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Levi has both equal rights and equal responsibilities as a parent. He should seek legal counsel regarding his rights and also be prepared to abide by the letter of the law when it comes to his responsibilities. Ideally, this child should have the benefit of knowing and spending quality time with both parents.

Everyone in this situation needs to get on the high road and stay there, for the sake of that child and for the sake of their own dignity.

While it makes sense that the Palins wouldn't want Tripp to visit Levi's home where his mother has drug charges pending, it doesn't actually give them the right to limit his visitation rights.

At least this kid wants to be involved in his baby's life. I'm sure there are plenty of teenage fathers out there who would take advantage of this situation and use it as an opportunity to run away.

It is sad and pathetic that the Palins would deny a child their father, and deny a father the natural right to privately visit with their child.

Sarah Palin and her family are sadistic freaks of nature with no moral values. Let fathers be a father, stop keeping this mans baby from him!

Levi should absolutely seek out a lawyer. The Palins have no right to keep him from his son. I can see the Palins being totally inflexible and they are nothing but lairs. Palin used this young man for the campaign and when things didn't work out, so long. Lawyered UP Levi and stand up for your rights.

His younger sister...are you kidding me. she can't be more than 16 of course she wants to take this to court. She probably thinks it would be cool.

Levi,
Good luck in family court . Just be grateful you didn't get married to the mother of the mother of your child !
Be the best father you can be.

I was in support of this man at first but he lost me when he said he was not paying any type of support. How can he be taken seriously when he isnt contributing to the welfare of his child?

Support does not need to wait until a judge tells you to pay it.

He needs to begin sending a set amount each week in the form of a check, $80-$100. This will help him out more than anything else in the long run.

He was good enough to parade in front of the nation. Why is he not good enough now to see his child? Oh I forgot, Palin rules are different in her world.

Why WOULD the Palins want him around the kid? Obviously all he wants is publicity from all of this. That's why he's parading around to all the different magazines, tv shows, and what not.

To: dominican mama 4 Obama April 23rd, 2009 11:20 am ET

At least we both agree Levi's mother is the last person who should be babysitting!

Another thought. This kid is not being arrogant or suave about this. He seems so somber about this ordeal. He looks like he just wants to see his child and take an active role in his child's life. That should be commended.

For those who are calling him a deadbeat.....PLEASE BE REALISTIC. We are talking about a teenager. How many teenagers do you know can afford child support? Just because you want to defend Palin does not mean you have to be an idiot about the situation.

Palin started this by putting this in the lime light on the campaign trail. She opened this pandoras box and now she cannot close it.

Looking at these comments really highlights why probate courts in our society show such an overwhelming and baseless bias towards granting custody to the mothers instead of shared custody. Kudos for the ignorance guys. Fact is, both the mom and the dad in this situation are "deadbeats" because neither of them can afford to support this kid financially. And face it, you'd be screaming bloody murder if Levi and his family were the ones who took the kid and pretended to have the right to dictate when, where and for how long Bristol was allowed to visit with him.

At least the father is trying to be involved. Everyone knows eventually the courts in as nonbias way as possible will help with parental rights. Hopefully without the Gov Palin involved.

Levi needs to not take the advice of his drug using mother and his big mouth sister. If anyone is in it for the publicity it's those two. He was "mature" enough to make this child, he needs to be mature enough to support him. Instead of traveling around the country hitting all the talk shows he should have his butt back in Alaska looking for a job!!! Unless of course Gov. Palin has barred the door to the state.

Unless the Palins can prove that the child is in danger when he's with his father, they hacve no right to deny him visitation. They should be lucky that he wants to be involved in his child's life, instead they are using this innocent baby as a punishment tool. Bristol has as much blame in this situation, if she is old enough to do grown-up activities and bring a child into the world she should be grown up enough to realize that it's no longer about her, Levi, and mommy Sarah, it's about the baby's wants and needs.

The father is allowed to visit the child at the Palin home but not take the child elsewhere? PUHLEEZE! The Johnson's definitely should have a lawyer to make sure they're not railroaded.

