Barone: Media opposed Palin because she didn’t have abortion
November 12th, 2008
From Politico.com:
Respected political analyst Michael Barone drew criticism Tuesday when he told a conference of academics that journalists trashed Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin because “she did not abort her Down syndrome baby.”
Audience members erupted in angry boos, and some walked out of the annual meeting of the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges in Chicago.
“The liberal media attacked Sarah Palin because she did not abort her Down syndrome baby,” Barone said, according to accounts by attendees. “They wanted her to kill that child. … I’m talking about my media colleagues with whom I’ve worked for 35 years.”
Barone did not dispute the accounts of his remarks, and said in an email that he was “attempting to be humorous and, as many in public do, went over the line.” His apology is here.
Barone is a senior writer for U.S. News & World Report and principal coauthor of “The Almanac of American Politics.” He is also a regular commentator on Fox News.
(U.S. News photo)
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November 17th, 2008 at 1:45 am
I agree with Mr. Barone.
And ‘joking about a prenatal diagnosis is insulting to your family”,,yet aborting said child would be a ‘choice’, and therefore ok? Ah, the logic of liberals.
November 16th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
I’m with Bloop.
November 14th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Bloop, it seems to me you confirm what Barone says, and accurately reflect the way Palin, the most popular governor in America, has been portrayed in the media.
November 13th, 2008 at 11:50 pm
The media attacked Palin because she is a horrifying nut case. The thought of her in the white house litterally gave me nightmares.
November 12th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
Mr. Barone was far off the mark and his ‘jest’ is an insult to individuals with Down syndrome and their families. I applaud the audience members at the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges in Chicago who booed and walked out in protest of this characterization of jounalists and parents of children with Down syndrome.
If anything, journalists have shown great respect for the decision that Sarah Palin and many other pro-choice and pro-life parents have made. There have been many excellent recent articles raising awareness about Down syndrome and also introducing parents who had a prenatal diagnosis to the American public, many of whom are pro-choice. They have demonstrated thoughtful consideration of the Prenatally and Postnatally Diagnosed Conditions Awareness Act and programs initiated by parents for education of medical professionals and genetic counselors.
Journalists who have a son or daughter with Down syndrome or who cover stories about disability issues throughout their lifespan are as likely to be liberals supporting funding for programs and opposing budget cuts as they are to be conservatives who show an interest only until the birth of the child.
It is absurd to refer to the comments left by twelve year olds in response to excellent media attention to the issues and concerns of parents and advocates or individuals with Down syndrome themselves.
Making any kind of joke about prenatal diagnosis is insulting to my son and our family. Bad form, Michael Barone. You can do better and we expect better from you in the future.
November 12th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Whether his comment was in jest or in all seriousness, I believe that Mr. Barone is not that far off the mark. Just look at the online comments to any of the recent articles cropping up in media about Down syndrome. Not everyone supports the decision of those who choose to continue their pregnancies after a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome. We continued our pregnancy when we found out our child would be born with Down syndrome…no reserve, no retreat, no regrets.