CNN

Well said Ron. It's amazing how when a male politician or a male family member screws up it's oops. But oh whoa the female.
Gimme a break. Leave the girl alone. Or should we all condem Ann Dunham for having a child at the age of 18.
You all know her as Baracks momma. Stop with the double standards already. The democrats are looking and sounding like a bunch of whiny kids.

September 2nd, 2008 3:09 pm ET

you think it would be better if Palin had not accepted because her daughter was pregnant. her daughter would of then spent the rest of her life blaming herself for costing her mother a shot at becoming the first woman vice president of the united states of America. or is it not better to say, you messed up girl and it's going to be rough, but we are going in this together and win or lose we do it as a family

In a country where teen pregnancy is so common, why people are making it a big deal? Thank god that she did not aborted (easy way out) rather she is bold and wanted to accept the responsibility of her action.

My question to all the male and female – how many of you are absolutely clear from these situations? If so then you have no right to point fingers towards someone else no matter what !!!!!!!

Let's not keep dragging this poor 17 year-old child through the mud. She's not running for Vice President, her mom is. There are plenty of reasons that Sarah Palin is not qualified to run this country. Her refusal to allow the teaching of sex education in schools is one of them.

I fully support Bristol's decision to have her baby. Abortion would never be a choice for me, but I feel I can't preach to the next on this matter. Woman should have a CHOICE.
The reason why this is such an issue is because it SHOULD'T be an issue. The Republican Party has taken a social issue and made it its' platform for as long as I can member. I am forty three years old.
I have never understood why it is anyone's business on a woman's choice. Why is this issue the determining factor on casting one's vote for so many?
The ten rules of the Ruler Above, we all fall short of from time to time. The Ruler from Above doesn't have a star value system on which of the ten rules are better to committ than the other- Just the Repuplican Party does. They all should be followed. An unwed teenage mother would have had to break at least one of these rules.
How is the church and the Republican party turning this into a positive? The thousands of teenage mothers that give birth each year ought to have their mothers run for VP or President. Wouldn't that be a scary world? There are so many families that are for not having abortions but so what. This does not qualify any woman for VP.
Maybe once and for all, the American Voters will look at the important issues effecting our daily living when casting their votes. Think about what kind of world that we as Americans will present to the babies that are being born. Will the mothers or fathers be able to afford a decent and safe life for their child?

What contempt is being shown to the Palin's by the bloggers on this website. If Jesus was here and said, "he that is without sin cast the first stone", I'm afraid the Palin's would still all be stoned to death by you so-called Christians. Pathetic!

Northwest Washington,

I share your inquiry, where is your sister, Bridget? We have never seen her on any occasion with the family. Your mother, Cindy, spoke about the dirty politics that took place in 2000 and how hurtful it was in the June 30 edition of Newsweek. I certainly agree, when young Bridget asked, "Why does President Bush hate me?" She must be 16 or 17 now. Meghan, tell us about your sister. Is she in school, how does she feel about her father running for President? Also, I would love to hear about her adoption, from what country, how old was she?
I admire your parents for adopting a beautiful girl that needed a home even though they were blessed with their own biological children.
Keep up the good blog, Meghan.

What kinship does blonde Meghan feel with Bridget McCain?

Talk about a "Bridget to Nowhere"

Meghan feels kinship, hmmm. Is there something you want to tell us Meghan?

In terms of poor Sarah, she is in politics. You get criticized. If you don't like it then don't be in politics. What did she think was going to happen when she announced her 17 year old daughter was pregnant? She needs to be the tough person she's supposed to be and deal with it.

who cares what megan thinks?
her dad is running for pres. What else is she gonna say?
this is outrageous.

It is not the fact that Sarah Palin is a woman, it is not the fact that she has a pregnant teen. It is not the fact that she has five children. It is the fact that she is currently under investigation for throwing her "weight/authority" around. It is the fact that she is a part of the corrupt republican alaskian party. It is the fact she has this Abstinence stance and her own family does not listen. It is the fact that she does not even know what a vice president is suppose to do when in office. It is the fact that when she was a mayor she left the city in a huge deficit. Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't America currently in a deficit? Also, what single thing has she done that gives her more foreign policy experience over Obama? The answer is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!! I say NO to McCain, NO to Palin, NO to the Republican Party.!!!!

Be real, Be smart, vote BARACK OBAMA!

Due to Freedom of Speech and the Press in the United States, US politicians know what they are up to. They can't be thinking that they are safe and the media will not fine their secrets because they will dig up all the dirt they can get. It's good for their ratings and it sells.

Republicans tried to paint the Clintons as being so morally absent. Chelsea is the only one on your list who has grown up to be a beautiful, talented, intelligent young woman. The rest are OKAY.

What do John's other children think? You know, the one's from his first marriage to the woman who waited for him while he was a POW. The woman whom he left for someone younger and richer.

Why are Obama supporters bashing the women in this race?

First Hillary, now Sarah and your 17-year-old daughter.

Are you so arrogant to believe that a "woman's place is in the home"? How sexist of Obama supporters!

It shouldn't be about Bristol Palin, it should be about McCain's poor judgement in choosing her mother for VP. Sarah Palin is smart, ambitous, but not ready to be VP.
Too many hateful people here, lashing out at Bristol and now McCain's daughter. Obama had it right, leave the kids out of politics.

As a democrat who supported Hillary, and now supports Obama, I am getting tired of members of my party stirring the pot on Palin's personel life..Some of the outrageous comments I have heard on the radio and TV cable news is just plain nasty and tabloid worthy. If democrats, and Obama supporters continue to follow this path, I think it will actually hurt Obama, who has asked us all to DROP IT.

Pleaaaaaaaaase!!!!!!

And in the words of the Churchlady... "Aw, well, isn't that special?!"

Where are the McCains daughter Bridget? What does she think?

yeah, it's rough. Now she's a role model for American teens; let's have baby before getting an education and a job to care for their baby. Parents will have a hard time to tell the teens.

Do you also feel kinship with Anna Nicole Smith, Paris Hilton, Britney Spears .... ??
Nice characters we have here running for President / Vice President of this nation. Unbelievable
OBAMA (2008 -16)

If politicians want the public to leave their children alone, they shouldn't parade them in front of reporters and campaign stops.

