Politicswendy daviswendy davis bristol palinSarah Palin

Wendy Davis Rejects Bristol Palin's Criticism Of Her Parenting

Wendy Davis Rejects Bristol Palin's Criticism
Open Image Modal
By 

Managing Editor, Breaking News, HuffPost

|

Texas state senator and gubernatorial candidate Wendy Davis (D) is rebuking harsh criticism from Sarah Palin's daughter, Bristol.

Last week, Palin took to her blog to condemn Davis as "downright pathetic" after a report in the Dallas Morning News questioned some details of the state senator's life story, including how long she lived in a trailer and when her divorce to her first husband went through.

"She left her kid, husband, made it into a false 'made-for-TV-movie-type-tale' and then demanded that Texans have the right to kill babies," Palin wrote. "That’s the woman you libs can really get behind!"

“With all due respect to Miss Palin, of course, nothing that was said in that tweet is true," Davis said in a Monday interview with Fusion's Jorge Ramos. "I am very proud of the mother that I have been to my daughters. I have always been and will always be the most important female in their life. They are the most important thing to me."

Palin's criticism was representative of many conservative responses to the Dallas Morning News report.

"So Abortion Barbie had a Sugar Daddy Ken," Fox News pundit Erick Erickson tweeted, referencing Davis' filibuster of an anti-abortion bill in the Texas legislature last year. "[Not] exactly the bio she claimed."

Meanwhile, radio host Rush Limbaugh described Davis as "head case" and a "fake," while her gubernatorial opponent, Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott (R), accused Davis of promoting a "fanciful narrative."

Davis's campaign manager Karin Johansen dismissed the attacks as "desperate," writing in an email to supporters that Limbaugh and others would "try anything, including the typical dirty tricks we're all tired of" to defeat Davis.

One Texas Republican, Becky Haskin, also came to Davis' defense.

“If this involved a man running for office, none of this would ever come up,” Haskins told the Star-Telegram. “It’s so sad. Every time I ran, somebody said I needed to be home with my kids. Nobody ever talks about men being responsible parents.”

Our 2024 Coverage Needs You

As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.

Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.

to keep our news free for all.

