Little Palin lands sweetest lick at convention

Halfway through Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's speech Wednesday night at the Republican National Convention, television cameras cut to Palin's daughter, Piper, 7, cradling her infant brother, Trig, flattening his hair with her hand, oblivious that America was watching.

She rubs the baby's messy locks flat on his head a few times, then, unhappy with the results, licks her hand, palm to fingers, and applies slobber.

It was a tiny, unscripted moment, a taste of legitimacy buried in two weeks of rehearsed politicking, and America ate it up.

By morning, radio talker Glenn Beck was fawning over how real the moment was, how it anchored Palin as one of us. The Press Association in Europe was reporting that, "Away from the political rhetoric, millions of TV viewers saw her youngest daughter Piper lick her hand and try to pat down her 4-month-old brother Trig's hair as Mrs. Palin introduced her family to America and the world."

"Piper Palin" shot to No. 24 on Google's "Hot Trends" list of things Americans are searching for.

Comments on this article

by John	Sep 8, 2008 5:20 PM
99% of bloggers make up statistics to enhance their arguments. I took a a class on it, so you can believe it's true! I also took a class on English where I learned to capitalize letters and use punctuation. Your statement, Amy, is complete crap.

by Betty	Sep 7, 2008 10:25 AM
Kids are cute. Not a good reason to vote for Palin. Don't be mindless and vote on beauty. As many have reported, the few things Palin gave as her credentials were exaggerated. Be responsible and research the candidates before voting.

by Kevin	Sep 7, 2008 10:25 AM
Amy, Maybe you should take "classes" in writing grammatically and spelling-correct sentences...odd how the pro-McCain-Palin folks on here are also the worst spellers...

by Mom	Sep 7, 2008 10:25 AM
Piper loved the whole evening. She enjoyed the applause and was the first in her family to stand for an ovation, gesturing for the rest of her family to stand as well. She seems to be born for being in the spotlight. She also loved holding baby.

by Ray	Sep 7, 2008 10:24 AM
Maybe we'll all be invited to the largest shotgun wedding in the history of Alaska.

by Jaylan	Sep 7, 2008 10:24 AM
Ahh wwwww how sweet ok its a cute moment but again why is mommy not taking car of the special needs baby ? I dont care Mrs Palin , what can we expect books being banned , funny she cut funding for special needs in Alaska so what next for the USA

by ren	Sep 7, 2008 10:23 AM
Karl, what's barbaric is that you think a child deserves to die for his father's crime!

by metta	Sep 7, 2008 10:23 AM
who wants to take away ' reproductive rights ????just keep your legs closed except with someone you love & are married to and would want a child with !!my dog has more control than these women screaming for abortion rights .

by McCainPalin.	Sep 7, 2008 10:23 AM
So where do you think little Piper learned such a loving and caring gesture. From her Mom and Sisters of course. You don't learn this kind of love from Government run programs!

by Mike	Sep 7, 2008 10:23 AM
I'm sorry, but this is a non-issue of the RNC. A kid acting like a kid? Amazing. I love how everyone wants to be able to relate to the president (VP) yet they are asking for a leader, not a peer. Every election more rights are taken away.

by Vincent	Sep 7, 2008 10:23 AM
She has my support.

by Mike	Sep 7, 2008 10:23 AM
Annette, Christian has nothing to do with being a leader, many non-christians sacrificed themselves for US. ST PETE, even Alaskans are questioning her ability. and anyone who votes Palin just b'cus of this probly voted Bush, and i blame you!

by Alexis	Sep 7, 2008 10:23 AM
People, Roe v Wade didn't legalize abortion, it set a precedent for a woman's right to privacy. Until the third trimester, she has the right to privacy. Period. People who know the law know it will never be overturned. Right to privacy trumps all.

by Alexis	Sep 7, 2008 10:23 AM
Separation of church and state people. Annette, in case you hadn't realized, there are more than Christians in the United States. And Jennifer, Barack Obama's church isn't racist. How can you say an ENTIRE church is racist? Chicagoans know better

by BW	Sep 7, 2008 10:22 AM
Are you people serious? Serious? This is INSANE! Just close your eyes spin around and pick someone! Why are McCain suppoters always talking about someone else: children, Palin, Obama. Is McCain running against Obama AND his own party? How is this?

by Paige	Sep 7, 2008 10:22 AM
Politics aside the image of these 2 children is precious because of the "spit shine" not in spite of it. How adorable!

