CNN

Dear Republicans,
What do you say about Republican values – teenagers aren't supposed to have sex.
Do you want to say, "Oh, it is a personal issue" this time?
I want to hear your opinion for Palin's daughter pregnancy which is against Republican value.

So your message here is to all teenage girls: get pregnant, keep your baby, our tax dollars will pay, and YOU WILL BE PRAISED!

I was a pregnant teen and was active in church. The church put me out, because I was not married and pregnant. Even though they knew the pastor was having an affair with the choir director. These poeple should stop calling themselves Christians. You can see the deceipt in Perkins eyes. People like him, should keep Christ out of it and call themselves, Xians!

While the Family Research Council's teaching of abstinence is commendable, we all know the reality. Once your children get out of your sight they are going to do what they want to. I'm sure a lot of those people blogging if not too old will think back and remember that they did things that their parents told them not to do – some got caught and others were able to slip by not getting caught. Come on let's get real.

If this had been one of Obama's daughters; the Christian Right would have been all over it. They would have said look he can't even run his on home;let alone the country. They are sure hypocrities and now they praise her for keep her baby but they preach family values of no sex for marriage. What a joke. I really think the McCain camp did not do their homework on this person for vice president.

You have must be kidding! Now you are promoting engaging in premartial sex is ok. Great example Tony. God Help Us All!!!!!!!!

I totally agree with Tony Perkins. It is great that Bristol Palin and her partner Emily have decided to get married. Unfortunately homosexuality has become all too common in our society but at least Bristol and her partner have decided to do the right thing and to commit to each other till death do them part, in front of their loving families and the lord. ...

Ooops I guess I must have mixed up the culture war issue in all the hypocracy !!!

Have never met anyone who shouts about his or her faith and love of
God, like Perkins, who is not a liar and biggest sinner in the crowd.

Religion is between you and your god, no one else.

I sure as hell know that Perkins does not believe in God more than I do, nor is he any closer to heaven than I.

Evangelicals are all hypocrites , liars or weak -minded.

Social conservatives look the other way at the most atrocious personal behavior if that person is aligned with them in some way. They have praised Clint Eastwood (R), the abusive alcoholic who made one of his wives get two abortions. They recently praised Kobe Bryant, the adulterer/had sex with a mental woman (which is rape in fact if not in law) because he said something about supporting his country in the Olympics. They have praised Angelina Jolie, the gold medal winner of adultery, bisexuality, multi-drug use, compulsive child collecting, and coprophilia because she wrote an op-ed accepting the surge in Iraq.

The truth is that social conservatives are as Machiavellian as anyone on earth. The Republican Party will be well rid of the socons, the trash of the Party.

How can a 17 year old minor chose to keep their child? You would have to have parental consent. Also, now that we know there is going to be a shot gun wedding, I wonder how the boys family feels about marrying into the Palin drama.

Like the poor girl had any choice. I'm shocked a Presidential candidate and a mother would even put a teenage girl though a national media frenzy – because they're both smart enough to know it would become public. If these people believed in "family first," McCain would not have asked Palin on board and Palin wouldn't have accepted. It looks to me that both of them put themselves first... way ahead Palin's innocent teenage daughter. Good luck on your election.

Let's be perfectly clear, Palin's daughter did not have a choice about keeping her Baby! I'm glad she is keeping the baby. I personally do not believe in abortion.

The next time people start complaining about the media and what they report, remember there should be consideration for everyone, party affliliation should have nothing to do with it!

Americans...Republicans especially need to open their eyes. I don't have children but I have enough friends with children of their own who voice the same thing. "I just don't want my baby to grow up too fast." "I wish they could stay babies forever." While I find these sentiments endearing, especially since my mother used to tell me I was not allowed to leave home until I was 40, the truth is your "babies" will grow up. Some faster than you would like, as in the case of Gov. Palin's daughter. I feel for the the girl...because that is what she is, a girl, having her own private "issue" dragged through the mud as if we are voting for her. While this may say A LOT about her mother and her moronic thoughts about abstinence before marriage. It should not be a reflection of Bristol's character. She is a typical teenager having sex. If anything, it should provide Americans proof positive that you need to teach your children not only about abstinence but safe sex. Whether you want to admit it or not, children are having sex. It is up to the parents to provide the knowledge that while it best to wait until you are married, if you should to decide to make the other choice, then you need to know how to protect yourself. I am 32, I lost my virginity when I was 14. My bff had her first child when she was 15. These ARE the sad facts people. It will not get better until America pulls its head out of its butt. I am sad that Bristol's family would think that marrying this boy/man is the answer. How many "shotgun" marriages actually last these days. Maybe in another time when family was the most important value. My aunt married my uncle when she was 16 because she was pregnant. This year they will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary. Realistically though folks this is 2008 NOT 1948. I am sorry to admit it but family values is kind of lost on my generation. I do NOT speak for my entire generation though but for a number of us, it is. I wish Bristol Palin a happy and healthy pregnancy and should she decide to get married, I hope that it will be a long and joyous union.

