(CNN) - Republican Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin and husband Todd are talking directly about their 17-year-old daughter's pregnancy.
In a joint statement released by the McCain campaign, the Palins say their daughter will keep the baby and marry the father.
Full statement from Sarah and Todd Palin:
"We have been blessed with five wonderful children who we love with all our heart and mean everything to us. Our beautiful daughter Bristol came to us with news that as parents we knew would make her grow up faster than we had ever planned. We’re proud of Bristol’s decision to have her baby and even prouder to become grandparents. As Bristol faces the responsibilities of adulthood, she knows she has our unconditional love and support.
"Bristol and the young man she will marry are going to realize very quickly the difficulties of raising a child, which is why they will have the love and support of our entire family. We ask the media to respect our daughter and Levi’s privacy as has always been the tradition of children of candidates."
From CNN Politics
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1. So much for the success abstinence only sex education.
2. It would have been more caring for a mother in this situation to have said, "Thanks, but no thanks, Senator McCain" and saved her daughter from the glare of the national spotlight.
I wonder why this wasn't released long before the storm....
I thought Republicans don't have sex before marriage because it is a sin!
The mother sets the example for the child...
wow... for a party that "claims" to hate the judgmental... YOU ARE ALL EXTREMELY JUDGMENTAL. Unbelievable!
Hey Look a Hurricane! pssst. My ultra conservative running mate's 17 year old daughter is pregnant.
I think the timing of this release of information from the McCain camp is somewhat suspect.
It appears that the citizens of the gulf coast areas are much more important when taking care of them is also in line with the Republican political strategy. My guess is that McCain will address Gustav this evening and be able to avoid any hard questioning about his running mates news.
I wonder how effective Palin's abstinence not safe sex stance is.
This is somewhat disturbing, if you think of it in the context of the possibilities of over exaggerating the impact of Gustav in order to divert attention from the Republican Convention.
Liar! Liar! Pants on fire!
I guess "abstinence-only" doesn't work in the Palin household...let alone the Nation's schools.
Sarah Palin is not the mother of Trig.
Sarah Palin:
Country first, me second, family DEAD LAST!
I'm sorry , now this brings into question the child with DS, time for a blood test to be done, and if palin wants to clear that one away, then this must be done, and proven.
We all know she is a grandmother to TWO Children, not one...
Forcing the child to marry at such a young age because of the pregnancy is absurd...her having sex out of wed lock goes against the conservative base, and obviously abstinence does NOT WORK...
What a disaster....lol
She does not have the experience to be ready on day two...her husband had a DUI at 22, mistake after mistake after Mistake
SORRY THIS IS NOT CHANGE I CAN BELIEVE IN!!!
Can you say LANDSLIDE!!
Obama/Biden 08!!
Maybe she should have used her "Executive Experience" "Command Authority" t and Good Moral Upbringing" to teach her daughter not to screw outside of marriage.
If she can't control her own daughter and lead her down the right path -HOW CAN SHE HAVE THE CAPABILITY OF LEADING THE COUNTRY?????:
Republicans (Not all) are mess at this time. Please we don't need this kind of values for our families. Young kids need supervision. She should take care of her family first.
First of all, you can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink. As parents we raise our children and try to teach them our values but it is up to them to follow. As a parent I can only imagine what this family must have been through and I think they should have some privacy regarding this topic. All families have different values and beliefs. I remember Obama being critized for saying that if his daughters became pregnant he didn't want their punishment to be a baby. Once again that is what he believes and as a parent I can't blame or judge either person's response. This is the beauty of living in America. We have people of all beliefs and backgrounds living together and no one should be judge.
Ambition before family.
McCain/Palin 08
This is really very entertaining.
But I think Gov Palin ought to revisit whether she wants to have her family subjected to this kind of exposure and publicity.
I'm a dem, but do any republicans think it would be a good idea just to wipe the current crew out completely and start over with Pawlenty and Jindal rebuilding the GOP from scratch?
Those guys seem to have much greater sensibility and less baggage to this outsider – I could at least listen to what they were saying without wondering what they're hiding constantly.
If this woman can't control her family and teach them the values she purports, how can she possibly lead our country as second in command?
How nice, her newest baby and her grandbaby will be best buddies...
Thanks McCain for putting thecountry through this mess. Would you call that being reponsible. If she can't protect her 17 year old daughter, how she suppose to take caref of 300 millions of American and 6.7 Billion people in the worl.
Thanks McCain, Just what the country needs.
As a Democrat....I DONT CARE
As an American..... I DONT CARE
This is simply a smear tactic and the media is fanning the flames let's get to a debate on REAL ISSUES. which Obama & Biden will win. We don't need this side show.
OBAMA/BIDEN 08/12OBAMA/BIDEN 08/12
OBAMA/BIDEN 08/12
OBAMA/BIDEN 08/12
OBAMA/BIDEN 08/12
OBAMA/BIDEN 08/12
OBAMA/BIDEN 08/12
OBAMA/BIDEN 08/12
OBAMA/BIDEN 08/12
Bristol does deserve her privacy-which is why as a mom, I can't understand Governor Palin's decision to put her family on the world stage right now. I think it was an incredibly selfish act to accept the nomination at this time. Governor Palin is young and has her whole political future in front of her-I think she should have waited to make this jump to the national spotlight at a time when her family wouldn't have suffered. Her youngest has special needs, her daughter has special needs, and now who will be there to fill them? Not the person they need the most-their mom.
Shame on McCain for picking a woman who places her career ahead of family.
Scott
Guess those abstinence-only programs that Sarah Palin supports really work well, huh?
Guess they thought announcing it when a major hurrican struck the U.
S. would keep it out of the news cycle.
Guess again.
RyanD...do you have proof that Sarah Palin "let" her daughter get pregnant? That would be extraordinary. Were you there when the permission was granted? Do you have an email or recording?
Of course not. Sarah didn't "let" Bristol do anything of the sort. Bristol, a 17 year old, made her own choices and decisions.
Period.
Right Wing definition of Personal Responsibility:
Teen Not Pregnant: she's taking responsibility for her actions.
Teen Having Baby: she's taking responsibility for her actions.
Umm....what?
Mrs. Palin stated that she was "proud of her daughters decision". What decision? Palin is against women's rights to choose. I am greatful that this child has a supportive family and someone to turn to. Many women/girls do not.