It seems the Republican presidential candidates will stop at nothing to secure the nomination for themselves -- and some of them are even getting their kids involved in their campaigning efforts.
Our question for our political bloggers this week: Would you allow your kids to campaign for you if you were running for office?
The most notable campaigners this election cycle have to be the 'Huntsman Girls': With their YouTube parodies and multiple television appearances, Jon Huntsman's three daughters have gained about as much name recognition for themselves in this campaign as they have for their father.
Meanwhile, Newt Gingrich's daughter Jackie has been setting the record straight on her father's first marriage, while Mitt Romney's sons have stood in for their dad at various fundraising events.
These 'kids' are all adults, and fully aware of the kind of public scrutiny that campaigning for their parents could get them. Mitt Romney's sons have the look of future politicians themselves, Jon Huntsman's daughters have injected a jolt of fun and energy into his campaign, and Jackie Gingrich Cushman has done important work for her father, answering questions honestly about one of the most negative stories in his past.
I think it's obvious that these candidates' kids are benefitting from their appearances on the campaign trail as much as their parents. Meghan McCain made multiple campaign appearances during her father John McCain's 2008 presidential run and even wrote a blog about it -- She has since used her political positioning to land jobs as an MSNBC contributor and columnist for The Daily Beast.
However, pulling your kids into the political spotlight isn't always best for them. Who can forget Bristol Palin? She was definitely not ready for tabloid scrutiny, and I have to wonder whether her life would have been better today if her mother, Sarah, had chosen to shield her daughter from the press rather than court reporters' attention.
It's certainly food for thought.
Find out what our political bloggers have to say on the subject:
Candidates' Children are 'Off Limits' Unless Campaigning for Conservative Mother
The Campaign Trail is No Place for Kids
Let's Face it, Kids Win Presidential Votes
Campaigning With Kids Exposes All Your Parenting Flaws
Kids Belong on the Campaign Trail So Parents Can Kiss them Goodnight
What do you think about kids on the campaign trail?
Screengrab via YouTube
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Comments 7
I see nothing wrong with it becasue if they win their whole family essentially will be right there with them in the spotlight. I like to see how families are together anyway becasue it gives a lot of insight as to how a person really is. The only downfall i see is for the candidate if you have a Jenna Bush in the family.
Because they are going to be thrust in to the public eye anyway, no matter if they campaign or not, and because a lot of older political offspring end up being the one with the ear of the cantidate, I have NO problem with this. I feel sorry for the younger kids though and while I think they have to be acknowledged and will end up being on a stage at the Republican convention at the very least, I would work harder to keep them a little bit shielded. The above commenter is proof as to why. Jenna didn't do a single thing that most other teenagers/20somethings do. She was young and in the spotlight and she was the type of kid who felt stifled and acted out. She's not a bad kid or a bad person, she was just a kid. Sheesh. Lord help you all if your kids are ever in the spotlight like that. I hope they never act their age!!
Um, Jenna Bush does alot of charity work and gives a lot of herself. She partied in her college years. Most kids do.
I don't see a problem with it... it may be the only time they get to see each other anyway.
The focus should be on the actual candidates and the issues. That is all.