Levi Johnston speaks on Bristol Palin, Obama and baby
Originally published Monday, October 13, 2008 at 8:49 a.m.
Updated Monday, October 13, 2008 at 11:20 a.m.
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WASILLA, Alaska -- Levi Johnston, who's having a baby with Gov. Sarah Palin's daughter, can't believe all the things he's hearing.
No, he wasn't held against his will on the campaign trail. No, he's not being forced into a shotgun wedding with 17-year-old Bristol Palin.
"None of that's true," Johnston, 18, said in a rare interview with The Associated Press. "We both love each other. We both want to marry each other. And that's what we are going to do."
Standing in the driveway of his family home in this small Alaska town, Johnston spoke about the rumors swirling around him.
The soft-spoken teenager discussed his relationship with Palin and how life has changed with fatherhood fast approaching. He agreed to talk despite the presidential campaign's advice in the days following Gov. Sarah Palin's nomination to avoid the media.
"They're not telling me anything right now," Johnston said as he checked his Blackberry. "It's pretty chill."
Not surprisingly, Johnston was a little shocked when he learned about Bristol's pregnancy, but he says he quickly embraced the prospects of fatherhood. The baby is due Dec. 18. Johnston has dropped out of high school to take a job on the North Slope oil fields as an apprentice electrician.
There's no word on how his future mother-in-law feels about Johnston's decision to drop out of high school. Last year, she made a point of trying to turn around the high dropout rate in their hometown.
"I'd remind the kids that no matter where they are in life - (maybe) in circumstances that probably aren't ideal - that there is no circumstance that they're in that is insurmountable or would necessitate them just giving up," Palin said.
Johnston hinted he's expecting a boy, but he declined to discuss baby names.
"I'm looking forward to having him," he said. "I'm going to take him hunting and fishing. He'll be everywhere with me."
Johnston, a Wasilla heartthrob, said he wanted to set the record straight.
For starters, he said his much-maligned MySpace page was a joke - the one that claimed he said: "I'm a ... redneck," and "I don't want kids." Johnston said his friends created the page a few years ago and he had nothing to do with it.
Johnston said he has dated Palin since his freshman year in high school.
"We were planning on getting married a long time ago with or without the kid," he said. "That was the plan from the start."
While Johnston provided few details about next summer's wedding, the planning has started: A cousin will likely be his best man, and he has asked two hockey buddies, Ben Barber and Dane Wilson, to be groomsmen.
Barber doesn't think anyone pressured Johnston into marriage.
"If he thought it wasn't the right thing to do he probably wouldn't do it," he said.
Johnston is an avid hunter. He's dark haired, tall and muscular, sports a bit of stubble and drives a red Chevy Silverado truck. He'd be the perfect cover for Field & Stream.
He's bagged bears, sheep, elk, and caribou. Some of the antlers are scattered about his yard. Last July on a caribou hunt he lost a "promise" ring that Palin had given him. He said he decided to tattoo her name on the finger and not bother with more rings because he'd just lose them anyway.
Johnston said he wasn't forced to campaign with Palin's mother. Bristol Palin invited him and Johnston jumped at the chance. It was a whirlwind experience for Johnston, who was seated with the Palins at the Republican National Convention.
"At first, I was nervous," he said. "Then I was like, 'Whatever.'"
While Barber said his friend is a celebrity now, Johnston said it hasn't changed him.
"I'm still the same old boy," said Johnston. "I'm just a workin' man."
And now he's also about to become a family man.
"We're up for it. I'm excited to have my first kid. It's going to be a lot of hard work but we can handle it."
Wasilla hockey coach Bill Sturdevant, who was invited to the wedding, said he was sorry to hear Johnston wasn't going to return for his senior year of high school. But he said he believes Johnston, a talented hockey player, will find his way.
"He's a tough kid," Sturdevant said. "He's taking everything in stride."
What about Johnston's politics?
The young man said he wasn't an expert on politics by any stretch. Asked about Barack Obama, he replied: "I don't know anything about him. He seems like a good guy. I like him."
Johnston didn't register in time to vote, according to the Mat-Su Division of Elections Office in Wasilla. But he's still rooting for John McCain and Sarah Palin.
"I just hope she wins," he said. "She's my future mother-in-law. She better win."
Community Discussion
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Cool~
Stay in school Levi.
