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Aftershocks: disclosures 'pregnant with problems for McCain'
John McCain's running mate, Sarah Palin, said on Monday her 17-year-old unmarried daughter was five months pregnant, the latest in a string of disclosures that left the McCain campaign defending his choice and the thoroughness of the background check of the little-known Alaska governor.
- AP
- Published: 23:48 September 2, 2008
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Slow start to Republican convention
Slow start to Republican convention
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Palin says daughter, 17, pregnant
To rebut rumors, Palin says daughter, 17, pregnant
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McCain, Palin team up as Gustav looms
McCain, Palin team up as Gustav looms
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Gustav forces Bush to miss Republican convention
Gustav forces Bush to miss Republican convention
John McCain's running mate, Sarah Palin, said on Monday her 17-year-old unmarried daughter was five months pregnant, the latest in a string of disclosures that left the McCain campaign defending his choice and the thoroughness of the background check of the little-known Alaska governor.
It was also revealed on Monday that an attorney had been hired to represent Palin in a state ethics probe and that her husband, Todd, had been arrested for drunken driving two decades ago. The man who led McCain's vice-presidential search team said he thought everything that came up as a possible red flag during the background check had now been made public.
"I think so," Arthur B. Culvahouse Jr said. "Yes. I think so. Correct." The revelations threatened to steal any remaining thunder from Day One of the Republican National Convention, which already was overshadowed by Hurricane Gustav - and brought unwanted attention to the 44-year-old governor, who has little experience on the national stage.
"Life happens," said McCain adviser Steve Schmidt, talking about the pregnancy story.
"An American family," added colleague Mark Salter.
In a brief respite from partisanship, Democratic rival Barack Obama weighed in: "I think people's families are off limits and people's children are especially off limits." McCain aides said the announcement about the pregnancy of Palin's daughter, Bristol, was aimed at rebutting internet rumours that Palin's own youngest son, born in April, was actually the daughter's. The pregnancy statement, attributed to Sarah and Todd Palin and released by the campaign, said that Bristol Palin would keep her baby and marry the child's father, identified only as a young man named Levi. The baby is due in late December.
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