Obama: Children are off limits

Posted: Monday, September 01, 2008 2:40 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Sarah Palin

From NBC's Savannah Guthrie
In his media avail, Obama just responded to reporters' questions about the Bristol Palin story. Noting that his mother had him when she was 18 years old, Obama said families are "off limits" in campaigns. He was very impassioned.

"I have said before and I will repeat again, I think people’s families are off limits, and people’s children are especially off limits. This shouldn’t be part of our politics, it has no relevance to governor Palin’s performance as a governor or her potential performance as a vice president. And so I would strongly urge people to back off these kinds of stories," Obama said. "And so I would strongly urge people to back off these kinds of stories. You know, my mother had me when she was 18. And how family deals with issues and teenage children that shouldn’t be the topic of our politics, and I hope that anybody who is supporting me understands that is off limits."

Regarding to the accusation from the McCain camp that rumors of Bristol Palin were being spread by liberal bloggers, some with connections to the Obama campaign, the Illinois senator replied: "I am offended by that statement.Tthere is no evidence at all that any of this involved us. I hope I am as clear as I can be. So in case I am not, let me repeat: We don’t go after people’s families; we don’t get them involved in the politics. It is not appropriate and it is not relevant. Our people were not involved in any way in this and they will not be. And if I ever thought it was somebody in the campaign that was involved in something like that they would be fired."

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Comments

Again Obama takes the high road, proving that he won't play the mud slinging game that the Republicans do. There are so many personal issues that he could attack McCain and Palin on(McCains temper, McCains verbal abuse of his wife, Cindy's drug use, Palin's pregnant unwed daughter) but he hasn't and I respect him for that.

Syliva Pride, Los Angeles, CA (Sent Monday, September 01, 2008 3:13 PM)

Please-all the talk of the McCain camp having the moral highroad. I don't believe Obama has cheated on his wife-can McCain say the same thging...oops he did it at least twice. Welcome back to earth McCain...

Dave L (Sent Monday, September 01, 2008 3:13 PM)

Obama is truly a decent human being. Always taking the high road. We can all learn from that.

Danielle, Ft, Wash., MD (Sent Monday, September 01, 2008 3:13 PM)

John McCain did not make Admiral because he was probably a FAILURE as commander of the largest Navy Air Wing. If You perform well you make Admiral if you fail Performance Inspections you retire or take a lessor command McCain I suspect McCain Failed.

Walt McIntosh (Sent Monday, September 01, 2008 3:13 PM)

P.S.
This once again shows the honorable person Barack
Obama is.

katiec Pekin, IL (Sent Monday, September 01, 2008 3:14 PM)

Oama responded the exact way that I expected him to do. Sarah Palin and John McCain need to figure out why they put themselves 1st instead of Bristol. They should not have put Bristol in the public spotlight like that with wher stomach sticking out and obviously pregnant. Now they are asking the public to do something that they themselve failed to do. John McCain is not new to politics and he knew better but he used Sarah Palin as well as the rest of her party. Republicans hold themselves up as the only righteous people in the world and are the worst political attackers; Hell Carl Rove right now is running around begging for money for attack campaigns. Too late to be self-righteous now. This woman doesn't even hold the same views as McCain on his same issues. I am a single parent and my daughter is a single parent. Big Deal. The issue is that this family's life.... past and present does not match the "so-called" views and lifestyle of the republican proclamation. But ofcourse.... it's ok for us republicans but not ok for the rest of the world. McCain is willing to sell this country out by putting this woman in office knowing she does not have the ability to lead this country. He didn't even bother to vet her. Maybe he shold just get out the phone book and start calling people at random asking them if they want to be his vice-president. This is just sick and awful.

I'm Republican and Telling it like it is.

joan (Sent Monday, September 01, 2008 3:14 PM)

Yes, the children of those politicans running should be off limits.

BUT the candidates are certainly not off limits. McCain's choice of Palin was reckless, impulsive, and petulant (he couldn't get his choice of Lieberman!).

In a single day there is all this new information about Palin (flip-flop on Bridge to Nowhere; unmarried daughter's pregnancy; husband's past DUI; using Governor's office to get employee fired; Alaska gas-pipe contract questions; total lack of foreign policy experience, unqualified to take over the Presidency of the United States of America if need be!).

It IS McCain's leadership and his judgment that are the point of all this Palin news!

How can McCain's campaign say, "Country First" when he himself is demonstrating that what matters most to him is, "Winning First"!

J Gordon, Princeton, NJ (Sent Monday, September 01, 2008 3:14 PM)

This is why I like this guy. I expected no less.