Don't be a fool. Stay in School.
yes, set a good example for your son and for others like you throughout our country. Formal education may not make you a better hunter, but it will help you to support your young family now and into the future. good luck.
is it that easy to get a job on the slope.what a starry eyed snott nosed teenager.dont need to look to hard for a job with your mother in law holding a high position
Whatever else you will say about this kid, dropping out of school is a BIG mistake. Going to work as an apprentice might seem like a better plan now, but it will be tough for him to move any farther without graduating high school.
Other than that, he seems to have most of his ducks in a row.
Levi,
Don't quit school!! You will regret it for the rest of your life!
Do correspondence through IDEA, or many other homeschool programs in the state. It would be a big mistake to drop out at this point in your life. Your diploma will give you a huge sense of accomplishment.
I quit in my 2nd semester of my Sr year. It has been by biggest regret
by far. But I am now getting my HSD at the age of 47. You can do it now and your so close to finishing!
I am very happy for you and Bristol and will be praying for you!!
i'm a bit jealous... about the slope job. i have tried for years to get a job up there because the idea of working for two weeks on, and off is appealing. i want to provide for my family, and yet spend as much time with my kids while i can. deep breath... i'm glad someone is getting that opportunity... but finish school first.
My advice for young Mr. Johnson is (if You can) take the test to see if you meet the requirements to qulify for a challenge certificate equivelency..... then take corospondance courses to further your career opportunities in your chosen occupation!
Best Wishes to You and Bristol, and don't name the Kid after Me!
Dondi
"I was like, whatever".
I'm, like, gonna throw up, like, I just don't get it, like, this is the scene behind the Palin campaign? Like, what is America thinking? Like, being a daddy is gonna be like so awesome! Like wow! He's like gonna be like such a great hunter, like what a good shot he will be. Like, whatever.
Whatever! Moron...like, you know, like most high school kids. Levi - you better finish that high school education, bud. Sounds like you could like use it. Like, you know? Like, ok....
why wait to get married? Is it an insurance issue? is Mommy sarah going to let Bristol have baby on her state supplied insurance?
who is supporting Bristol and Baby now??
Is Bristol still in school?
With a severe economic downturn, (not to mention the bailout), two wars, and a presidential race that would bore a moose into a coma. I find it difficult to be concerned with a teenaged unwed mother to be and her high school dropout boyfriend making headlines.
Wow! The stock market is up over 900 points,and all because this kid spoke to an AP reporter in his driveway? The power of this family is mindboggling.I can hardly wait until Trig speaks his first words,we'll all be millionaires.
MRgreen, justassking and alder576, a little mean spirited today are we hmmmmmm
why what do you mean goldstreamer01?
I was just asking some questions...the answers that must have went thru your head were your own thoughts!
justasking; because it's nobodies business what this young couples plans are.
Levi, get your GED while you finish you apprenticeship. A journeyman electrician makes way more money than say a high school teacher. Sure it would have been nice to finish school and enjoy all the social events. But now you have responsibilities.
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Oh it is our business--because Ms. Palin put it in the spotlight, paraded her daughter out to the public at the convention and gave a public statement about it. And we paid for Bristol to go to meetings in NY with her mother and stay in fancy hotels and to travel here and there at State expense. And Piper and Willow, rather than being in school, have been hauled around on the campaign trail. So the Palin children and what they do has become a matter of public interest. Both Bristol and Levi should finish school, of that there is no question. Most union apprentice programs require a HS degree or GED, at least all I have heard about but then if you have connections...They are a very poor example to their siblings and other kids in Alaska but so it goes.
I'd like to know what the McCain campaign is paying this kid to play ball. If he wanted to marry Bristol he would have said something a long time ago.
Just what do you think he's going to say? He would be in deep kimchee if he said anything that would go against THE FIRST FAMILY. He may have to get some lessons from Wooten on how NOT to deal with them.
"Not surprisingly, Johnston was a little shocked when he learned about Bristol's pregnancy, but he says he quickly embraced the prospects of fatherhood. The baby is due Dec. 18. Johnston has dropped out of high school to take a job on the North Slope oil fields as an apprentice electrician"
Levi, your part in the history books will be, VP Grandma, Sarah Palin, God Bless America!
goldstreamer says"justasking; because it's nobodies business what this young couples plans are."
but how about sarah's .....like her insurance..which is paid by the state....and how we would all celebrate Bristol's wedding here in AK!
don't put off your wedding Bristol...get the papers on the boy NOW!
Go back to school Levi!
Hope you get your diploma!!! Don't quit school!! It is a life long mistake!!!
And stay a "private citizen".
Good luck! win, loose or draw you will still have a famous mother in law! She is the first woman to be considered for VP.. ever in the history of the United States of America.