Nice to know that she feels a kinship with someone! I am certain that her step-siblings wished that she felt some type of kinship with them, to merit at least a sidebar reference in THEIR father's book by her!!!

Yes, I agree that we celebrate life.... BUT we also have Bibles and Commandments and Higher Powers we are meant to follow – not our own selfish, egoistic urges and tendencies.

Possibly her daughter needed the attention that she wasn't getting from her family.... who knows. In any event, I think that "charity begins at home" and that's where Sarah should be NOW... not running for VP.

That family is a TRAIN WRECK, a laughing stock and terrible example to set before not only this nation, but the entire world. We don't need any copy-cats.

As for John McCain.... as in John Edwards, and so many other politicians - we CAN NO LONGER TRUST HIS JUDGMENT! Where was his mind, knowing all this ahead of time, but going ahead with the offer anyhow. This is NOT THE KIND OF LEADER WE SHOULD HAVE FOR THIS COUNTRY – especially following Bush.

Pathetic attempt to grab support from Hillary voters. may be she is too young to remeber that her father comments about Chelsea, but we are not.

you think it would be better if Palin had not accepted because her daughter was pregnant. her daughter would of then spent the rest of her life blaming herself for costing her mother a shot at becoming the first woman vice president of the united states of America. or is it not better to say, you messed up girl and it's going to be rough, but we are going in this together and win or lose we do it as a family

where is the rest of the McCain children? How come they are never on the stump or even seen in public – like the youngest (adoptee)? I also read Cindy calls herself an only child but has a half-sister and a step sister, and at least one of them supports Obama. Interesting family.

The Palins are real people and this is what their critics simply cannot stand. Governor Palin and her family have much more in common what the average American than Mr. Obama or Mr. Biden.

I do believe that this is more about McCain's judgement than Palin. She did what any ambitious person would do when offered something like this, she took it. McCain and his lack of understanding the intelligence of women thought well those Hilary supporters are so mad they will vote for any body. And he had good reason to think that. These women were and in some cases ready to vote for someone who stood against everything they believed in and supported because the person they supported didn't win. Even though he also stands against everything Hilary Clinton believes in. I think that these women have helped Obama in more ways than they even know.

So many hipocrates! When did we start celebrating teenage pregnancy? This is not just about choosing life like the GOP and evangelicals want us to think. If my teenage daughter was pregnant, I'd be freaking out wondering what part of our family moral she missed out on. There's nothing fancy about this, no wonder the GOP was hiding it from the public.

Why doesn't she feel a kinship with her step-siblings that she didn't mention in her book???

Isn't choice what this issue is all about? Bristol made a choice, Sara made a choice. Suppose it were against the law for a child under the age of 18 or a woman over the age of forty to give birth. Both are issues of propriety. Where would the choice be under those circumstances?

If McCain's so-called vetting process is any indication on how he plans on running this country, then I may have to stay home. They say they throughly vetted Palin,but if that were the case, why did they send more lawyers to Alaska YESTERDAY. Makes no sense whatsoever to me...and I'm a lifelong Republican, but something is amiss here and it doens't speak well for McCain or Palin.

This is a LOW BLOW by the McCain camp. Bottom line.

IF John McCain is going to have his children become a "surrogate" for his cause, then he can't complain when Megan gets the same vetting as Chelsea Clinton. Don't put your kids in the middle UNLESS you are prepared for your kid to face the "political music".

There is NO exception to the RULE if you allow your kids to step into the circle. Bottom line.

I mean just when I think John McCain's judgement can't get any WORSE, he proves to me that it does.

By the way, where is John and Cindy McCain's African American adopted daughter? WHY isn't she also front and center on the campaign trail and the RNC convention? WHY? Why is ONLY Meagan that's been "waved" around as if she's their only daughter!!! Is Meagan the WHITE POSTER CHILD or something? What's the REAL story Jack?

What is so terrible about this is not what people are saying but the action of the mccain camp when announcing Palin as VP. Has anyone notice that for the hold time they have bristol holding the baby and covering her stomach with a blanket. If you are so proud of your pro life decision (which I am pro life) why make you daughter cover her pregnancy. Making her feel ashamed. The media, DNC, or Obama Camp did not do this. The RNC and McCain did.

And for you interested Bachelors. Megan is an aquarious who loves music (Abba), houses, sports cars and nice clothes. Her turn offs are poor people, manual labor, sweaty people and credit card limits.

We all feel for her in light of the liberal media's and Obama surrogate's horrible attacks on this poor girl and her family.

When any one of these idiotic, pre-pubescent male pundits on CNN/MSNBC, etc tells me they can run a state and have five kids at the same time, maybe I'll start paying attention to them.

In the interim, Palin ROCKS - Governor, mother and VP pick-
what have you whiners done with YOUR life?

i support them,too. just not their parents for the highest office in the world.

I feel for Bristol as well. She has a mother who puts her political career before her family. It is obvious since pictures of Bristol show her, not her mother, taking care of her infant brother with Down's Syndrome. A mother who went back to work 3 day after the birth of this son who has special needs and should have the undivided love and care of his mother.
Her priority should be her family and to and make sure she gives her children a stable home instead of ignoring them causing them to act out like getting pregnant!!
A person's family is a reflection of themselves and I don't think this reflect well on her.
I feel for her family.

I think when you talk the talk, you should walk it too. The Republicans have always claimed to be self -righteous, this was an example to show that we are all human. The news of Palin's daughter is a disgrace to a
family who preaches abstinence. I feel sorry for this young girl, her mother knew she was pregnant and yet she decided to take this responsibility, knowing fully well that there will be scrutiny. Bristol was caring her baby brother at the inauguration to shield her pregnancy.
All I can say is the republicans are Pharisees. What a shame!!!!

Excuse me, Meghan. Don't you think you are being presumptous! Your dad has not been elected yet as President or VP. So, stop comparing you yourself to the first or second family.....

