Monday, September 01, 2008

Compare and Contrast

Barack Obama on the prospect of an unplanned teen pregnancy for one of his daughters:

But it should also include -- it should also include other, you know, information about contraception because, look, I've got two daughters. 9 years old and 6 years old. I am going to teach them first of all about values and morals. But if they make a mistake, I don't want them punished with a baby. I don't want them punished with an STD at the age of 16. You know, so it doesn't make sense to not give them information."

Sarah Palin on the reality of an unplanned teen pregnancy:

“We have been blessed with five wonderful children who we love with all our heart and mean everything to us,” the Palins said in the statement. “Our beautiful daughter Bristol came to us with news that as parents we knew would make her grow up faster than we had ever planned. We’re proud of Bristol’s decision to have her baby and even prouder to become grandparents. As Bristol faces the responsibilities of adulthood, she knows she has our unconditional love and support.”

Not ideal circumstances obviously, for any family much less the Governor of a state and the Republican nominee for Vice-President. But bad things happen in families. How you react tells an awful lot about your character. As Katherine Jean Lopez said on National Review:

That the candidate in the family doesn't view her daughter having her baby as a punishment makes all the difference.

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