Obama/Biden '08

Why would Sarah Palin put her daughter and family through this kind of horrible scrutiny in exchange for her political career? A caring mother with family values should have put her family first and gracefully declined.

Honestly, do you really think this was the 17 year olds decision to keep this baby? How would this have looked if she wanted an abortion, this would have interrupted her mothers ambitions.

I am sorry ..What kind of message Palin deliver for our kids ..It is ok to have a baby in the age of 17 ... GO OBAMA/BIDEN 08

Why didn't Tony Perkins mention that he was very unhappy to hear that she got pregnant out of wed-lock. That would have been the most honest answer from him.

Perkins and his ilk are all hypocritical, promoting abstinence-only programs (which have failed miserably) and condemning teenage pregnancies BUT....when it happens to one of their own, everything's fine. Don't think so!

Her mother was too busy running a state and forgot about her young child. Mother of 5 has been used as a political instrument..And now a political disaster!

The Republicans are the biggest hypocrites I have ever seen in my life. If any party is underhanded it is them....if you people can not see everthing that has transpired is all according to their plans you must be blind. They announce the Pregnancey suring the Hurricane....Bush and or Cheney cant make it to the convention..why? Because they were told not to attend. I can see one not attending but both? Cmon...the storm is not even that bad now....please. McCain knew of the knocked up kid more than a week ago? Well then it should have been released in a nice delicate way back then. I am just waiting for the next shoe to drop...the allegations of corruption, bribery and secret deals that are under investigation in the govenorship.

So, she has to keep a child at 17, marry someone she doesn't love and will probably end up divorcing, no college for either of them and the pressure of parenthood in the public eye. If Palin was a caring mother, she would bow out and say she has too much to do for her family to take on the problems of this country and the world. I believe that will happen before the election.

As a Republican I was having a hard time with Sarah Palin in the first place, but was willing to overlook that a former beauty queen and hockey mom was a heartbeat away from taking the 3 am call, however she does not appeal to my Christian beliefs. If she can't educated your underage daughter to keep her legs closed, how can she educate a nation. Wonder why the hush hush about the father to be, bet he is overage while she is a minor. Enough is enough....Obama has my vote.

Neo-Con hypocrisy is DISGUSTING.

Didn't this same organization just rail against Jamie Lynn Spears and "Juno", but having a VP with a teenage, unwed mother is OK?

What the hell is going on ya'll?

Yes, I agree that teenage pregnancy has become all too common in today's society. If this is a statement by a so-called conservatice evangelical, he ought to know why the public is outrage. Sarah Palin should of lectured her own family about abstinence before lecturing to others. Fornication is a sin; not just a common problem in today's society. We all are sinners, but if you gonna "talk the talk"; you better "walk the walk".

Republican voting for Obama/Biden 08

This shows you that McCain has no good judgement. He must have thought if he chose a woman; he could win over the Hillary supporters. Well, he has rolled the dice and looks like.... CRAPS.

DUI dad, teenage pregnancy, hockey-mom who shoots caribou, sounds like a typical American family. Do we really need another VP with a rifle? Look how good that turned out with Cheney.

The Republicans don't know how to govern but they do know how to run a campaign. They are circling the wagons and putting the maximum spin on this situation to make sure they don't lose this precious VP candidate who is bringing in tons of money for them. I agree that Sarah Palin's family should be off limits to any scrutiny by the media, however I also think that the Republican party should be called on their absolute hypocrisy when it comes to moral values among candidates. It is no doubt if this was Obama or Biden's child that they would be crucified by the right and I for one am glad that Obama is taking the high road on this one. I agree with a post earlier that the young lady should not be made to marry if she doesn't want to. It is amazing that it is the McCain campaign stating that she will get married. Maybe the young man doesn't want to get married. But wait I bet there is a bunch of money in it if you do the right thing young man. I can imagine John McCain stating "No one is going to keep me from my destiny".

Good thing for the right to choose. If Palin was in office she would be forcing the right to life. I very much hope the marriage of this young couple isn't based simply on the fact this baby is coming. Is this the role model for american families? Now I know why foriegn policy wasn't important in the choice of the VP candidate. McCain thought greater focus should be on family values and the right to life.

He and the other evangelists certainly didn't praise Britney Spear's sister when she got pregnant out of wedlock and decided to marry the guy. They raged on about how she was a scandalous example to young people. Interesting how flexible their values are when it comes to someone of their own political party.

