Alaska Politics Blog : Rumor patrol -- Baby drama

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This is the place to talk about Alaska politics -- state, local, national. Public life in the Last Frontier has probably never been more interesting than right now -- the governor as candidate for vice president, the broad and still-evolving corruption investigation, a big election, powerful members of Congress under scrutiny, and the usual hardball Alaska politics. Come here for news, tidbits and information, and join the discussion. Keep your comments civil and on point. Avoid personal attacks. Do not use profanity. Posts that violate the Terms of Use will be deleted. Repeat offenders will be banned.

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Erika Bolstad

Erika Bolstad covers Alaska issues, including the congressional delegation, from Washington, D.C., for McClatchy Newspapers. Before joining the bureau in 2007, she spent seven years as a reporter at the Miami Herald, where she covered politics, government and the state legislature. E-mail Erika at ebolstad@adn.com.

Sean Cockerham

Sean Cockerham writes about Alaska state politics. He spent three years based in Juneau for the ADN before joining the Tacoma News-Tribune to write about Washington state politics. He went to Iraq twice for the News Tribune, and previously wrote about Alaska government and politics for the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. E-mail Sean at scockerham@adn.com

Kyle Hopkins

Kyle Hopkins covers politics and other stories for the ADN. He covered the 2006 campaign for governor, has blogged extensively about Alaska politics, covered Anchorage city government and was a reporter based in the Mat-Su. He grew up in Southeast Alaska and previously was a reporter at the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner and Anchorage Press. E-mail Kyle at khopkins@adn.com

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Alaska political corruption

The FBI raided state legislatures offices in Aug. 2006, and the fallout since has been epic in Alaska's political world.

Rumor patrol -- Baby drama

Posted by Alaska_Politics

Posted: August 31, 2008 - 9:15 pm

From Kyle Hopkins in Anchorage --

OK - the Palin baby speculation is inescapable at this point. The left-leaning Daily Kos posted an item Friday called "Palin's faked "pregnancy"? Covering for teen daughter?"

It's a version of a rumor - long simmering in Alaska -- that Palin's daughter Bristol was pregnant and the governor somehow covered it up by pretending to have the baby (Trig) herself.

Then the also-left leaning Huffington Post slammed all the speculators saying that Democrats have plenty to target Palin on without the baby drama. "Guys, its a loser. Can we not do this?" writes Bart Motes. And then there's this from the Atlantic Web site , pursuing the questions.

So, time for some rumor patrol. It'd be nice to put this to bed.

The answer here should be pretty simple. It happened or it didn't. For months, we have been getting anonymous people telling us they "know" it's true, or people we do know telling us they've heard it fifth-hand. We haven't seen anything resembling proof. We asked the governor's office, and the governor, multiple times about it.

Here's a story we wrote soon after the birth. At that point, the questions were all about whether Palin should have flown back to Alaska to give birth. In the story, Palin's doctor talks about the labor and addresses questions raised at the time about Palin's decision to board a jet and fly to Alaska from Texas when she showed signs of early labor.

"The stage of her pregnancy was not apparent by observation," said an Alaska Airlines spokeswoman. The doctor, Cathy Baldwin-Johnson, said she induced labor once Palin was at the hospital.

What's the McCain campaign say? Nothing so far. I've called and e-mailed for an on-the-record response, but haven't heard back.

What's Palin's in-state spokesman, Bill McAllister say?

That it's not true. "The answer to that is no," he said.

"But beyond that, I don't know, why should we even have to say anything," he said.

McAllister was an Anchorage TV reporter before working for Palin. He said Palin once approached him - before people knew she was pregnant - assuming he'd been hearing rumors.

"She said it's not true about Bristol," McAllister said.

At the time, the rumor would have been that Palin's daughter was pregnant.

How does McAllister know it's not true?

"The governor's not a liar. That's the main reason. But also this would have to involve some sort of conspiracy with the hospital of Wasilla. They said she gave birth there. Is the doctor, the nurses ... are they all lying?" he said.

