"I think people's families are off-limits, and people's children are especially off-limits. This shouldn't be part of our politics."

That was Barack Obama's take on the most recent development in Election 2008, that Sarah Palin, McCain's running mate, has a pregnant, teenage daughter. While this may be off limits to Obama, it's not off limits to the press, who are having a field day with it.

Bristol is in the brown dress to the right of Sarah Palin.State of Alaska Photo
The daughter, Bristol, is 5 months along, and is 17. This was released to disprove internet rumors that Sarah Palin's 4-month old baby was actually Bristol's child.

CNN's story is here, which points out that Palin has supported abstinence-only education in schools. The Palin family is going to keep the baby, and the elder Palin parents are looking forward to being grandparents.

Do you think this was released at too convenient a time, with Hurricane Gustav taking all the attention? Does this affect the McCain campaign? Was Obama's declaration of family being off-limits a good move on his part? Do you think McCain made the correct decision in letting the fact go public?

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