Angie in Ky (Sent Monday, September 01, 2008 3:15 PM)

Really people, you have to stop with the stories about Palin's incompetence as a mother. It will just sound like piling on. I like to think that those of us who support Senator Obama are better than this. Leave the gutter politics to the Karl Roves of the world. This election is just too important.

But, Donna, you would be first to attack if the situation were reversed and it was the Democratic ticket in this mess. You are the ultimate hypocrite.

sotiredofignorance (Sent Monday, September 01, 2008 3:15 PM)

Maybe the parents should spend some more time raising their kids, and less on their careers. The religious groups preach, but they do not do the walk. This is a reflection of bad parenting.

Dave, Apples, Phila, PA (Sent Monday, September 01, 2008 3:15 PM)

Sorry Obama. This is a story. Is it really possible this Down's baby is really not Sarah's??? But her 17 year old daughter' second???? I know it sounds crazy but I am beginning to wonder?????check out the andrew sullivan website about it....

michaelinphilly (Sent Monday, September 01, 2008 3:15 PM)

Perhaps Ms. Palin should get her own family in order before she attempts to help get this country back in order.
As an older woman who was raised to believe in family values first, she doesn't sit well.
McCain just lost my vote.

Bridget, Lake Geneva, WI (Sent Monday, September 01, 2008 3:16 PM)

Way to drag your own daughter out in front of a bus, Palin.

Great judgment. Great parenting. Great way to put your own ambition in front of your family.

And now, you want to lead 300 million of us?

A true champion for the conservative movement. What a mess.

Kay, NYC (Sent Monday, September 01, 2008 3:16 PM)

When one who touts abstinence as a method of birth control has first hand experience with it's failure, then it's time to sit back and reexamine the stance. And the fact that this teenager is marrying the father troubles me. It's the 21st century, no one 'Has to' get married anymore. Unless that was her parents' idea of a punishment for her actions...

KO, So CA (Sent Monday, September 01, 2008 3:16 PM)

Chuck from CA,
Bush, Cheney, McCain, none of them are getting anything but criticism from being in the hurricane zone. We are not stupid enough to believe that they care. We see right through it. I'm from the south and have been here all of my life. Katrina sealed the deal for us here.
Let me tell you something. It looks good on tv, but take it from me (My finace is a first responder is Shreveport, LA). They shipped the people out of the hurricane zone, but they didn't coordinate very well with the places where they dropped them off. The fire departments, police departments etc. that are receiving in the evacuees are having a hard time. Elderly people are showing up dead on busses.
Don't believe the media hype. It's better this time, but still a long way to go.
People please don't forget Katrina. The Republicans are only in the hurricane zone to serve their own agenda. Photo opts and to fool those of you that don't live here.
Democrats are not brain dead. They are smart enough not to fall for the Republicans trying to pass themselves off as caring for everyday people.
We are not fooled.

VW, Montgomery, AL (Sent Monday, September 01, 2008 3:17 PM)

If God wanted teenagers to not have babies, he wouldn't have made them horny, lacking judgment, and fertile. So what if abstinence-only doesn't work; stop fighting the culture of life. Mary had Jesus when she was only 14. What more important thing are young girls supposed to be doing than having babies? Congratulations to Gov. Palin for raising her children with proper Christian values.

God Fearing, Berkeley, CA (Sent Monday, September 01, 2008 3:18 PM)

Please, everyone take a moment to remember what the always sleazy John McCain had to say about Chelsea Clinton when she was a child. I can't bring myself to repeat it- research it yourself. Sexist, misogynistic and homophobic all at once- the
values' trifecta. All those Republicans bristling that someone MIGHT say something uncharitable about this situation should look inside their candidate. ANd a mirror.

Lisa- St Petersburg Fl (Sent Monday, September 01, 2008 3:18 PM)

Great response Senator Obama, goes to show the 'mettle' of the man. Consistent with his earlier stance to keep families and especially children out of the campaign fight. A man America and the world can depend on, no compromise for cheap political gains.

JonneyRep

John Rep (Sent Monday, September 01, 2008 3:19 PM)

This family is always a heartbeat away from pregnancy. First it was the mom and now it is the teenage daughter. Expect a lot of diapers in the oval office.

Ike, los angeles,ca (Sent Monday, September 01, 2008 3:19 PM)

This is the REPUBS at there best with the Bait and Switch. Don't forget Harriet Miers - The Supreme Court pick and how that turned out. They brought in someone totally unqualified, then presented someone else and said see he's got to be better than her. Let's see who McSwitch Pulls out of his hat once Gov. Palin Steps aside.