I'm imagining MrGreen standing on his doorstep, shaking his gnarled fist and yelling "Get off my lawn you whippersnappers!"
I'm not sure about the electrician's union, but I believe most construction trades require a high school diploma to enter the apprenticeship program. He may just be working as a probationary apprentice for now. I do hope he has the foresight to get his diploma. Correspondence was a good suggestion.
theabowman,
You made a comment about Gov Palin throwing Bristol and Levi into the spotlight and announcing the pregnancy to all the world. Can you imagine if Gov Palin had said nothing about Bristol's condition and the press had found out about it. It would be classed as thier dirty little secret and how the Palin's were so ashamed, and leaving those poor kids to deal with things all by themselves. Gov Palin did what she thought was the right thing. Making the announcement and pledging support as a family so that there was no doubt that this is a family that stands together even in the rough times.
"She is the first woman to be considered for VP.. ever in the history of the United States of America."
This is incorrect. Check into the 1984 Mondale/Ferraro ticket.
Great so now everybody in the lower 48 thinks you can just drop out of school and go work as an electician's apprentice on the slope. Great. It has been my experience that most of those jobs require at least a GED.
Of course young Levi was "shocked" by the pregnancy. I assume he was there when it happened so he shouldn't have been shocked. My guess is this genius has done about all the school he is capable of.
Justassking: which is paid for by the state. thats right, you don't pay for any state workers insurance, so wat's your point.
theabowman: "And Piper and Willow, rather than being in school, have been hauled around on the campaign trail."
xxxxx
Did it ever occur to you, Thea, that traveling around the country on the campaign trail is the experience of a lifetime? These kids will learn about many parts of our country that they might never otherwise see. This is an opportunity many never have. Classroom instruction can wait. Besides, how do you know that someone isn't tutoring the children as they travel?
And just because this family and its affairs is a metter of public interest does NOT make it "our business."
1AKfox,
I'm not sure how long Gov. Palin will be famous. You've already forgotten who Geraldine Ferraro is.
Akangel-
What should have happened was a simple press release acknowledging that Bristol was indeed pregnant and the dad was another teenager. And it should have ended right there. These kids should have continued in school, the parents of both should have made that not only a priority, but a condition of helping them. Kids get pregnant and that is not necessarily the parents fault--you don't compound one mistake with another and you certainly don't celebrate this, esp if you are in a position of leadership. These kids--all of them--belong in school, not on the campaign trail. Why were Willow and Piper just in NYC? Using kids like this is very distasteful to me. Bush, Clinton and Carter did not do it. Obama does not do it. Not minor kids.
I commend you for speaking out Levi. It's none of my business, but I have to admit I was concerned about the MySpace page and your comments about children, so it's great to hear you're looking forward to being a dad. Lots of people became parents in their teen years, and it's tough row to hoe, but your attitude sounds good. I hope you get a job in town so you can be with your baby during his formative years. They change so much from week to week! If you decide not to go back to school, I hope you get a GED, and I hope you encourage Bristol to graduate.
I totally don't want to see your future mother-in-law as VP, but I sure do wish you and Bristol the best of luck. Learn as much about early child development as you can. It's a fascinating world and really helpful, especially during the first few years.
mopoor - My son got a job as an electrician's apprentice with the IBEW when he was 18 with no connections at all. Might want to do a resume and attitude check, eh?
If you finish HS you'll make more money??? I don't agree with that, I have friends who did that same thing he did and are making 100k a year and have two separate retirment accounts. Do what you want kid, your in a good position.
i don't know about this interview...seems to be quite the opposite of how he was originally portrayed. true, it was through his myspace that much of the world learned about him, but having played hockey against him for quite sometime and based on what i know, it just seems that this interview was doctored quite a bit. i'm not saying levi is a bad guy, but i'm not sure if he really believes the stuff he is saying or is being told to believe it. levi, finish high school and in the long run you will be much more successful at supporting your family.
The kid said he has been dating the Palin girl since he was a freshman in high school?
Bit young afaic to let my daughter date. The more I read and hear about Sarah Palin the less I think of her.
dog
Good luck dude, from the sounds of it being an "in-law" of that family is a risky venture. If you get that GED, get some college under your belt, there's programs to turn that Electricians Apprenticeship program into a Degree.
sarah believes in starting early?
IAKFOX needs to go back to school. He or she is unedukated, but I will live it up to then to figur it out. Opps Benny Phits beat me to it!
yes Sarah does, I would say about 5:30 a.m.