Why not share the birth certificate?

"What a thing to request -- prove that this is your baby," McAllister said. "I mean, my god, that's horrifying to think that she would have to do that."

I said one reason is to put it to rest.

"In my mind, there's nothing to put to rest," he said.

No, Alaska birth certificates are not public record. Meantime, this is all a plotline straight out of a recent season of Desperate Housewives.

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43 December 18, 2008 - 5:31am | ceejay2005

Well, there are so many

Well, there are so many unfounded rumors about the candidates and their families these days that I would like to see some proof before throwing stones. If this is true then it points out that Palin is not so great at taking care of her children but it also shows that she is sticking by her belief that abortion is wrong. Family values are certainly not what they used to be but how many of us can say we know where our children are or what they do? In a perfect world we would, but as it is we can only teach them the values we believe in and they go off and do what they want. I am a strong Democrat but it would be wrong to use this as a political issue.
Phoenix Doctors

42 November 19, 2008 - 2:40pm | abidiks

A great read, very

A great read, very informative
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41 September 5, 2008 - 11:21am | exposethislie

Please urge the Media to investigate Trig's birth

There are still many questions surrounding Sarah Palin's relationship to Trig Palin that are not being covered widely in the mainstream media. The Canadian Broadcasting Company broke ranks with the silent media in producing the following piece that ran on the September 3rd edition of "The National":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7Coy1OAQXY

If you would like to see more mainstream media coverage of this story, please email me! I will send you a list of unanswered questions and contact information for popular news outlets. The fact that this is not being covered is OUTRAGEOUS and there's power in numbers. Let's work together to get some answers.

exposethislie@gmail.com

September 5, 2008 - 6:06pm | rfn

Do you pay by the word

or pay by the story?

I might have something to tell you but it would be nice to know the going rate first. Others are asking, so hurry!

40 September 3, 2008 - 1:19pm | nogodbutyou

DID SOME ONE ASK BRISTOL "WHOSE SON IS IT ?"?.

IS IT BRISTOPLS 1st CHILD?.
OR PALIN'S 5th CHILD?.
IS PALIN LYING?.
PERJURY DISQUALIFIES PALIN TO BE VP OR GOVERNOR.

September 3, 2008 - 1:25pm | rfn

Just out of curiousity,

does professional blogging pay more when upper-case is exclusively used?

39 September 2, 2008 - 3:28am | berries957

I can honestly say I was not

I can honestly say I was not going to vote at all in the Nov elections until the announcement was made that Palin is McCain's running mate. I feel that is one of the smartest moves I've ever seen any presidential candidate make. McCain/Palin definitely have me rushing to the polls now.
As for Palin's 17 yr old daughter being pregnant and all the rumors about that, plus I've heard negative feedback about how maybe Palin should stay home with her family?? I say that is BS. In 1976, I was a 17 yr old UNWED mother. My own mother was a stay at home mother and is a damn good mother to boot. Did that keep me from getting pregnant?? Kids get into difficult situations, PERIOD. Bristol's pregnancy has nothing to do with Palin being a great vice president. I think it's time to give this a rest and allow the Palin family to keep this a private matter.

September 2, 2008 - 6:38pm | TheSdog

Typical voter

Voting with your heart and no grounding in the issues.

No wonder this country is losing its jobs and its livelihood slowly but surely to the rest of the world.

September 2, 2008 - 6:53pm | rfn

There are great opportunities

for physicians in New Zealand. For alleged physicians; not so sure. Funny thing, though, two I know gave it a try but were back after under two years. Perhaps another experiment might produce different results?

38 September 1, 2008 - 1:01pm | rooftopkenobi

censorship

Listen up everyone. ADN does not believe in freedom of the press. With my comments about the truth they canceled my prior blog name of rooftop08. Are we in America or Russia?