I guess I'm too conservative. I questioned McCain's choice when I heard Palin had 5 children with the youngest one having Downs Syndrome. This latest news of Bristol's pregnancy complicates things for sure. Although I wanted McCain to choose Romney, who has much more experience, I'll still vote for McCain because Obama's liberalism scares me to death.

Linda, Meghan is McCain's daughter, not his wife.

I applaud Sarah Palin for her loving approach to this complicated situation and wish the best for Bristol and her unborn baby. Remember Democrats, that Obama was the child of a young mother as well. He had supportive grandparents who helped him and his mother. I'm sure Sarah and Todd Palin will be supportive grandparents to Bristol's baby as well.

I too had a child at age 18, I had a son who is now 23 years old. He is a wonderful young man and was just recently given a heroic award for risking his own life to save another when a doctor's SUV went off a bridge into a raging river wash, my sone single handedly saved his life. The man was injured with broken bones but he is alive today becuase of my son and the choice I made to have him 23 years ago. I am proud. Governor Palin, your doing just fine....

Democrat for McCain/Palin ticket

One of the things that troubles me is the message being sent to our teens. That it is okay to do this. I can just picture teens telling their parents, well the VP's daughter is pregnant so what's the problem. I feel a kinship with her.

My thirty year old niece was born to a 18 year old (17 when she was pregnant sister). It is offensive to me to hear that her mother is not qualified for VP because of this as I know my mother did the very best that she could. My sister's "mistake" is now a college graduate working at a major entertainment company in Los Angelos and, along with her younger sister, have been the joy of our lives.

So im just wondering how she felt when her daddy made that joke about Chelsea, saying "you know why she's so ugly right, because her dad is Janet Reno"...

maybe John should care how his daughter feels and apply that to other politicians kids.

Seems Obama is the only person who "gets it"...perhaps she should join the Obama camp, at least HE stood up for politicians children, not just his own!

As a democrat, and an OBAMA /BIDEN supporter, CHELSEA CLINTON is EXCEPTIONAL,she walks like a lady, talks like a lady, behaves like a lady, and she is A LADY... Lets keep it real.. if the media could report anything, they can't find anything on our FORMER FIRST DAUGHTER, good JOB HILLARY AND BILL>>>

Why would she mention Caroline Kennedy who is 50 yrs old or BO's kids who are in elementary school? She obviously has more in common with the ones closer to her in age. I don't remember anyone asking JFK if he would support an abortion for his then 3 yr old daughter. And speaking of Chelsea, she graciously spoke to the Bush twins about life in the White House and has, according to MIchelle, offered to talk to her girls. Why must you try to demonize the children of the candidates? Too bad you can't follow the lead of your Messiah and butt out of it.

And just who does not feel a "certain kinship" for this child....pregnant and married at 17. And this is being glorified? It is absolutely tragic! At 17 she should be preparing for college, and enjoying her youth.

I'll bet that 90% of the bloggers on this site would have a completely different opinion if Obama's older daughter was pregnant. Those who are now condemning Palin would defend Obama. Those who defend Palin would be condemning Obama. Each of you is just cheering for his own team and insisting that it is the other team that committed the foul.

COME ON MEGAN IT'S NOT AGAINST BRISTOL PALIN BUT AGAINST THE ABSURD MISTAKE YOUR FATHER MADE IN HIS CHOICE AND
ALL SARAH PALIN HAS LED THE PUBLIC TO THINK SHE ACTUALLY BELIEVES IN. YOUR FATHER CHOSE HER TO TRY AND CAPTURE THE VOTES THAT WOULD HAVE GONE TO SEN CLINTON AND IT BACKFIRED. I BELIEVE YOU SHOULD SUPPORT YOUR FATHER BUT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH STANDING UP AND DISAGREEING. HE WILL NEVER WIN COME NOVEMBER.

If Sarah Palin really puts her family first, she would have respectfully declined Senator McCain's offer of the VP position.

Sarah Palin is just like Bush and McCain. She puts her personal ambition first and is willing to feed her family through the meat-grinder of the media spotlight in her rush to glory.

If this insane ticket wins, McCain will need a food taster, because the extreme right wing backing Palin will stop at NOTHING to put her in charge so she can transform America into a fundamentalist theocracy.

Maybe Bristol's mother should have thought about this before agreeing to put her family in the national spotlight

TOO BAD BRISTOL'S MOTHER DIDN'T FEEL THE SAME CARING AND CONCERN THAT YOU VOICE. FOR THE LIFE OF ME, I CAN'T UNDERSTAND A WOMAN WHO WOULD KNOWINGLY PUT HER CHILD THROUGH THIS ORDEAL FOR ALL THE WORLD TO SEE. LOOKS LIKE SHE'S ONLY THINKING OF HERSELF AND NOT HER FAMILY–GREAT FAMILY VALUES. THE RIGHT TO LIFE MEANS MORE THAN ROLLING BABIES OUT, IT MEANS CARING FOR THEM AND NURTURING THEM AFTER THEY GET HERE UNTIL THEY CAN FLY ON THEIR OWN. IT APPEARS THAT SHE HAS NOT DONE THAT YET.

You know Juan Carlos, if this happens all the time in your community maybe it is time to teach your kids sex education, safe sex and a why having a baby at 17 is not a great idea.

Sara palin should drop out of thr race right now and be there in a veyr nuturing way .her daughter is going to need it in a very norman way ,not in the public .we must remember she is still a maturing young adult. she does not need to be in the media day after day after day ,because this is what will happen

So he's defending teenage pregnancy........... Let's ask Rick Warren what he thinks............... DON'T RUN ON FAMILY AND MORAL ISSUES IF YOUR ARE FLAWED!

BARACK THE VOTE

Outstanding. You people who knock this really should get a life! I think its great that Meghan wrote this.
McCain/Palin

If Bristol Palin's mom or the schools had taught her about birth control instead of abstinence only, this 17 year-old and her high school boyfriend would not be parents of an unplanned child. Teaching birth control does not make teens have sex, just as teaching abstinence does not stop them from having sex...Bristol obviously didn't listen to her mom.

So why write anything to be published in the public eye? Call her on the phone. instead. Email. Text message.

When your skirts are blowing over head, don't scream about it so that everyone turns their head to look at you with your skirt blowing over your head.

