People should really just mind there own business and worry about there own families. Just becasue her daugheter is pregnant it is not the end fo the world. As long as she is supportinve to her daughters needs that is all that should matter. As parents we all try to do the best we can.

nikki, corona, ca, usa

Mrs. McCain refusing to show her income tax info. which is stated that all canidates and wife or husband must do. but she refuses, stating that it is none of our business, when, where and how much money she makes.
I think that is a bit more disturbing, lets worry about more than a baby!

deborrah, melbourne, USA

It is something that should be dealt with within their family. Period.

Michael Charton, Tucson, USA

It's not scandalous. Sarah Palin is a strong believer in legislating what is taught in our public schools with regards to birth control vs. abstinence even though, objectively, the latter is less effective at preventing teen pregnancy. The standard is high for those who wish to legislate morality.

Lisa, Cary,

Why does Susan Palin think she can ignore the needs of her new baby and her other 4 children, and go to Washington at this time---is her Ego bigger than Geo. Bush's? Any parents should prioritize their family needs first and delay an opportunity for a "better job" until it is workable for all.

M. D. Young, plymouth, USA

I think it's disgusting that people are persecuting Palin for her daughter's pregnancy. Every family has problems. And if your hasn't, then you should sleep mighty well at night knowing you're better than everyone else.

Arianna, West Chester, USA

Isnt it nice that the family had the choice whether to have an abortion or not?

I feel it should have an effect on the election but that it won't. This doesn't say much for Palin's sex-ed policy, but supporters either way probably won't ever change their mind on either policy (abortion).

Jason, London, England

The situation does bring into question Palin's view on sex-ed. Contraception or abstinence? By the looks of it abstinence didn't work, so will she change her policy in the knowledge that preaching abstinence alone didn't work for her own daughter?

Jason, London, England

The point is non that her daughter is pregnant at 17. The point is that her mother preaches that premarital sex is bad, but then it's OK if it happens in her family. That's hypocrisy.

Corrado, Rome, Italy

And the real big point is - if you think that lady is qualified to lead the Us through internal and international complexities and perils, I'm sorry you are completely blind to reality

Corrado, Rome, Italy

Is it just me who fails to see the scandal here?

Ok so she's 17 but she's carrying the child to term and plans to marry the father, how is that so scandalous? Sounds like she's got a fair grip on things, we should be wishing her well not chastigating her!

Hannah, Liverpool, England

Any wonder a woman has never been elected to the White House with the negativity in some comments?

Mrs Palin has the high profile job. Any of the misoginistic ppl commenting think that maybe the father could look after the kids?

Or even, shock horror, they may earn enough for a nanny?

Guy, London, UK

I'm more disturbed by the fact that the kid is going to be forced into marriage by her narrow-minded conservative parents. Hope the Democrats win...

Matt, London, United Kingdom

The more I learn about Gov. Palin the more I like her!

McCain is actually gonna win this thing...against all odds.

Jason, TX, USA

How is it that Palin is responsible for her daughter's pregnancy? Maybe I have the facts of life wrong.

Oh, and the numbers don't add up: Palin's son is 4 months old, her daughter is 5 months pregnant...how can Palin's son be her daughter's?

Democrats must be desperate for some sleeze.

lawhite, Idaho, USA

I guess the whole point is to show that a conservative attitude is not compatible with modern life - to cover up something menial (a 16-year old being sexually active) one has to invent a bigger lie. What is there to be ashamed of about sex? It is just life, like killing bears. And bears do it, too.

Sára, Budapest, Hungary

O.K.Barbara.What has the pregnancy rate in Great Britain got to do with it?

danny, Salou, |Spain

People might be surprised, but Christians reproduce the same way as everyone else. It's true!

Palin is not a Creationist. She's a standard Protestant. She's not even an evangelical.

It's not like we have a state religion here like... uh.. the UK.

Good luck with that Shariah, by the way.

Charles U. Farley, Chicago, USA

Palin appeals to an electoral demographic and her swift appointment points to McCain's designs on TWH. We know about McCain's miltary history. I reckon the thing he most covets about The Presidency is becoming 'Commander-in-Chief". Some Iranian 'air mail" then Al-Quaeda resurgency? A Dangerous man.

Henry Herbert, Hampshire, UK

I was seventeen and my husband was eighteen when we married. We had gone together for four years. I lost him on May 31st after fifty years of marriage. He is the only one I will ever love. Our first child was born two and a half years after we were married. Lay off the Palins!!!