37 September 1, 2008 - 11:54am | ilikepolarbears

We are going to need a scorecard

To keep track of the Palin Veep Circus

* She has a 4 month old child or grandchild with special needs and not going to say home to take care of it.
* She has a pregnant 17 year old daughter who is going to marry the father of the child. (as if that makes everything OK and acceptable!)
* She's in the midst of an ethics investigation.
* Her position on the "bridge to nowhere" changed repeatedly despite what she announced in Dayton.
* She ran a 527 group for indicted Senator Ted Stevens ....

And it is early yet today.

36 September 1, 2008 - 11:29am | ilikepolarbears

So this is Bristol's 2nd Child?

Busy girl.

September 1, 2008 - 2:26pm | rfn

Poor Barry is already

groveling, trying to distance himself from this disgusting rhetoric. Why are so many trying to hard to make it even worse for him? Don't they want him to be elected?

35 September 1, 2008 - 11:03am | rooftop08

Retraction?

Where is ADN's retraction? What was all that about a fake pregnant Governor? You folks had it right on one point, her daughter was pregnant. How about apologizing for your shoddy investigative work?

September 1, 2008 - 11:29am | TheSdog

Retraction for what?

For reporting that there were rumors out there?

The Palin Posse needs to give it a rest. The secretiveness of The Palin and her admistration begs for things like this to happen.

Whatever happened to "open and transparent?" It may be a personal issue but when you are a public figure you need to be smarter than this or maybe you don't.

November 23, 2008 - 9:02pm | serena

MTS converter

September 1, 2008 - 11:45am | rooftop08

Are you on the payroll?

September 1, 2008 - 12:00pm | TheSdog

See response

the other time you asked me that.

September 1, 2008 - 12:09pm | rooftop08

I know, do not be mistaken

I know, do not be mistaken my friend; I purposefully implied my question twice.

34 September 1, 2008 - 10:10am | alaskamommy

look there

Now we know it's not true because obviously Bristol is pregnant now and could not have been pregnant then also...

September 3, 2008 - 1:15pm | nogodbutyou

Unless you can tell where Palin gave birth to 5th child.

In Palin's Home or in Hospital .
Which hospital?.
Just 3 days of Maternity Leave ,with down syndrome child?.
Got answers?

33 September 1, 2008 - 8:58am | timeforchange

this rumor is nonsense.

I think Republicans trying to deflect attention away from the real issues must have started the baby rumor.
If Sarah is fiscally responsible why is the “at will” appointed still being paid. If he’s at will fire him and then re-hire him. But no he’s a friend of Sarah, so he gets paid for no work. Turns out she hires a sexual harasser, but Commissioner Kopp works for 2 weeks and leaves with 10,000 severance pay.
And why is Ron “If I Was a Rich Man” Adler still earning a salary at API? Is it acceptable behavior for her Director to jump on a conference during a staff meeting, make anti-Semitic remarks and belittle state employees? Of course, it is. Just listen to how she belittles a decent man like Walt Monegan when he rocked her boat. Bet you Adler’s personnel file won’t be leaked to administrative operatives like the Wooten file.
Has the Governor said she won’t take her salary while she goes job-hunting for the next two months? I doubt it. Republicans take care of themselves and their friends. Right, Ted and Don.

October 14, 2008 - 1:00am | cautionyou

You are right.Republicans

You are right.Republicans trying to deflect attention away from the real issues have started the baby rumor.mts converter

32 September 1, 2008 - 8:33am | OlliVegas

Mcallister and Pallin lied?

If Kyle's quote above is to be believed and if Gov. Pallin said "it is not true about Bristol" She is a flat out liar.

Kyle can you confirm with Mcallister. Does he still believes "The governor's not a liar"?