Please, people, leave this girl alone! You can tell from the pictures of her that she is already terrified. She has admitted her mistake and is trying to make the best of it. Give her a break and shut up already!!

How nice and touchy. And how about your dady called Chelsea ugly?

Good pick!

Let's be clear, NO ONE is bashing the child. we all make mistakes and we all feel for anyone caught up in this media circus.

However, since the child's mother wants to force the entire country to adhere to her "abstince only" policy and no sex ed in public school, we do not want our daughter's to suffer the same fate under Palin's narrow minded views!

Get it, and yes I am sure this will be "sexist" or "Obama's fault", as well so for the record, if Todd Palin was running for VP, and espousing these same views, our stance would still be exactly the same,

Was that clear enough?

Thank God General Palin has been leading the Alaska National Guard for the past 20 months. Why during that time period, not a single Russian invader has dared cross the Bering Sea to take over our oil wells and Polar Bears in Alaska.

General Palin is a member of the separatist Alaskan Independence Party. That means she has plenty of foreign experience; she’s been running a foreign government at the national level the last 2 years.

If kids are off limits, as they should be, why would McCain allow this to be put on the ticker??? Bad decisions seeem the be the norm from the McCain campaign.

I am running a company of 615 workers!

Mrs. McCain is Strong, Educated, Down the earth GIRL!!!
Bravo!!!

The left, spoiled, educated but incapable to fry a egg , so called "cool ladies" MAST BE IGNORED TOTALLY!!
I call it JEALOUSY!!!

WOW, AMERICA ROCKS, You are searching for something to gripe about. Malia is 9??? Amy carter way back, PLEASE...
Her daughter's situation has nothing to do with her capabilities.
Thanks, Meghan for showing support for something many american families face bravely without murdering their baby.

McCain is a hypocrit considering what he said about Chelsea:

""Why is Chelsea Clinton so ugly?
Because her father is Janet Reno."

John McCain June 1998 at a Republican dinner.

And many republicans are hypocrits as well.?They always,always talked bad about african-american or latino teen mothers and now it's okay with them.Personally,it doesn't bother me,they hypocrasy does.
If this was one of Obama's girls(older of course)they would be saying Michelle is a bad mother and Obama should drop out and we all know it.They hypocrasy is sickening.
Now I am offended that Palin thinks she has the right to tell me that I should be an outlaw if I make a choice to do something with my body.
I don't knock anyone for being pro-life.But let me have a choice.EVEN IF A WOMAN IS BRUTALLY RAPED OR A CHILD THE VICTIM OF INCEST AND IS IMPREGNATED it should be outlawed.WHO THE HECK DOES SHE THINK SHE IS?
She wants to teach creationism in schools,she doesn't understand what's going on in Iraq,she doesn't know what a vp does,she's against gay rights all offends the heck out of me.WAKE UP AMERICA-PALIN IS A RIGHT-WING EXTREEMIST!

So her daughter's pregant, so what?

What I care more about is Sarah Palin being a member of the Alaska Independent Party while they were attempting to secede from the Union.

the head of that party recently released a statement praising Palin as a member and she in turn praised their platform.

She's an anti American, two faced, flag burning radical.

Who also happens to have a pregnant daughter, a husband with a DUI, 27 million in earmarks for a town of 6500, at least one or possibly two corruption scandals being investigated that require her immediate hiring of a lawyer.

Another words, she's business as usual for John McCain and the Republican party, since he too loves lobbyists.

geecee827: Your right you should not be commented here because your as unqualified as your choice for President(Obama).
Obama is in the number one spot and has absolutely no resume to back it up. He has never run a business, been a leader, and is a Junior One Term Senator. Mrs. Palin who is in the number 2 spot has been a mayor, city council member, Governor, business owner, mother of 5 and you want to compare Obama to her??????
Wow you are misinformed.

Obama/Biden Telemprompter King/Plagerist

Heckofajob, Sarah, teaching your kid about staying a virgin until marriage.
Get your McCain/Palin buttons now, soon they will be a collector's item.

Nice of her to support Bristol who is the real victim here. Maybe someday these children will grow up and flee the judgemental hippocritical Republican party.........

Now if Meghan McCain would just support every woman's right to decide how to deal with her own pregnancy.....also called "right to choose."

Sarah Palin most likely did NOT give her daughter Bristol any choice.

There is always adoption...l adopted toddler sisters (aged 11 months apart).

Bristol is going to be a parent young; will she ever be able to enjoy those great years between high school and true adulthood? Friends, experiences, travel, fun, college, courtship, a beautiful wedding...a couple of years to get to know her hubby, then a family?

NO

Why is she being interviewed? is she running? will she shape any policies?

And you should... Just as politicians are held to higher standard, so should there children. They are role models for the entire nation and should act accordingly. Your children are a reflection of YOU and your VALUES.

Palin is a poor choice for VP. The 17-year old's dilemma aside, does the GOP REALLY believe "family values" means placing a woman with a five-month old special needs child in a position that is literally a heartbeat away from the presidency???
Balancing work and career is one thing, but this is absurd.
GOP = H-Y-P-O-C-R-I-T-E

PLEASE !!!!! stop it!!!

Your parents make the choice to go into politics, that just goes with it.

Fair, probably not, reality , probably so.....get over it or get out!

OBAMA 08

Children should stay children as long as they can, which is 17 years and under. Kids these days are growing up too fast. My children continued to play with dolls until they reached jr. high. Talk to your children and let them know that they have all their life to be an adult and only 18 years to be a child. Don't grow up to fast!

Liviu, I would hardly call pregnancy a problem. A lot of things happen in life that are unexpected. How can you liberals go around preaching equality and individual liberty and then advocate abortion as a solution to unplanned pregnancy? It's like doing the right thing when it is convenient.

i cant understand why the issue are not brought and we are worried about the young lady being pregnat. this is not the issue, please can we talk about he issue, healthcare,the inner city problem, job being sent over seas, ecomny,housing, food and oil prices, come on cnn we need to know wre they stand for and how are they going to improve our way of life

So basically it's ok to be unmarried and get pregnant at 17 because your parents are involved in politics? GIVE ME A BREAK!

