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.
I disagree to the point that I highly welcome Palin correcting the media lies on her daughter and her fiance. Had she not spoken out the lie that both are dropouts would have gone unchallenged. I salute Sarah Palin for calling out the media.
Now that, I agree with.
Thank you for the most level-headed post on this thread.
I meant AFTER the subject of this thread. She need not dwell on the birth of her grandson.
I agree. I’m glad she had her child as opposed to aborting the baby, but being an unwed mother or father is not easy. I don’t think they quite know what they’re getting into. It’s good they have supportive families but it’s still their lives they have to live and nobody else can do it for them. I pray them much success.
“Somehow I think you wouldn’t have found Bristol “exercising her reproductive rights” so sad.”
Oh, so now all of the sudden you think you know what I am thinking?
Overall, what I am saying is that people need to stop glamorizing teen pregnancy.
Also, why the hell isn’t this couple married?
I feel the same way. My son got his girlfriend pregnant, they had a big wedding, and divorced two years later. She raised him pretty much by herself.
My hubby’s a canuck himself, from Ogdensburg, NY.
I don't see how it's been "glamorized." It has been celebrated that this baby would be (was) born to have a right to life.
They're going to get married. If they aren't married within six months, I'll eat crow. But I think they're just trying to get their ducks in a row.
My Mom is still living in Woodstock, NB. I went to college up there.
The jackasses on the left are insisting this is Bristol’s *second* birth- and that Trig is really hers. Oh, and lefty gossip bloggers are calling Palin a disgusting ‘pimp’ for selling baby pictures.
Oooooo, I LOVE poutine. Might be worth getting a passport just to be able to drive up there and get some of the best. First time I ever had it was in Warwick, which I believe is where it was invented.
>> “decided to keep the baby”
Yeah, life is full of tough decisions. Damn shame this one’s on the list.
yes, you are embarrassed and thus evading the issue...
well, hope you are embarrassed anyway...
c’mon...be a man.
I’m sorry but what if the father is a loser? Abusing drugs, etc? It would be better for the teen mom to be in the bosom of her family. There are decent men who can later marry Bristol and adopt the child or at least be a great stepfather.
Marriage to a bad person is NOT better than being single. Even Dr. Laura agrees.
I agree. I suspect Sarah Palin has been trying to get them to get married for months, to no avail. I haven’t had many positive things to say about Barrack Obama, but the statement he made when the pregnancy news broke was pitch perfect: it’s difficult to handle teenagers; my own mother was 18 when she had me; people should back-off Sarah Palin regarding this issue.
It’s about insurance. Bristol has health insurance through her mother’s employer, the state. Levi can’t afford the same level of insurance or pay for an uninsured birth.
The military doesn’t take high school drop outs, so without a diploma that is not an option.
Evade, my ass. I stand by what I said. You've been as troll from the day you landed here. And you're proving it now.
Why is it sad? Two young people that love each other have a baby. The father is working as an electrical apprentice, which means that he’ll be making six figures in 4 years and never need to worry about finding a job.
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need a bachelor’s degree, a job in a cubicle, a baby at 32, and a foreign sedan to be a success in life. You don’t hear about it yet, but this country is experiencing a shortage of skilled tradesman that will be a real crisis in 10-20 years and people that can keep the machinery running are fast becoming a valuable commodity.
I work in the utility industry and we have a very hard time finding intelligent and motivated electricians, mechanics, and pipefitters under the age of 40! Our compensation package is incredible, but there just aren’t any qualified candidates for the jobs. We can fill unskilled positions and we can fill the jobs requiring a degree easily, but the skilled tradesmen are just not out there anymore.
So, I say to Levi Johnston: good for you! You messed up, but got a son and a pretty wife (or will, a soon as you marry her!) out of it and now you are going to adjust your plans and move forward with your life and your new family.
Nothing sad there. Life is what happens while you are waiting for everything to be perfect.
He is not a dropout.
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