Apparently the latest concern from the media, who have suddenly appointed themselves as arbiters of the well-being of candidates’ children, is whether or not Palin is breastfeeding her newest son Trig.

Breastfeeding is a political issue because the baby formula companies have promoted baby formula all over the world, much to the detriment of babies. If she’s a family values right winger, I would expect her to back those values up by breastfeeding for six months to a year, at least. If she’s not breastfeeding, frankly, and she doesn’t believe in birth control, then she’s a hypocrite. She has to run as a right wing family values soccer mom or she has to run as a woman who has gained freedoms through the efforts of other women. She can’t do both.

My wife and I, who recently had a child, put some time into studying the issues surrounding breastfeeding vs. formula.  My wife (to whom this is a very important issue, obviously) was concerned that she might have problems with breastfeeding physically wanted to know if formula was ok too.  We talked to our doctor and, although ultimately my wife chose to breastfeed, we were pleased to find out that there are no substantial drawbacks to formula feeding.  Breastfeeding is optimal, but formula is a more than adequate replacement.

But what I want to know is: Why is breastfeeding a political issue?  Since when has the media become so unbelievably concerned about the children of candidates?  When the Clintons moved into the White House Chelsea Clinton was twelve years old.  When Bill Clinton was elected governor of Arkansas (the second time) Chelsea Clinton was 3 years old.  Her whole life has been spent in the political world, with some of the most difficult parts of it (puberty) coming when she was living in the White House.

During all that time, did even one reporter question whether or not Chelsea Clinton was being properly cared for?  Did anyone suggest that Hillary Clinton was neglecting her child as she pursued a co-Presidency with her husband?

It seems to me that the media was quite respectful of the privacy of Chelsea Clinton.  But now a vibrant young conservative woman is on the scene ready to give the liberal messiah a run for his money and suddenly her 17-year-old daughter is all over the media and whether or not she breast feeds her youngest child is an issue.

Now I’m not saying that Sarah Palin should be cut any slack because she’s a mother.  She needs to hack it just like the guys do.  But I think at the very least she should be afforded the level of respect and privacy the media affords to other politicians.

Is that too much to ask?