Posted on 08/29/2008 1:34:27 PM PDT by Zakeet
CNN’s John Roberts, after briefly alluding to the issue of Republican vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin’s experience he called into question earlier on Friday’s "Newsroom" program, asked correspondent Dana Bash about how the Alaska governor’s newborn son with Down’s syndrome might be affected if she were elected: "There's also this issue that on April 18th, she gave birth to a baby with Down's Syndrome.... Children with Down's syndrome require an awful lot of attention. The role of Vice President, it seems to me, would take up an awful lot of her time, and it raises the issue of how much time will she have to dedicate to her newborn child?"
Bash deftly answered this question, which has the implication that Palin could neglect her infant son, and made a possible counter-argument the McCain camp would use, that a question like Roberts’ would be sexist: "That's a very good question, and I guess -- my guess is that, perhaps, the line inside the McCain campaign would be, if it were a man being picked who also had a baby, but -- you know, four months ago with Down's Syndrome, would you ask the same question?"
The CNN correspondent continued by briefly describing the Palin’s family situation and the thinking that may have gone into the situation for both McCain and Palin herself. She concluded by reporting on the Alaska governor’s appeal to social conservatives because she is "very staunchly anti-abortion," in Bash’s words.
The full transcript of the exchange between John Roberts and Dana Bash, which began 7 minutes into the 11 am Eastern hour of CNN’s "Newsroom" [audio available here]:
JOHN ROBERTS: You know, there's one other issue -- we've talked about her experience and what depth of experience she has; the fact that maybe she tries to peel off a few women voters on the Democratic side, who really wanted to see a woman in the White House in some way, shape, or form. There's also this issue that on April 18th, she gave birth to a baby with Down's Syndrome.DANA BASH: Yes.
ROBERTS: The baby is just slightly more than four months old now. Children with Down's syndrome require an awful lot of attention. The role of Vice President, it seems to me, would take up an awful lot of her time, and it raises the issue of how much time will she have to dedicate to her newborn child?
BASH: That's a very good question, and I guess -- my guess is that, perhaps, the line inside the McCain campaign would be, if it were a man being picked who also had a baby, but -- you know, four months ago with Down's Syndrome, would you ask the same question? And that might be another way to kind of, you know, kind of close the gender gap in trying to make the point that, yes, she not only has, unfortunately, a baby with Down's Syndrome, but she has five children, the oldest of whom is apparently going -- is in the Army and going to head off to Iraq in the fall. So, you know, it absolutely is going to be a question that she is going to have to answer, and there's no question that she had to do soul-searching and figure out if she could take this on when John McCain made clear that he wanted her to be her [sic] running mate, and it is going to be one of the interesting things that we are going to be able to hear from her when she finally does speaks, whether she does address these things here or in subsequent interviews.
That's going to be a fascinating thing, but it also does -- it also does appeal to social conservatives in another way, and that is that, you know, part of her story, if you read her discussions about that baby, is that, you know, she knew before she gave birth to that baby, that it had Down's Syndrome, and she chose to keep the baby. And that is -- that is because she is somebody who is anti-abortion. She is somebody who is very staunchly anti-abortion. That kind of story, also, can help appeal to the social conservatives that John McCain is still trying to win over in his own party.
—Matthew Balan is a news analyst at the Media Research Center.
I cannot state what an a-hole John Roberts is...
I am now engaged in this race!!!
Go Sarah!!!
If the Dad is taking care of the baby then that is a different story, they are raising their own children.
I read that too (the insinuations that the new baby is Palin’s daughter’s baby, or that the daughter is expecting). That caused a minor brushfire too. The DUers who have become mothers while in their teens, and/or unmarried, burst into flames at the suggestion that this is slutty behavior. Loose-lipped moonbats were incinerated on the spot.
Meanwhile, Gerry Ferraro expresses approval at the choice of Palin.
In 2008, the nation is going to experience a huge science project called, “Women and Watching What You Say.” It will look like a failed souffle and at the wrong voice command it will spew lava. ;)
I love that article. The First Dude is not only a manly man, but a stay-at-home dad. Women on both sides of the aisle are going to love this.
They’re not so upset that she has a career, but that she didn’t murder her child in order to have a career.
Keep that up dems and even the left women will vote for her, not just the soccer-moms you are sure you have lost that sit in the middle.
AS IF the Democrats have never promoted women working. AS IF Michelle Obama was always a stay-at-home mother.
Hypocrites.
Just about bet females who hear this sort of stuff from CNN will be demanding an apology! What is this, back home to the kitchen because you can’t possibly work with a baby? GEEZ I thought these guys knew about stay at home husbands?
How arrogant and/or stupid do you have to be to make this kind of comment about some parent.
Her baby won't be raised in day care. Her husband is a stay at home hubby since Sarah was elected Gov. She has two teenaged daughters and a younger daughter who, I am sure, will help out. She is being gov now and taking care of her baby why would VP be any different. It is a very laid back job and I am sure her and her baby will be fine. It is NOT a consideration except that some people want it to be one.
Somehow I find it hard to think of Sarah Palin as being “laid back” in a job (even if it isn’t Vice President) any more than I can think of her being a laid back mother. ;-)
Translation;;;;oh pleese reverse this decision, so that my ‘’frinds’’ can screw over America.
I see that John Roberts is still p*ssed at losing The Big Chair at CBS to a woman...
God will bless her and family for choosing to serve.
Algores teenage son was a frickin’ retard. How did he managed to do 8 years in the VP slot???
Anybody think a teenage girl requires more parental attention than a 4 month old child? Then cross out Amy Carter and Chelsea Clinton.
No two people can agree on everything. But she is far and away a great nominee and would make a great President.
She stands head anbd shoulders above the mental pygmies in the DemocRat Party as well as the RINOS in the Republican Party.
Whoa- the baby who was left to die in the laundry room had Down's Syndrome, didn't he?
That just gives me chills.
I think we are seeing the hand of the Almighty at work here.
As far as "neglecting her child" - she has reared four of five children, while serving in office in Alaska- they are obviously a close knit loving family.
To repeat a point already made: If she were a man, would they even ask this question? What happened to supporting a career woman?
"Children with Down's syndrome require an awful lot of attention. The role of Vice President, it seems to me, would take up an awful lot of her time, and it raises the issue of how much time will she have to dedicate to her newborn child?"
PALIN: "I'd like to thank the drive-by media for their concern about child-rearing, and I welcome and accept their offer to come to Washington and help as I assume the duties of Vice President of the United States."
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