I can't blame the Palin's for wanting the baby to remain away from Levi's home. His mother has drug charges pending.

I feel bad for Levi. He's the little guy fighting the big guys. Before Palin was a vice presidential candidate he was just a guy who got his girlfriend pregnant – like to many others. Once Sarah hit the big stage SP dragged her entire family, as well as Levi, onto that stage making all these private matters public. Attempts at fame change people. He should be able to spend time alone with his son. The child is a little young to be away from his mother for an entire weekend but a full day would not be out of line. Are the Johnson's handling everything correctly, probably not, but they don't have the same kind of access the Palin family does. Now that he is not needed as a Sarah Palin prop, he's being tossed aside. Furthermore, why has SP gotten involved in this issue anyway. It's like David and Goliath.

I guess this is the "family values" and "moral superiority" that Palin and the rest of the extreme-right GOP was talking about. HA!!! I LOVE seeing this stuff considering all these hypocrites said about the Obama administration during the campaign.

Okay, I'm caught up in the drama, I admit it. Can someone please explain to me the deal with his mother? I mean, wasn't she ARRESTED for manufacturing/distributing ILLEGAL drugs? So is this the person I'd want babysitting my child? I mean, come on, what if the cops busted her again...? Just wondering.

Forget my first post asking if he had a job. It just dawned on me that he spends too much time on T.V. to have one.

Scott April 23rd, 2009 9:53 am ET

This is great. Palin in a tit-for-tat with a high school dropout.
-------------------
I think they are equally matched....same IQ, same Jerry Springer image...I like it! Although, I give Levi the one-up on SP...he's an 18 year old idiot. But, SP is a 45 year old idiot – at least Levi has a chance to mature – Palin's a lost cause!

I don't know what's worse, Palin's hypocrisy or Levi and his family's grab for media attention. What a bunch of low class sorry losers they all are.

Can anyone tell me why it is the Plains are being attacked on here. Yes, Sarah Plain introduced Levi into the public spotlight, however, I am sure he was a willing participant, afterall he is 18, and he has parents that could have told the Palins.............NO!

I dont see the Palins on Larry King Live, The Today Show, Trya (I NEED RATINGS) Banks, so why are they being attacked verablly. As I see it (IMO) the Johnstons are trying to cash in their 15 Minutes of fame, and who of you out there would send their newborns to a home where Sherry Johnston deals drugs, well maybe we need to have Child Protective Services investigatge you.

I agree Levi has the right to see his son, in a safe environment, not in the home of his drug dealing mother, and wildcat sister. There are three people involved in this situation, that being Levi, Bristol and Tripp. No Levi, Merecede (HO), and Sherry Johnston, I wonder if Sherry and Merecede realizes how incredibly STUPID and IGNORANT they appear to the rest of the world.

GROW UP LEVI, quit airing your dirty laundry on National TV, if you love your son, you are doing nothing but hurting him by bad mouthing his mother. I have not seen anywhere in the media that the Palins have bad mouthed you, your stupid sister, or your drug dealing mommy. Grow up, quit acting like a MORON, and start paying for your baby!

This kid needs to get off of the airwaves, get his GED, a job and start paying child support. I'm no fan of Sarah Palin either, but he needs to start behaving like a father. And who's paying for all of the airfare and hotels for these little trips to the lower 48. And if he IS getting paid in any way...anty up and pay for your kid.

I gotta say, they did pretty calm. They look calm, not nervous to say the least.

I don't blame em, I don't and when they said they ain't making a buck out of it, I believe em, I do. I also believe his honesty towards their son as well, I believe he's what he needs, I ain't gonna judge him. And I also believe he will get this straight with his son and all the legal ramifications...

They look like a normal family, plus, you can already tell that his family and theirs was probably not the same as Gov Palin said when they were together in the beginning. Is like seeing two different families...

I don't care what Gov Palin says, she should be ashame of all this...

take the palins to court, then you will pay child support for the next 18 years like any other dad

What a soap opera! Palin is a hypocrite. First, she stand in front of America, with her family in the limelight........ 'playing' the Christian-mother-patriot-holier-than-thou-role. And then the truth comes out!