VOTE SMART -

Notfooled, VA (Sent Monday, September 01, 2008 3:20 PM)

Notfooled, VA (Sent Monday, September 01, 2008 3:21 PM)

Good for Obama. I was gonna vote for McCain, but this statement changed my mind. It's time we got a little class and dignity back into the Oval Office.

zorba (Sent Monday, September 01, 2008 3:22 PM)

If the shoe wash on the other foot the Republicans would be all over us. Obama is a good man!

Carl (Sent Monday, September 01, 2008 3:22 PM)

Palin and McCain are both scarry! What is he thinking about? Who is she? The differecne between Obama and Palin is that he was nominated by over 18 million votes. That means that over 18 million people thought that he was qualified to be President. The one person who picked her is having second thoughts about her being VP. This shows that McCain has horrible judgement! Please don't vote for this dude.

Cole, Houston, Texas (Sent Monday, September 01, 2008 3:24 PM)

Yes, Obama is right; the children of those politicans running should be off limits.

BUT the candidates are certainly not off limits. McCain's choice of Palin was reckless, impulsive, and petulant (he couldn't get his choice of Lieberman!).

In a single day there is all this new information about Palin (flip-flop on Bridge to Nowhere; unmarried daughter's pregnancy; husband's past DUI; using Governor's office to get employee fired; Alaska gas-pipe contract questions; total lack of foreign policy experience, unqualified to take over the Presidency of the United States of America if need be!).

It IS McCain's leadership and his judgment that are the point of all this Palin news!

How can McCain's campaign say, "Country First" when he himself is demonstrating that what matters most to him is, "Winning First"!

PLEASE POST! Thank you.

J Gordon, Princeton, NJ (Sent Monday, September 01, 2008 3:24 PM)

SO, IS NOW OBAMA'S FAULT! ARE THOSE IDOITS THAT RUN MAcCAIN'S CAMPAIGN GOT NO SHAME?

AnAMERICAN IN LONDON UK (Sent Monday, September 01, 2008 3:24 PM)

Our prayers are with the Palin family and every family making tough and personal decisions today.

What ever happened to the money Congress sent to Alaska for their bridge to nowhere? It is Gov. Sarah Palin’s professional record of reforming her hometown and a corrupt state government smaller than that of the city of Chicago (population 2,833,321; AK 683,478) that would make her unqualified to serve as VP or President of the United States of America. Sen. Biden and Sen. McCain both have had the experience of working for needed reform of Washington D.C.

Sen. Obama has the experience of working for reform at the local, state and national levels with large diverse groups that held competing interests at each level. As opposed to a political career spent inside the beltway. Among the four, this alone makes Sen. Obama uniquely qualified to serve as President of the United States of America and lead us into the 21st Century.

God Bless America!!

Martin sibs, AL (Sent Monday, September 01, 2008 3:25 PM)

I can't stop thinking about the picture i saw when Sarah Palin was introduced to the public as MCCain VP. I noticed the 17 year old daughter was holding and caressing the child like a mother would do. I can't understand that if this is a special needs child, why in the devil wasn't the Todd Palin the father holding the child. It just looked odd to me. Sarah Palin was speaking and Todd Palin was sitting there not even near the baby. But the teenager was responding to the baby as if it was hers. I keep going back to that seen, looking at the family and not at Sarah Palin. Notice the entire family expression. It was not one of joy, but of one as, what has she gotten us into now. Even her mother-in-law couldn't come up with a strong support message regarding her experience. I pray that anything hidden will be uncovered. We need truth to prevail in our country. MAY GOD BLESS AMERICA

ann morgan,Jamestown, nc (Sent Monday, September 01, 2008 3:25 PM)

Do we really know that this fifth child has Downs Syndrome? Or do we know it only because Gov. Palin told us so? Someone should dig up the doctors -- then we'll find out once and for all who the mother is, too.

Steve in Las Vegas (Sent Monday, September 01, 2008 3:25 PM)

Unbelievable. I am truely sorry for Bristol. Private matters should be private until lie abut them and your Mother runs for elected office and uses the story as a prop.

If Trig is the Governor's child, then how can she explain why she flew 9 hours from Texas through Seatle to Alaska and then drove to the hospital in her town and not the hospital closest to the airport after her water broke. Nobody on the plane noticed her discomfort. Come on.

Is this Bristol's second child? She looked pregnant in pictures from earlier this year while the Governor showed no sign of being 6 months pregnant. Explain why Bristol missed 5 months of school becasue she was "sick".

Just do not lie.

If this was only a story about a teen pregnancy, I would agree that it should be off limits. But it is a lie.