Well of course she "FEELS A KINSHIP WITH BRISTOL".........

JOHN McCAIN HAS SAID PUBLICLY, THAT PALIN IS HIS SOUL MATE!

LIKE FATHER LIKE DAUGHTER!

Who cares????????????? She is just as dumb as her mother and father.................I wish you people would stop with the DOUBLE STANDARDS if this was Obama's daughter you people would be all over it........................YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW....................

OBAMA 08

WHAT A JOKE she knew ABSOLUTELY nothing about BRISTOL PALIN before last thursday and she knows it all these people rallying around the palin family are only doing it because they are trying to make the RNC and the Repugs look good which all can see that they aren't, they're just plain HYPOCRITAL!

OBAMA/BIDEN 08/12 YES WE CAN & YES WE WILL!!!!

All this focus on the pregnant daughter, but honestly I'm a bit more concerned for the 4 month old baby with Downs syndrome that I keep seeing being carried around at a bunch of campaign events.

Down's syndrome babies have depressed immune systems which make them much more susceptible to colds and ear nose and throat infections.

I know the baby should be close to the mother, but it really seems like a big risk to put a 4 month old through.

Say what? Kinship? Whoever put Meghan McCain up to this type of response should be slapped?!

Meghan McCain has met Bristol Palin only starting on August 29th! Very few people know that Meghan McCain "hangs" with the rich kids on MTV's show The Hill. How dare Meghan McCain mention Chelsea Clinton when her own father said that "Chelsea Clinton is so ugly, Janet Reno could be her father".

I found it disturbing that all of Palin's kids (except military son) were on the stage with her, but only Cindy and John McCain's daughter Meghan was on the stage.

What happened to the McCain's adoptive "dark-skin" Indonesian daughter? She is about the same age as the Palin's second oldest daughter. She was not on stage during the Palin unveiling.

Since CNN is posting this, one of the things that troubles me is the message being sent to our teens. That it is okay to do this. I can just picture teens telling their parents, well the VP's daughter is pregnant so what's the problem. I feel a kinship with her.

Great...a couple of girls-gone-wild who can sympathize with each other.

Bristol better thank her lucky stars her family is republican. Because if her mom happened to be a democratic candidate, conservatives would be serving her up on a platter instead of standing her up on a pedistal.
The problem is not with Bristol's pregnancy (although hopefully no-one is now advocating teen motherhood) or with the mom of a pregnant teen being nominated for VP. The real issue here is the hypocracy of the Republican leadership. Having spent the last decade pronouncing themselves the party of morality (overlooking poverty, stewardship of the planet, and care for the "least of these"), and judging even TV characters who were pregnant out of wedlock as bad role models, suddenly they don't bat an eye.

Thats so sweet.

I don't have a problem with Bristol nor her having a child out of wedlock at 17y/o. However, you Rep hold such an attitude of Holy than Thou. Speaking on their high morals and values.

If Palin value system was so high how would she let this happen to her child.

What the Rep need to realize that all parties have dysfunctional family members. We all are human beings.

Now he's pimping his daughter. When Senator Obama allowed the media some limited access to his daughters the Republicans were screaming child abuse and how wrong it was for him to be show casing his children.

Now, McCain has his daughter coming to his defense. I wonder if this is what America wants – a candidate that needs his family to come to his rescue over his own decisions.

USA first not her daughter

OMG, now they are using McCain's daugter to detract attention from the story

Exactly. This being the case, how could any loving parent put their child in the postition to suffer? I CAN'T stand to see my boys in pain! There is no way I would PURPOSELY put them in such a position. I think it goes to judgment. Hell, if she doesn't care any more than that about her child, how can she be expected to care about millions of Americans she doesn't know! AND if she has no more control over what goes on in her household, how can she possibly run an entire country in the event of McSame's demise?

Good for you Meghan, as all decent women should...............

I feel very sorry for Bristol Palin because she didn't choose to get involved in the circus. However, I don't relate with the VP candidate because I can't see how a mother who should know by working in politics how this can get very dirty and she put her career first and not her daughter. I'm sorry if many don't agree with me but this is how I feel. Family should always come first. I saw a documentary a few years ago about how many women in ceo and other positions had decided to quit their jobs to put their kids first. I just don't why she didn't just stayed in Alaska and waited another four years until this was all over and probably it wouldn't weigh the same. Just speaking my mind not Obama's

Well I'm sure McCain/Palin and the Republicans are trying to do everything possible to avoid what's plain and clear and why this pregnancy with Palin's daughter isn't going to go away... it's going to put a big spotlight on that policy that Republicans love to emphasize... don't teach sex education, teach abstinence education... and how well that seemed to work... One of the many flawed policies, the right-wingers love to push.

Palin champions Abstinence Only sex education in the schools. Really has worked at home, hasn't it?

"She only mentioned one Democrat- Chelsea Clinton- in a lame attempt to woo Hillary holdouts-"

Oh, please, get a life! I suppose she should have mentioned every chile of every presidential candidate who ever lived.

Good for you, Meghan. Like it or not, this is newsmaking, and Bristol is having a difficult enough time of it. She needs all the help she can get, and that such a gracious young woman would want to be encouraging to her speaks well of how she was raised. I'm still not carrying water for John McCain, but I've got a little more respect for him than I did at this time last week, even if only because he has such a well spoken and kind young woman for a daughter. Such attributes don't grow in a vacuum. Cheers to John and Cindy!

Who are the candidates again? What are the issues? can someone remind me?

"It's a rough go being the son or daughter of a politician. I have not known Bristol Palin very long, but there is a certain kinship I feel to her as I do other political daughters such as Chelsea Clinton, Jenna and Barbara Bush and Mary Cheney."

So, uh..did you're Daddy call you an ugly love child like he did Chelsea Clinton a few years ago? I'm sure Janet Reno was amused...

I N--M Y--–C O M M U N I T Y--–T H I S---H A P P E N S---

A L L---T H E--–T I M E--W E---C E L E B R A T E--L I F E

If this unwed teenage mother whose pregnancy is hidden under her infant brother's baby blanket is of no consequence, then why don't the McCains stop talking about her. Furthermore I find little Miss McCain to be a snob and bore to state no one else could possibly understand what it's like to be under a microscope or establish your identity because of your lofty position in society. Sounds like an elitist to me.

