Comments on: Palin daughter’s pregnancy: Fair game for Publicity Hounds

By: John Whitcomb

John Whitcomb — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 15:38:14 +0000

Hi Everyone,

First off I want to apologize to Joan because it was only when I read the comment about how this was for publicity purposes that it stopped me from unsubscribing. I could care less about your political views or your readers for that matter. The bottom line is that we all have our own opinion on the subject and we can discuss it in the appropriate forum. This is not that forum.

Now that I am done with my rant, back to the original question of piggybacking on the issues. I think that is totally OK to piggyback on the story and I agree with some readers that once it made it to the press it is out there and it is fair game for the publicity of relevant information. If it never made it to the press or if it only was in tabloids then I would disagree for the following reason.
- It would not be beneficial to my client because there is no news. There would be no readership of the release and people wouldn’t even call it piggybacking rather it would just be a normal release.

I do think for any companies that are thinking of piggybacking they need to make sure they are respectful of the family. Let the press take the blame for the mud-slinging I am not bringing my client into that category.

By: Ben

Ben — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 17:14:16 +0000

In my opinion, bringing family into elections is okay as long as you do not try to trash them. I believe Obama did the right thing when he called his workers off. Saying that Palin’s daughter is pregnant is okay, but when you trash her because of her age is not the right thing to do. Her mom is the one running for vice president, not her. Her mom did not tell her to go get pregnant, she chose it herself.

By: Kathryn Martyn Smith, M.NLP

Kathryn Martyn Smith, M.NLP — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:29:56 +0000

Palin rendered that question moot when she paraded her underage pregnant daughter and the alleged father on stage with her family at the Republican convention. Supporting your children no matter what is great but promoting teen pregnancy is not. It speaks volumes about the obvious consequences of refusing to open your eyes and smell the baby formula. Children deserve better than being told, “Wait until you’re married and meanwhile just say no.” Abstinence works for an adult who so chooses but it’s a ridiculous notion for a child who lacks self control and discipline.

This issue is very important and should be discussed at length but Palin’s teenage daughter should not personally named nor hounded by the press. She is not the story, Palin is the story.

By: Joan

Joan — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:03:11 +0000

Dana, thanks for getting us back on track.

OK, Hounds. Are you piggybacking onto these topics for your own publicity, or not???

By: Dana

Dana — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 12:26:33 +0000

Thanks for reminding us that we’ve gotten off track! This seems like a perfect opportunity to piggyback. Books about child raising, Downs Syndrome, working moms, teen moms & dads, etc… Family planning and abstinence education organizations… I can’t think of a reason not to take advantage of such a natural opportunity. We’re not talking about attacking the young woman — or even Palin herself.

By: Joan

Joan — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 20:05:52 +0000

Schuyler, you are correct. I was hoping that this wouldn’t turn into a debate for or against Palin, similar to what’s on a lot of other blogs.

Rather, I was hoping for a good debate about how PR people piggyback onto this news–or not.

By: Schuyler T. Wallace

Schuyler T. Wallace — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 18:36:22 +0000

Hi Joan,
I haven’t seen any discussion about how to handle this situation as a public relations event. That, I believe, was your original intention when you posted this item. The truth is that press releases must reflect the agenda of the issuer that might or might not be the release writer’s personal viewpoint. The personal opinions expressed here would only be part of a release if the originator of the release agreed with the opinion. It would be more informative to have a person with a strong opinion write a release with the opposite point of view. I believe that would be more indicative of the writer’s ability than simply venting on one side or the other.

By: Ken Okel

Ken Okel — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 13:18:49 +0000

I find it interesting how tabloid stories, more and more, tend to migrate to the mainstream media. With the speed of the Internet, these stories spread like wildfire. As a result, there’s more emphasis on “getting” the story than debating whether it is a legitimate story.

By: Walt Shiel

Walt Shiel — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 12:04:42 +0000

The kid should remain off-limits…but not her mother’s parenting and/or judgment. Merely because her kid got pregnant does not, in and of itself, imply something lacking on the parents’ parts.

However, asking Sarah Palin direct questions about the effects of her being a full-time politician and governor had on her family and, in particular, her pregnant daughter is a fair approach. But to imply that all kids with problems are the result of poor parenting is not at all fair. Some are. Some are not.

And a far more meaningful debate should be held on whether it reflects “family values” to continue to serve as governor while pregnant and after giving birth. Can one be a “good” mother of a newborn (especially one with such special needs) and serve your state (or country) well at the same time?

That’s a fair point for discussion with Gov Palin. But not if prefaced with “See? See? You can’t really be for family values, can you?” (Which is the basic approach of most journalists whenever the pol is a conservative.)

By: Jo Steinberg

Jo Steinberg — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 10:51:49 +0000

Joan I found your “off limits” commentary made in your weekly newsletter very provocative. Let’s look at the three examples that you used. Michelle Obama, Bristol Payne and Bidon’s son were those you mentioned. Two out of the three are in a different class. Michelle Obama and Bidon’s son could have an indirect effect on Americans but not Bristol Payne. Michele Obama is in a position of possibly becoming our first lady. We take note of her actions and should feel free to criticize because if Obama is elected she will also be representing the American people. In my opinion Michelle is fair game. Bidon’s son, if he chose a position outside of government involvement, would be off limits but his job as a lobbyist and his ease of getting into so many politicians doors could have an impact on the American people. He is NOT off limits. Bristol Palin is “off limits” as are Obama’s daughters. Why? They have not made a personal choice to be involved in politics. The choice belonged to their parents and they are only along for the ride. Should they be an example for the American people? Yes, but don’t all good parents want that for their children?