The news clears up rumors that have been swirling on the Web — and in Anchorage bars — these last few days that Palin’s fifth child wasn’t her own, but her daughter’s. The theory was that Palin, a staunch pro-life conservative, faked giving birth to her 4-month-old son, Trig, to cover up the scandal. It seems the rumor, which we didn’t report here as there was no evidence to substantiate it, prompted the decision to release the news of the younger Palin’s pregnancy. One official told Reuters that the campaign was tired of the “mud-slinging and lies.”

Palin’s views on abortion have energized the evangelical wing of the Republican Party, who were wary of McCain’s stance on the issue, though he has said publicly he does not support abortion rights. Palin has told the media she doesn’t support elective abortions, even in the case of rape or incest. When she gave birth to her fifth child with Down syndrome, the pro-life movement considered her a true believer in the cause.

It will be interesting now to see how her support of her daughter will play with that group.