Obama and Palin agree on this one. Both have mede it clear that they hope that the subject of their children is off-limits to the press. And in the past, the press has generally steered clear of presidential kids. But is this possible? Can we simply ignore what is going on with a candidate's family as we make our decisions? It's tough, but as parents, where should we stand?

Here's an interesting twist to this question...<br><br>Is it fair for Chelsea Clinton, definitely a grown up now, to make political appearances on behalf of her mother but simultaneously refuse to answer reporters questions under the guise of kids are off limits?<br><br>My wife and I both think NOT. If she's going to allow herself to be used as a political tool, she's going to have to buck up and act like a big girl.

I believe there are two answers to this question:<br><br>(1) If the child or family member is actively campaigning for the candidate, they have chosen to make themselves part of the political process, and they are fair game.<br><br>(2) If the child or family member remains wallpaper during major speeches, they are off-limits.

I agree with you and as parents i feel that we should see a small portion of the candidates family skills (for lack of thought and words at the time) ie my this guys son gets striaghit a's but this guys kid has been in and out of jail

This is a hard one. One would say that the way you run your house is the way you will govern. If that's true, we're in for some problems if Palin gets elected with McCain. Like it or not, she knew that this would be news, even if only when she had to take time away from the race to visit.

By the way....<br><br>Is anyone else insulted by the apparently popular notion in the media that there is no possible way Husband of Palin could stay home and take care of the 5 kids??<br><br>When people talk about how Palin is a terrible Mom who is supposedly abandoning her kids, I wonder if these people realize how incredibly insulting that is to Dads everywhere.<br><br>I sincerely doubt that Husband of Palin would continue working the oil fields in the event of Sarah Palin's election. Something tells me that Husband of Palin will probably be available for kid duty.... Of course, this conflicts with the popular notion that Moms are allowed to work and/or stay at home (their choice), but Dads are only allowed to work.

I'm not insulted. Dads are smarter than that(at least those in the DadLabs audience). I WISH my wife had a high enough salary to abandon her family where I just had to stay home. The media could say whatever they want about me not being able to handle it, I'll laugh all the way to the park with my kids, thanks. Poor DadPalin? Yea, right. Naw, he knows what's up. He'll be fine, I'm sure. We all know the media doesn't always know what they're talking about.

So as it turns out....neither one of us could resist the siren call of going there.....

) 'Tis different. This is more about media and less about politics, particularly my choice of vote. We're just going NEAR there.

I think this is a great observation. Funny, I'm more distracted by the care of the 5 mo old w/Downs, than I am the baby momma. I have a bias against people following ambition when there are clear needs at home. That family needs the full attention of BOTH parents right now. Maybe she feels her calling is greater, but that tells me something.

I'm with you. But my wife disagrees. There is this point, particularly if she becomes VP... That child will have even greater access to the best medical treatment available. True. But leaving a teenager at home while you go to be VP or uber ambitious is much different than leaving an infant. The teenagers can dress themselves, make their own pizza rolls and wipe their own butt.

The family is off limits... as long as you don't run for office.<br><br>Sucks dudnit? Yep. But that's our society. And the daily life and tantrums of a 6 year old are hella different than the promiscuity of a 17 year old. And I'm sorry (no I'm not)... it's EASY to have sex and NOT get pregnant. We've been doin' it for years. Those kids get a big fat DUH! in my book. At this point, I don't care what momma and poppa Palin did (or didn't do) that kept the daughter from making better decisions... how they handle it NOW is more important, and I only care IF she's VP. Otherwise, it's the same as millions of other dumbass teens. Will the daughter and 'Levi' take responsibility and 'cowboy up' (for you Texans) and finish their education and get real jobs and really take care of their lil' family. Will we ever know? Nope, probably not.<br><br>But yea, I REALLY wish the media would quit talking about stupid teenagers, regardless of who their parents are.