Support HuffPost

Before You Go

Wendy Davis Speaks For 11 hours On The Abortion Bill
Wendy Davis(01 of41)
Open Image Modal
Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, left, who tries to filibuster an abortion bill, reacts as time expires, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. Amid the deafening roar of abortion rights supporters, Texas Republicans huddled around the Senate podium to pass new abortion restrictions, but whether the vote was cast before or after midnight is in dispute. If signed into law, the measures would close almost every abortion clinic in Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
Wendy Davis, Kirk Watson(02 of41)
Open Image Modal
Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, center, talks with Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, left, after she was called for a third and final violation in rules to end her filibuster attempt to kill an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
(03 of41)
Open Image Modal
Members of the gallery respond as Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, is called for a third and final violation in rules to end her filibuster attempt to kill an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
(04 of41)
Open Image Modal
Member of the gallery respond by holding up their shoes as Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, is called for a third and final violation in rules to end her filibuster attempt to kill an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
Wendy Davis(05 of41)
Open Image Modal
Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, reacts after she was called for a third and final violation in rules to end her filibuster attempt to kill an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
(06 of41)
Open Image Modal
Members of the gallery respond as Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, is called for a third and final violation in rules to end her filibuster attempt to kill an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
Wendy Davis(07 of41)
Open Image Modal
Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, center, who tries to filibuster an abortion bill, hold up a no vote as time expires, Wednesday, June 26, 2013, in Austin, Texas. Amid the deafening roar of abortion rights supporters, Texas Republicans huddled around the Senate podium to pass new abortion restrictions, but whether the vote was cast before or after midnight is in dispute. If signed into law, the measures would close almost every abortion clinic in Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
Wendy Davis(08 of41)
Open Image Modal
Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, cener, filibusters in an effort to kill an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
Wendy Davis(09 of41)
Open Image Modal
Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, filibusters in an effort to kill an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
(10 of41)
Open Image Modal
A line to enter the Senate Chamber spills into the rotunda as Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, filibusters in an effort to kill an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
David Dewhurst(11 of41)
Open Image Modal
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, center, holds a conference with senators to discuss a rule during Sen. Wendy Davis', D-Fort Worth, filibusters in an effort to kill an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
Wendy Davis, Rodney Ellis(12 of41)
Open Image Modal
Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, left, helps Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, right, with a back brace during her filibusters of an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. Davis was given a second warning for breaking filibuster rules. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
Wendy Davis, Rodney Ellis(13 of41)
Open Image Modal
Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, left, and Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, right, vote against a motion to call for a rules violation during Davis' filibusters of an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. Davis was given a second warning for breaking filibuster rules by receiving help from Ellis with a back brace. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
Wendy Davis(14 of41)
Open Image Modal
Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, left, votes against a motion to call for a rules violation during her filibusters of an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. Davis was given a second warning for breaking filibuster rules by receiving help from Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, with a back brace. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
Wendy Davis(15 of41)
Open Image Modal
Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, reacts after she was called for a rules violation during her filibusters of an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. Davis was given a second warning for breaking filibuster rules. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
(16 of41)
Open Image Modal
Hundreds line up to enter the Senate Chamber spills into multiple levels of the rotunda as Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, filibusters in an effort to kill an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
Wendy Davis(17 of41)
Open Image Modal
Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, reacts after she was called for a third and final violation in rules to end her filibuster attempt to kill an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
Wendy Davis(18 of41)
Open Image Modal
Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, center, holds her hand to her mouth as she stands with fellow senators after she was called for a third and final violation in rules to end her filibuster attempt to kill an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
Wendy Davis(19 of41)
Open Image Modal
Standing in front of a portrait of President Lyndon B. Johnson, Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, begins a filibuster in an effort to kill an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
(20 of41)
Open Image Modal
Hundreds line up to enter the Senate Chamber spills into multiple levels of the rotunda as Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, filibusters in an effort to kill an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
(21 of41)
Open Image Modal
Member of the gallery respond by holding up their shoes as Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, is called for a third and final violation in rules to end her filibuster attempt to kill an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
(22 of41)
Open Image Modal
Members of the gallery respond as Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, is called for a third and final violation in rules to end her filibuster attempt to kill an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
Wendy Davis, Kirk Watson(23 of41)
Open Image Modal
Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, center, talks with Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, left, after she was called for a third and final violation in rules to end her filibuster attempt to kill an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
(24 of41)
Open Image Modal
Members of the gallery respond as Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, is called for a third and final violation in rules to end her filibuster attempt to kill an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
Wendy Davis(25 of41)
Open Image Modal
Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, speaks as she begins a filibuster in an effort to kill an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
Wendy Davis(26 of41)
Open Image Modal
Standing in front of a portrait of President Lyndon B. Johnson, Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, begins a filibuster in an effort to kill an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
Wendy Davis(27 of41)
Open Image Modal
Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, begins a filibuster in an effort to kill an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
(28 of41)
Open Image Modal
A line to enter the Senate Chamber spills into the rotunda as Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, filibusters in an effort to kill an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
(29 of41)
Open Image Modal
Opponents to an abortion bill sit in the senate chamber as Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, filibusters in an effort to kill the abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
(30 of41)
Open Image Modal
Opponents to an abortion bill sit in the senate chamber as Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, filibusters in an effort to kill the abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
Wendy Davis(31 of41)
Open Image Modal
Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, stands on a near empty senate floor as she filibusters in an effort to kill an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
Wendy Davis(32 of41)
Open Image Modal
Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, stands on a near empty senate floor as she filibusters in an effort to kill an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
(33 of41)
Open Image Modal
Opponents to an abortion bill sit in the senate chamber as Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, filibusters in an effort to kill the abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
Wendy Davis(34 of41)
Open Image Modal
Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, holds up two fingers to cast a no vote to bring an abortion bill to the floor early for debate, Monday, June 24, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
Wendy Davis(35 of41)
Open Image Modal
Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, stands on a near empty senate floor as she filibusters in an effort to kill an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
Wendy Davis(36 of41)
Open Image Modal
Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, stands on a near empty senate floor as she filibusters in an effort to kill an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
Wendy Davis(37 of41)
Open Image Modal
Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, center, speaks as she begins a filibusters in an effort to kill an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
Wendy Davis(38 of41)
Open Image Modal
Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, wears tennis shoes in place of her dress shoes as she begins a one-woman filibuster in an effort to kill an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
Wendy Davis, Kirk Watson, Rodney Ellis(39 of41)
Open Image Modal
Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, second from left, talks with Sen. Rodney Ellis, left, Sen Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, D-McAllen, right, and Kirk Watson, D-Austin. as she prepares to filibusters an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
Wendy Davis(40 of41)
Open Image Modal
Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, center, talks with fellow senators during a recess, Monday, June 24, 2013, in Austin, Texas. Senate democrats are trying to hold off on a bill that would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
Wendy Davis(41 of41)
Open Image Modal
Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, holds up two fingers to casts a no vote to bring an abortion bill to the floor early for debate, Monday, June 24, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip