If Palin wasn't hiding anything, why didn't she introduced Bristol as an expectant mother? Planned weddings usually occur in the first few months of pregnancy.
The issue isn't a pregnant teenager; it's that Palin seems so power hungry that she has no regard for her family, which should be her first priority.
What does she plan to do with these children as VP? Haul them all to Washington D.C.? Leave them behind? "
In Wasilla wrote on Sep 1, 2008 1:11 PM:
campbell wrote on Sep 1, 2008 1:10 PM:
sasha wrote on Sep 1, 2008 12:04 PM:
Pam lower wrote on Sep 1, 2008 11:43 AM:
Jill American wrote on Sep 1, 2008 11:21 AM:
Patricia Allison wrote on Sep 1, 2008 10:50 AM:
Shooting off your mouth from the privacy of your home and computer, in order to feel powerful, is not an admirable quality.
Although I am prochoice, I would support my daughter in having the child if that is what she wished to do.
Hats off to the Palins. Life happens to them (a down syndrome baby and their 17 year old is pregnant) and they respond with integrity.
Gov. Palin, as a Pro-Hillary supporter, you get my vote. Thank's for your service. "
Joe Peters wrote on Sep 1, 2008 10:48 AM:
joe american wrote on Sep 1, 2008 10:16 AM:
jerry wrote on Sep 1, 2008 9:59 AM:
If this is who John McCain wants as his "values" choice I can imagine what is going to happen. Obama doesn't need to say anything, I think this is just the tip in the iceberg, See Larry Kudlow's earlier interview about the VP job: "
Dave wrote on Sep 1, 2008 9:46 AM:
lets' talk about the speaker of the house who denouce the catholic belief's
as alway's the democrate's are looking for "DIRT" it spelled "PELOSI" "