Posted on 01/01/2009 6:21:26 PM PST by rhema
Former vice-presidential candidate and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is speaking out for the first time on the birth of her new grandson. Palin's daughter Bristol disclosed her pregnancy shortly after she was named as John McCain's running mate and it sparked a national debate on abortion and teen pregnancy.
Palin says she welcomes her first grandchild, Tripp Easton Mitchell Johnston, born to Bristol and her fiance' Levi Johnston on December 27.
“We are over the moon with the arrival of this healthy, beautiful baby,” Governor Palin said. “The road ahead for this young couple will not be easy, but nothing worthwhile is ever easy."
"Bristol and Levi are committed to accomplish what millions of other young parents have accomplished, to provide a loving and secure environment for their child. They are both hard workers, they're very strong, and have faith they've made the right decision in setting aside their own interests to make this child their highest priority," the governor said in a statement LifeNews.com obtained.
Palin also responded to criticism that somehow she or her daughter failed because of Bristol's teen pregnancy.
Instead of getting an abortion, Bristol and Levi decided to keep the baby and have been supported by Palin and her family.
“When Bristol and Levi first told us the shocking news that she was pregnant, to be honest, we all at first looked at the situation with some fear and a bit of despair. Isn't it just like God to turn those circumstances into such an amazing, joyful blessing when you ask Him to help you through?”
Bristol Palin also commented and said she “obviously discourages” teen pregnancy and knows that plans she previously made for herself will now forever be changed.
“Teenagers need to prevent pregnancy to begin with – this isn't ideal. But I'm fortunate to have a supportive family which is dealing with this together. Tripp is so perfectly precious; we love him with all our hearts. I can't imagine life without him now," the young Palin said.
Bristol begins her final semester of high school next week where she'll get her last credit needed to graduate. She looks forward to continuing her record of good grades and high achievement.
Levi is continuing his online high school work in addition to working as an electrical apprentice on the North Slope.
Bill McAllister, the governor’s office communications director, talked about why the Palins decided to release a statement after initially declining media requests for comment following Tripp's birth.
"The governor's office previously declined to comment to honor the family's wishes that the event remain as private as possible. However, the high volume of press inquiries, along with some erroneous information that was published, prompted the governor to make a statement," he said.
Palin faces re-election in 2010 and is considered a top Republican presidential prospect in 2012 against Barack Obama when the pro-abortion incoming president is expected to run for re-election.
Thank you for some sanity on this thread.
I guess I’m old fashion or some thing.I think a man and a woman should get married before they have sex.
“Be a man.”
Clearly, you can not.
Good bye.
You think you’re the man, eh newb? Enjoy your DU fantasies.
I thought ‘People’ denied that story today. Not that the truth has ever been a part of the equation for anyone on the left.
Me Too!
SLA
Maybe Bristol hasn’t married yet because her soon-to-be mother-in-law is battling health and legal problems related to Oxycotin. I’m not being flip, only those families really know what’s going on, but it seems like Levi’s mom has a few issues that need to be addressed, and those issues could detract from something as special as a wedding.
I’m glad I missed it.
It was...discouraging to say the least.
Little Tripp will have the best granny. And just think, Uncle Trig is only a about 8 months older! How cute is this..What a great family..lots of love and support..we need more folks like the Palin family and a lot fewer like ....well we won’t go there by yall know what I mean..
I knew twins with real names of Penny and Nichol (might have even been spelled Nickle).
And let's not forget Granddad Todd!
Tripp beats LeMenjello (lemon jello), Sh*Thead (sh*thead)
Congratulations?
People used to be rightfully ashamed of pregnancy outside of wedlock, because they were rightfully ashamed of the sex outside marriage which caused it.
Congratulations, Tripp, on not being ripped to pieces like many kids in your situation are.
I'll save my congratulations for Levi and Bristol until after the wedding.
I guess I've been around too long because I had the same thought. Marriage should come before the baby carriage but the current "culture" makes up its own rules.
Thanks to this skewed culture, nearly half of marriages end in divorce, and there's a high rate of failure for teenage marriages. The solutions are obvious.
You failed to mention my personal favorite, FORMICA DINETTE.
Buttons was a former neighbor and she had a sister called Zipper. No kidding!
I take it you were pure on your wedding night?
Eddie Murphy used to say the up and coming names were Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen.
Hey, bunkie, why don't you ask Eddie about what his meaning was?
We've experienced this as parents. It is a very serious situation which calls on all the wisdom one can muster to make it work out to everyone's advantage. The baby is wholly innocent. He/she deserves the love of all the family.
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