I just had a nightmare vision -- this election season has me continually scribbling a fictionalized screenplay in my head -- of a plot to woo that handsome guy away from Bristol Palin.
Here's the picture of the young man who suddenly has the whole world looking at him:
How is an 18-year-old guy supposed to handle all of this? He could be the main character in one of the ten romans à clef that could be written about this vividly populated election season.
New York Magazine has a piece titled "We’re Sorry, But Palin Baby Daddy Levi Johnston Is Sex on Skates." Doesn't that sound like an open call to female Obama supporters?
Note the caption at that last link.
Funny. But shameless. But he's 18. So... "fair game," right?
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"Levi Johnston, the kid who knocked up Bristol Palin and will now be forced to marry her, will attend the RNC tonight."
Please, do keep up this line of attack.
So hot. Omg.
Anybody else notice that the self-proclaimed party of peace and love are acting like a pack of rabid dogs?
The veneer is wearing pretty thin.
Is Gawker "the self-proclaimed party of peace and love"? I thought it was a tabloid website.
18? Who cares about that. Barney Frank is out there saying that even Bristol is fair game.
"So hot. Omg."
Hmmm. So the gay male Obama fans can formulate a plot too. All the better to damage McCain.
Somebody better be watching over poor Levi.
Anybody else notice that the self-proclaimed party of peace and love are acting like a pack of rabid dogs?
I noticed it 28 years ago when Reagan (Peace be upon his name) was elected.
I don't get the attraction. I'll ask my daughter if Levi is hot.
"Somebody better be watching over poor Levi."
I'd vote for Obama just to get a chance at poor Levi.
Hasn't Obama gone on record encouraging men to be fathers to their children? Seems the Dems should be celebrating Levi's willingness to man up and do the right thing.
But then their definition of "the right thing" is to kill the unborn.....
Sigh.
For the love of beans, Ann, ignore the story if you don't think people should talk about it!!
Obama says "leave families out of it," and I think that's a rule we should follow. (And her family should follow!)
I'd rather talk about Sarah Palin behaving like Dick Cheney by trying to torpedo an investigation of her, unless her cronies run it (and whitewash the results).
McCAIN-PALIN: MORE OF THE SAME. OR WORSE.
If he's old enough to make a baby, he's old enough to be scrutinized by the whole country.
"But then their definition of "the right thing" is to kill the unborn....."
Really? I've never heard Democrats say that. Post a link of someone saying that.
You do know that lying, as you are doing, is immoral?
If this kind of treatment of a person's family is not despicable, then what is?
As a conservative, I have no problem proclaiming my disdain for extremists such as Ann Coulter or Michael Savage.
Where is the Democrat outrage over the treatment of this family?
Madison -- Here is what I have learned: if women say a guy is hot, that guy is hot.
I've always wondered if palladian is male or female. Still not sure...
ST. PAUL -- On a conference call with reporters this morning McCain campaign manager Rick Davis updated tonight's schedule, which he described would be "a little bit more political" than last night's.
The line up with a rough time line (all times central):
7:30 - Meg Whitman
7:50 - Carly Fiorina
8:00 - Michael Steele
8:15 - Mitt Romney
8:30 - Mike Huckabee
9:00 - Rudy Giuliani
9:30 - Sarah Palin
The theme of the evening, said Davis, will be "reform and prosperity," focusing on "harder issues," like trade, the economy, health care and energy issues.
Davis also responded again to questions about Palin, calling the media focus on her family a "frenzy."
"Certainly her record deserves scrutiny," said Davis. "But we need to look at her record." He called some of the questions, based off of Internet rumors, "inappropriate" and asked the media to "start looking at the balance of the their coverage," suggesting that mainstream media is subjecting Palin to tougher scrutiny than the Democratic ticket.
"Everybody can dial it back," said Davis.
And, on edit, if gay men say the guy is hot, the the guy is also hot. I certainly don't mean to call Palladian's judgment into question.
I am wondering how many calls & emails Mike Eaves has received from a certain Law Prof offering recruiting tips.
asked the media to "start looking at the balance of the their coverage," suggesting that mainstream media is subjecting Palin to tougher scrutiny than the Democratic ticket.
"Everybody can dial it back," said Davis.
You think?
So... "fair game," right?
Only for some distorted media bullshit definition of "right".
I have always labored under the belief that Palladian is a gay man. Is that wrong?
All young men are jerks. Give a hot reporter a chance to interview him with the cameras rolling and the McCain campaign is doomed. He should be in Siberia cementing friendly relations with Alaska's nearest neighbor.
The press seem to operate on a principle recently adopted by Obama. It's OK to ask the question, because people are asking. What people? Well, the press.
Sounds a bit like O!'s assertion he's qualified for the Presidency, because he's run for the Presidency.
Taut much?
The last time I checked, a key plank of the Democrat Party is that if a mother doesn't want a baby, or if she makes a mistake and gets pregnant, then she shouldn't be punished with a child and can kill it at will.
These attacks are so mean I'm going to put them on stage for the whole world to see.
Dragging Bristol and Levi to the convention? Trying to make political hay. Yuck.
Feeding frenzy aside, if Bristol's mother wants to declare a right to privacy for her daughter, she shouldn't use her and her boyfriend like a prop to boost her candidacy.
Alpha,
Why do liberals, specifically you, care so much about Palin and her family?
If Obama had picked Newt Gingrich for VP it wouldn't have made a difference to me, I still wouldn't have voted for him.
Do you really feel McCain has a chance to win and Palin may push him over the top?
I'm not saying he's ugly. He looks like just about any non-geeky high school kid in my daughter's school.
Oh, cut the crap, katherine. The media has absolutely no intention whatsoever of honoring a request for privacy. That much should be obvious. It doesn't matter if Bristol and Levi stayed home and you know it. What's the point in acting like you're gonna get privacy when we all know that's not gonna happen?
I'm a man, baby!
"I'm not saying he's ugly. He looks like just about any non-geeky high school kid in my daughter's school."
What's the address of that school?
What, what am I saying?!
If they believed Palin's nomination helped their cause, then they would be gleeful.
They are angry and vile because they know Palin has energized the base in a way no one else could.