The mainstream media (including MSNBC) has an obligation to determine if this is a lie or not. If it is not a lie, set the record straight quickly.

Tom from Virginia (Sent Monday, September 01, 2008 3:25 PM)

5 Children
1 with special needs
1 Pregnant
When the hell is she going to find time to help run this country?

At least tell me she stayed at a holiday Inn Express last night.

Knine (Sent Monday, September 01, 2008 3:25 PM)

I'm in total agreement with Obama- he has shown that is above the political fray the least I could say about McCain. McCain choice of picking Palin for VP shows lack of judgement.

Carmelo, Shrewsbury, NJ (Sent Monday, September 01, 2008 3:25 PM)

Can someone clear this up for me? I read that one of Palin's children is actually her daughter's first child and that Palin is trying to cover it up. She was just picked VP last Friday and there's already all this controversy surrounding her. I'm sure there's more that's bound to come out. Perhaps and affair her husband had and maybe even a lovechild. Who wants all that in the White House when our economy is crumbling? This just shows McCain's lack of judgment and the Reps desperation.

Haasn, Torrance (Sent Monday, September 01, 2008 3:26 PM)

Bristol Palin is not the type of role model American girls need. Apparently, Sarah Perlin can't do it all; Run a state and run her family at the same time. Now she want's to elevate her job responsibilities at the same time she's just given birth to a baby with Down sydrome. A good mother would have said, "thanks but no thanks," and tended to all her family members who need her influence.

johnnyrogers (Sent Monday, September 01, 2008 3:26 PM)

Women of America, allow McCain's pick of Gov. Palin to display as a mochery of your beliefs and struggles; not support of your rights, ability and validity to acquire any position at any level. As a man, I find it insulting to the hard working women in my life.

Al, North Carolina (Sent Monday, September 01, 2008 3:27 PM)

Obama is a solid candidate and he has proven himself. McCain is still trying to trash Obama for no reason. McCain is undeniably deceitful and ruthless. It's time McCain take responsibility for his own failures.
Grow up McCain!

deb (Sent Monday, September 01, 2008 3:27 PM)

There is a huge difference between Biden and Palin. When Joe Biden's wife and son were killed in a car accident and his other 2 sons were injured, he told the Senate he could not serve, that his state could find another Senator, but his children could not find another father. Several influential senators flew to his side and convinced him to serve so he took the train home each night to be with his children who recovered. Palin's special needs child will ALWAYS have special needs and her pregnant daughter will need her support. One of Bristol's parents needs to make more time for her or at least teach her about birth control.

California Jayne (Sent Monday, September 01, 2008 3:28 PM)

Conservative (I can't believe I'm agreeing with someone with that title) nailed it. To hurl a 17 year old girl facing this type of challenge into the middle of what will become, right or wrong, a national debate is not terrific judgement. She must be thinking "Gee. Thanks, Mom".

Cindy Kansas City (Sent Monday, September 01, 2008 3:28 PM)

I can only imagine how horrible it is to be 17 years old, pregnant, and being called a “harlot” or “a sinner that Christ forgives.” I respect the choices that Bristol and the Palin family are making regarding the baby; however, I question the judgment of someone who would choose to put their 17 year child under such public scrutiny and criticism (justified or not)in order to advance themselves politically and to follow some idealistic concept of the “greater good.” I have 5 kids, too — all daughters — and never, ever would I purposely subject them to what Bristol now has to undergo. Just makes me wonder about Sarah Palin’s judgement….but I agree 100% that Bristol should not be the one under scrutiny and attack.

Lisa R., Fort Lauderdale, FL (Sent Monday, September 01, 2008 3:28 PM)

Palin puts the crown of morality on her head and leads by example. Bravo McCain for your judgement and throwing the GOP chances into the gutter.

I am a male, about Palin's age, and have sacrificed so much of my career and family income to raise my kids. Don't need some bimbo to lecture me about morality and family values. McCain you lost me once and for all.

Ike, Los angeles,Ca (Sent Monday, September 01, 2008 3:28 PM)

Children are off limits? Then why did Obama parade his kids all over Access Hollywood and make them talk to the reporters?

Ashley, UT (Sent Monday, September 01, 2008 3:29 PM)

The comment has been brought up as to why Obama is not running around a hurricane zone. he is choosing to stay out of the way of the officials who have there hands full with enough problems right know.

Mccain was "invited" by a Rep gov to visit.
Does he have any official function to perform why he is there or is this just political grandstanding?

I will respectfully let the community make their own decisions on this one.

Independent, PA (Sent Monday, September 01, 2008 3:30 PM)

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