VP Nominee To Become Grandparent

No, not that one, although Palin, the governor of Alaska and the Republican vice presidential candidate, could make history come November. If Republican nominee for president, John McCain, is elected, Palin would become the first female VP in the 220-year history of the U.S. presidency.

No, the grandparents' club is not quite as exclusive, but it is just as prestigious. Palin, 44, gave birth to her fifth child in April. Now, she and her husband, Todd, are looking forward to the birth of their daughter Bristol's baby.

The Palins, despite taking some criticism after announcing that 17-year-old, unmarried Bristol is five months pregnant, are eagerly awaiting joining a fraternity of 70 million other grandparents in the U.S.

"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," Sarah and Todd Palin said in a brief statement.

"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," the Palins said.

The McCain camp said it knew that Bristol Palin was pregnant and due to give birth in December, and considered it a private matter that would not affect the campaign.

"Life happens," McCain advisor Steve Schmidt told the Associated Press. "Senator McCain's view is this is a private family matter. As parents, [the Palins] love their daughter unconditionally and are going to support their daughter."

Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama, campaigning in Michigan, said his own mother gave birth to him when she was 18.

"I think people's families are off limits, and people's children are especially off limits," Obama said.

If the McCain-Palin ticket is victorious, it could be the first time in recent memory that an infant is crawling around Number One Observatory Circle.

In fact, there could be two infants — Palin's 5-month old son, Trig, and Bristol Palin's baby. But the governor does know how to govern youngsters. She’s more than familiar with changing a diaper and soothing a crying infant, but she'll need the Ultimate Grandparent Starter Kit.

And though she has a sizable family of her own, Palin has to realize that when you're a grandparent, the rules are different.

Palin will have to watch movies like Spot & His Grandparents Go to the Carnival, read books like Out of the Mouths of Grandbabes: Bedtime Stories for Grandparents (Navpress Publishing Group, 2007), and learn how to spoil her grandchildren.

She’ll have to take on some babysitting chores amid her duties, of course, whether they include running Alaska or helping shape foreign policy.

Oh, and she’ll have to decide on what to be called — Grandma, Nana, Grams —Madame Vice President?

That last part will have to wait a couple of months as McCain and Palin see if they emerge victorious.

These days, the election's on everyone's mind — including ours! So from time to time, Grandparents.com reports on political issues that pertain to grandparents and grandchildren. We make every effort to keep this coverage 100 percent impartial — meaning, we are not affiliated with nor do we support a particular party, campaign, or organization. What we do support is every grandparent's right to know about the issues that affect them. We think it's great that so many grandparents are getting involved in the election, and, as always, we'll do our very best to keep you informed.