As a Christian, myself, I would not condone having my daughter's boyfriend living in the house with our family. Palin did.

Nor would I drag my pregnant daughter on stage as some sort of "symbol" of "family values"!

IMAGINE........ for a minute IF Palin was a Democrat!! The GOP-holier-than-thou-family-values crowd would have ....... crucified her for abandoning her family for her ambitions!

This whole drama, has shined the light on the "family values" of the GOP! A joke.

I do hope that Levi has his parental rights ordered by a Judge. My son does not have this but he is listed on my granddaughters birth certificate. Even though he pays his child support weekly, the mother thinks that my granddaughter is her's solely. The mother dictates everything.

Levi, get it done legal and in writing. I can see the Palin family being judge, jury and dictators if you dont. YOU HAVE RIGHTS!!!

Let it go. He has had his 15 minutes of fame and nobody cares.Sarah Pain is a factor to be reckoned with, weather you like or not.

These are unsophisticated people, and they need a good lawyer to guide them in how to handle the Palins. I wish them the best.

He is not supporting this child financially, he is now a dead beat Dad, maybe the Palin's should go after him. His mother and sister should stay out of this, they are in it for MONEY not for the sake of the child.

As a father and parent Levi has equal rights to his child .He should not be hesitant in being in his child's life, as it will hurt his future with the child.
Children should never have to choose between parents, the child has a right to both, if no one is proved to bring harm to him. He should not be made to feel uncomfortable for wanting or needing both. Each parents have room for growth, as they are young. Sarah Palin needs to step aside and allow Bristol to be the woman she has raised her to be. As a parent we will never think our children are old enough in to make any decisions no matter how old they are... However Bristol needs to set limits for controlling parents.She should embrace her challenges and make her own decisions. Simply put... Levi has to be a part of that change, because the child needs access to both parents, they must do that for the child. Part of being a parent, is making difficult decisions. They made the first one, a choice to keep the child. The rest is simply follow though.

those are some good old fashioned republican family values! always deny visiting rights to the father of your teenage daughter's child after you've asked the public to buy into their happiness.

This is why I chose to wait and have children AFTER I got married. Now I never have to worry about this type of shenanigans ...

keeping a father from his son? what a great way to promote "family values"!!!

Come on and be the gentleman you claim to be. Take some responsibility for your child and do the right thing. If you don't want to or can't help to support him, why would you want to try to gain even joint custody other than to avoid paying. It sounds to me as though the sister is the jealous girl who always got someone's leftovers( be it clothes,girlfriends, or boyfriends) and now wants her revenge. As for Mom, yeah, I want my grandchild spending time with someone just like her( or at least until the very real possiblity she may go to jail) Ha! It's a money making scheme pure and simple. After all the money they've made from these interviews, etc. were I Bristol Palin now is when I would go public asking him when he is going to start supporting his son. I spent 5 years working in child support, and while I am an advocate for father's rights and have seen how the system can and does abuse the non-custodial parent, I also believe
you do your part whether you feel you're being denied your rights. It'll look much better if and when it does go to court.

Sarah Palin dragged Levi Johnston out in front of the national audience for her own political reasons. She praised her daughter for choosing to have the baby, totally ignoring that Palin is campaigning on a platform to PREVENT any woman from having that choice.

John McCain gave Levi a big smile and hug on national television. You can be certain he wouldn't have done that if it had been the boyfriend of a pregnant daughter of President Obama.

Palin and McCain used Levi to help their own political careers and now have dumped him.

At some point in time, Tripp's custodial position will be determined by some judge in some legal venue. It will NOT be determined, hopefully, by the Palin or Johnston family haters and self-righteous cretins on this blog.