30 September 1, 2008 - 8:08am | blazer8914

baby

OBAMA SAID THAT IF HIS DAUGHTERS MADE A MISTAKE HE DID NOT WANT THEM TO BE PUNISHED WITH A BABY. SO THAT TELLS YOU WHAT HE WOULD DO. IF IT IS HER BABY OR THE DAUGHTER'S DOES IT REALLY MATTER? THEY HAD THE BABY AND LOVE AND ACCEPT HIM. IT IS A EXAMPLE TO OTHERS HAT BABIES WHO ARE NOT PERFECT HAVE A PLACE IN THIS WORLD. IF SHE WANTED TO HIDE IT THEY COULD HAVE MADE A TRIP OVEREAS OR ANYWHERE ELSE TO ABORT IT.THEY ALREADY KNEW IT HAD DOWNS BEFORE IT WAS BORN. THIS DEM WILL VOTE FOR HER PROUDLY

29 September 1, 2008 - 8:04am | Stags_Leap

Reuters reporting Palin daughter is pregnant

http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSN2944356420080901

28 September 1, 2008 - 8:03am | Stags_Leap

Palin pick causing McCain big problems

About 40 percent of American polled said they consider Sarah Palin to be qualified to become president, according to a separate USA Today/Gallup poll taken on August 30 and that's the lowest level since Dan Quayle was chosen by the first President Bush as his running mate.

A full 30 percent didn't think Palin was qualified to become president compared to 57 percent who considered Sen. Joe Biden, the Democratic vice presidential candidate, to be ready for the job. Only 18 percent didn't think the Delaware senior senator couldn't handle the top job in the nation.

As far as grabbing disenchanted Hillary Clinton supporters by choosing the first female Republican vice presidential candidate, don't think so.

Only 9 percent of the Democratic women polled said they were more likely to pull the Republican lever in November and 15 percent said they were less likely to back McCain. Twenty percent of all women said Palin on the GOP ticket would make them more likely to support McCain and 11 percent weren't buying the McCain-Palin ticket at all.

27 September 1, 2008 - 8:01am | Stags_Leap

a million lies...ABC News Reports

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=5697644&page=1

26 September 1, 2008 - 7:59am | tommcgrath

How low will people go

A million positives and you try to manufacture a negative. Even if it were true I have more than ample reasons to vote for the McCain/Palin team.

September 1, 2008 - 8:34am | nando

A million?

That's a lot. I'd be happy if you could list 5.

25 September 1, 2008 - 6:25am | Stags_Leap

How does McAllister know it's not true?

Hate to break it to little Billy, but the Governor has lied and stated half-truths on multiple occasions..like the Bridge to Nowhere that she originally supported, then diss'd after it became apparent she was being considered as a VP....like the Frank Bailey phone call she knew nothing about.....etc, etc.

The rumor is believed to have merit to it -unless Palin produces proof. Her word isn't good enough -due to a history of spin.

I'd also like to point out that this "rumor" was going around long before the VP announcement....months before it...in fact.

September 1, 2008 - 7:19am | tweedledeetweedledum

Where there is smoke, there is fire

You are right. If this is true, her public lies about the baby will finish her and McCain off. Sorry, Sarah, but when you run for public office you and your family will be scrutinized. This scandal will only get worse - you better do a first and tell the truth.

September 1, 2008 - 7:08am | n0se

let me guess...

you heard first on Craigslist rants and raves ?

lyda and tuckerman must be proud of themselves.

September 1, 2008 - 7:53am | Stags_Leap

redirect

if it is a false rumor, then Palin could easily refute it with proof.

If the hospital or its associates produced a falsified birth certificate -there would be criminal/federal charges.

At the end of the day, if this is a false rumor -then produce a valid birth certificate. Why allow something to circulate unnecessarily?

If nothing is done to address the allegation -then the public will believe there is merit to it.

I would suspect the Secret Service would know, as they do extensive background checks on the VP nominees.

24 September 1, 2008 - 3:29am | roadwarrior1984

Politics of Personal Destruction

Kyle, Shame on you. Enough already. This post is beneath you!

September 1, 2008 - 5:49am | tweedledeetweedledum

Thanks, Kyle

This info is "out there" spreading like wildfire ---- this is news and that is what the ADN is in the business for.