I just had to add, I just heard Joy Beher (The View) reactively blathering on that the GOP are hypocrites for making such a stink about Murphy Brown having an illegitimate baby and then being OK with Britol Palin having one. It doesn’t take much in the way of thoughtfulness to become a TV personality, I guess.
Besides the obvious huge distinction that Murphy was a fictional character and Bristol is a real person, and a 17 year old at that, Joy is a million miles from understanding the religious conservative philosophy.
Joy is parroting the world view of the socially left, which has been pretty successful spreading the false notion that any standard of behavior that is restrictive must necessarily flow from hate, or that anyone that subscribes to a social moray that is restrictive of personal behavior must hate anyone that doesn’t follow it. They can’t conceive that any restrictive moral standard could possibly flow from love.
Yet, the religious people I know and respect teach a high standard of personal conduct on an aspirational and general level because they love and want to care for the individual, and keep them out of trouble. But notwithstanding, they are also very forgiving and understanding of the people around then on an individual level, regardless of who they are or what they do.
I guess Joy doesn’t know anyone like that in New York.
Yeah, I'm going to be crude here: I think that guy would have no problem getting trim most anywhere in the United States. Or whatever he is after sexually.
What form of birth control did Chelsea Clinton use when she was 18?
This Palin thing has gotten to the point of past tiresome--Looks like I will be joining trooper york and sitting this one out for a while. Even Volokh has turned into a non-stop all palin all the time sideshow. Continue to scream at each other. See you all after the convention.
Horseface pills?
As a regular viewer of the Maury Show, I'm curious if he'll want a DNA test before the marriage.
Courtesy of Atrios:
Compassionate Conservatism
Palin style.
"ST. PAUL -- Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the Republican vice-presidential nominee who revealed Monday that her 17-year-old daughter is pregnant, earlier this year used her line-item veto to slash funding for a state program benefiting teen mothers in need of a place to live."
Just think about this one for a moment. Palin is rabidly anti-choice, wanting it to be illegal in all cases except when the mother's life is threatened. This is a program which provides housing for teen mothers "in need of a place to live," presumably due to the fact that their parents and sperm donors are somewhat less than supportive. Despite this, these young women choose (that word!) to have their babies. And the program which might give them, and their newborns, a place to live is something Palin cuts the funding for. Maybe they can go live with the bears.
It's funny and telling how conservatives keep trying to pretend that liberals are only criticizing Sarah Palin over her daughter's pregnancy.
That's false and a lie.
Ironically, it is now conservatives who bring it up the most in their huffy manufactured outrage. they need the diversion away from her other more important shortcomings as an ideological/religious extremist.
And, of course, to detract from John McCain's abysmal judgment.
Real things we criticize her for:
- Corrupt abuse of power in using office to attack her brother-in-law.
- Lying about her stance on earmarks, such “bridge to nowhere”, which she supported.
- Not being ready for the job.
- Support for America-hating "Alaska Independence Party."
- Extreme positions such as support for book banning and opposition to common sense reproductive education.
- Opposition to birth control.
- Calls iraq war a mission from God.
- Doesn't know jack about foreign policy at a time when we face great international trials.
- In the pocket of the oil industry.
As a candidate she's laughably bad. Worse than Dan Quayle.
verso, just to be more accurate, you should mention that the funding wasn't eliminated, it was reduced. Not that I agree with the veto -- shouldn't Alaska be awash in money what with oil prices so high? Why this particular cut? -- but accuracy is important.
earlier this year used her line-item veto to slash funding for a state program
Wow, they have line-item veto, that is so cool!
Oh, Verso! The hypocrisy! Remember how Democrat Bill Clinton signed a law that radically transformed welfare programs and in many ways ended them? Remember that?
And remember how grossly unpopular it was?
Alpha -- Then why are you frantic? Shouldn't average Americans see this and vote overwhelmingly for your inexperienced, credential-free, far-left candidate?
I'd think you'd be a lot happier right now, not freaking out.
Lawgiver lies:
"Why do liberals, specifically you, care so much about Palin and her family? "
I don't give a rat's ass about her family any more than any other family. Why do you falsely state that I do?
I agree with Obama we should leave the families out of the political debate and have followed that advice and counseled same, here.
Yet, here you are, lying like a rug about what I care about. Do you know or care that lying is immoral?
Typical conservative.
As a candidate she's laughably bad. Worse than Dan Quayle.
So you think the McCain-Palin ticket has a chance to win?
On his good will trip to Siberia, I would, if Sarah Palin, give him a copy of Heloise and Abelard so that he could contemplate the nature of true love--if you catch my drift.
mcg - There's blood in the water - they're sharks and they're going to go after it. It's what they do. We all know that.
He's fair game, absolutely.
It's amazing what knots you guys twist yourselves in. You'd think Governor Palin went to the pregnant teen shelter and boarded up the door herself, tossing pregnant teens off into the street with her own bare hands. She's tough enough, certainly.
But no. She reduced funding by 20% of the expansion of a Covenant House facility in Anchorage. From $5 mil to $3.9 mil. And this wasn't even close to being the only cut she made. She lopped off another $267 million from the budget that year.
According to their web site, "Covenant House International is the largest privately-funded agency in the Americas providing shelter and other services to homeless, runaway and throwaway youth." Oh, I'm sorry, were you under the impression that this center was only for unwed teen mothers?
Also note that it is a private charitable organization. It gets millions of dollars in funding from its many private donors. But to you liberals, charity is meaningless unless it's the government that's doling it out. And yet, Covenant House Alaska is still soliciting private donations to expand their shelter.
If you really give a shit about this story, Verso, get your ass over to their web site and donate. No. The truth is that you, Atrios, LoafingOaf, Sullivan, and the like are a bunch of pathetic losers who are literally scared shitless your Obamessiah is going to turn into an Obamakakis.
Forced?
That's over the top.
Shame on you Ann.
And I would add - it's not that it's right, but it's the way things work.
Lawgiver lies:
"Why do liberals, specifically you, care so much about Palin and her family? "
Ok, you are right, there is no way I can really "know" what you care about.
Why do you post so much in threads about Palin and/or her family?