[I don't think it would be wise to have Tripp at the Johnston residence, unsupervised, at least at this point in time because of the drug possession charge pending for Levi's mother.] No one knows, until both family environments are thoroughly investigated by the court, just what is best for Tripp.
The sole issue here is what is best for the child, not whether Levi has parental rights or just what they are; obviously, a court will determine just what his rights AND financial obligations and visiting schedule or custodial situation will be. [Any parent in a situation comparable to this would be well advised to retain an attorney to protect their interests that only is common sense.]

We all need to remember that we are simply vastly uninformed observers of this entire saga, and I would emphasize UNINFORMED, as most of the little information we have is distorted and fed to us by PR folks, Levi, the parents of these 2 teenagers, their families and, of course, the media who simply want to drum up still another political/social drama that impacts negatively against the Sarah Palin…

Many here in the forum seem to enjoy trashing the young man for his follies and failings surrounding the teenage pregnancy problem, but really it takes two. What gives these people reason to believe Palin's daughter is any better than Levi. We don't know too much about Palin's daughter other than that she doesn't buy her mom's brand of conversatism. We do know that her mom is not very smart in trying to hide the fact that she doesn't know Africa is a continent and that she can't name a national newspaper!!!! Let's be fair, custody time 50-50.

This high-school dropout father is NOT paying any Child Support, and thinks he has "rights?" Sorry, but the "whole package" is that you have to take the "good" with the "bad."

Why is this news? He is clearly a kid who had a kid. Who knows whether or not he really wants to be an involved dad, his family really seems to like the spotlight though. Maybe if they would stop airing dirty laundary the Palins would be more forthcoming with visitation.
Next thing you know he's bringing the baby on Larry King asking for donations.

No job, no money, and no home and this guy is going to sue his ex-girlfriend. What a loser!

Countless couples go through this series of events on a daily basis, but since one of these 2 is the daughter of the former Republican Vice Presidential candidate, this sort of thing makes national news? Are you kidding me? These were two kids who decided to do what 95% of all other couples do prior to marriage- they just did it without serious consideration of the consequences, as many immature people do. We shouldn't care that these people considering "exercising their legal right" to custody of the child- they broke up, like every other high school couple, and Bristol Palin is the mother of the child. There is no argument here. She and her family are well off and probably more well-equipped to raise the child, regardless of the image Palin's political ideology has created for the family.

Instead, this child and his family want to increase the drama through these interviews on national television in order to keep the spotlight on himself- Palin is his only ticket to fame. This is a complete joke.

My advice to you, Levi- You're nothing special. Give it up and let go. Fade into the background. Your 15 minutes of fame have expired.

As a stay at home dad why can't Levi be the one watching? Neither he nor Bristol seems to be a brain trust. Why can't she be the one making the money?

"It works like this. The Momma is the Momma."

no, that is NOT how it works, the dad is the dad as well

"If you do not grow up and sort out a way to be a live-in and responsible father to this child…. you lose."

I run into this EVERY DAY from stay at home moms. What a load of hog wash. I do as good a job or better than the moms and my kids are having fun, learning a lot and are well adjusted, etc. etc.

People like you make my life miserable.

"The baby needs Mom and your family has to get some class and figure out how to stop milking the stature of Governor Palin and her family."

How about the Palin family GET SOME CLASS. They certainly are showing why they should never be V. Pres and shouldn't have been govenor.

Leslie:

You can't choose your relatives, can you? If you judge people by what their fathers, mothers, brother, sisters, etc. do rather than what they themselves do, then your world must be very small indeed.

Levi is looking for his 15 minutes of "fame" and $$$$$. He should grow up, get a job, help support his son and pay for a lawyer to secure his parental rights. As for the media, there are so many important issues facing the country right now why are you wasting your time on this story?

It's so amazing everyone has an OPINION whether with merit or NOT. Unfortunately, we ALL know HOW SARAH acts when things dont go her way. Ask her Brother in Law and the Trooper she FIRED because he failed to FIRE him because of a CUSTODY BATTLE and NASTY divorce HE was having with erh SISTER. She will ABUSE HER POWER and LIE about it. Now, I do not like the fact that Levi has to go to the MEDIA to gain support to see his child. Did you actually SEE the interview? No he may not actually pay money, but he purchase items he needs, we do not know what agreement they made. The Palins started this foolishness ANYWAY.

I don't understand some of these comments for this story???? He's got a lawyer. Doesn't that mean that at least he is trying to support the kid by gaining custody? It sounds to me like he has tried to see the baby, but the Palin's have made excuses or don't return phone calls. It says, in plain english, that Levi has baby items for the kid. Why does he have to bring them to the Palin's house? How are you supposed to approach this other than legally if you want to see your own kid? The Palins are blocking him from this. As for Levi's mom and the drug charges, aren't we still innocent until proven guilty? This is still the USA isn't it? Not to say that Levi's mom will get a fair trial , because I would imagine that the power-hungry Palin clan will do anything they can to make this problem come out in their favor. Look who has the most power here....An 18 year boy who wants to see his kid or power-hungry Govenor that has control issues. You tell me, is he a deadbeat dad because he has not already filed a legal suit or is it because the Palin's want let him take the baby without being under their survelliance?

What a guy!!! I wonder how much child support this 'gentleman' is paying?

For those folks on this blog who have said thank God the Palin's didn't get anywhere near the White House, I totally agree. What a mess this would have been if she had become the VP to an elderly President.

Joe Biden is able to fully assist President Obama in a way that Sarah Palin never would have been able to assist John McCain.

As for Levi's rights, he should go for them but he should also be prepared to MAN UP and pay child support as long as Bristol's home is the child's primary residence. That's the way either divorced or unmarried parents have to handle child care...

Time for everyone to GROW UP...

The Johnston's can't understand why they are getting such media attention, yet jump in front of a camera every chance they get. I can't wait to hear of their bid for their own reality series! Please, he is a dead-beat dad, grandma is up on charges for drug dealing and they don't kow why they can't take the baby and "hang out" for the weekend? It is truly sad that legitimate media bahaves like tabloid reporters and keeps putting this crap on the air.

The first thing any self respecting lawyer should do is tell this KID to start paying to support his child. It takes more than "diapers and stuff" to raise a child. They complained that Bristol won't let them take the baby for a weekend, well good for Bristol. She is obviously looking after the best interest of their child and doens't want him in a home surrounded by drugs. Time for Levi to GROW UP and man up to his attempt to play house. He is failing miserabley right now.

In response to several other comments – visitation is (legally, as well as morally) NOT dependent on child support, or vice versa! Children can't be held hostage for money and I'm saddened that so many people think they should be. It benefits no one to deny a child time with a parent. Besides, there isn't even a separation or custody agreement yet!!! Maybe Bristol should be giving Levi child support, we don't know how her financial resources compare to his do we?

As for "he needs to prove he can be a good parent", that's total BS and totally sexist. Did Bristol have to prove that she can be a good parent? Levi is being alienated by Bristol and the Palin family. That kind of low-life stunt will end up with Bristol losing custody (which she doesn't even have yet!!) if she keeps it up. Put the shoe on the other foot people, and stop being so sexist. If Levi were pulling the stunts that Bristol is what would you be saying? Kidnapping perhaps?

Actually Freed_From_W, this has nothing to do with Sarah Palin. This is what happens when teenage children start having intimate realtionships too soon. If they 'd have practiced abstinence as Sarah Palin supports, this would never have occured.

Paging Judge Judy!

This article does a terrible job of explaining why the Johnstons "lawyered up" (who is footing the bill?) rather than opt to draft a mutually benefitial custody agreement with the help of a family law mediator. Why turn this into a contentious legal battle when they could sit down like adults (hopefully) and work this out like two rational people (or families)?? When domestic abuse or the risk of domestic abuse is not an issue, you have to wonder about people who don't explore all options available to them when it comes to family law matters. Usually it's not even about the the best interest of the child, it's about eviscerating the other party.

I'd worry that Sarah Palin's sister-in-law might take Bristol's bably along on another robbery just like with Bristol's little cousin!

My point is, both Bristol and Levi have some questionable realatives. Both Bristol and Levi should have custody of the baby.

This poor kid, he just wants to see his son. I feel so bad for them. Bristol is OBVIOUSLY a control freak like her nutty mom, and until she is not governor in a couple years, this kids life is going to be hell. Its so not right what the palin family has done to this kid...

Why does most of the comments trash the Palin's? It appears it's all Levi and his family or the news making this a public deal.

The Palin's are not getting involve with the mud slinging. Just for the record, how many of the commentors would allow Levi and/or his family keep their child? No job, criminal records, history of drug use and a need to be the center of attention at the expense of a child.

Ok, reality check. These kids are both just that, kids and just because they had a child doesn't meant that their commitment will last. They broke up like every other kid. So now, what do do? There is a childs life at stake here. The boy is not being allowed to see the child out of the mother's home. That's not right. He is going up against a very powerful grandmother both in her state and in the nation (all kidding aside she does have a following even though, for the life of me, I can't see how.) He needs to gain leverage so that there will be a fair hearing on this matter. He is doing just that in the media. That will allow him to get a good attorney who probably won't charge much because of the publicity. In the end, the two need very much to have a legal agreement and both, if they want to, need to be involved in the childs upbringing. At the same time, he needs to be prepared for the child support payments if he does not receive custody. That's the cash amount and any health care payments he will need to make. Being a responsible adult isn't easy but I agree he is doing the right thing about getting his side out. Leverage means a better deal in the long run. Whit out leverage the Palins will run over him as they have become accustomed to doing with others. Believe me, if she wants a serious shot at a run for the presidency she will want this buried quickly and not have it linger in court.

Levi the time for a lawyer was the day after the Presidential election. You've used the media (probably-discreetly told to do this interview from your current lawyer) to make sure Sarah Palin doesn't pull any political favors up in your neck of the woods with the judge you will be dealing with. That was a very smart move going on Larry King's program last night. For those of us who have fought custody hearings with police officers, judges, and others who are working in the system it isn't as simple as going in front of a "judge". You fight fire with fire. Sarah's past history with having her brother-in-law fired was a sure sign that going alone down this custody road would get you nothing. I'd suggest you figure out how much child support would be immediately and start putting it in a savings account. Bristol isn't going to separate herself as a mother. Right now she is a teenager scorned. Her and the baby are a packaged deal and until a judge sets her straight this will continue. This isn't what's best for Tripp, it's whats best for her bruised ego now that you two aren't together any longer. It's about control. Go to court and be prepared to spend the next eighteen years dealing with this. Custody is never settled until then. Good luck and make a life for yourself...ultimately you will be your son's primary role model he is male....not his mother.

This interview did nothing to help Levi's cause. He didn't come off as being that determined to see his son, and quite honestly, I wouldn't let his mother keep the baby either with the drug charges pending against her. So if he's still living at home with his suspected criminal mother, Bristol is being a responsible mother in not allowing the baby to go over to the Johnston's home or let the grandmother keep the baby unsupervised. Also, he admitted he's not paying any child support nor did he say that he offered to pay child support. Even if he is a high school student, he's now an adult and has adult responsibilities because he has a child. There are plenty of high school students who have jobs so he can offer some minimal help at least as a sign of goodwill.

One final note, in my opinion, Levi came off as hiding something which was furthered by the comments of his sister, i.e. did he cheat on Bristol or give Bristol the perception that he was cheating on her? That's what I came away with during this interview. If that's the case, it is understandable that Bristol is upset. I would be too. Levi and his family know exactly what he/they did to upset the Palins so it is irresponsible for them to take this to the media and then not answer direct questions in order to further their fame/infamy.

More Palin family soap opera. Todd's half-sister was arrested in on theft charges. She was in another persons home taking money from it for the second time while her young daughter was in the car. The entire family needs to get back on their meds

until Levi and Bristol go to court, Levi has just as much right to the child as Bristol does. It doesn't matter who the grandma is. Telling Levi what he can and can't do is BS. He is the father. The child is just as much his as Bristol's. The best thing Levi can do IS get a lawyer to fight for him.