Palin preaches abstinence...if you cannot control what goes on in your own house......how can one legislate from the White House ?

to America Rocks,
There are some Republicans who will be fed up with what the President has done and vote for Obama, but like you and most dems you fail to realize that Bush does not embody a true republican. It doesn't matter what political stand point you analyze Bush from he messed up from every angle. Bush didn't mess up because he's Republican, which is what Democrats always try to argue.

And it's funny you mention first-time young and black voters. I do believe it's wrong to not vote for someone because of race, but I also believe it's wrong to vote for someone because of race. Obama is, by default, getting all the black vote, which is a tradgedy because it's for all the wrong reason.

"Keep our families out of it!!"

"Let my daughter blog about her life on my campaign website"

Can have it both ways, John.

Does any one remember McCain calling chelsea clinton ugly?

Now he wants her supporters.
He vetted Palin for 15 mins to control our 100 year stay in Iraq, if he dies before he is 172 years old.

What else can she say. They have been caught with their pants down in the intelligence world. I support this girl and her family too. But there's nothing anyone can tell me that will justify this mother putting her daughter through this type of humiliation. It is hard she is pregnant at 17 but for the whole world to know about it is even more humiliating.

No mention of Obama's daughter's. Sad

I wonder when John McCain "urged" his daughter to make this statement. Way to throw your child into the media mix Johnny!!.......just like Palin did with Bristol!!!!

If you are voting for McCain, you should seriously consider getting your head examined – how much ammo do you need to face reality???

Stay away from her McCain, you are too old for her, grandpa.

BRAVO ! Meghan thanks for speaking out on behalf of children of politicians. It is grossly unfair of the media and others ( public) to fixate and report on the families of political candidates. The interest should be SOLEY on the candidates and the issues/platforms they are runninng for or standing on. Teenagers have enough problems dealing with decisions and identity so it isn't FAIR for them to have to deal with their parents business. This includes business and personal lives of the parents.

Words of wisdom from Meghan.

Pity the whole world can't hear what she thinks! YAWN!

Hey Meghan – YOU are NOT the daughter of a president or ex-president!

Maybe she never met Malia Obama, Amy Carter or Caroline Kennedy thats why she doesn't feel a kinship with them.

please young lady take your DAD home give him a hot tea his toooooo old for this job. Plus you never seen a hard/harsh life and never battled to eat or drink a water. please please go home and relax on of those seven houses you guys have

What a revelation. Of course they feel a kinship. They are both ignorant, narrow-minded Republicans. Like DUH!

It's day two . . and look at the issues the Republicans are facing and addressing. Wait a minute, are these the same issues American's are facing? I Don't Think So.

The wars (our soliders), the economy, the environment, people losing their jobs and homes are the REAL issues this country is facing.

And with the Republican's getting all the attention this week, this is all they are talking about. Pregnancy, abortion, McCain lack of vetting process of his VP, being rude to other Republicans, etc..Talk About Disaster.

We Don't Need this kind of interruption. Leave it up to the Republicans to ignore the REAL issues American people are facing and focus ONLY on their negative issues. I guess this is what the Republican only have to offer – their failure in addressing the Important Issues.

I THOUGHT WE WERE LEAVING FAMILY PROBLEMS OUT OF THIS...RIGHT REPUBLICANS??? So now its ok to discuss family hardships, when you are using it as a sense of sympathy??? It then becomes ok right???

September 2nd, 2008 10:01 am ET
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
Palin began her political career in 1992 when she ran for Wasilla city council, supporting a controversial new sales tax and advocating "a safer, more progressive Wasilla".[17] She won and served two terms on the council from 1992 to 1996. During the period Sarah Palin and her husband were members of the Alaskan Independence Party,[3] which "challenges the legality of the Alaskan statehood vote as illegal and in violation of United Nations charter and international law" and has a platform calling for a referendum on whether Alaska should secede from the United States to become an independent nation, remain a state, or become a U.S. territory or commonwealth. It is not known whether Palin herself agrees with this plank in the Alaskan Independence Party's platform WIKKIPEDIA

Like two peas in a pod. AS IF!!!

GIVE ME A BREAK!

Well, since she is out campaigning with her father, then she should no longer be off limits from the media. That is the same exact thing the republicans said about Michelle Obama. So, turn about is fair play.

Oh okay Mehgan...on another note Jenna Bush said she is not voting for your father, how do you feel about that?

Zero experience, a woman against women and women rights, against science and progress (creationism in schools? unbelievable!! we are in the 21st century!) , what could be worse?

I am a mother and I know that kids will make mistakes. Teenage pregancy is one of those mistakes that can occur in any family, so I would never judge the "character" of parents by that.

That being said, I am horrified that Palin, by accepting the VP nomination, exposed her daughter to media scrutiny. Palin could have said no to the offer, and Bristol would not be in the national, no world, spotlight. She would be in Wasilla and people there would know about her pregnancy, but the National Enquirer, etc. would not be prone to splash her picture on their front pages. This is a private family matter and Palin and her husband had the ability to keep it so. They chose not to and I can't fathom how any job would be worth doing that to their daughter.

Of course you support the Palin family!!!! What else can you do? It's your old husband running for the president. He grabbed a younger woman for vice president thinking all the woman who wanted Hillary would just love it. But they aren't all as stupid as he thinks. He obviously thinks a woman is a woman. Does he really think Palin is the best one he could pick for vice president of this messed up republican last eight years if something happened to him? VOTE OBAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is not Bristol that disappoints me, it is her mother Sarah Palin.

and this news why?

Meghan get real you are the daughter of John McBush & you like every other republican that I have heard say just what you are told to say.....had this been a democrat you right wingers would have been shoving your conservative christian beliefs down out throats about how wrong it is for a 17 year old to become pregnant where was the mother & why would you marry someone just because you are pregnant...yet when it is one of YOURS it is ok...the rumors started on you were probably from someone in the GOP because your father has not been one of their favorite sons until he became the GOP nominee...