Patricia Cole, Windsor, USA

Maybe McCain should give Boris Johnson a call. They could swap notes on picking their number 2.

Charlie Howard, London, UK

I think the fundamental issue is that the responsible man may be guilty and liable for prosecution. As a governor, Palin
should be able to pursue the exact course of the relevant law. Talking about marriage is a clear sign of weakness, irresponsibility, and hypocricy.

Wilfred , Dar es Salaam , TANZANIA

other deception

why hasn't she married the father already.?

Has Mrs. palin ever heard of birth control pills?

helen macdonald, st.sauveur, canada

Like most people I don't consider the fact a teenager is pregnant to be a big issue.

BUT - she promotes certain beliefs to other people as a politician. She's in no position now to preach abstinance or criticise teenage mothers, for example, any more.

So it compromises what she can say.

Elaine, Glasgow,

...and the Americans think that those in the middle east are 'religious nuts'!!... HELLO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

John Dixon, London, UK

And Cindy McCain isn't qualified to be First Lady, if she thinks that Sarah Palin has foreign policy experience because she is the Governor of a state that borders Russia!!!
Just where does John McCain find his women soulmates!?

Jimmy C, Letchworth Garden City, UK

This situation could happen to anyone! As a mother, you can't possibly know what your kids are doing 24/7, all you can do is try to instill morals. She is doing the right thing by standing by her daughter and supporting her. This has nothing to do with the ability to be a VP! Good luck Sarah!

lisa, Puyallup, usa

My goodness, to read the negative comments and attacks against a 17 year old girl, not even the candidate, but then the sexist nature of these attacks makes you wonder why Hilary clinton wasn't selected for the Democrats. I think the dems have stooped to an all time low on this one

harriet, LONDON,

One can't be daughter's keeper much after 15. Mme Palin's family problems not relevant to her qualifications - except she clearly has major family pre-occupations requiring her time
Real problem is her utter lack of experience in foreign &defence affairs - yet if McCain incapacitated she is Presiden

John Pedler, Aquitaine, France

Hmmmm what it means is that so-called politicians had better be more careful what issues they blindly or foolishly oppose or support because it just might come hurtling back at you!!!!

Chima, Kaduna, Nigeria

Hypocrisy and values aside the following deserves concern: Can a mother of five, one of who is learning challenged, and a grandmother of one have the time and focus to occupy the second most powerful office in the US and be a heart beat away of commanding the most powerful military in the world?

Gordon Brown, leysin, Switzerland

What Bristol Palin does is absolutely no-one's business but her own and I hope she is now left alone.
It's Mrs Palin's pro-choice views which exercise me. I can't help thinking it's easy to be pro-choice when you don't really have to look after the children yourself....(And I'm a working mother).

Tracey, Essex,

The issue here is Palin isnt qualified to be the vice president. Coupled with her do as i say not as i do attitude i think she has become a huge liability to the republican campaign.

I bet Obama cant stop laughing.

Sean , London,

How can a woman look after five children, one with special needs, and hold down the full-time VP job? Human children need their mothers, and a special needs child is just that - one with SPECIAL needs. Can Sarah Palin really concentrate on the job knowing she has five children at home who need her

Narguesse Stevens, Montaigu-de-Quercy, France

It should have been 'Family Planning' rather than 'Family Palin' :-)

Sushant Pandit, Delhi, India

It's irony at best and hypocrisy at worst-and the result of utter stupidity. Condoms are everywhere. Funny how the Christian right never mentions brains: anything can be justified under the guise of act first, apologize later--or, sin now, repent and all is forgiven--it's license to be an idiot.

Robin, Beverly, Massachusetts, USA

Dear Sir, Re. Chris Ayres. Second Ammendmant. times2 Tues 2nd Sept According to Aliatair Cooke in 'A letter from America' some years ago, the Second Ammendment only endorses the keeping and bearing of arms as part of an official militia of a settlement to be used only in case of attack .

hugh bradfield, folkestone, uk

To all the Republican types out who are accusing liberals of hypocrisy. You see, liberals don't go out saying"do not have pre-marital sex." People like Palin do, and then write policy to enforce their ideology. But they excuse their families: hypocrisy. It's not the action, it's the moralizing.