Do you think McCain-Palin has a chance to win?
http://www.covenanthouseak.org/
There's the link, folks. If you want to save the Covenant House from the e-e-e-e-e-evil Palin, here's your chance. There's a donate link right on the front page.
I'm sure that if you want to limit your donation to pregnant teen mothers, even though that's only a small fraction of the kids they serve (over half are male! well screw them!), I'm sure they can accomodate.
He's fair game because they're trotting him out on stage tonight. But my definition of "fair game" when it comes to this hockey hunk isn't political!
Seriously, what can anyone say about him? He didn't do anything wrong, he's a horny teenager. It all comes back to Palin and how I disagree with her policies on every level. It all comes back to her lies (being for the bridge to nowhere before she was against to it) and her hypocrisy (accepting those millions in earmarks for her town when she says she's anti-earmarks).
Thanks. Most here would not concede a simple fact.
I post about Palin and public policy, including birth control and contraception, which I think deserve more mention.
I've also posted on the "incongruity" (generous) of Ann Althouse criticizing people talking about Palin's family all the while she roils the waters about Palin's family.
She even posted a chart showing how she got more traffic for talking about Palin's daughter.
People in my family have gotten pregnant at 17 out of wedlock. It ain't easy and I think they need to leave the kids alone. But the GOP keeps bringing it up!!
And I would add - it's not that it's right, but it's the way things work.
Katherine, I agree. But that really renders disingenuous your argument that the Palins are acting inconsistent with an expectation of privacy. They don't have such an expectation.
Ramesh Ponnuru, of National Review:
"Of course Palin has been the victim of some sexism. But the notion that concerns about whether she has enough experience are sexist is ridiculous."
Gulp. We agree!
Too funny William.
Obamessiah is going to turn into an Obamakakis
mcg - that's priceless. The left is terrified that a hockey mom from Alaska is going to take the anointed one and send him back to Illinois (where we really don't want him)
verso, just to be more accurate, you should mention that the funding wasn't eliminated, it was reduced.
To be completely accurate, you should mention that the funding wasn't reduced at all, just raised less than some would have liked ($3.9M vs $5M).
By the way, there's never enough in any budget to give everyone everything they want. Alaska's no different than anyplace else in that regard.
If you really give a shit about this story, Verso, get your ass over to their web site and donate.
Maybe mcg can start us out or offer to match Verso.
Wait a second, the Palins don't want attention, except when they do.
Do I have that straight?
Peter -- The issue is the double-standard. Why is it that Chelsea Clinton was off-limits but the Bush twins were not when one of them -- gasp!!!! -- used a fake ID? Why is Palin's daughter a big deal but John Edwards's illegitimate child and affair is not?
I say, bring it on. Let's air it out. But when Big Media is clearly and on the record protecting Democrats but actively trashing Republicans, it is unfair. I know you understand this.
"'There Goes My Life', a modern country song, focuses on the reaction of the father, who rhetorically asks, 'I'm just a kid myself; how am I going to raise one?' As the daughter grows up, his attitude changes, and the song ends with his tearful farewell as she leaves for college. Due to its implied pro-life message, 'There Goes My Life' was sung at the inauguration of George W. Bush in 2005'."
Really?! I'm the last to know. Country music cracks me up.
Is it true that Loretta Lynn was a grandmother by the time she was 29?
Wikipedia has a page on the subject of teen pregnancy (alas, noone has yet added Bristol Palin to its list of famous teenage parents). I'm pretty sure the encyclopedia set my grandma gave me when I was a kid had no such entry.
It all comes back to her lies (being for the bridge to nowhere before she was against to it) and her hypocrisy (accepting those millions in earmarks for her town when she says she's anti-earmarks).
So can we assume you feel the same way about Obama when he lied about Rev. Wright/Ayers/ Rezko (these aren't the people I knew) or was against public financing before he was before it.
Or because you agree with his far left policies Obama's hypocrisy is irrelevant?
Alpha,
Ha, I've been around long enough to remember when Alhouse was a feminist.
Just looked it up. If you want to donate to "Passage House", which helps teen mothers, I'm sure you can limit your donation to that program.
In FY07, 12 women were served by that program, and 12 babies were born.
Now, look, that's fantastic. Every single one of those 24 lives is precious. And so are the other 3,141 youths they served that year.
Operating budget for FY07? $3.5 million. Remember, that's operating expenses (including about $300K for fundraising), not the expansion capital that Alaska's budget contributed to. But it is an important perspective that even after the cut, Alaska contributed more money than their entire budget that year.
But you know, it doesn't matter if the vast, vast majority of youths served in Covenant House are not pregnant mothers. It doesn't matter that the Alaska outlay wasn't eliminated, only reduced. It doesn't matter that the outlay remained larger than their FY budget. it doesn't matter that the total project costs are $22 million, of which the original requested state contribution was less than 25%.
It doesn't matter, because it's vitally important to the left that Palin be painted as an evil woman who hates any babies that don't come out of her womb or those of her teenage daughter.
While I have no problem with the young engaged couple, I do wonder why Mrs. Palin decided to subject her children to media scrutiny. Why did she tell the world on Monday morning that her daughter was five months pregnant? I surely did not need to know that. It is no one's business but the families'. What is the point of trotting out the future bridegroom on national TV? It serves only to publicize her personal life for political gain.
Ask yourself, why had Sarah Palin take her five months' pregnant daughter on a corporate jet from Anchorage to Dayton Ohio, to stand on a stage in front of the world's news media? She always had the option of keeping her children out of the public eye. I could not tell you who Dick Cheney's kids are, or John Kerry's or Al Gore's. She is using her family to help her get elected.
MadisonMan said:verso, just to be more accurate....
MM, are you kidding? Other than you, Beth and Eli, the rest of the liberals on here are about as accurate as Ray Charles with a sniper rifle and as honest as OJ Simpson.
Hmm. Thanks to a typographical error I have suggested that her daughter has multiple wombs. That could be used by some to explain how Bristol could have given birth to Trig and gotten pregnant again so fast. I'll be on watch for that story to pop up.
I don't mind Beth. Used to, but I have come to understand that you can be a leftist and simply be wrong. Only the shrill leftists who want to play gotcha bother me any more. And the righties who want civil war.
