Sarah Palin: Election Took Toll on Family
Palin tells Barbara Walters about the toll her fame has taken on her family life
Nov. 16, 2009— -- Sarah Palin tries to set the record straight in her new memoir, "Going Rogue: An American Life." In it, she reveals behind-the-scenes details of the 2008 campaign as the Republican vice presidential nominee, and how the run affected her family.
Speculation has swirled that Palin, instead of pursuing a 2012 political run, may join the media, and, following in the footsteps of other GOP pundits, host her own talk show. But Palin told Barbara Walters that a talk show is not in the "best interests" of her family.
"Well, I'd probably rather write than talk. But I don't know if that would...be something that is in the best interests of my family right now," she said. "There have been lots and lots of offers, in these last couple of months especially, coming our way, some bizarre things," Palin said.
"I would not ever want to put my kids through such a thing," she said, "Our life has become kind of a reality show."
Watch Barbara Walters' interview with Sarah Palin starting Tuesday on "Good Morning America", "World News" and "Nightline," more Wednesday on "Good Morning America," and Friday, Nov. 20 at 10 p.m. ET on "20/20".
Behind her very public persona, Palin, a self-described "hockey mom" from Wasilla, Alaska, is a mother of five: Track, 20; Bristol, 19; Willow, 15; Piper, 8; and Trig, 1.
It was Bristol who, at age 17, surprised the nation when her pregnancy was announced in September 2008. Bristol gave birth to son Tripp in December.
Palin said that she did not know her daughter Bristol was sexually active before learning of her pregnancy.
"That is why it was shocking. And that's the understatement of the century, too, that we were shocked," Palin said "Truthfully, we were devastated."
To a certain extent, she said she felt as if she had fallen short as a mother.
"Perhaps there was that feeling of, 'Bristol didn't, why? Didn't you know there are things you could do to prevent this, or not do it at all?'" she said. "So, yeah, a parent's responsibility, perhaps feeling that I, I let her down. I think that's just a mother's nature."Sarah Palin discusses her political future and Obama's presidency with Barbara Walters. Read more here.