The court will decide who gets custody and what visitation rules are, not the podunk Palin.

Seems funny that Levi was good enough to trot out in front of reporters and the entire US when it suited Palin, but all of a sudden he isn't good enough to take his baby for the day.

I am not a fan of Palin, however, this is a private family matter. The media's involvement has turned a common day occurence, into something scandalous and salacious. I'll be praying for both families involved.

Ok people... follow along..... they WERE NOT MARRIED!! Marriage is a legal contract, any children born to a marriage belong (yes, belong) to BOTH parties of the contract. THEY WERE NOT MARRIED ergo the baby legally does not belong to the father unless and until they have a formal legal agreement filed with the courts. The mother does not have to let the alleged father have any contact whatsoever with her child until there is an agreement filed with the courts.

I think this guy Levi is such a loser! How old is he? 19 years old? My daughter who is 20 years old and will be a senior in college next fall and holds 2 jobs to support expenses herself. ofcourse I pay for her tuition. What about this "nothing guy"? Grow up and move on and be a gentleman like he self-promoted himself. What a shame! Leave Bristol alone. She will be in college and will become some distinguish somebody like her mom, and she will not look back at you at all because you are nothing, so you should have nothing to say.

Palin – the Poster girl for "White Trash Republican Family Values". Aw shucks, uh course we should vote for you to be VP. This is so laughable, it's hilarious! Palin duking it out with a high school dropout!

This from a woman who was tearing down Harvard educated Obama with an intelligent wife & 2 lovely daughters.

I mean the inaneness of it all. It is really repulsive when you think about it. Palin is such a hillbilly and the terror to think of all the fellow white trash Americans that think she would've been a "great VP".

Keep it coming – I love it! Palin is toast! Day by day, her "career" is going down the toilet! Keep it going Levi, we're rooting for ya!

People, People Anonymous is right. Levi better keep this front and center in the media if he wants to see that kid in the next 18 years. This is wrong of the Palin family and speaks volumes of how they see family values. If Levi is in deed the dad he has a right to see the little guy. I thought they were for 2 parent families.

I feel sorry for this kid. What 18 year old could handle this situation.

I have never seen the Palins go very public with this, just the Johnsons. Besides, when his mother is arrested for drugs and won't comment on it, believing herself to be innocent. Well, heck, every criminal thinks that. Given what he has posted on the Net in the past about himself and his future ambitions (he's just a dumb jock). Then I would say, let the baby stay with the Palins. Levi says he wants to finish school, get a job and support the baby. Well, do that BY GETTING OFF THE TV AND BACK TO ALASKA. I don't see Bristol everywhere about this-just him. Again, what an opportunist, a bad one at that.

DITTO THIS: "I'm sorry but this kid comes across as an immature attention seeker. And are we really supposed to give weight to the words of his YOUNGER sister? He and his family are an embarrassment. That baby is better off not spending too much time with them as they seem to just want attention. If they truly cared for that baby, they would be doing what they had to do in private, not playing games in the media spotlight."

The chickens are coming home to roost for Sarah Palin.

Just recently, her pick for Alaska Attorney General was DENIED by the state legislature - the first time in history it has ever happened. And why???? Because, among MANY other things, Wayne A. Ross was a vicious, hateful "father's rights" attorney who stopped at nothing to destroy any mother's relationship with her child.

The "father's rights" movement originates from Christian Reconstructionism or the "dominionism" theory which seeks to return women and children to the status of chattel of the father. Many, many attorneys, judges, mediators, etc. all over the country belong to this "brotherhood," and for decades they have been gaining control of the family court system.

There's a bias in family court alright, and it's NOT in favor of the mother.

All Levi has to do is set foot in an Alaska courtroom and he is guaranteed to get every single condition he asks for. Bristol will be lucky if she retains custody of this child, no matter what Levi has done, no matter what criminal past Levi's mother may have, no matter what their living circumstances are.