Wait a second, the Palins don't want attention, except when they do.
Do I have that straight?
Yes. Yes, you do.
Gawker puts it: Levi Johnston, the kid who knocked up Bristol Palin and will now be forced to marry her, will attend the RNC tonight.
You want to know how Bissage puts it?
God Bless Levi Johnston and Bristol Palin!!!
GOD BLESS THEM!!!
Back when we were their age, Mrs. Bissage could shoot a ping pong ball fifteen feet and I could punch a hole through a cookie sheet!
Ah, the memories.
So many happy, happy memories.
They just showed on TV McCain getting off the plane, being greeted by the entire Palin family-- including Levi-- and all of McCain's kids.
Looks like they shaved Levi. He looked, frankly, a bit intimidated.
I'm not surprised. This ain't no hockey game.
Ann: "How is an 18-year-old guy supposed to handle all of this?"
Well, let's start with a time machine, a rubber and a brain.
That should do it.
Amish neck beards on hockey players: sexy or not?
The difference in body language between he and Bristol was striking. She holds herself a lot like her mom does, exuding confidence and ease. He seemed awkward, the way my son seems awkward at times.
May folks like Garry Wills be concerned over his psyche.
It's kind of funny to see liberals hyperventilating over Palin's executive decision on Covenant House. I thought this chick was completely inexperienced? Agree or disagree on what the "right" amount of funding is, the buck stopped with her and she made a decision. When has Obama ever made a decision that affected anything except his own political fortunes?
Also, please understand that part of any gov't budget process is people asking for more money than they need in the expectation that it'll get reduced anyway. This is truly a non-story.
This is fun...I can hardly wait the next "scandal".
I admit to a bit of hyperventilating in response. But damn, the audacity here is stunning. What you can learn with 5 minutes of poking around is tremendous, and it proves these bastards are lazy, dishonest, or both.
former law student said:
"I could not tell you who Dick Cheney's kids are, or John Kerry's or Al Gore's."
Is that really true fls. Wasn't there a big ta-do about Dick Cheney's daughter being gay and Kerry's daughter wearing a see through dress and Gore's daughter writing a book or did I imagine all of that?
Can't we go back to the trilling days of yesteryear where only thing we talked about was when Margaret Truman went on American Idol.....
Hoosier Daddy,
Are you implying that if Palin lies (bridge to nowhere/earmarks), we should ignore it, if you feel Obama lied about things, too?
*Although your examples relating to Wright, Ayers or even Rezko make little sense. I don't remember Obama lying about being a member of Wright's church, knowing Ayers or even having dealings with Rezko.
Here's a link to an extensive interview relating to Rezko:
http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/124171,CST-NWS-obama05.article
They don't have an expectation of privacy?
I'm not following.
Alpha linked: But the GOP keeps bringing it up
Told you guys yesterday- keep it on vetted-gate.
THANK YOU!
Indeed, Michael. Let's talk about that bridge. Let's also talk about the radicalism in Obama's church; the close, continuous, and ongoing relationship between unrepentant terrorist Bill Ayers and Obama; or Obama's cozy dealings with the felon Rezko.
Maguro said..."It's kind of funny to see liberals hyperventilating..."
Where do you see this "hyperventilation?"
Google Covenant House and Sarah Palin and there are no huge explosions of news and certainly no massive "hyperventilation" via liberals or anybody for that matter.
They don't have an expectation of privacy? I'm not following.
They don't. They can ask about it, they can claim the press ought to give it to them, but as you and I have agreed, it won't be given them no matter what.
seven,
If you think the Wright, Ayers, Rezko situations haven't been reported on and beaten half to death over the past 2 years you're dreaming. (And they'll surface again and again the closer we get to the election.) You can find 1,000's of articles offering plenty of alternative opinions relating to Wright, Ayers, Rezko,etc.
As for Palin, I could care less about her kid being pregnant, Covenant House, the bridge or almost anything she's done or been associated with in the past.
My primary concern is that I do not think she is qualified to serve as V.P. and certainly qualified to step in as President if McCain croaks.
And yeah, I know what you're going to say: Obama isn't qualified either.
Well, he's been vetted one hell of a lot more than Sarah Palin and I think at this stage it's too late to be using that as the crux of your argument. Americans have a pretty good idea of who Obama and Biden are and every poll reveals just that.
If McCain can abandon the "lack of experience" strategy, it's about time all of the Republicans follow suit.
Right now America has so many huge problems to deal with I don't think bridges to nowhere or even what church someone attended is that important.
CORRECTION: There was a typo in my 12:02 comment.
Give Mrs. Bissage a three-star 40mm bad boy (the orange ones were her favorite) and she could knock over a champagne flute at 25 feet!
Sounded just like one of those paint ball guns
SPLOOOT!!!
Michael, the attempt to paint the Covenant House capital funding reduction as some sort of hypocritical slap in the face against teenage pregnancies (all 12 of them) qualifies as hyperventilating.
But you actually sound more reasonable than such folks.
Oh God! Coherence from another shrill leftist. Michael this time. See, Althouse? See what you can do for people?
Your points are well taken, Michael. The only problem is that I don't see serious issues being argued from your side. I see unserious promises, celebrity rhetoric, and too much hyperventilating about scandals that simply are not scandalous.
Like Bissage, I wish to extend my blessing and good wishes to this young couple.
Seven, the selective attention of the media is another topic. Even if I concede it, it has no bearing on this question of putting Eli in the spotlight.
We have a public mom who has asked that the privacy of her teenage daughter and her fiance be respected. Yep, I'm on board with that. So why drag the young man to St. Paul?
I'm not looking for ammo to bring Palin down. I'm just asking how it makes sense to put him into this sort of situation.
Some people have blamed the Kos rumors for forcing the Palins to make the Monday announcement. The National Enquirer wants to take credit for forcing the Monday announcement.
Word on the Alaskan street was that this news was common knowledge in the Wasilla area. So how was it not going to leak?
Did the Palin family really think that they could keep Bristol's pregnancy secret for any length of time?
I think they were in a tough spot. Perhaps it would have been best to leak the story in advance of the announcement of Palin's selection.
