"Besides, how many Democrats would have said, "This is a private family matter" if this happened to one of them?"
It is a private, family matter. The reality, though, is that it is going to come out, sooner or later. Best to do it sooner in a controlled manner. You don't do it by trying to quash a rumor by trotting out your pregnant daughter.
That was stupid. If the McCain campaign was in the loop, someone needs to be fired.
Here is the basic problem. There have been a lot of rumors floating around Alaska over the past year or so. What kicked it off is when Sarah announced she was 7 months pregnant and took everyone by surprise because she wasn't noticeably pregnant. Alaska might have a lot of area, but it is sort of short on people. Like any smallish population, they gossip. When Trig was born, the rumor started that it was really Bristol's kid. This was bolstered by the fact that Bristol abruptly changed schools and went to live with an aunt in Anchorage to go to school there. She then contracted mono and was out 4 or 5 months due to that. During which time her brother was born.
Note, this isn't stuff made up by liberal bloggers, but stuff originating in Alaska itself. So, this stuff isn't new and the Palin's have been dealing with it for a while. Apparently the Palin's decided to deal with the situation by telling reporters that Bristol is 5 months pregnant. That would eliminate the possibility of Trig being her son instead of brother.
But it opens all kinds of cans with worms in them.
If Bristol has a miscarriage in the next few months, this thing will blow up.
Personally, I am inclined to take everyone at their word. And, even if the rumors are true, this is a private, family matter. But, when you look at it through the lens of a political campaign, this could be a hand grenade.
Because, be honest now. What if it was Obama with the pregnant 17 year old daughter? |
