I know that this will probably irritate everyone who is on a Sarah Palin high right now but I watched her speech and I was very uncomfortable when she used her handicapped son to make a play for the votes of the parents of special needs children. So, the kids are off limits...but not if they can be used as a campaign tool? Whether you agree with me or not, it bothered me. Does she have plans for special needs children that she will push for if elected? No, she's just going to be "your friend".
[question posted by spalladino]responses and comments:
I'm with you, it's all or nothing. Either your kids are to be a focus of your campaign, or should be left out entirely! [soooobored]
Oh, I just realized I got best response. Thanks! [soooobored]
As a mother with a child, well actually 2, she didn't play my emotions. I think it's sad. According to most here, as long as the person is campaigning for the person than they aren't off limits, so are the conservatives now going to change their minds, or eat their words? I'm sorry I was having a la la land second, they will say that it wasn't a play. [ZephyrSun]
First of all Obama didn't say to the American people... "To all of the African American parents out there who have fought to make America a better place for you kids. I pledge you to vote me into the White House." Palin didn't reach out to all Americans, she reached out to Americans with special needs kids.... So yes that is using you kids for votes... [Bertman410]
I have also noticed how the children are being used, not only special needs, but that she has a child in the military. And the media kept focusing on the cute little girl holding the baby. I don't know, but it just bothers me. It seems to be using the children either way. [BillClinton]
Yes, Barbietre, that's how I see it as well. [BillClinton]
I believe she does intend to and with Cindy McCain also who has already done so much for disabled children. And Cindy McCain's generosity and love for helping people and especially children in need you can count if they are in office that many will get the attention the deserve. I have to agree with you, however how many things in America would we not have cures for if it wasn't for politicians or celebrities at times having a special interest in a cause due to how something affected them directly? It makes you want to do more when the issue is now affecting you. As far as a campaign tool well both sides have done this... Obama and Biden and McCain and Palin, and in a way it is good to see the family and how they interact and speak of their character. I thought Obama's girls were pretty cute and Biden's little blond haired grandson adorable. [missybal]
First of all, I have a granddaughter with Type 1 diabetes so children's medical issues are very important to me. Please don't think that I don't care about that issue because I do, very deeply and am very active with the JDRF. Having said that, I do not object or question Sarah or Cindy's dedication or interest in special needs children. I think that's great! What I object to is Sarah Palin using her special needs child in order to make a plea for votes from the parents of other special needs children. I do not agree that McCain, Obama or Biden have done this. I have not seen any of the other candidates direct any audience's attention to one family member in particular and make a campaign pledge related to that family member's disability. This is entirely different from letting America get a look at the family and play on the cuteness factor. That's normal and acceptable. [spalladino]
It was important for people to know who Sarah is. She was a virtual unknown until a week ago and she had to share her story. She wasnt using her children as a tool to get votes but introducing you to who she is. Her son has down syndrome and she chose to keep him even after learning of his ailment. This is a powerful message of pro-life. Keep life even thought there are challenges. Her son is going to fight the war. This humanizes her family even more because it showcases that she faces real struggles just as many of our families do. By explaining that she is affected by war too allows her to connect with others who share the same fear when their child is taken to war. She made herself more real tonight by explaining that she is just like us and she did not exploit her children to get votes. [asuniqueasyou]
Yes, asunequeasyou, it is a matter of perception and those who support Palin will continue to refuse to see that this pledge exploited her own child. [spalladino]
Oh please! well if Obama had that baby he would have killed it before it was born! A child with special needs, has SPECIAL needs, there are mothers who have NO support at all raising their special needs children. Just because that is something that is close to her heart doesnt mean she is "USING" her child to get votes! If I had a child who died of cancer would I not support other mothers struggling with the same issues? Yes I would. [2minicoopers]
First of all OBAMA is who said the children are off limits. Don't you think the McCain camp agrees with that or do you think they believe it should be open season on the children? Second, talking about the TEEN pregnancy is an issue that is probably a little embarrassing for the daughter anyways especially how the media has splattered it all over the world for everyone to see. How would you feel if that was you, or your daughter? And third a special needs child is a lot different then a teen pregnancy! I would probably feel the same way the Republicans obviously feel...it's not going to get good press because so many voters are not in favor of unwed, teen pregnancies. I agree, a special needs child IS a lot different then a teem pregnancy. A special needs child pulls on your heartstrings no matter which side of the aisle you're on. Palin knew this which is why she made her pledge to the parents of special needs children instead of saying this: To the families of unwed pregnant teenage daughters all across this country, I have a message: For years, you sought to make America a more welcoming place for your daughters. I pledge to you that if we are elected, you will have a friend and advocate in the White House. Wouldn't have gone over so great, would it? shocked As I've said before, it made me uncomfortable because, IMO, she used her son to pander to a special interest group. Would you be in such agreement as to it's acceptability if Obama were making pledges to black special interest groups? [spalladino]