Some of you might recall the reason Bristol's pregnancy was disclosed. The left wing whackos at move on were saying Sarah’s baby was really Bristol’s.
Now I know why the media never took notice of me when I was a teenager: I never got my girlfriend pregnant. What was I thinking?
Finish school, then conquer the world.
Also, working on the slope ain't like working at Burger King. Things can get tough and your a long way from home. It takes heart and determination to get through a tour up there and I got nothing but respect for them.
I would venture to say most of you wouldn't make the same nasty comments if your real name was attached to it...
I dont think these kids are ever going to want for anything. I dont think him graduating is as important as learning any real lesson in life. He is only eighteen and already has a great job that will likely open several other doors. He will never have to struggle, some of the most rewarding times in life were the times where I was stuggling, you learn a lot of important lessons in those years, the fundamentals you could say. He is going to miss out on that, having things given to you without earning them seems like a blessing at the time, but he will realize and so will she, that sometimes you need to do things for yourself even if everybody has to sacrifice a little.
doris are you a canook eh any one can get a apprentice ship.it's the slope job that's hard to get.no nasty remarks just reality you just can't lay a line full of pressure on the ground.no interfracture to the house's.if the state had used the pfd all these years and built infracture your dreams might of come true but as it is your screwed.if the state resources are the people's where is the mining,logging,fishing pfd.thank you fine people for letting me post here,it's been a gas.pun-pun. scotty berg has it right put your name to your post. chuck paine lewiston idaho
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First of all, justasking, please use entire names as there is a "goldstreamer" and a "goldstreamer01". I did not make the comment that you referred to.
Second, I know people who obtained vocational training and couldn't get a job with some employers because of a lack of HS Diploma or GED.
Third, I also wonder if this is really a shotgun wedding-of course they are going to deny it.
I think when justasking stated that Sarah must believe in starting early, I think they were referring to her starting at age 16 or 17, not 5:30AM!
Like mother, like daughter! How can she lead a state or nation if she can't teach her children valued lessons?
goldstreamer, I knew what justasking was saying but she was not specific
Yes, like mother, like daughter... If this had happened with the other candidate who happens to be black; it would be written as another American tragedy, in the black community.
Smartntvmama, you sure hit the nail on the head!
Sarah is 44, Track is 19 or 20, you need to learn math.
Good for him! He is more of a man at 18, then some men who are much older, by taking care of his responsibilities and being accountable.
Take the job Levi and take some classes for a GED then and some college courses, with that job you will be able to afford raising a family and get the education you dreamed of.
I am proud of him and Bristol. A private moment between this couple was broad-casted all over the world which was totally unnecessary. It makes me ashamed of our anything for a buck media.
Many Blessings on you Levi and Bristol and the sweet beginnings of your family. :)
I figure this marriage is a 3/5. Within 3 years of it Levi will have had an affair with some other girl and within 5 years they will be talking divorce. Of course, whether or not they get one will be up to Mother Palin who is carefully orchestrating this "event" to her greatest gain. But, it will be a 3/5. Neither of the two kids impresses me as having a great deal of intelligence or maturity. Either Sarah will be so intrusive during the marriage that it will die from that effect or it will decompose like the large majority of such early, forced marriages.
That circumstances and the statistics are intensely against them. Watch for them on the Jerry Springer show around 2013 or 2014.
Dobie, you are sad little man and you have my pity.
I have had many jobs in my more than 50 years long life,some good,some bad, and I have NEVER once been asked if I had a high school diploma. good luck kid!!!
Bristol and Levi....the PERFECT American couple. I'm thinking that Levi will have the same education that ROOSTERDUDE has.
Get a Good Enough Diploma (GED) Levi.
Ice....I'm guessing your work history is full of blue collar jobs only.
A High School diploma is life's simplest test....sorry to hear that Levi failed that one also....along with failing basic sex-ed class. Jeesh...put your gun away already.
"I just hope she wins," he said. "She's my future mother-in-law. She better win."
Or else I'm screwed!! Again !!
Theabowman,
Are you forgetting the TV interview that Obama did with both of his children?? A four part interview and then allowing the press to come into his eldest daughters birthday party?? The Palin family is showing that they support thier daughter even after she made a mistake. Would you prefer they sent her off to some place they hide unwed mother like they used to? I have children and I will support my children through the mistakes that children make. I will not hide them away in shame, and I don't expect Gov Palin to either.
Probably all started with freak dancing...tsk,tsk...lol.
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