Yes, candidates kids should be off limits, but it is Palin that decided to put the spotlight on her 17 year-old pregnant daughter by choosing to run for office.

I agree, children are off limits. Leave Bristol alone.

Yes indeed. Palin is a very compelling person. I am compelled to seriously doubt her qualifications to lead this nation in a time of crises.

If a female Dem were running– one who had been the chief executive of her state with an 80% approval rating who had challenged the good ol' boys corruption– and we dared to suggest that she should "stay home" with her children, the howls from the left and the media would be deafening. The hypocrisy is unbelievable.

Kids today know all about sex and condoms. What they don't hear enough about in our culture, as Sarah Palin has said, is the value of growing up and waiting. Her 17 year old daughter chose differently, and has the free choice to do so, and will now grow up very quickly. (But, I suspect, in their independent culture, it's not unusual to begin families earlier….)

Thank goodness for the demonstration of accepting consequences, embracing the life of this developing child, over a convenient but morally repugnant quickie abortion. The inner integrity shines brightly !

I think that it was wrong of Palin to even accept the VP spot and put her daughter in this position. This shows me that she puts herself in front of her children. A child of 17 should not be put in a situation where her young life is slung over each and every news channel and newspaper around. A mother should be shielding her children from such and giving them the love and understand that they require at such a young age. It is only common decency. Palin has taken a private matter and exposed her daughter to ridicule. As a mother I resent that Palin is being glorified for her wonderous ability to run a state. A mothers duty is by far to her children first and foremost. In my opinion she has failed her daughter so that she can appease her own ego.
I had four children and a 40 hr work week. I can honestly say that with all of my endless energy and endless love for my children there was no way that I could have managed my family and the potential job of President of this Country. The only way that I could have done anything close to that would have been to put my children second and myself first. There are only so many hours in one day.

The issue is not about Palin's daughter, it is about her judgement. She has proof in her daughter that teaching only abstinence as sex education does not work, yet as a social conservative she is is not willing to move off of that position.

This is all well and good. However, the Republicans are flying Levi Johnston to the convention and he will appear with the Palin family. They are using this situation and objecting to any mention of it which they don't control.

I think Obama and Biden should be commended for their comments as to family being off limits. I also want to point out that the Republicans have obviously gone insane, especially the Evangelical leaders that are saying they support and are behind Palin's daughters choice.

Lets get real, if the shoe was on the other foot and Obama had a pregnant teenage daughter, the religious groups especially would be the first to throw stones. The attacks would be relentless.

I think the important issue here is what kind of decision isPalin making in chosing to become VP. I don't think that a woman who puts her career before her family should be celebrated or praised.

But common decency and Democrats are strangers. Biden should know all about indecency.

Whys is this comment from more than an hour ago still awaiting "moderation"?

Palin's daughter being pregnant is not a campaign issue. But the fact that Palin espouses abstinence as the only method to prevent teen pregnancy, and proposes that creationism should be taught as science, means that the Governor of Alaska places her theology over efficacy and science. And that point of view from a high government official is very much a campaign issue.

I just cant understand it… How can soo many Americans seriously consider voting for an elderly POW who had cancer 4 times and a women who hasnt been vetted and has NO foreign Policy experience!!???

This has to be a joke right??? seriously.. it would not happen in any other democracy on the Globe!!

Yes, it is a family matter. It's just that people want Palin not to force her opinion on others while she couldn't even teach her own children the same.

I agree, Joe.

How humiliating to be 17yo and pregnant by another teen, on display for the world, holding your baby brother to camouflage your belly because you've been told that your pregnancy must be kept a secret from the U.S., while your mother stands next to McCain and brags about being a mom of 5 and a hocky mom. . .never bothering to mention that you, her beautiful oldest daughter, are soon going to gift her with her first precious grandchild.

Palin's daughter will remember that moment for the rest of her life. And, it isn't the American people who harmed her. It's mom.

As we shall see over and over this fall, Biden is ten times the man that Obama is.

He also knows, sometimes a bit late, when to comment and when to simply be silent.

My prediction is that a large number of Obama flunkies will continue the sexist rhetoric and may well be Obama's undoing.

What fun to see him destroyed by friendly fire. Palin and McCain won't have to do anything. Just be outraged at what BO and his crew say. That will be sufficient.

Then for God's sake, leave the kids off the screen! If you use "kids" to market yourself then they should not be "off limit". Can't have it both ways.

Thank you, Mr, Biden! And I'm gonna make the judgement right now….

SHE'S NOT QUALIFIED TO BE THE VP OF OUR COUNTRY!!!

WAKE UP, AMERICA!! VOTE SMART… NOT SENILE!!!

The Democrats are a horrible, sexist party. Yes let's leave the children out of it. Instead, let's talk about Obama angry wife! Even with her "Extreme Makeover" she's still fair game!

What's Palin thinking? She knows that this would come out, when she accepted the VP nomination. How can she put her kid through this? That shows you right there, how much she really cares about her family. Not much, HA?

Agreed. And this is why Ms Palin should have refused the position and not submit her daughter to this. Unless she is totally inept she should have known that her daughter's pregnancy would start a circus.

What gives? They respected Cheney's daughter in the past two elections, especially when gay marriage was a hot topic. Why not follow suit and leave the kid alone?

Palin is/was a Governor, Obama was a community organizer and a candidate for President for the past two years. Although he's getting a free ride in the press, she leaves him in the dust on experience!

MCCAIN/PALIN –HISTORY FOR AMERICA!!!

Thank God at least the Democrats are taking the high road.

Leave the republicans to whine in the gutter where they belong.

Sure because it's a Republican let it slide but let it be a Dem and o let the cows come home knock it off on the investergation take off all the gloves on the kids let it go
But in the same breath I agree with CNN that her polices need to be Questioned based on what she believes is open to the public sooooooooooooooooooooooooo

The republicans are thrilled that they do not have to deal with the real issues…He is looking more & more like Bush!!!

“I don’t know the governor,” he said. “Everything I know about her, there’s no reason not to respect her and believe she’s qualified to be the vice president. I’m not going to make that judgment. That’s the people – for you all to make.”

He also echoed Obama’s comment that Palin is a “compelling” person, and he said he takes her “on face value.”

“She’s the governor, that’s no mean feat, and she seems to have a strong personal story,” he said.

Be careful Biden… This may be a sexist statement!

OB and Biden are doing the rigth thing!
LET THE REP GO DOWN BY THEMSELVES!

REP. VP HAS 5 KIDS! WHO WILL TAKE CARE OF THEM?
ONE HAS REAL NEEDS! WHO WILL TAKE CARE OF HIM?
A 17 YEAR WITH CHILD! WHO WILL TAKE CARE OF HER?
HUSBAND WANTS TO WORK! HE IS TAKING CARE OF HIMSELF!
WHO WILL TAKE OF US IF MCAIN GET SICK? PALIN?
I THINK YOU GET THE POINT!!!!!!!!

All of a sudden Palin wants privacy as far as her family is concerned….she and other Republicans often see it much differently for the common folk. Palin herself has preached family values and abstinence. I guess she mean't those values were only for me and you, NOT HER!

REMEBER SHE'S ONLY A HEARTBEAT AWAY!

OBAMA/BIDEN 2008!

Why is it that Obama, Biden and the media are afraid to bring this up. It is an issue. It speaks volumes on the Neoconservative ideology that Abstinence is the only way. Maybe if Gov Palin sat down with her daughter and talked to her about safe sex, she would not be another teenage mother. Although Obama and Biden are correct in saying, leave the little girl alone, that does not take away from what her own mother has created in her household and yes we should be critical of Gov Palin for it. And furthermore, if you cannot govern your own household, how the heck are we to believe that you can govern a whole country? I have a son, who is well behaved, not gettign into trouble, is a good student. Why? because he has 2 effective of parents who are willing to talk to him about consiquences of doing what's right and doing what is wrong. This whole notion of "don't do things because I said so" does not work on any level. And yes it is a question of judgement. Folks, this person is not second in command of a small corporation, this person is not a back up athelete on a sports team. She is running for VP of the most powerful nation in the world. If you cannot control your own house, I cannot be confident that you can control the White House. This has nothing to do with the fact that she is a woman, if this was one of Obama's daughter's I would feel the same way. Now if Gov Palin daughter was an adult, hey who cares if she is unmarried get's knocked up, but she is not. She is a child and it is her parents legal and moral responsiblity to ensure that she does not put herself in these types of situations. So enough of this situation is off limits.

I agree 100% about leaving juvenile children out of the political arena, and applaud both Sen's Obama and Biden for not trashing someone's family for political gain. I do not agree that a candidates family issues that are totally contradictory to major campaigning themes of the party in question are off limits. If you cannot maintain family or moral values in your own house, how can you be expected to instill family or moral values in OUR house?? (The White House) This goes straight to the judgement of Sen. McCain and his selection of his VP candidate after the vetting process was done.

Palin cannot be Prez.. It's okay to say the obvious democrats. Come on McCain just gave you the election on a silver platter. Can you please let us enjoy the feast. Let the republicans have it. Shame on them for the past 8 years and the stunt they just pulled.

Biden is wise. He knows that it so plainly evident that Palin is a complete rookie that he doesn't have to go out of his way and criticize her. He can just let the media and the bloggers have at her (which they are doing anyway).

All Biden has to do is sit back and enjoy the fun.

Children are OFF LIMITS !! AND SHAME ON THE MEDIA FOR KEEPING "Family business" IN THE NEWS!!!

If you can't tell by reading these blogs there is not much common decency left, you are on another planet.