Once Palin's selection was announced, I don't know what they could have done that would have made this easier on the young people involved.
Over at the Corner, that rabid den of liberalism, Jay Nordlinger thinks the news should have been released the first day. "Why? Because the dribbling out of the news a few days later . . . makes the ticket look somehow sneaky. Deceptive."
That's Nordlinger's analysis, not mine.
Byron York says:
"Perhaps I'm focusing on an irrelevant issue, but the presence, or non-presence, of [Levi] Johnston on the stage tonight strikes me as important. It's one thing for delegates to be understanding and compassionate about the fix these two teenagers have gotten themselves into. It's another to actually celebrate it. And, given what we've learned in the last few days, if Johnston is up on stage with his girlfriend and the Palin family, and Republicans are wildly cheering, it will certainly look like they are celebrating this situation...
I don't usually engage in these scenarios, but I'll do it here. If the Obamas had a 17 year-old daughter who was unmarried and pregnant by a tough-talking black kid, my guess is if that they all appeared onstage at a Democratic convention and the delegates were cheering wildly, a number of conservatives might be discussing the issue of dysfunctional black families," - Byron York.
Where do you see this "hyperventilation?"
Fair enough, I'll make a correction. Simply cross out "liberals" and replace with "Verso".
[Breathes rapidly into paper bag]
Peter -- I have assumed that McCain knew the news of the pregnancy would leak immediately and considered it a feature, not a bug. It's really the only explanation that makes any sense.
That's all well and good Bissage, but if she can pick up change off the bar without using her hands, well then I will be impressed.
Funny. But shameless. But he's 18. So... "fair game," right?
Barney Frank: Sarah Palin’s family life is fair game
BARNEY FRANK!!! Do the liberal Democrats really think it's good politics to have an ugly, out of the closet, Jewish homosexual politician from Massachusetts whose homosexual boyfriend once ran a gay prostitution service out of his apartment as the attack dog against an attractive, conservative, Christian mother of five?
Is that supposed to be a winning confrontation for the Democrats?
I imagine Levi is there to be seen but not heard. Won't happen and it will be a disaster. So let's take bets on who gets the sound bite. I'm betting it will be a sweet pretty thing like Campbell Brown. What say you?
There was a stripper in the Foxy Den who could do that. And make change while she was at it!
That's what you call dexterious!
Bissage,
I saw a similar ping-pong demonstration while stationed in Okinawa these many years ago.
I never knew a ping-pong ball could be expelled from some many different orifices with suck, I mean such devastating force. It was a real eye opener for an 18 year old kid from small town Texas.
Eli Manning can barely complete 50 percent of his passes, let alone pick up change off of a bar with any part of his body.
Hey that's now big deal. Wait to you see the girls from 86th Street go bowling. Now that should be on America's got Talent.
In your screenplay, Ann, it is up to you, and you alone!, to seduce this hot naif, from evil Obama-Fem-Bots, Preserve The Republic, and get Hell-On-Wheels blogging material all at once! Cook up a Tom Clancyesque plot device; have it relate to Wisconsin Football and Historic past Cheese-eating Socialist Governors and their Mystical Plot Devices, (National Treasure meets Wag the Dog meets The Graduate! "Professor Althouse, you're trying to seduce me!") and we party at Lake Como with Clooney all next summer!
I still see Streep as Althouse, with Madonna as Althouse-in-flashback (both Ann Arbor and NYC!).
C'mon. Can't be worse than Lions to Lambs, right?
Seven, how is assuming a leak is going to happen, and "be a feature," be in the best interests of the young couple who are thrust into the spotlight?
Sounds like a crapshoot.
Imagine if the Pawlenty, Romney, Palin, Lieberman buzz included the "well, Palin is about to be a grandma" in the mix. That would not have been a bombshell announcement.
Then when the VP selection was made, McCain could get up and say that while it had no bearing on his decision to select Palin, it is not something that the press should dig into.
I think that would have made things a lot easier on Levi and Bristol.
Of course, the easiest route for them was for Palin to have turned down the offer. I am not suggesting that she should have done that. I am suggesting that she, her husband, and the McCain brain trust might have figured out a way to handle this revelation better.
Terri Garr is Althouse. If not, I boycott.
Peter -- I think that the idea was to have the press hyperventilate over this, as it has, and lower expectations. We'll soon see how it plays out.
Seven, Teri Garr would be great for Althouse, if she weren't as ill as she is! I fear the worst for Teri!
Wow! CNN's Campbell Brown's convict daddy had to do hard-time in the slammer for being a crooked politician! No wonder she hates a corruption fighter like Palin. Fair game indeed.
A healthy Teri Garr, then. Tootsie Teri Garr.
Wow Seven you have been the voice of reason and you go there!
I do know that Eli can pick up the Vince Lombardi trophy off the bar and wave it around without dropping more than 50% of the time. It's kinda difficult because of his ginormus ring that he has as the quarterback of THE WORLD CHAMPION NEW YORK GIANTS.
Who will honor the 1986 and 1990 winners on Thursday when they get the rings on the field.
Did I tell you lately that the Giants won the Super Bowl?
Ah, Trooper. Were you here in the Twin Cities, I'd show you around.
We don't have such clubs in St. Paul. Gotta cross the river into Minneapolis for a demonstration like that.
And I also once thought there was only one way to only smoke a cigar.
Trooper,
NYGs should be 30 to 1 favorites not 15 to 1. This year the boys will start slow and end with(what is it their 7th?) superbowl ring. Sarah Palin will sub for the injured Nick Folk and kick the winning FG as time expires to lead America's Team to its true destiny.
McCain will present Romo with the superbowl MVP trophy and all will be right with the world.
Seven, how is allowing the press to hyperventilate in the young couple's best interest?
Putting politics ahead of this couple, if you ask me.
Boy oh boy. Just who does that Levi kid think he is, showing up in public at the RNC with the mother of his unborn child?
John Edwards? Jesse Jackson? Nah. Those guys would do the right thing - send hush money and sweep it under the carpet.
This just in: The FOX network has announced that they have signed up Bristol and Eli for the next season of Temptation Island.