How am I supposed to convince my teenagers that premarital sex comes with dire consequences when politician's kids are doing it and getting praised?

Wasn't this the same political party loudly criticizing the likes of JamieLynn Spears and others who are the same age as Bristol??

Always puzzled by the weight some give to people like Tony Perkins in our culture. Sure, it is great that she will keep the child. The more troubling questions and issues are how we as a nation can make that decision more viable for move individuals. The FRC and Mr. Perkins all too often are divisive when addressing larger issues of justice and peace, and fail to emphasise that being pro-life is more than being opposed to abortion.

HEY, IDIOT TONY PERKINS, KEEPING THE BABY IS NOT THE ISSUE, , , , , , ,

But forcing 17-year Bristol Palin to marry the father for the sake of her mother's beliefs is an issue.

Marriage is a lifelong commitment. Has anyone asked whether Bristol and the father are ready for that LIFE LONG COMMITMENT?

if the shoe was on the other foot. they would be raking OBAMA's girls and Michelle for that matter over the coals.
They would probbaly have an ad out already.
Why are the republicans such hypocrites?

I am curious about Palin's views on contraceptives.

Right, socially conservative means premarital sex, teenage pregnancy, marrying the person you just happened to have sex with, and putting a baby in a unstable environment. Wonder what they think "liberals" do?

Get a life Perkins and stop talking from both sides of your mouth. For once speak like an intelligent person; use this opportunity to teach of teenage pregrancy that has become a calamity. I for one do not want the highest office in the land to set a bad example.;

Obama was raised by a single parent, his mother, so this makes a difference why???

it is too bad for the daughter, but when the reactionary right and bigoted religious right as manifested in such clearly biased media such as FOX non-news network, or in Dobson's focus on the family nonsense...is there anyone in this country familiar with the likes of such moron's as Hannity, or O'Reilly, of Ann coulter who, were it an unmarried Chelsia Clinton, or an unmarried Kennedy daughter in the same condition, would not be all over dedicating every day for the next two months to it! Should in be a private matter? of course it should...but the hypocrisy prevails when, as public figures, their so called 'moral' positions on issues of family are so clearly just not what they speak of...guess it is bad for everyone else, but, when it hits home..different story. in closing, doesn't say much about McGoofy's judgement..especially if his sole purpose was to pander to those more reactionary than himself.

So what happened to the Family Values condidate?
Palin should have chosen to stay home with her children and help her daughter face this new challenge.

Sure the Palin's are a typical Republican family....more like trailer trash!!! Thinkk about this – if McCain dies, this woma becomes President. Will the White House be the home of drunken parties and illegitimate babies. Why not – it has been defiled by the last administration to the point that it really doesn't seem to matter anymore about dignity and intelligence in our government.

Right On Perkins.....now if you could only be that non-judgmental when it comes to the other side.....

HYPOCRITS! Just like the Religious-Right to to spin the matter. They have been preaching "abstinence alone", and now it didn't work for the Palin family.

This issue directly relates to James Dobson's Religious Right "Focus on The Family" ABSTINENCE policy. Abstinence alone did not work, so they should re-think it through when pushing it on American families!

What a load of crap...if this happened on the Obama/Biden team they would be all over the "immorality" of it all. But it is somehow a blessed event when it happens to them...and I am sure the boy is so happy that he is getting married and being a daddy...

Is it true that Track Palin was born in the 32 week after Sarah and Todd got married? Wa he a premie?

Is Bristol Palin really, "Fortunately......following her mother and father's example"?

It sickens me that because Obama is black, he has to prove over and over that his family is a 'normal' American family, with 'normal' American family values...he has to actually and continually sell this idea to the American public.

Be honest with yourselves and JUST IMAGINE what the REPUGS would be saying about Obama if he had an unmarried 17 year old daughter who was pregnant!???!!

Palin is very much against sex education, except for abstinence. If she can't instill that teaching amongst her family, what makes her think it can work on a national level?

With 70

With 70% of AA babies being born to single moms and who know the percentage of other races (high I'm sure). it would be very wise of the Dems to stay as far away from this as possible. Sorry, folks, but this happens. BO just reiterated that he was born to an 18yr old mother and word is she was pregnant when she married. This single mom story is one ot the reasons we're supposed to vote for him. Who knows, maybe this child will run for Pres. too some day. I'm glad BO didn't say anything about this girl being punished by having a baby.

5

"praise"? for her decision? what message does this send?