First of all, it was Obama who came out trying for votes when he emphatically said that kids were off limits - even though there are rumors that it was actually his people that started all the internet gossip saying that Sarah Palin's son was actually the illegitimate child of her daughter. Unfortunately, Obama's little speech about children being off limits hasn't keept the media or many Democrats from continuing to bash Sarah Palin, Bristol Palin and Levi Johnston. If there is any population in this country that needs a friend and advocate in the White House, it is special needs children and their families - and by the way, she did say friend AND advocate. Would you have had a problem with her taking her son and holding him on stage if he were not a special needs child - probably not. Would it still be considered "using" her child as a campaign tool if she were advocating for child care or educational services or other issues that pertain to all children rather than just special needs children? Just as pretty much all other candidates have done in the past, they brought her family onstage - male candidates have done it for decades and it was okay with everyone that they were showing that they were family oriented to get votes. Sarah Palin is a wife, a mother and a working woman - she brings her family onstage and she's using them to get votes. [newtondak]
I guess you and I are going to have to agree to disagree. As I said in my initial post, I didn't expect that folks would agree with me but it bothered me nonetheless. [spalladino]
"I was very uncomfortable when she used her handicapped son to make a play for the votes of the parents of special needs children" I haven't listened to the speech yet. Exactly how did she use her son? [Taskr36]
Ok, Taskr, I went to bed after posting this discussion so I've only just now searched out your initial response and will respond to you here instead of continuing to post under you. Yes, Palin brought her children and some other family members with her...I have no problem with that. She mentioned that her son and a nephew are in the military and gave a little bit of information about their status. She talked about her husband and introduced her parents. Her children and husband joined her onstage after the speech. She didn't mention the pregnant daughter or Downs Syndrome. Nothing wrong with any of that. But... She made a political promise on the back of that little baby: To the families of special-needs children all across this country, I have a message: For years, you sought to make America a more welcoming place for your sons and daughters. I pledge to you that if we are elected, you will have a friend and advocate in the White House. Is she not going to be a friend and advocate for the families of our military? Is she going to be a friend and advocate for the taxpayers who are struggling to make ends meet? Is she going to be a friend and advocate for the elderly...as her parents obviously are? Is she going to be a friend and advocate for pregnant teenagers? No, she chose to single out her handicapped son and to use him as a political ploy in order to gain support from the parents of special needs children. [spalladino]
I was not offended at the bringing up of her special needs son or the son that she has in the military and I do not believe that she was using them as Tools to get votes on McCain's side. Its good to know the little things that are going on in her life, it shows that she can relate with the people that are in the same situation as her. She was talking about them throughout her whole speech, so no she was not using them as a tool for people to vote for McCain. [trisha_nava82]
I agree with you that, for most of the speech, she was just talking about them, letting the public get to know her better, and there is nothing wrong with that but that one line that I've quoted again and again in this thread seemed to me to be pandering to a special group and using her son to do it. [spalladino]
That's exactly what I was wondering when she made that remark that "You'll have an advocate in the White House." As someone who knows people with special needs children and know that while they love them as much as it's possible to love someone and they give 150% every hour and every day because these special kids require much more care and love than a "normal" child, I know these families struggle enormously financially because if you have a decent job and even the best insurance available there are still many services that are necessary for some children to reach their full potential that insurance doesn't cover but costs a fortune. Social services don't pay for them either, even for those with no insurance and very low incomes because they're not considered critical to the child's immediate health and well-being. Unless the McCain Administration has plans to give a great deal more funding to these causes, I think they were just words - you've got a friend - which is nice to think there's someone in the White House, or close to it, who knows what you're going through, that doesn't help pay the bills, does it? Annie [anniepa]