Peter -- Judo moves are the only thing that has worked for McCain given the current climate in the press. You have to play the hand you have. But that the press would be as high-minded as you are, then all of this would have never happened.
What form of birth control did Chelsea Clinton use when she was 18?
Secret Service Detail?
We have a public mom who has asked that the privacy of her teenage daughter and her fiance be respected. Yep, I'm on board with that. So why drag the young man to St. Paul?
Yes. Please respect my child's privacy. But here she is in my campaign shots. But please respect my child's privacy. Here they are on the podium with me. But please respect my child's privacy. Here they are on the campaign trail (well, that's a prediction). But Please! Respect their privacy!
Eli Manning has a hot wife. They all do. Quarterbacks and NASCAR drivers.
Lawgiver I have to shake my head in disbelief at your silliness. Don't you realize that the Jailboys can't win because they are suffering from the Curse of the Bimbino. As long as Tony is letting the big head do the thinking for the little head he will be too distracted thinking about Jessica Simpson's tits to pay attention on the field.
Keep on underestimating us buddy. How did that work our for you last time?
Madison -- You can't completely destroy someone's privacy and then ask those very same people to continue living privately. That's insane.
Why did she tell the world on Monday morning that her daughter was five months pregnant? I surely did not need to know that. It is no one's business but the families'
Probably to get everyone to STFU about the smear that her own son was really her daughter's and that Sarah was faking her pregnancy.
Plus, now that everyone in the world is focused on vaginas it would be soon apparant that her daughter is pregnant. Might as well let that cat out of the bag now instead of being accused of a coverup with more insane theories.
Sheesh.. She can't win. Don't say anything about a personal and private matter and be smeared. Say something to clear the air and be smeared.
It must be costing the Obama campaign a lot of money to sling these vicious attacks. When is he going to stop and admit they are backfiring?
Levi Johnston is boring. Levi Walking-Bear would have made this story perfect.
Tony Romo's girlfriend is hot, too.
I know that. But Tony can never settle down because Jessica Simpson said she doesn't believe in Romosexual marriage.
"Yes. Please respect my child's privacy. But here she is in my campaign shots. But please respect my child's privacy. Here they are on the podium with me."
Oh come on now. Honestly, don't you think with the wringer we put candidates through, we should allow them to share the few actually pleasant moments with their loved ones without meaning that it is open season on them?
That the Obamas had their kids on stage with Michelle, should that be an excuse for people to start attacking them?
I think the whole idea is terrible. Let the families have their photo ops.
They don’t have expectations that they’ll be left alone? Yes, it does sound silly when you say it out loud. Granted, it seems naive that they would expect that, I was taking taking them at their word. A little bait-and-switch by the McCain/Palin gang and they get to rise above it all. Ok, thanks for the heads up.
MadisonMan, that's no prediction, about the kids joining the campaign trail. It's already happened. Meghan McCain thinks Piper is a natural charmer. Looking at the photos, I'd have to agree.
But I'll let pols bring their families on stage. I don't think that's unfair.
Are you implying that if Palin lies (bridge to nowhere/earmarks), we should ignore it, if you feel Obama lied about things, too?
No simply asking if the same standards are being applied to your preferred candidate which it of course appears it isn't.
Although its probably asking too much, you might want to research a bit more on Palin's 'support' for the bridge and the reasons for her change of heart.
Rather enlightening.
I could only hope that the MSM would spend half the energy questioning Obama's qualifications as a community organizer and 2 year senator with zero track record short of voting present and finding time to write 2 memoirs.
AlphaLiberal said...
Obama says "leave families out of it," and I think that's a rule we should follow. (And her family should follow!)
Bullshit!!!! Obama waited two days to say anything. He approved it and let it run until it started to backfire. THEN, he decided to make himself look innocent. His campaign started the whole thing.
Yes. Please respect my child's privacy. But here she is in my campaign shots. But please respect my child's privacy. Here they are on the podium with me. But please respect my child's privacy. Here they are on the campaign trail (well, that's a prediction). But Please! Respect their privacy!
You mock it, but that is exactly the standard we have held ourselves to---not perfectly, no, but pretty darn well---until now.
So this Native American teenager walks into the Chief's tent and says, "Chief, I have a question."
"What is it, young man?"
"How do the babies in the tribe get their names?"
"Well, it's easy. We have an old tradition. Whenever the baby comes into the world, we name the baby after whatever is happening at that moment. So, for example, your father is named Walking Bear. Your brother is named Soaring Eagle. Does that answer your question, Two Dogs Fucking?"
Host with the Most said...
Where is the Democrat outrage over the treatment of this family?
In order to have that type of outrage you need to have morals, ethics, decency, and humanity. The Democrats possess none of those traits.
How are the Yankees going to rebuild? By offering another thirty five year old a ten year contract? Har Dee Har Har Har.
Hoosier,
When you say; "No simply asking if the same standards are being applied to your preferred candidate which it of course appears it isn't."
Are you actually trying to infer that there haven't been any negative articles, opinions and feedback from 100's of news organizations, blogs and individual voters relating to Obama's dealings with Wright, Ayers and Rezko???
GOOGLE any of the three and this is is how many hits you get.
Obama and Wright = 7,940,000
Obama and Rezko = 536,000
Obama and Ayers = 1,580,000
PVB: "[Obama's] campaign started the whole thing."
Um, link?
I'd rather talk about Sarah Palin behaving like Dick Cheney by trying to torpedo an investigation of her, unless her cronies run it (and whitewash the results).
You mean you would rather have the conflict of interest investigation that is going on now; where everyone has a friendly or professional direct relationship to the guy who got fired?
You do not want an investigation, you want a conviction without any proof. The hate machine of the mighty modern fighting liberals is alive and well.
Levi!
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Republican-National-Convention/ss/events/pl/082708rncgoprepubcon;_ylt=AhXkOf3andEoKyRyD.W9wPVpaP0E#photoViewer=/080903/480/63fc857804d247d48d0a62528f1fe762
Seven, look at your 1:03 again. You can't completely destroy someone's privacy and then ask those very same people to continue living privately. That's insane.
Upthread, you suggest that the McCain campaign expected the press to destroy their privacy, as some sort of Judo move. As you put it, one cannot expect the press to be high-minded.