HYPOCRITES, HYPOCRITES, HYPOCRITES=REPUBLICAN PARTY!!! YOU OVER-PREACH "GOOD FAMILY VALUES" AND CHASTISE UNMARRIED MOTHERS? HMMM, HOW THE TUNE CHANGES WHEN ONE OF YOUR "ABSTINENCE-PREACHING" OWN BECOMES THE CENTER OF ATTENTION. GO AHEAD AND MAKE LIGHT OF THE CONTROVERSY AS EXPECT AT YOUR UPCOMING RNC THAT HARDLY ANYONE IS ATTENDING!

Does this mean all those 'family values" issues are also off the table now?

HYPOCRITE!!!!!

No question Mr. & mrs. Palin as members of the NRA will have no problem in arranging a hasty shotgun wedding.

Tony Perkins praised the 17 year old daughter for "choosing "to keep her child.Is he saying she had a choice..like in Pro-Choice?

Lord, we thank thee for this not happening to Senator Obama's daughter. If the shoe were on the other foot, Lord, you know what the attack dogs like Rush and the Holier Than Thou Republicans would have done with this.

Thank you, Lord, for giving us Obama to show us how this should be handled.

In Your name we pray,
Amen

Hypocrits. Do all the of teen age parents have this kind of family unit behind them. They want to take away other girls right to make this same choice.

If they want it to stay private then stop talking about it, I had a child at 14y/o, and keep him. Many woman keep their children.

Therefore, it is nothing special about this.

The difficults in raising a child for a single woman (she is single at this time) are plenty. Why are you praising a 17 year for keeping her infant Perkins? Why not give the baby up for adoption to a MATURE loving couple. Bristol should consider completing her education, get a career she would love and FALL IN LOVE and marry. She has so much time to become a mother. I cannot understand the reason her family is talking about motherhood and marriage for this child.

The issue is the wisdom ane judgement in making decisions.
Being a mother is more than making the the decision to bring a pregency to term, I commend them both for making the hard choices.

There is another side to consider. A mother of a child with special needs, a child struggling with early pregency a possible new marriage, and the usual day to day concerns with the other children and her husband, all of this should be involved in judgement and making choices. What is the most valuable. The media and pundits will have thier say considering their own agendas. Being a mother is demanding under ordinary circumstances.

I am no a crazy liberal as those of us that speak out is labeled, I am a concerned senior citizen. Our lives, our country, our safety, and our participation in a global society dserves mature and careful thinking leadership
Sarah Palin is young she could run another time when family issues are less complecated.
Some times in trying to be soo very understanding the big picture is missed.

There goes GOP's so called family values with teenage pregnancy out of wed lock. How about abstinence? The GOP are a bunch of hypocrits.

Whatever happened to abstinence, Mr. Perkins?

How can Palin preach the hard line "family values" of the repuke-ican party when her own family cannot follow along?

DWI dad, teenage pregnancy? Really?

As TO would say, "get your popcorn ready" for the convention.

It's too bad this young girl's business is before the whole world. I too agree that choosing life over abortion is the way to go. However, one thing this may highlight – the hypocrisy of these conservative commentators at times. I would like to see what some of these folks were saying about Jamie Spears and other public instances of teen pregnancy. Some of those commentators said some really harsh things about Jamie Spears' mother.

What I find unbelievable is that she got on an 12 hour flight after her water broke, knowing she was going to deliver a high-risk baby one month prematurely, goes up 30-40K feet where the air is thinner, and then drives to some tiny clinic instead of a hospital with a baby ICU -talk about poor judgment in having a responsible pregnancy and safe childbirthing experience.

Poor kid. Did she have any choice?

Perkins is for anyone who subscribes to his philosophy of control.

wow while Obama is saying we should leave the families alone and that the kids are off limits...the Repubs are politicising the Kids...hmmmmm

"teenage pregnancy has become all too common in today's society regardless of a family's economic or social status" – if only there were some way to educate or prevent this type of thing from happening. If only...

Life happens, embrace it.

Could you imagin if this was happening to Obama or Biden's kids. This guy would tear them to shreds. But I guess its ok because of the right-winged tilt of this organization.

This sort of "praise" for Palin's pregnant teen daughter demonstrates the sheer hypocrisy of the Family Research Council and the right-wing Republicans in general. You can bet your life on it that if this was a teen daughter of Biden or Obama, right-wing religious conservatives would be all over both of them!!! Yes, I hope that Palin can make it through this family issue, but teen preganancy should not be praised.

I'm sorry, are we voting for Bristol Palin? My mistake.

This sort of "praise" for Palin's pregnant teen daughter demonstrates the sheer hypocrisy of the Family Research Council and the right-wing Republicans in general. You can bet you life on it that if this was a teen daughter of Biden or Obama, right-wing religious conservatives would be all over both them!!!