Out of common courtesy media may have steered clear in the past, but the media is certainly not obligated to not discuss the politician's family. The candidate's family values are part of what they build their campaign on, and how it affects us as we the people, so it's all on. Now, they don't have to answer the questions and can choose to skirt and avoid if they really are inappropriate, but they still have to answer to their constituents' viewpoints and votes. Family values can never be off-limits.

This is a tough one for me. I don't like the media prying into the lives of the kids of politicians, and generally I think they should be off-limits. But as a father of three, how a candidate will push for kids rights and the governments role in that is a big factor to me, and how they handle their own kids shows a lot about a person's view on raising children.<br><br>But it's not the 17 year old getting pregnant that really concerns me, even the best of parents cannot always avoid a situation like that. It's how they are handling 5 kids, 3 whom will still be actively at home, including one with special needs, while campaigning and possibly serving the VP role, while the husband is also working full time (maybe he'll be spending more time at home, and if so, kudos to him). I must admit, though, that does interest me.

I have to say that as a woman I find it interesting how much more scrutiny is on Palin's family than any of the male candidates. I mean, sure I think that we have a right to know as much as possible about any elected official to a point, but it is pretty obvious the family issue seems to stick out much more than it has for other nominees.<br><br>The fact that she has a 17 year old who did something (in my opinion) kinda stupid by getting pregnant so young is such a non-issue to me. I mean, at 17 years old you don't have the same control over your child that you did when they were 10. I mean, I'm guessing she did the best she could raising her kids, but we all have done stupid things growing up that certainly didn't please our parents (ok, me more than others maybe?). I know my mom told me not to do things that I did anyway, so who is to blame? Stupid me when I was that age, right?<br><br>Of course, I don't trust any politician for numerous other reasons-so none of it really matters. :-P

I think Giuliani had an excellent point regarding Palin's family when he stated, …how dare they question whether Sarah Palin has enough time to spend with her children and be vice president… When do they ever ask a man that question?<br>Just goes to show you the continuing double standard of mothers and fathers. But as usual, I'm happy to see how Americans really act as exemplified by the members of this site.

I initially did wonder about what message was being sent by having such a large family and still following lofty ambitions. But then again, nobody blinks twice when star parents Brad & Angelina have a whole gaggle of toddlers at home and they're both off filming movies. Point is, these kinds of parents don't actually raise their own children anyway - they have nannies and such do all of the dirty work and they swoop in to sign off on report cards. So, Sarah Palin's hubby won't have to handle those kids by himself - doubtful that he ever has during any part of Sarah's political career.<br><br>I'm not saying that I necessarily approve of that style or parenting - I'm just saying it's nothing new.

I agree w/ Giuliani's statement as quoted above. If Palin was a man no one would even be questioning what she's doing as a parent. Say she was a man and had a 4 month old w/ Downs and a wife staying home giving care, no one would bat an eye! I think it's rather insulting to both genders that this is even an issue. Insulting to her because people assume she can't be a mom and have a major career, and insulting to her husband because people assume he can't handle raising his own child. Give me a break!<br><br>I think that a lot of women out there have sort of this split reaction to Palin in general, politics aside. Part of the brain says, You go girl! Because part of us always hopes that we can be Super Woman someday. And the other part says, But how can she DO that??? Because having been down the parenting road we know how hard it is, and how practically impossible it can be, and we know our own limitations and that under her circumstances we couldn't possibly manage it all.<br><br>I keep telling myself (to keep me from worrying for her children) that she's been down this road a few times, had a few kids, had some experience in that area, certainly more than me! So maybe when you've had your 5th kid it sort of becomes routine and easier? I really can't answer that question because I only have 2! I'm just hoping for her family's sake that's the case!

All that the public needs to know about a politicans kids, is that he/she has kids and what there names are. If they do get in trouble with the law I know it would be imposible to keep it out of the news. If They are adults, the public should know who they work for, and if they or the company get spechial treatment in any way.