In other words, let's toss this young couple to the wolves in order to make the wolves look bad.
How is this not putting politics ahead of the young couple's best interests?
------------------------------------
12:41 I have assumed that McCain knew the news of the pregnancy would leak immediately and considered it a feature, not a bug. It's really the only explanation that makes any sense.
12:50 I think that the idea was to have the press hyperventilate over this, as it has, and lower expectations. We'll soon see how it plays out.
1:01 Judo moves are the only thing that has worked for McCain given the current climate in the press. You have to play the hand you have. But that the press would be as high-minded as you are, then all of this would have never happened.
Trev -- Certainly, a claim cannot be true unless you can find a link on the Internets to support it.
Umm, you are an idiot.
Ricpic, we are in a youth movement. That's why they didn't trade for a big time pitcher. We had some injuries to the young pitchers but that will turn around next year. Even Yankee fan's can be patient. Plus the season isn't over yet. There still is hope. Don't despair.
Plus the Yankees don't usually win when there is a Republican President. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
Peter,
"As you put it, one cannot expect the press to be high-minded. "
Why not? Why don't we demand it?
OK, I'll settle for real-world evidence, then. I just was trying to make it easier for Pete to back up a baseless claim. Links to things are usually how it's done around here.
Did you want to help him, Seven?
This pregnancy was not a secret - the whole town knew about it. By surprising the MSM with the pick and letting them flail. McCain ensured they end up looking like the fools they have shown they are. As the factuasl 'details' slowly come out, the MSM only look more ridiculous as it shows how little research they had done on 'all' the possible picks - like none. They should just shut up and let the candidates duke it out on the issues - not going to happen though.
Peter -- This is simple. The McCain camp expected the press to jump all over it. And they did. This does not mean that it isn't wrong to jump all over it. It merely means that McCain expected the press to do something wrong. Had the press treated Palin the way it treated Edwards, McCain would be deprived of an issue.
I appreciate the fact that you collect my posts like this. Really, I do. But there is nothing contradictory there.
Peter Bella @ 1:09 His campaign started the whole thing.
Proof, please.
You know, some of the posters here wouldn't accept that the push-polling smears against John McCain and his 8 or 9 year old adopted daughter were at all connected to the Bush campaign without a high standard of proof.
Fine. Now meet that same standard of proof or stop the accusations.
I've never said that Obama was behind this. In fact, I have said the opposite. You can wade through past comments and see it for yourself, Trev. It will keep you out of trouble for awhile.
That said, your snark just makes you look silly. That's what I pointed out.
I also don't accept the allegation that Bush or Rove were behind these alleged push-polls in South Carolina.
Seven, I'm not collecting your posts. You got a better idea for how to keep a thread straight when there are this many conversations going on at once?
Your hair-splitting makes you look silly, Seven. And attacking me, ostensibly in defense of Peter's ridiculous and evidence-free assertion, makes you look even sillier.
Peter V. Bella said..."In order to have that type of outrage you need to have morals, ethics, decency, and humanity. The Democrats possess none of those traits."
Gee, try not to be objective. Show some spunk, be more certain in your opinions.
Good Lord...
I don't think McCain properly vetted her. The back seat is way too small in a Corvette.
I think he probably Buicked her. Or maybe Lincoln Town carred her. Easier on the back. He is kinda old ya know.
Oh wait, is that sexist?
Sorry. At least I won’t have to worry about the feminist being pissed off at that remark. Hee, hee.
El Presidente said...
What form of birth control did Chelsea Clinton use when she was 18?
This
Trevor, please keep your Peters straight.
That previous comment was tongue in cheek.
I don't think hairsplitting means what you think it means, Trev.
Ewww. That comment was just as bad.
Peter -- You know I have a lot of respect for your opinions. Just a reminder. That is in no way tongue in cheek.
On the other hand, Tomy Rommo vetted Jessica Simpson in training camp last week. That's why his shoulder is so sore.
Tough luck there Lawgiver. It's the Curse of the Bimbino.
Trooper, I will never hear the phrase "properly vetted" without thinking of you.
All young men are jerks. Give a hot reporter a chance to interview him with the cameras rolling and the McCain campaign is doomed.
Sorry if I stereotype but lets hope he can produce more than just a grunt.
Peter,
If this comes across as hectoring, I apologize in advance as that is not my intent.
Seriously-- why don't we (and by we, I mean serious minded liberals, conservatives, and independents) demand the press to be relatively high-minded?
Anchorage Central High School hockey rules!
Of course "properly vetted" could also refer to when Hillary took Chelsea to the doctor.
She’s fair game now right?
I don’t know all the rules so I hope you guys can help me out.
Chelsea Clinton is not fair game. Of course not. Leave families out of this.
I just followed the link to the photos of Levi & Bristol that mjsharon provided.
Can I pick a little side nit here? Clicking a few photos ahead, I found this caption:
Cindy McCain (C), wife of U.S. Republican presidential candidate John McCain, discusses the placement of a teleprompter next to her children Meghan (L), Jimmy (2nd L), Jack (2nd R) and adopted daughter Bridget (R) during McCain's walkthrough of the podium at the 2008 Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota September 3, 2008. REUTERS/Rick Wilking (UNITED STATES) US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN 2008
Is it necessary for the word "adopted" to be there?
Seven, I think we could have a much more gentlemanly discussion without yahoos chiming in on both sides.
Trevor and I were responding to Peter Bella's two comments in which he asserted that Obama was behind the baby rumors. Neither of us was suggesting that was your opinion.
Enigmaticcore, I think some of us try, but tabloid journalism sells more than sober news.
Are you actually trying to infer that there haven't been any negative articles, opinions and feedback from 100's of news organizations, blogs and individual voters relating to Obama's dealings with Wright, Ayers and Rezko???
I'm inferring nothing of the kind. Please go back to my post (which was not directed at you BTW) and try again. I was asking if Obama's 'lies' fell under the same kind of scrutiny that Zach applies to Palin's 'lies', not the millions of Google hits out there. It was a question directed to an individual not the media in general.
