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ST. PAUL — News that Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's (R) 17-year-old daughter is pregnant could lessen the enthusiasm conservatives expressed for John McCain's running mate, strategists said Monday.
Social conservatives were initially overjoyed that Sen. McCain (R-Ariz.) had picked the anti-abortion rights governor. They sent out glowing statements, with some even saying that Palin being on the ticket made it easier for them to vote for McCain.
"The selection of Gov. Palin is great news for conservatives, for the party and for the country," David Keene, chairman of the American Conservative Union, said in a statement over the weekend. "Her dedication to principle, her courage both before and after her election as governor of Alaska and her personal qualities make her a perfect choice for vice president. I predict any conservatives who have been lukewarm thus far in their support of the McCain candidacy will work their hearts out between now and November for the McCain-Palin ticket."
By Monday, however, Keene, who also writes a column for The Hill, declined to comment on the pregnancy of Palin's daughter, Bristol.
The Family Research Council (FRC) over the weekend enthusiastically hailed Palin's spot on the ticket, but on Monday FRC President Tony Perkins put out another statement, this one about teenage pregnancy.
"Unfortunately, teenage pregnancy has become all too common in today's society, regardless of a family's economic or social status," Perkins said in a statement. "It is a problem that we remain committed to reducing through encouraging young people to practice abstinence."
While the news is likely upsetting for some conservatives, Republican strategists said Monday that the Palin family's statement could go a long way to soothing any conservative consternation.
"Our beautiful daughter Bristol came to us with news that as parents we knew would make her grow up faster than we had ever planned. We're proud of Bristol's decision to have her baby and even prouder to become grandparents," the Palin family said in a statement. "As Bristol faces the responsibilities of adulthood, she knows she has our unconditional love and support. Bristol and the young man she will marry are going to realize very quickly the difficulties of raising a child, which is why they will have the love and support of our entire family. We ask the media to respect our daughter and Levi's privacy, as has always been the tradition of children of candidates."
Several conservatives indicated Monday that they were standing by their support of Palin as the GOP's vice presidential candidate because her daughter is getting married and because she did not have an abortion.Former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) expressed sympathy with Palin. "One of the things that people don't understand about the right is the right are not holier-than-thou Puritanical perfect people," Santorum said in an interview. "We certainly don't see our friends and neighbors as that and we certainly don't see members of our families as that."
Santorum added: "You don't want to see have a child going out, and obviously, getting involved in sex outside of marriage. That's not a good thing. ... You take something that is not a good thing, which is for her to be engaged in that activity, and you take what happened, which is a pregnancy, and you turn it into the best thing possible, which is that you love her, you support her, and you love and support that baby, and that's what Sarah and her family is doing."
"Fortunately, Bristol is following her mother and father's example of choosing life in the midst of a difficult situation," Perkins said. "We are committed to praying for Bristol and her husband-to-be and the entire Palin family as they walk through a very private matter in the eyes of the public."
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