I totally agree with Senators Obama and Biden. However, I feel closer attention must be paid to Senator Palin and her policies. It is obvious that abstinence does not work so shouldn't teenagers know about sex education?

Joe, I understand your sentiments and I applaud you and Obama choosing to take the high road on this issue. But as a voter and a proud American, it truly disgusts me to see the Republican party make a mockery out of women and the country in general, by not properly vetting the VP candidate. The issues that are affecting this country are very serious, and they are playing games with our future! So while as competitors you feel that it is not your place to make such comments, we as voters have a right to question our leaders and future leaders because they will be the ones to make decisions on our behalf. This is a very scary time and I hope you and Obama are elected! I don't think I can stay in this country if you aren't.

Joe Biden is right but he also knows the Media is biased in favor the Dems and they will do the dirty work needed—WE are smarter than that–But be careful if she pulls thru this—It could be curtains for the DEMS—Expect a compelling speech tomorrow night–
REmember — All that is written has another side—
In other words there are 2 sides to every story and I'm sure tomorrow night — you will hear it and weep—because she will be the Veep–

Senators Obama and Biden always have something positive to say about their the Campaign team. Why is Senator McCain and his campaign so negative at every opportunity they have? Is it because they have nothing to run on except negative campaign?

RED HERRING ALERT

It's not about the daughter–that is a distraction/trap.

These facts about Palin are more important:
- Barely any governing experience, and no foreign policy experience
- Virulently anti-choice (will not win over Hillary supporters)
- Anti-science (evolution in schools, global warming denier)
- Like McCain, unstable in decision-making and prone to value loyalty over competence.
- Currently under investigation
- Support for AIP (Alaskan party promoting secession)

Both Joe Biden and Obama are smart not to get involved with this. It's the media who's trying to make an issue out of it. Actually her resume is more impressive than Obama himself. Making a case that she lacks experiences just makes the democrats look stupid.

like I said yesterday, where was sarah palin when the values lessons were being taught

He hasn't got authorization from Obama to start hammering her yet, I suspect Obama is happy to let the media do it for him.

Hey CNN, what if 10,000 people demonstate and you have zero coverage, does it mean they do not exist or the MEDIA IS IGNORING WHAT IS GOING ON.

More coverage of the WHOLE convention. Lets get the big picture, not the talking points and who is the father.

Leave the 17 year old out, but point out this is from the party of abstinence and the evangelical right who preaches the same. Point out the need to teach sex education in public schools.

All due respect to Sen. Biden, but there is mounting evidence that Governor Palin is not only ethically compromised as mayor and governor, but that she is stunningly lacking in qualifications for Vice President.

One of the few things that I actually agree with Sen. Biden about.

McCain, Obama, and now Biden now all say leave the children out…keep it at the people in question running for office. The McCain/Palin ticket have shown integrity at things that might harm their political ambitions

you heard the man, media, leave the children alone!

Biden fielded the questions correctly. Stay on point. Don't waiver on the message. Don't "give away" video for McCain to twist. Ya know Biden cut his teeth with the big boys and knows how to play the game. Let the Democrat TV and radio ads do the work. Candidates themselves maintain the personal high road. Don't forget, people in crowds and media have political leanings. You just have to stay above the fray, which Biden did. Thumbs up Joe!

That's fine to leave children out of politics, BUT….what about judgment and relationships. Her relationship with her daughter shows America that it is not close because her daughter is 5 months pregnant. She should have known that she had a 5 month pregnant daughter in her household. She needs to be a mother, not a politician. Her priorities are mixed up. She has to choose and I hope it’s not the candidacy. We all put on our happy faces when we wake up. This is the time her daughter needs her. And she will be unavailable because she has to fulfill the VP spot. What is wrong with that picture? We Americans place family first. I believe McSame should have gone with someone else. This LADY has a lot of issues.

Never blame the children always the parents.

Yep Joe your right we wouldn't want your lobbyist son to be vetted like Palin's daughter is getting only because she is giving life to a child.

But attacking the family is the job of Obama's staff … perfect!

Obama "If I thought anyone in my campaign spread those rumors, I'd fire them … Of course, I won't think they did, and I won't look … but if I did …"

What a hypcorit!!!

Fair enough and I agree.

However, the fact that a teenage pregnancy is a FAMILY CRISIS speaks to the frame of mind of the potential V.P. Where will her head be when her 17 year old daughter is back home in Alaska, giving birth and getting married? Won't this intense sort of family crisis distract her from her responsibilities as Vice President and add to the stress of moving to Washington, D.C.?

Is this the best choice in America for a running mate? Even close?

Joe is right, leave the kid alone, but I think these questions are appropriate to raise about the parent / V.P. contender.

Listen Joe, is not even about you. People are talking about it. I don't what the heck the RNC doesn't know about. Plus, my boy has made it clear but people don't wanna listen…let it be.

I'm sure all of the Republicans will be showing common decency in the next 2 months when they come out with all of their "Obama is a Muslim" smears.