In the wake of the incredible news that Governor Sarah Palin's daughter, Bristol, is pregnant, I think it would behoove Democrats to protect any moral high ground they may believe they hold by choosing decorous silence. Any other tack would be profoundly detrimental to their cause.After gross and grotesque rumors were passed around by people who should know better -- rumors suggesting that Governor Palin faked a pregnancy to protect her daughter -- it turns out that Bristol Palin is currently great with child. This, in the purest sense, is very good news: a baby is always good news.
And in a political sense it is not dire news either, at least for the McCain-Palin ticket. For that ticket can first exploit the rumor-mill crap that hummed over the last day or so for all it's worth, pointing out how grotesque and brutal folks can be. Furthermore, this makes the Sarah Palin narrative all the more real, current, and familiar: it is a 21st-century story many of us know too well. It is the Camelot of the 2000s.
And what will it do to voters' sentiments when they learn that Sen. McCain knew beforehand that Gov. Palin's daughter was pregnant and asked the governor to run with him nonetheless? (It is being reported that Sen. McCain did know, by the way.)
I do think that Gov. Palin needs to be careful not to neglect her family in all of this, though I am quite cognizant of the fact that this sort of thing happens to countless families: we are, after all, animals that reproduce. Barack Obama may someday have to face the news one of his daughters is pregnant; I doubt anyone thinks he would have to withdraw from his responsibilities because his daughter is in Nature's Way.
Lastly, even if, and maybe even ESPECIALLY IF, Gov. Palin withdraws from the ticket, the Democrats will have to be incredibly careful not to overplay any form of the "can-you-trust-a-commander-in-chief-who'd-choose-a-moral-hypocrite" kind of card. Since so many American families deal with out-of-wedlock pregnancy every day, and because they know the stresses not only parents but teenage girls are under, then Democrats can only hurt themselves if they come across as judgmental, happy, gossipy or relieved. ANY gloating, any putting on airs of moral superiority, or any arguments that begin with "Isn't it ironic..." will prove deadly to Democrats.
So, what I am saying is this: a pregnant daughter of a Republican VP candidate could be a powerful tool to garner the empathy vote.
(Watch for the offsides trap.)
©Bill Gnade 2008/Contratimes. All Rights Reserved.
