AP Interview with Levi Johnston

[asta]

Just read the AP interview with Levi Johnston. Sounds like a nice kid and says that he is looking forward to marrying Bristol Palin. What I found incredibly sad is that he has already dropped out of high school. Maybe the culture is different in Alaska but I think education is so important. So many future options are closed without an education and in most cases you really even need a college degree to be considered for the better jobs. An 18 year old father without even a high school diploma just seems sad no matter who you are.

 

[momrek06]

Just read the AP interview with Levi Johnston. Sounds like a nice kid and says that he is looking forward to marrying Bristol Palin. What I found incredibly sad is that he has already dropped out of high school. Maybe the culture is different in Alaska but I think education is so important. So many future options are closed without an education and in most cases you really even need a college degree to be considered for the better jobs. An 18 year old father without even a high school diploma just seems sad no matter who you are.

Wow, they are just wayyyyyyy to young for marriage. How are they going to afford a baby and a home...was that asked in the interview??

Yikes, my DS(26) graduated in May with an advanced degree (Masters) and his DF(24) will grad May '09 with an MBA and they are SCARED of what they will be facing with this economy. He has a great job (insurance...they say it is recession-proof) but it is still a very scary world out there.....

How can two "youngsters" (yup IMHO they are youngsters) going to make it???

 

[asta]

The article said that he is going to be an apprentice electrician in the oil fields. At least that is a job but to have this as your life direction as an 18 year old without a high school diploma just seems sad. The senior year of high school is such a big deal around here. It should be a fun, exciting time with everyone finishing school and making decisions about what your next step is going to be.

 

[RitaE]

hmmm wonder if he took the GED?

Talk about having your life turned topsy-turvy. I hope it works out for them.

 

[LotsOfQuestions]

Why is the McCain/Palin camp throwing him to the wolves? I thought the kids were off limits? I thought the media was doing a great job respecting these kids privacy.

Personally I think it sick that Palin allowed the door to be opened again on this couple who are going through enough and don't need any media attention, both good or bad.

Is this another throwing the kid under the bus just to get poll points?

He does sound like a nice kid, IF those were really his words. I believe his myspace more, as it was done pre-MIL.

 

[momrek06]

The article said that he is going to be an apprentice electrician in the oil fields. At least that is a job but to have this as your life direction as an 18 year old without a high school diploma just seems sad. The senior year of high school is such a big deal around here. It should be a fun, exciting time with everyone finishing school and making decisions about what your next step is going to be.

ITA!!! Senior year in h.s. is just the best time. And both my DS' will tell you that as well as college. The amazing times, events and friendships they made and experienced in both h.s. and college will be with them forever. Kinda sad that Bristol or Levi will not have the opportunity to experience that for themselves.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Why is this kid doing interviews? Is it part of some McCain camp strategy? I honestly don't understand...

 

[Magic Mom]

Why is the McCain/Palin camp throwing him to the wolves? I thought the kids were off limits? I thought the media was doing a great job respecting these kids privacy.

Personally I think it sick that Palin allowed the door to be opened again on this couple who are going through enough and don't need any media attention, both good or bad.

Is this another throwing the kid under the bus just to get poll points?

He does sound like a nice kid, IF those were really his words. I believe his myspace more, as it was done pre-MIL.

In this situation, Palin is damned either way, I've heard people complain that she is keeping the boy gagged an unable to speak to the press, concluding that this must mean they are hiding him and what he has to say. Now he speaks to the media and she is wrong for that too.
I don't believe they made him speak for poll points or they would have done that a month ago when the Bristol story was still fresh and everyone had heir panties in a wad over it.
Even if you dislike her and her politics, everthing doesn't have to be an evil ploy from her.

 

[momrek06]

Why is this kid doing interviews? Is it part of some McCain camp strategy? I honestly don't understand...

Why not?

 

[RitaE]

Why is this kid doing interviews? Is it part of some McCain camp strategy? I honestly don't understand...

Did you read the article?

Some reporter waylaid him in his driveway.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Why not?

How does this interview help the American public decide which candidate is right for the presidency?

To me, the whole thing smacks of Entertainment Tonight style exploitation similar to what happened with Anna Nicole's baby. If talking to the AP somehow is instrumental in making this boy a better father or husband, I'd love to her it. Otherwise, even if he comes off as the best thing since bread came sliced, it's trash journalism that can do no one in this new, young family any good.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Did you read the article?

Some reporter waylaid him in his driveway.

Well that certainly makes sense. I'm no fan of Sen. McCain's candidacy, but I certainly expect better from him. You'd have to be seriously lacking in the soul department if you put Levi out to speak in any kind of official capacity. Glad to hear it wasn't orchestrated by the McCain/Palin campaign.

 

[disykat]

In this situation, Palin is damned either way, I've heard people complain that she is keeping the boy gagged an unable to speak to the press, concluding that this must mean they are hiding him and what he has to say. Now he speaks to the media and she is wrong for that too.
I don't believe they made him speak for poll points or they would have done that a month ago when the Bristol story was still fresh and everyone had heir panties in a wad over it.
Even if you dislike her and her politics, everthing doesn't have to be an evil ploy from her.

I agree. I don't get how much power people give to Palin.

 

[Shmily1]

I do feel sorry for these two, but I was married at 18 and don't seem to be scarred for life. I mostly feel sorry for them having to deal with the media and the negative comments about them and their families. Not everything is an evil plot from the Republicans.

 

[SteveInBrooklyn]

If a high school dropout got my 17 yr old daughter pregnant I'd beat the daylights out of him. I certainly wouldn't proudly parade him around during a national campaign.

 

[momrek06]

I do feel sorry for these two, but I was married at 18 and don't seem to be scarred for life. I mostly feel sorry for them having to deal with the media and the negative comments about them and their families. Not everything is an evil plot from the Republicans.

But are you 20, 22, 24 now....it is THIS economy that is scaring everyone (young & old) AND to be 18yo, expecting a child, no h.s. diploma or GED, to me is downright scary.

 

[chisnpeke]

If a high school dropout got my 17 yr old daughter pregnant I'd beat the daylights out of him. I certainly wouldn't proudly parade him around during a national campaign.

It's all the guy's fault? It takes two to tango.

 

[RitaE]

No, I'm sure that poor girl was just overcome by an attack of the vapors and didn't have the strength to say no.

 

[SteveInBrooklyn]

It's all the guy's fault? It takes two to tango.

Yeah, but this is a high-school drop out who's going around making babies!!!! Where I come from we call that a BUM!! If that's the quality of person that now merits being paraded around proudly by a candidate for national office, GOD BLESS AMERICA, because we are gonna need it!!!

 

[asta]

I do feel sorry for these two, but I was married at 18 and don't seem to be scarred for life. I mostly feel sorry for them having to deal with the media and the negative comments about them and their families. Not everything is an evil plot from the Republicans.

I think the part that is so sad is not that they will be married at 17,18 years old but that he is dropping out of school. Things happen and people deal with it as best they can but surely there is a better choice than dropping out. They aren't married and don't have the baby yet so why drop out at this time. Maybe he thinks he couldn't finish the year but it will be much harder to accomplish these things after the baby gets here.

As far as the interview, I don't think it was a Republican strategy but he did appear to talk willingly to the reporter. Even if you are asked a question in your driveway, you have the option to say no comment.