by mccain palin 08	Sep 7, 2008 10:22 AM
hey "tom" -- there is nothing wrong with ms. palin's ambitions. such views make me sick. by the way, i'll be voting for mccain palin.

by Gil	Sep 7, 2008 10:22 AM
Very wonderful--She was in the action both nights and much aware of keeping the brother looking nice. What a great sister!!

by Kimberly	Sep 7, 2008 10:22 AM
I was 3rd of 6 kids. #5 was 9 yrs old when #6 was born. We all wanted to take care of #6. So, #6 didn't have 1 mother & 5 sisters; #6 had 6 mothers. It teaches you to care & be patient for people who don't have as much physical ability as yourself.

by Sharon	Sep 7, 2008 10:22 AM
So Tom, what's the matter with the kids helping each other out? My oldest son always looked after his little brother. They are great 20-something adults - both working,, one studying pharmacy on the side and one studying guidance counseling.

by P	Sep 7, 2008 10:08 AM
Cute, staged or otherwise. But that's all it should be. Anyone voting for them based on this is a tard. The bias seen from "Chrisitans" is disgusting. Ego much? No sex ed in schools, but a preg kid? Nuff said.

by Dave	Sep 6, 2008 4:27 PM
I can't believe anybody tuned in to watch the liars convention. You have 4,000 deaths on your hands and you still vote republican? You should be ashamed. Keep listening to the rhetoric though as this party makes race the major issue.

by Jack	Sep 6, 2008 4:25 PM
Cute: yes. Staged: maybe. ?Deciding Factor?: are you kidding? It not even a remote factor in an election of this much importance. BTW, am I the only one who worries about a four month old child with Down?s syndrome being passed around the convention like a box of cookies?

by Deb	Sep 6, 2008 3:03 PM
Hey, Obama fans. If he's so great at change, how come he hasn't been able to change all the corruption in the Chicago political ranks. Just a lot of promises he'll never keep. Charismatic he is, but that's not enough to lead this great nation.

by Pat	Sep 6, 2008 3:03 PM
Hahahahahahahaha - whew!!! Annette, that cracks me up. Yeah, I don't know any Christians that are willing to sacrifice anything. They don't give a flip about anyone outside their own church. McCain/Palin = 4 more years of holier-than-thou.

by Amy	Sep 6, 2008 2:58 PM
less than 1% of all abortions are a result of incest and rape. i took a whole class on it.so you're statement, karl is irrelevant because most abortions are repeats.

by Mo	Sep 6, 2008 2:57 PM
No wonder the country is in the shape its in,people actually thinking Palin seals the McCain ticket to White House because her kid used spit to fix baby's hair?? Wake up people! I've seen ghetto children do the same. Sorry Piper isn't on the ticket

by Annette	Sep 5, 2008 3:25 PM
Christian,American,Navy Mom,the real issue is who is going to support america & her people. Families like the McCains and Palins. Strong christian families will be the back bone of the United States & make the sacrifices that need to be made.

by Karl	Sep 5, 2008 1:38 PM
Actually Dee, doens't Palin oppose abortion even in cases of rape and incest? Parse it all you want, that's barbaric.

by Jennifer	Sep 5, 2008 1:38 PM
I think it was a very sweet and loving gesture. Taking care of siblings teaches children responsiblity and how to love each other. I myself received several "spit shines" myself when I was a child, when there was nothing else at hand & I came out ok.

by AnneMarie	Sep 5, 2008 1:38 PM
I don't think it was staged & it is something little kids, and yes, many moms do for hair, and dirty faces too. BUT it sure shouldn't decide anyone's VOTE. Those people who said that it did should take themselves out if that's their criteria.

by AnneMarie	Sep 5, 2008 1:38 PM
I'm not for Palin as VP but I think the baby has a loving, strong family where EVERYONE takes turn holding & nurturing him. He doesn't need JUST the Mom only--who ever said that is true for a special needs or any other kid? They thrive on love.

by JoeSchmoe	Sep 5, 2008 1:37 PM
Welp, this decided it for me...I was so unsure of who I would vote for...Now, because of this incident, my whole outlook has changed! Somebody's got to teach this kid how to hack a loogie tho...It's so much more sophisticated.

by Damie	Sep 5, 2008 1:37 PM
You people who say this was staged obviously have no clue as to a child's behavior. It was as natural as could be! She's a cutie pie. McCain/Palin 2008!!! We will win!

by Tom	Sep 5, 2008 12:36 PM
So while the mother is angling to be a political star the child is taking care of the baby. Interesting family values.