If you wish to jump in on a post directed to another commentor, at least try using more comprehension that you're applying now.
mcg, yes, unfortunately, I think it is, thanks to some bastards who have, according to John McCain, their own little special place in hell.
Trooper. Elk and moose are fair game.
Sorry Seven thanks for the tip. The rules change so fast around here. I can't keep up. I like simple sports like baseball and football. This is like one of those olympic sports where you waterski and then shoot arrows out of your cootch. Didn't I just see that in the Olympics or was that Bissage's home movies?
So peter is she a moose or a elk?
She always kinda looked like an anteater to me.
I love the name anteater.
That's how Rosie O'Donnel conservative neices and nephews refer to her life partner Kelly. I don't think they spell it that way though.
AlphaLiberal said...
It's funny and telling how conservatives keep trying to pretend that liberals are only criticizing Sarah Palin over her daughter's pregnancy.
That's false and a lie.
Do you really want to go there sonny boy?
Obama:
Product of corrupt Chicago Democratic Machine- that alone should disqualify him.
Owned by corrupt State Democratic Machine
Has no qualifications for anything except teaching
Friend and supporter of domestic terrorists
Friend of convicted power broker
Questionable real estate deals
Never met a lobbyist he did not like
Approved vicious smear campaign against Palin
VP pick owned by Delaware Corporations
VP pick got his unqualified son a job at an evil hedge fund
VP pick is deep into pockets of lobbyists and special interest groups
These are just a few of the items that we can criticize Obama for. The list is endless.
"Enigmaticcore, I think some of us try, but tabloid journalism sells more than sober news."
But then we should treat it like tabloid journalism and not sober news. In particular, I am thinking about the NYTimes. Why give it credibility?
hoosier,
My point to you straight forward: YES, the press, voters, and opinion sections of every major news outlets have most definitely put just as much emphasis and outrage and negativity on Obama's situation with each of the parties mentioned.
The hits I posted just reiterate my point that there has been ample coverage, and for you to infer that there may have been coverage, but not as negative as that of Palin is disingenuous to say the least.
We've been reading about Obama for over two years and Palin for about 5 days.
peter,
You're doing it again.
C'mon, try to be less objective.
Show some spunk.
Dust Bunny Queen said...
Why did she tell the world on Monday morning that her daughter was five months pregnant? I surely did not need to know that. It is no one's business but the families'
Probably to get everyone to STFU about the smear that her own son was really her daughter's and that Sarah was faking her pregnancy.
Approved, bought, and paid for by the Obama campaign and supporters.
Palladian said...
"Somebody better be watching over poor Levi."
I'd vote for Obama just to get a chance at poor Levi.
Hee--should you ever get that chance, I'd advise you not to take it, if you want to keep all your teeth.
And since we're judging the guy by his looks, to me he looks like the kind of guy that, if he and a hockey puck took IQ tests, they'd wind up on opposite ends of the stick.
The hits I posted just reiterate my point that there has been ample coverage, and for you to infer that there may have been coverage, but not as negative as that of Palin is disingenuous to say the least.
Ok I'll try this again. I made no such inference. My intial post which you responded to but clearly have failed to comprehend was directed to and asking Zachery Paul Sire, another commenter on Althouse those questions, not whether or not the media, bloggers or man on the moon have discussed Obama's negative aspects thoroughly.
Now you may continue with your disingenuous or simply admit you failed to comprehend my original post. Or simply move on and try to bring your A game next time.
Maybe mcg can start us out or offer to match Verso.
Katherine, that sounds like a fair idea. I'll be happy to match Verso's donation.
It occurs to me that the 1:02 comment of mine is in the wrong thread. I meant to put it in the Chelsea Clinton thread. Apologies for the confusion.
Done.
---
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mcg: Please, stop with the recitation of facts about Covenant House finances. It's way too nuanced.
MM, Seven Machos, Pallidan: He is hot, but Amish neck beards are not particularly sexy, and for God's sake, man, stay away from the school bus.
That's why I like you Madison Man. You can see absurdity when it smacks you in the face.
PS the Packers are really gonna suck this year. Sorry dude.
Please, stop with the recitation of facts about Covenant House finances. It's way too nuanced.
:-) Sorry to overwhelm you. Let's simplfy: Palin bad. Covernant House good. Please donate to counter the merciless reduction in funding Palin imposed on their building project.
Sure the Packers might suck, but Aaron Rogers is Hot!
Well keep him away from the kids!
We don't want another Shawn Kemp on our hands now do we?
Hoosier,
I'll give this one more shot and then I'm finished with it:
This is what I asked you: "Are you implying that if Palin lies (bridge to nowhere/earmarks), we should ignore it, if you feel Obama lied about things, too?"
Your response: "No simply asking if the same standards are being applied to your preferred candidate which it of course appears it isn't."
It's clear as day that you asked if the "same standards are being applied," then add; "which of course appears it "isn't." ("Appears" to who...YOU?)
Then, you come back with this: "I made no such inference."
Of course you did. Your previous quote illustrates that is exactly what you did.
I say Obama has been treated to just as much scrutiny as Palin via the press and bloggers, etc. for more than two years, not just 5 days. (An opinion obviously not shared by you and others.)
Why are you trying to back away from something you yourself said?
Palin bad...got it. Thanks, mcg!
Is it necessary for the word "adopted" to be there?
Considering that McCain had a guy speak last night saying how happy he was that Cindy brought two girls -- including his own daughter -- home from Mother Teresa's orphanage, I think using the word "adopted" is justified. The purpose of the fellow's talk was to show how humanitarian Cindy and John are. If the kid wasn't adopted they get no bonus points.
Probably to get everyone to STFU about the smear that her own son was really her daughter's and that Sarah was faking her pregnancy.
Who planted that smear, and why? It garnered sympathy for Mrs. Palin, and took the edge off Bristol's failure to live up to her parents' ideals.
Cui bono? Or, modernly, follow the money.
I was always taught that you did not dignify a slur with a response, by the way.
Levi and Bristol, 18 and 17 and the whole world is watching.
FLS, if the Republicans actually planted the smear, they deserve to win for sheer balls and the Democrats deserve to lose for being so poorly served by dupes like KOS and Sullivan.
Another 200 of sound and fury.
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