That was nice of Meghan to say as I am sure Bristol Palin feels quite bad about how the media and everyone in this country is talking about her right now. She should know that not everyone thinks she is "bad" in the choice she made. That being said, I don't believe this should be an issue on whether Sarah Palin should drop out of the V.P. slot on McCain's ticket. It really should have nothing to do with it. Why she should drop out is that she is not qualified to be V.P. That's pretty much it. Good woman, accomplished, funny, bright, but not V.P. material. She's no Hillary, that's for sure!! However, since I'm a Democrat and a big Obama/Biden supporter, perhaps I shouldn't be commenting here. Couldn't resist though.

I don't diaagree that it is a complex realtionship that exist for the children of politicans and my hat off to Megan for identifying with Bristol......but Meghan is not the one who is pregnant. Sarah should have been wise enough to try to keep her daughter out of the spotlight.........but now the journalistic bottom dwellers are going to feed on this frantically.

She is 110% right
When Obama and family walk on the stage how Americans are happy
Think Think
When Adults like John Edwards make mistake CNN didn’t talk about much
Its worried me because I have daughter

All these days we have seen Bush and Rove were playing dirty politics
Now Democratic party also
Is any one in both parties care about American dreams ? No

The problem here is not that Bristol Palin is pregnant, it's that we are sending the wrong signal here to our young people. These people say that they are conservatives but there actions are those of no care or self control. I for one do not want my 15 or 20 year old to become pregnant out of wed-lock or before they are old enough to vote????iT HAPPENS YES BUT WE SHOULD BE ENCOURAGING OUR YOUNG PEOPLE to seek higher education, to be self significant, better adults then we are. To say that being pregnant at 17 or any young age is is okay, we are fooling ourselves. Being a half way good parent is hard at adult age, how can you accomplish this at such young ages, when they are not compable of making a living for themselfs. American we need to talk about the messages that we are sending to our young just to have what we want. We are better parents and adults then this.

Did anyone else notice that all the families that Meghan McCain pointed out, aside from the Palins, were people that the country actually knows about?

Ain't that sweet.

So, you feel a "Kinship" with an unmarried pregnant high school drop out?

This country is in so much trouble if we vote McCain.

Oh here we go again with a McCain trying to score points with Clinton supporters. Hey remember when your dad said Chelsea was ugly and Janet Reno was the father? Your attempt to get our vote is lame.

Very funny Meghan...you are basically echoing the argument against your father for president. You said, "You can't fully understand it unless you have lived it". Well how can a man who doesn't know how many houses he has, understand the economic plight this country is in? How can a man who is 72years old understand whats happening to this generation of Americans? He hasn't lived as an American looking for a job in modern America. He is disconnected from us just like you seem to be. Are we supposed to feel sympathy for a poor little rich girl such as yourself because you had scrutiny? The same girl who had access to the best healthcare, the best schools, and the best of everything her entire life. Give me a break. By the way since everything you write is handed to you by your dads campaign tell them nice try playing the sympathy card but we aren't buying it. And we aren't buying your father as the next president. Hopefully he drops out of politics completely and you won't have to deal with anymore "scrutiny" and we won't have to deal with anymore old hags that are running our country in the ground. Sounds like a win/win situation doesn't it?

Meghan made a valid point. May be it is not such a good idea for politicians to parade their children with scoring political points in the bakc of their minds. They can and should talk about their children but keep them from spotlight until the process (whatever it is) is over.

"It's a rough go being the son or daughter of a politician"

And that is the reason why Sarah Palin should have declined the VP offer given Bristol's "problem".

Palin having a child with Down's Syndrome and a teenaged daughter who became pregnant seems to me common occurrences even amongst us regular folk. Amazingly, in this day and age, Palin and her family chose to stick to their religious convictions in both situations and that is much much more commendable and courageous than Obama's hypothetical stance of not wanting his daughters to live with such a mistake and have an abortion or suffering more punishment due to not having one.

Who cares what you have to say Meghan, go away. How do you feel a kinship to person you don't even know? Go help your dad write his concession speech and quit bringingup things in your blogs that you and your fellow McCainians are claiming should be off limits. How about telling your dad to hypothetically bring about change he claims he will and hypothetically quit using your gender for politcal gain. Oh and I forgot Meghan , go tell your dad to hypothetically pay you as much as he pays the males doing the same job. CNN can we talk about something like: How she put a town of 7,000 in deficet or how she is willing to let big oil continue to destroy her land she is sworn to protect or why she does not want her state to be apart of America?

WHO CARES!!!!!

You feel a ………kinship………with this girl that you admit not knowing and all you know about her so far is that she is a pregnant 17 year old teenager? ……………..Hmmmmmmmmmm…..curious. What could the two of you possibly have in common given that's all you really know about her? Things that make you go hmmmmmmmmm………
John, please stop wasting American time and money and just drop out now……the whole world is laughing at us.

Are the candidates' kids still off-limit if they beg for attention themselves?

I don't believe having your children and family speaking to the press is a good way of saying "keep my family out of this." more like keep my family out of this as long as things are going badly, but when good you can have complete access.

Why is the McCain camp trying to make this an issue?? Barack Obama is not falling for the bait that Karl Rove and John McCain is setting. He's continued to say that family doesn't belong in politics, Yet every chance they get, the McCain camp tries to make this an issue. No one cares about McCain's spoiled children and their so-called hardships. McCain's grandchildren have 10 homes to choose where to stay at. I'm sure Gov. Palin has some real estate all over Alaska as well.

If children want to be left out of the campaign, then they need to stay out. Just like with Chelsea earlier this year, you can not have it both ways.

Take the kids off the table...they're all finding their way.

