LAS VEGAS -- Just last Friday, Sen. John McCain surprised the country with Gov. Sarah Palin has his vice presidential pick. Now, Palin has a surprise announcement -- her teenage daughter is pregnant.

Political analysts said Palin has never had this kind of national spotlight before. Now all eyes will be watching to see how she handles this controversy.

Palin announced her 17-year-old daughter, Bristol, is pregnant and plans to marry the baby's father.

Supporters said this is consistent with Palin's pro-life position.

But critics said it's ironic that she has backed abstinence-only education.

Political analyst Dan Hart said voters should cut the mother of five some slack.

Most of the people FOX5 spoke with said they respect that this is an extremely private matter, but that doesn't mean they'll stop talking about it.

“I've had some of my Democratic listeners who say Sarah Palin is somebody who has backed abstinence-only education, and now, she's got a teenage pregnant daughter,” said radio host Heidi Harris.

But Harris is quick to defend the mother of five from Arkansas.

“I don't care who you are. I don't care if you're a stay-at-home mom, your kids are going to do things you don’t want them to do. They're kids. They're hormonal teenagers,” Harris said. “This is consistent with her pro-life position. She could have encouraged her daughter to quietly get an abortion, and she did not do that.”

Most people FOX5 spoke with were sympathetic, saying teenagers don’t always do what they’re taught to do, and unplanned pregnancies happen in all families.

Hart said all critical eyes are on Palin to watch how she transitions from governor to a vice presidential candidate.

“In order to prove her worth as a candidate, she needs to get over this stuff. There needs to be no questions or surprises anymore,” he said.

Analysts said it will be interesting to hear Palin speak at the Republican National Convention Wednesday. All eyes will be on her to see how she'll handle her daughter's pregnancy during the speech.

McCain told reporters in Ohio Tuesday that he is very proud of the impression that Palin has made on America.

Sen. Barack Obama said the issue should not be a part of the presidential election.