Rahul Oka, South Bend, USA

There are values that you preach and values that you (hopefully) live by and instil in your children. This event suggests that despite mom's high profile christian 'ethical' stance, her teenage daughter has adopted a different value set. There's probably a good parable in all of this!

Kevin Miller, Tonbridge, Kent

For those Americans who seem to think she was underage at time of conception, i suggest you do research first..

ALASKA
The age of consent is 16, provided the older partner is not in a position of authority.

The only thing wrong in all this is the hypocrisy of a biblebashing family.

Gareth Thomas, Banwell, England

Is anyone else starting to sense there's something not quite right with the family Palin?

Dan Craig, Belfast,

since when the announce of a birth is vue as a huge disgrace?
shame on Mr. Magoo!!!

edoardo chioni, Rome, ITALY

This personal family issue for the Palin's is irrelevant to the outcome of the 2008 election. But if the Democratic candidate (whether P or VP) had been Hillary Clinton, and Chelsea (not even a minor!) had become pregnant, there would have been a Republican - and media - feeding frenzy.

Trina, Erkelenz, Germany

Wow, lots of comments. My views in summary:

1) Palin can't now preach about abstinence. End of.
2) Palin doesn't appear to be able to manage her family, let alone the US
3) None of the media attention is Bristol's fault, it's here mum's. Bad judgement on her part there...

She's not electable

Alex, Bristol ,

This isn't about a woman with an unwed daughter. This is about the fact that Sarah Palin is not qualifed to be the Vice President. She has been a Governor for less than two years.
She isn't qualified to deal with Iran, the growing tensions in Russia, North Korea etc. She is an extremely poor choice

Donna, Washington, D.C.,

Barbara, Charlotte, USA - yes; we do have incredibly high rates of teenage pregnancy. But - and this is the point Babs - we see it as a social problem, not a moral issue. We DO NOT hold any truck with this religious nonsense and suspect any politician that espouses such prattle of being a mental.

Kim, London,

I find it hard to believe that in this day and age these "abstinence only" sex-ed programs are still being taught in places. Surely it's blindingly obvious that if you don't teach kids about contraception then teen pregnancies are going to happen. Is that not just simple common sense?

Mark Johnson, Birmingham, UK

The media should leave Bristol Palin alone. She's a 17 year old who, like the rest of us, didn't choose her parents or their careers. And her mother might equally do well to refrain from family values moralising. That will save her from charges of hypocrisy and her daughter from further attention

Jonathan, London,

Americans are just so funny!

Delphine, Oxford,

All those commenters who are claiming that Bristol Palin must have had under-age sex should note that the age of consent in Alaska is 16 - the same as in the UK.

Edward, Windsor,

Im sure all u critics ABSTAINED from sex till marriage, & so did ur mum & dad who married at 16 & ur brother who married at 19 & ur sister at 17 & u that lived with ur partner for 2 years & ur cousin who had a 3 year old son by the time she got married (that was immaculate conception).

Tara, Milton Keynes, UK

So what?
Girl has baby, marries father.
Where's the story in that?
I wish them well.

Dave, Slough,

not only is mc cain unpredictable but palin is a seccessionist,earmark spending supporter,inexperienced,abuses power and unqualified to be C-in-C or president should something happen to the 72 year old cancer surviving mc cain.please USA dont do this to the rest of the world.

enoh achuo, yaounde, cameroon

Step down Ms Palin

Jdichio, Ottawa , Canada

I fail to see how a woman's having children, at any age, or her semi-adult child's semi-adult behavior affects her ability to handle a job. Similarly I failed to see how Bill Clinton's extramarital liaisons meant that he could not continue to handle a job he was already performing well.

MJ Rogers, Pennsylvania, US

Hey Govenor Palin, how is that "Abstinence Only" thing working out for you? How dare this woman try to take away contraception and sex education from the rest of us. It did not work in her family, and it ain't workin' anyplace else.

Karen Kraft, Santa Cruz, CA, USA

Notice how US Internet correspondents throw out the word “Liberal”, seemingly as an insult. I'm happy to be referred to as a Liberal, because my preferred definition would be, "Person that instinctively distrusts and disbelieves Authority". Notice too, how US contributors constantly proclaim their trust in God, as if that’s supposed to prove something. other than they’ve lost the argument.

Andrew Milner, Karuizawa, Japan

oh well,that's the real family.Life is not what you are planning but what's happening right now,Why would someone vote for Obama just because of this, That's how we all came about,our mothers got pregnant,some earlier & some much later. May their life be happy & healthy. God Bless their family.

Hanna, Las Vegas, Clark

We all need to stay by and support our children - no matter what!

Hopefully this situation will help Sarah Palin understand that abstinence based sex education doesn't seem to work.

TF, NYC, USA

Any credible doctor including those represented by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommend women don’t fly after their 36th week of pregnancy. To fly long haul 8 months pregnant knowing that the child has Downs Syndrome strikes me as incredibly irresponsible.

Ciny Sherman, nyc, us

It's like having Brittany Spears' mother running for VP of the US. What a joke.

Paul, Dayton, Ohio, USA

The bigger sin is abortion and you all know it!

Henry, Warrenton, Missouri

"People living in glass houses should not throw stones."
For a party that prides itself on "family values," I can not understand picking a vice presidential candidate who has a 4 month old at home and a 17 yo daughter who is pregnant and unmarried. Regardless of sex, ones family should come fist.

DD, Pennsylvania, USA

Imagine if such a thing had happened to a 17 yr old Chelsea Clinton! The rabid right wing would be ballistic with criticism towards Hillary, accusing her of putting her own polticial aspirations above her own family. But the pregnancy issue is irrelevant, Palin is simply not qualified for the job!

Holland, Little Rock, USA

John McCain just handed the election to Barak Obama.

Kim Righetti, Upland, Calif. USA

Does Christianity permit pre-marriage sex? Then what about about abortion and AIDS? What about the mother of an unmarried teenage mother? How much can the nation expect of her?

shawkat, dhaka, bangladesh

If you can't afford to have a kid right now with your own income, married or not, get the pill and emergency contraception. There are far too many psychologically messed up and violent kids in foster care who will never have a chance of being adopted. She's lucky- her family can afford to keep it.

Jessica, Cincinnati, USA

There is just one valid issue associated with this story: the abstinence-only sex education Palin and the GOP enforce in schools DOES NOT WORK ! Statistics prove that, but this example adds the exclamation point

Scot Danner, Dubai, UAE

What self righteous drivel so many people have written here.
I think it admirable that whether her daughter did the right or wrong thing by becoming pregnant at so young an age Sarah Palin and her family are all giving her the love & support she needs. Good on her!

dominic brennan, wimbledon, london

The liberal left has always prided themselves on how non-judgemental they were, on how much they respect women while describing the religious right as the opposite.

But who is being judgemental here and who is telling a mom she should stay home rather than work? Sexist and self righteous.

Lisa, Michigan,

Did anyone remind Sen. McCain that Governor Palin was still in her post-pardon stage and where's his concern for disable children who needs constant care. This also shows the respect he has for her husband.

Debbie, Sicklerville, USA

I do hope the daughter and her husband-to-be really want to marry and are not being pushed into it, for appearance's sake. Otherwise, it could end in divorce later, perhaps with a couple of children by then.

margie , victoria, australia

Big deal..........whats the problem.............perception with the media and those who wish her and her mum ill........its life and as we know it.............the USA needs politicians who can deliver and Palin might just be the one so go for it girl and whats private should remain so...............

Mike, Leeds, UK

I wonder IF this is/will be a shotgun wedding to please the GOP faithful, followed by immediate divorce after the elections? Parent neglect!
What suddenly happened to the 'morals' of these right wing christians. But ofcourse, any sensible parent has to 'support' the child, in this difficult period

Arvin, Lon, GB

WHAT A BLESSING!!! My daughter was unmarried and had a baby out of wedlock. She was a wonderful mother who was killed in a car wreck five years later. What a blessing this child (our only grandchild) has been to us. This is a personal matter and has nothing to do with politics. GOD IS GOOD!

Lois Gnade, Burleson, USA

Sex with a 17 year old in the USA is a crime (18 is age of consent) and if the boy is more than 18 yrs old he can be prosecuted for juvenile rape. Was this girl 16 when she conceived? How old in the father?
The law should be upheld and leaders and their families shoulld of impecable character!!!

micad, Houston, USA

Well it's a shame that this has come to light at such a crucial time, and that everyone seems to care so much about the gossip aspect of politics. I hope this news doesn't condemn Palin in the eyes of voters, her policies are more than enough for that already.

JJ, Stonehaven, Scotland

To be a true Republican you need to beilieve in God, Guts, Guns an now unmarried teenage pregnacies !!!

God Bless America!!!

Mary-Lou, Austin, USA

Hmmm...

The real important issue to all of this is "UNSAFE SEX" and how there is more to that than just the possibility of disease.

How reasonably intelligent people - make that anyone with a lick of sense - can participate in unsafe sex in 2008, is beyond comprehension!

Dakota Clark, Lake Stevens, Washington, USA

So lets get this straight.....

You people are saying a woman can't pursue a professional career and have a family at the same time?

And, you're saying a woman she's a bad mother and not much of a Christian because her child made a bad decision and got pregnant?

Well aren't you special.

GT, Wilson, USA

You know, all you can do is try and instill good judgment in your children, and help them when they make bad choices. It says alot about Palin that she is standing by her daughter as any mother would. But take your cheap shots if you must.

Al , Tracy , CA, USA

I do not see how her being pregnant has anything to do with Obama. Obama is pro-choice. How does this girl being pregnant, and deciding now getting an abortion, support Obama? Also, criticizing her for deciding to keep the baby is insanity. I do not see the humanity behind wanting her to abort.

Bo, Norfolk, USA

Had this glorious news spawn from OBAMA's teen, it would be splattered on the news nonstop, to nauseating extremities; however, Hurricane "Gustave" is down in the Gulf making waves..... the Republicans may be saved after all...

Tanya, NYC, USA

I was seventeen when I married my husband, We had our 50 th anniversary in July. We all should be praying for the Palins.

Shirley, Wasilla Alaska, USA

Gov. Palin is campaigning to be V.P. not the National Mom. A teenager getting pregnant is not good news, but a 17 year old girl is of age to be responsible for her own actions. The sneering about Christians is so predictable & would be criticized if directed at a secular person in this position.

Jill, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

And what again is the teenage pregnancy in Great Britain?

Last time I looked it was the highest in European Union.

Barbara, Charlotte, USA

As a pro-life democrat I hope this will spark a heated debate on abortion and that teenage pregnancies should be reduced, in order to bring the abortion rate down. Most liberal democratic countries in Europe have lower rates of abortion than the US. All pro-life voters should consider Obama.

Elizabeth, Houston, US

At least they are getting married. I hope they all live happily ever after.

Joseph, London, UK

Shame they didn't teach the kid about contraception.

Oh, that's right, abstinence is the only morally acceptable form of birth control. That worked out well.

You've got to love those religious loonies.

Steve Murphy, Bolton, UK

Jay hits the nail on the head and made me snigger. But then I am a devil worshipping hethen liberal so.....

Simon, Nottingham, England

Proof that just maybe she is working to hard, that she forgot she had family.

Marko, Birmingham, UK

Woohoo! Dope-smokin', teenage-daughter-pregnant, oil-com'pny-lovin, global-warmin-denyin' Yee Haw!

If'n yer say one thang an do another, vote McCain-Palin!!

Hypocrisy First!

John, Cleggan, Ireland

Would The Times care to deal with Barack Hussein Obama's trip to Kenya to campaign for his cousin, Raul Odinga, who promised that, if elected, he would institute Sharia Law and had even signed an agreement saying so? The Kenya Govt complained about Obama's interference. Some "foreign travel" !

Caro, London,

I love when Bible-thumping Christians have a daughter who doesn't buy into their nonsense. She isn't going to stay married to the guy; she's 17 years old.

How's Mrs. Palin going to care for her special-needs infant whilst being VP? That's very irresponsible if you ask me.

Creationism! Hahahahaha

Eric, Laguna Niguel, CA, USA

"Yet with journalists and Democratic researchers pouring over her public and private life"

The word is PORING. Sheesh, and in the Times too.

Conrad, London,

How old was the tenager when she became pregnant ? (possibly 16). A mother who turns a blind eye to her daughter having underage sex is not fit to be a VP. Aside from the moral issues (underage sex) what about christian issues (Palin claims to be a devout christian) no sex before marriage.

Susan Spears, Washington, USA

Welcome to the world of politics honey.

Remember when the lil sprogs born the look at the cameras outside the hospital and say "We are a grandmother!" It'll bring a lump to the throats of all who see it.

Good luck to your daughter I hope her childs healthy and happy.

James, Glasgow,

The increasing rate of teenage pregnancy is a perfect example of the fundamental breakdown of Christian values in this........

Oh, wait a minute.

Jay, Anne Arundel County MD, USA