WHY DONT YOU HATERS GET A STINKEN LIFE. LIKE ONE OF YOU OUT THERE IN THE WORLD DIDN'T COME FROM A YOUNG MOTHER. GIVE ME A BREAK. WHEN YOU SHOW YOUR HATE COMMENTS ,YOU ALSO SHOW YOUR MORTALITY. THAT ISN'T TO MUCH FROM A 2ND GRADE CHILD. YOU YOUNG HATERS HAVE NO RESPECT FOR ANYONE. IF OBAMA HAS SUPPORTERS LIKE YOU MORONS ,THAN MCCAIN IS GETTING ALOT MORE VOTERS. YOU HATERS TRASHED HRC ,HER FAMILY AND SUPPORTERS ,NOW YOUR TRASHING PALIN,MCCAIN AND THEIR FAMILIES. YOU YOUNG NAIVE BRAINWASHED CHILDREN OUGHT TO GROW UP . AMERICA DOSN'T NEED TO ELECT A PRESIDENT THAT HAS SUPPORTERS FULL OF HATE. THIS COUNTRY NEEDS MORE UNITY AND LOVE NOT HATE. ITS BECAUSE OF YOU YOUNG HATERS WHY OBAMA WILL GET DEFEATED IN NOV. WE DONT NEED A LEADER THAT HATE FOLLOWS. CONCERNED VIET NAM VET GO MCCAIN/PALIN FOR THE REAL CHANGE WE NEED ,NOT HATE

I do feel very sorry that this minor, this child, now has to have her privacy sacrificed because her mother accepted an offer to run for VP. Obama's right - the children are off limits. I remember when John McCain cruelly trashed Chelsea Clinton when she was a child in the White House. He told reporters that she was "ugly" "because Janet Reno is her father." Of course, McCain would like us now to accord Palin's daughter the respect he wouldn't give Chelsea.

Meghan....little word of advice sweetie...stay out of it...you should follow Obama's advice otherwise you open yourself up as fair game

Sarah Palin should withdraw from the McCain ticket, she is causing to much distraction, she was not vetted properly or enough.
SARAH PALIN IT IS TIME FOR YOU TO STEP DOWN AS MCCAIN RUNNING MATE. Stepping down is not something new, it has happended to both rep and dem's. Do the right thing Sarah Palin.
You have damaged the Republican ticket.

Every parents knows the need to protect children...it is not simply in the political arena!

So first Mccain picks Palin after meeting her one time.....Then his daughter feels a kinship with Bristol when she probably never met her.... Meghan this is called being able to relate with people.

She's cool. I had nothing against her. All I'm saying that the only thing unfortunate(again) about it is the timing! One minute, is supposed to be the GOP's time, the next minute they know about her daughter! Abd guess what? Did you hear???

That's the first thing they know about her! What else is next? Ohh yeah, I forgot...

WHO CARES.

Meghan, it's hard being a teenager under any circumstances. However, this is not about Bristol who's a child. This is about her mother's parenting skills. Every child is a parent's testimony of their values and lifestyle. Most parents whether they're politicians or not try to teach their children how to make healthy choices. Having a baby at 17 by a young man who has stated on his myspace page "I don't want kids" seems to defy logic. Is Palin going to force the young man to marry her daughter? Is Palin going to use the same tactics she used to try and get her ex-brother-in-law fired? What does the young man's family have to say about this? How safe will the baby be in a home where he or she is unwanted?

"From the mouths of babes." Sounds like Rove rhetoric and another desperate attempt to me. Let's bring the teenages to the forefront to fight our battles. McCain would have been better off keeping a close distance from his party! Any intelligent American should be offended by the last few days of Republican tactics. Our young people deserve to learn about a political process that is competitive, fair, and somwhat honest. Guess they'll have to look to another country!

I am glad that Senator McCain's daughter feels empathy for Sarah Palin's pregnant teen daughter.

Would that her father had the same empathy when Senator McCain voted AGAINST funds for pregnant teens.

Don't let the GOP play the pity card.

McCain used poor judgement in not properly vetting this person, and now they are choosing party over country and dragging their families through the mud with them.

The hypocrisy makes my head spin.

Then Why did your dad say ( forgive me Chelsea for bringing this up)

" Why is Chelsea Clinton so ugly? Because her father is Janet Reno."

Good thing you're used to it Meghan.... cause what the Obama campaign does best is attack families...

Unity and Change... but only if you agree with them... what a joke

yawn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Outstanding!!!!!!!

Why doesn't she feel a kinship with Malia Obama, Amy Carter, or Caroline Kennedy?

She only mentioned one Democrat- Chelsea Clinton- in a lame attempt to woo Hillary holdouts-

Some Hillary supporters are going to vote McCain- but they are going to be far outnumbered by Republicans who are fed up with what their party has done to America over the last 8 years. They will also be outnumbered by a volcanic turnout of first-time young and black voters.

"but there is a certain kinship I feel to her as I do other political daughters such as Chelsea Clinton, Jenna and Barbara Bush and Mary Cheney."

In 1998, McCain made a joke during a speech at a Republican fundraiser about President Clinton's daughter, Chelsea, saying: "Why is Chelsea Clinton so ugly? Because her father is Janet Reno."

So Meghan, you're saying you feel a kinship with other political daughters who've been exploited or mocked by your dad?

I feel badly that, knowing the scrutiny Bristol would face, Governor Palin still accepted the vp offer.
Obama/Biden '08

How can you feel the pain if you don't know the family. This is good to try to help but the family lived in Alaska and never thought the people would pick very teeth, muscle and bone from their body. I hope Sarah do the right thing and get out now why the getting is good or she will sink the McCain ship.

"It's a rough go being the son or daughter of a politician. I have not known Bristol Palin very long, but there is a certain kinship I feel to her as I do other political daughters such as Chelsea Clinton, Jenna and Barbara Bush and Mary Cheney. You can't fully understand it unless you have lived it. So I just wanted to let it be known that I support Bristol and the entire Palin family."

---------------------------–

Why did she exclude the current campaign kids, Malia and Sahsa OBama? Does not surprise me that she cant relate to them. not at all.

Interesting she feels no kinship with Malia and Sasha, Obama's two young daughters. The fact that they aren't mentioned, as would at least be polite, shows you just how much right wing kool-aid Meghan McCain has had...

So?

Let me see if I get this right.... Sarah Palin is John McCain's soulmate and now Meghan feels a "kinship" with Bristol....what is going on with the McCains and all this celestial talking.

C'mon CNN... REALLY???

McCain's daughter empathizes with Palin's daughter...

film at eleven...

(really?)