I agree Annie, I's sure you probably remember my middle child has autism, and the cost involved with his medical care is unreal. He use to go to a specialist that charged $249 an office visit (we had to find a ped that felt like they could properly help with his medical care since we have a big deductible) so at the begining of this year when they decided to change his medication that treats his hyperactivity he had to go every two weeks for 12 weeks. We didn't want to but of course the doctor needed to note his progress and the med change also brought a monthly savings of a lot of money, it went from $289 a month to $130 a month. Does Palin have to worry about paying her electric bill because her son's medication and doctor's visits over six hundred a month? lol I think not. I don't need a friend like that. Again, thanks but no thanks. [ZephyrSun]
That is so wrong, trying to have her cake and eat it too! if kids are off limits, then they can not be used against or FOR you. No double standards. That is carppy politics, I thought she was supposed to be above all of that.thumbdown Well apparently NOT [Barbietre]
I believe you should check your facts. [spalladino]
spalladine, for once, I agree with you! You have finally come to the progressive side to embrace the truth! If you just put your faith in Obama, he will not fail you; he will make the best choices for you, and help you to succeed in life! May Obama reign forever! Vote Obama 2008! [thinkfuture]
The point was well made when Barack Obama's wife reintroduced Barack Obama and her self and their two children to the American people,telling their life story,and at the end Mrs:Obama and their two children talked to Barack Obama by speaker phone with him on the screen no one said any thing negative about that,it was so cute,the children telling their daddy they love him and he telling his children he loved them and would see them soon. Governor Sarah Palin gave an excellent speech tonight can't be any questions about that. It was loud and even quiet generators couldn't block the vibe in the room. She addressed every issue that is really facing the American people,and she nailed every one of them right on target. She is known in Alaska as a governor that understands she is the servant of the people,she is for the people that has trusted her with the highest honor of governing the state of Alaska,she has in no way disappointed the people of Alaska. On the record Sarah Palin says if I have done something then hold me accountable for it. I read a post tonight after Sarah Palin's speech that person was more concerned about stem cell research,wolves in Alaska,and abortion then keeping the free country that she/he lives in safe as it has been since September 11,2001. These same people that complain I suppose don't remember Barack Obama said in his speech he wants to lower the abortion rate,so how is that done,let me see maybe it is how Sarah Palin and Bristol Palin are doing it one baby at a time,mothers actually taken responsibility after they get pregnant. I understand pro-choice people don't like governor Palin because she dose not support abortion,the fact is she is a shining example on how lowing the abortion rate actually is done and stop the infant killing rage,she has stepped up to the plate being a personally responsible human beings. and so has her daughter. When her family came up on stage same as the Obama's I did not see parents exploiting their children this is something all canidates do at event such as a convention. Sarah Palin is not an ashamed mother because her child was born with a birth defect instead of having him tossed in to a dirty towel cart after an abortion she took him in to her heart as a very special gift. John and Cindy McCain are the founders of operation smile and for years their foundation has made it possible for children in need of operations all around the world to have them. Cindy and John McCain adopted a five week old black girl that was dieing they got the child the medical care that she had to have in order to live,today their adopted daughter is seventeen years old,the McCain children where all at the RNC last night. Sarah Palin and Cindy McCain are powerful examples to parents that have children with special needs and tonight mother's can trust Governor Palin is their for them,this is truly a very beautiful thing just the comfort of knowing another mother feels their pain. It may bring votes to the McCain/Palin ticket and them voters can take it all the way to the bank John McCain and Sarah Palin speak from their hearts. I hope all the smears and hateful gossip about Sarah Palin going around will now end,Governor Palan has spoke to the American people not about her dreams but the dreams of the American people,our safety and well being first if we don't have that first we will not have to concern our self over wolves in Alaska,stem cell research or even abortion. I think it can be put to rest that John McCain choose a vise president that has no experience that is and always was nothing more then yesterdays trash. [kennyrose]
I don't recall Sarah Palin ever saying that kids were off limits, nor does trying to connect to voters with children who have special needs through your own handicapped child necessarily a bad thing. If anything it indicates that Sarah Palin DOES know what it's like to be in the situation of a parent with special needs children, and, unlike many politicians, can actually relate to their struggle as parents. [Latrivia]
The only politician I know of who actually said that "kids were off limits" was Obama. Like I said, I myself don't recall Sarah Palin saying anything about kids being off limits. The "McCain Camp" is not Sarah Palin. There's also a remarkable difference between attacking a candidate through their children, and a candidate who uses her child as an example that she can and does understand the struggles of a group of people with the same problem. One is intentionally harmful to both the child and the parent, and the other is not. [Latrivia]