If Palin didn't want to be under a microscope she shouldn't have run for public office - especially a national office.

September 1, 2008 - 7:59am | Stags_Leap

Thank you Kyle

as Palin is now a VP candidate, the local press has a higher degree of responsibility to investigate these claims.

Secondly, the local paper would look foolish if the national press ran with a story the ADN never mentioned.

Palin's PR honeymoon is over. They will not allow her to "bless your heart" out of anything.

I would also recommend that Sarah Palin start allowing the National R's to run her local press...letting Little Billy do the talking is not productive -to say the least.

23 September 1, 2008 - 2:23am | DarrenMedley

March 14

The photo from March 14 proves she was not pregnant.

March 14 photo

21 September 1, 2008 - 12:29am | MeganLarson

You make the call

Okay, which of these women is hiding a pregnancy?

Palin

Other Woman

I'll post the answer soon!

September 1, 2008 - 12:13pm | MeganLarson

Answer

Both are. The "Other Woman" is several months farther along, however. Palin is likely 20-22 weeks. Other woman is 35 weeks.

September 1, 2008 - 12:38am | AK_Lady

Better yet

is either voting for Obama?

September 1, 2008 - 12:54am | MeganLarson

The answer to that

is no. :)

September 1, 2008 - 12:39am | bubbaboy

...

20 September 1, 2008 - 12:01am | getshorty

Candidate for VP, show us the birth certificate

I had heard these rumors long ago about the baby/grandbaby but thought they were probably untrue-who would actually do that? But after seeing the Wooten drama unfold with an obvious attempt at a coverup, AND now that she's a candidate for VP, I think the birth certificate proof is in order.

September 1, 2008 - 8:52pm | bossy

" THE HOCKEY MOM "

Hop a plane while going into labor, going back to work 3 days after giving birth and taking a baby to work.
[HOCKEY MOM]????????????????????? More like "SUPER MOM". A real mom take leave for her family.

September 1, 2008 - 10:19pm | Sunshine_Boy

More like state employee mom

she brings all of her children to work and state employees take care of them for her -- this is a luxury other people do not enjoy -- instead the "average" American mother struggles to find decent, affordable childcare.

BTW, what has Sarah done for the "average" Alaskan family beside throw $1200 energy welfare checks at them?

19 August 31, 2008 - 11:59pm | akallegro

Hey Bristol

Hows it going?

I can only imagine the disruptions you have had to endure. I hope you're holding up well.

Although we all control our own destiny to a certain extent with our efforts, it is not possible to control those that see those efforts and for what ever reason seek to belittle them.

If strong convictions bring success there are always folks with equally strong adverse convictions that see that success as their failure.

Some of those on a failing side lose sight of their original conviction and look to not only criticize the success but anything else that will discredit or even bring pain to those that are enjoying it.

The worst cases are when those who perceive themselves to be on the losing side take aim with no regard to the consequences of the truly innocent. These people will say anything to try and destroy the success even if it means collateral damage to their targets loved ones.

I hope you can see them for what they are. Small and insignificant.

Certainly those most frustrated right now with your Moms success are also making the most noise but take heart.

There are so many more people that are not only disgusted with this behavior but truly appreciate what you are enduring as the daughter of a public figure.

Unfortunately it probably wont end here but I hope you can continue to handle whatever else may come your way with grace and dignity.

Whatever the outcome of the current journey your family is on, hold your head high with pride as you represent the great State of Alaska.

Don't let them diminish your belief in yourself for even a second.

Alaska is proud of you.

September 1, 2008 - 12:05am | TheSdog

Hey Bristol

There is absolutely no reason why this should continue.

It is within your mom's ability to put it to rest immediately.

It would be the "open and transparent" and "ethical" thing to do. She needs to "take a stand" and put an end to the rumors.

September 1, 2008 - 12:27am | Cartman3_15

So much

for reasonableness.