Better a friend who understands what it is like to have a disabled child instead of passing laws that make it easier to discriminate against a disabled child for having a disability. That's how they chose to make education "better" for the disabled-to make it easier to kick them out of school. The kids off limits was meant about derogatory remarks not about kids in general. She has a Down Syndrome child. What's she suppose to do put him in a closet somewhere? Never talk about him? Pretend he doesn't exist? Us mothers of disabled children have desperately needed an advocate and voice in Washington. [irishidid]
it really bothers. it is not right to use the handicapped children for purpose of votes. its never acceptable [subha12]
This is a valid critism of Sarah Palin, unlike some of the other critism in the media. I hope Gov. Palin does not continue down this road. [redyellowblackdog]
I hope she doesn't either because eventually the voters will realize that it's not right to use your child like that. I don't know what surprises me more, the fact that she actually sought out special interest voters on the platform of her disabled child or the fact that people are so ga ga over her that they believe it's okay. [spalladino]
I still haven't seen one democrat in here answer this question, though it was asked several times. WERE the Obama's "exploiting" THEIR children when they were brought out on stage at the DNC? There is a HUGE difference in introducing your family to the country and talking about your experiences and difficulties as a parent and out right viciously attacking some one else's children. VAST DIFFERENCE. How someone could now say that because she talked about her children, that they could now be considered fair game is just plain twisted. [xfahctor]
I hope you weren't referring to me because I never said that ANY of them are fair game. I also didn't say anything against either party bringing their families on stage...that's traditional...and usually pretty cute. I also have no objections to introducing your family and talking a little bit about them. Both the McCain and Obama camps objected strongly to the activities brought about by the Daily KOS and the public comments by the media relative to Bristol's pregnancy and I read/heard repeatedly that it was a private family matter that should be left private. I agree. I also heard/read that the children were not part of the campaigns and should not be used as such...that they were off limits. I also agree with that. I'm not going to say whether I'm a Deomcrat, Republican or an Independent but I will answer your question...No, the Obama campaign was not exploiting his children by bringing them on stage just as the McCain campaign was not exploiting Palin's children by bringing them on stage. But THIS falls into the category of pandering for votes from a special interest group: To the families of special-needs children all across this country, I have a message: For years, you sought to make America a more welcoming place for your sons and daughters. I pledge to you that if we are elected, you will have a friend and advocate in the White House. Whether you agree with me or not, as I said in my original post, it made me uncomfortable to see her make an election pledge to a select group of voters based on her son's status as a special-needs child. [spalladino]
I watched her whole speech on television last night. She was not using her kids. If you watched her as she talked about her family it was a proud Mom that was talking about her kids. She is a strong women and isn't afraid to let people know by talking about her kids that she knows what it is like to have a family and be out there working for the betterment of the country side. What you posted did not irritate me at all. I am the kind of person that accepts that each person is going to have their own opinion about how they preceived the speech. It didn't bother me at all that Sarah Palin introduced her family. To me she was just giving a little bit of who she was by doing that. [sunshinelady]
wow that is bad to me......My family has Charcotmarietooth which is the detereation of the muscles, so therefore as a handicapped daughter and one of two of my daughters is handicapped I would never ever push my handicapped daughter off so I could get somewhere in life...thats wrong. If she's gonna be helping kids, she needs to help them all and not only so called "HELP" the ones that are like her son. But still she doesn't need to push him infront of a camera crew to get attention. She should just speak if thats what shes good at. [phisha84]
all i can say palin will be tough if obama win but i hopewhen they got the crown they have to stop black propaganda and start theirselves what they have to do for the people whom they promise they have to serve and help. the people will try whom they think they are good but when the time they dont like it because they do nothing for them they will be firedout "action speaks louder than words" people still got the right to choose whom they think is best [skywolfcel]
I don't feel that she was using her kids to get ahead. That was and is such a small part of what she spoke about. Making mention of her kids (in any compacity), to me, just shows how genuine she is and "REAL". If any of you are mothers, and you put yourself in her place, you would be talking about your family too. It's part of HER and who she is. I believe she wants us all to know that she and her family are no different than any of us. It is apparent that she doesn't put herself or family on a pedistal for everyone to bow down to. When I listened to her speech, I felt like she blended well with the people and is only making mention of her family and having them there at her side during such an important time in her life because they are truly a close family. Not just for the cameras or to be popular. Perhaps anyone seeing these issues as a negative thing could be jealous of her ability to be transparent about her family (flaws and all) in front of millions and STILL hold her head high. [soldierswife68]
Why would seeing a handicapped child make you feel uncomfortable? Is she supposed to hide him in shame? The nominees always proudly show their families off, what's wrong with that? Why was it ok for senator Obama to have his children up front but not Sarah? If she didn't have her children there you people would have something to say about that. Your guy said "children are off limits" why are you making an issue of it? [WhatsHerName]
I didn't have the text of the speech available last night or I would have included it in order to avoid misconceptions like these. Seeing Palin's child did not make me uncomfortable, that's as ridiculous as the question you followed up with. My objection was NOT about the kids being there, or about Palin introducing them, or about her talking about them a little bit. My objection was to this: To the families of special-needs children all across this country, I have a message: For years, you sought to make America a more welcoming place for your sons and daughters. I pledge to you that if we are elected, you will have a friend and advocate in the White House. She used her child's disability to make a play for voters in similar circumstances. I didn't see her making a play for the parents of unwed pregnant teens though. And, by the way, I am not "you people" and Obama is not my "guy". I have not made my decision yet as most people here already know. [spalladino]
I am with you...she drags her pregnant teenage daughter around all over the place too. She is Big on Pro-Life, and so there's her 17 yr. old daughter wih her boyfriend holding hands looking all cute and Prego ..Heck, Jamie Lynn Spears sent her a baby gift (that really speaks well of the situation, doesn't it?). ::sigh:: I'm not loving her already....I think he will regret this choice eventually. It was hasty, in my opinion. [Kashigurl]
In Denmark you have to be 18 years old to vote because they "think" that we are at last smart enough to do it. Well im 16 and i still wanna vote because the one who is in charge now is a idiot. [orochi]
hi I dont understand I guess why this is such a big thing, both sides are using all the ploys as they always have, so why get upset about it? better to treat a special needs child as a real asset not something to be swept under the rug And be ashamed of, this wou ld smack of shame otherwise. I just let both sides go at it, and will vote for the one I think best qualified. I am not going to name my preference as people get into snits over politics and flame one really easy here. [Hatley]
I have a lot of issues with McCain and Palin. I really do. One I see McCain's choice as a way just to get votes. I think he's playing on people because people want to see a successful woman succeed in the White House and I think he's going on the fact that he's conservative and anytime he says terrorist or whatever the ignorant population cheers because of all the propaganda that is being used to keep people on their side because of the war. Secondly, I feel like she's using her family as a means to help secure the vote as well. First she's going on about her daughter's pregnancy and how 'she's going to marry the boy that did it' which is playing off a lot of the conservative views that some people still have on that sort of thing. Then, she's using her special needs son as another way to get people that have special needs children themselves interested in her because they'll feel like because she has a special needs son, she'll be interested in helping their families. It's all annoying really. [highflyingxangel]
I agree with you, and I feel the same way, children should NOT be used as an campaign tool, but she did it, and I do not like that she did. I understand that her son has a handicap, but to use that in an election is just going too far. I take care of a person who is special needs, but I would never use her name in a speech, that is just going to far. You can give a speech without having to mention names or using your own children to get your message across. People have done it before. That is another thing, people want me to love Sarah Palin because she is a woman, a govenor, she has a special needs child, and because of her morals, well, I don't! First of all I am a woman and she does not share most of the same morals and values that I share, so I will not vote for her, second of all there were plenty of other women out there who could have been better canidates for VP than she is. [rogue13xmen13]
If one candidate can his children out on the platform than the other candidate can bring out her children to the platform. That is known as fairness, or is it all right for Obama to do it and not for Palin? Is he so special that he can do no wrong? But of course he said that children were a punishment. I mean considering Palin having a child with Down Syndrome maybe he wanted her to hide him in the attic like they did in the old days. [suspenseful]
Politics is over all a scam. Both sides are in on it. It's all about the power and the control and republicans and democrats are just giving you the illusion of effecting change, but there are a privileged few who run everything and that is it. The elections and surrounding BS like these campaigns are just out there to throw us off more. That being said... In politics everyone will be leveraged and used by both sides even if they say "I'm sorry" after that is just like a lawyer bringing something up they know is inadmissible to get the information out there. The show and maneuvering is really quite brilliant. I think Ronald Reagan was probably one of the most genuine figures in politics because you knew up front that he was an actor. All politicians are actors whether or not they admit to it. [banadux]
Barak obama has given the right reply that "family members should be off limits"! I support him in this issue. Sarah Palin's teenage daughter's pregnacy has nothing to do with her political discreet. Moreover, McCain camp itself has disclosed the truth that Sarah'r daughter Bristol is pregnant and she is eager to marry her boyfriend. [Little_Boy]