What's ironic is that Sarah Palin's church, the Assembly of God, is eyeball-deep into the Christian Reconstructionist agenda - returning gov't to their version of "Christian" America. So, what's good for the goose is good for the gander, isn't it Sarah????

Hey Sarah!! Why dont you just cut to the chase and start your own family reality show. Your not going to get elected for anything....you and your entire crew are now starving for more camera attention and none of you intend to just go away so why not just start your own reality show?!!

Heck yes he needs to get a lawyer involved. He should have done it long ago. Bristol and the Palin family is denying him access to his own child. There is no excuse for what they are doing to him, and ultimately to Trig.

If this were any other couple it would not be in the spot light. Who cares. they need to get their act together and be good parents. It is a good idea to have some sort of custody plan in place etc., but does it have to play in the media?

The Palin's are lucky to have this creep out of their nest. He needs to grow up and get a job.

My Republican family values. Watch what they do, not what they say.

Good example of what's going wrong in this country. A mother is not disappointed when her son gets a girl pregnant before finishing high school b/c she's always wanted to be a grandmother and he talked about kids before.

How can anyone call Levi a "deadbeat dad" when he is trying to spend time with and help support his son? A deadbeat dad is someone who tries to avoid responsibility, not seek it out.

Bristol herself has no greater prospects for raising this child than he does. And I'm sorry, maybe his mom is not perfect but that is immaterial. (Anyway, look at hers!) Levi is over 18 and has the rights of an adult.

young teenage guy gets young teenage girl pregnant, baby born, guys leaves...happens everyday yet THIS guy becomes a celebrity! Something is wrong with this picture.

Soooo...the baby he never wanted, does not financially support, and would not want to care for, is now the cash cow for this kid and his drug running family? I don't think any court would find in his favor.

Doesn't surprise me one bit. The Palins are all about trampling on other people's rights, so naturally they would do so to Levi.

To all of you telling Levi to get a job – SIT DOWN & SHUT UP! Levi is doing the right thing by trying to finish his education. It takes two to make a baby – Bristol was a prat of this, too. So stop acting like Levi isn't trying to support his son – the Palins haven't even given him the chance!

Not sure why some of these comments even mention child support. Realize people that this kid is paid for, due to their selling baby photos for $300,000 to a magazine in January '09. He had to give parental consent to have those taken and THAT'S his contribution. People, it doesn't cost 300 grand to raise your average kid!

That aside, I think part of the reason Levi can't take the kid is his mom's drug charges. I wouldn't want my baby in a drug dealer's home either. Both sides are immature and this should be handled privately, not end up on Jerry Springer! But that's all Palin's fault for being a religious nut job, seeking fame & publicity.

@ P.Simmons, that's horrible what you did to the baby's mother!!! Something could have been arranged, but you pretty much just took her baby away from her. It's my own opinion that the baby should be in the care of its mother more so than the father, but not denying the father a close relationship with his son. Ridiculous!

How can someone be sooo right in everything they do but not let a Father and other grandmother have normal visitation rights.

This is just another example of Sarah Palin using her powers to control her world and every one that is in it. Its not up to her to decide and sentence anyone and say who can visit who cant. And not let a Father have his son at his home every other weekend! The boy dont have a job kinda hard to pay child support.

And what reason does anyone on here have to judge? Its not okay for him to pay child support? He dont have a job! But its OKAY for them to keep h im from seeing the kid?

The boy needs to pay child support.. get a job do what you can.

Palin needs to give this father of her daughters child normal visitations at his home.. alone like the law requires unless the law requires not to. She is NOT the law! Just like her trying to fire her ex bother in law. She takes the law into her own hands to do and manipulate the system.

Levi should burn the palins. They CANNOT keep his son away from him unless the court orders that he is unfit.

Wow it's truly amazing how so many people feel a father shouldn't have any rights to see his kid. Isn't that supposed to be a problem in this country, deadbeat dads? Now you have someone willing to step up and people are hoping he's denied. Regardless of his intelligence or what his mother does, a father without any red flags on his record should have every right to see his child. I thought America was about equality.

HEY! When does the movie come out??? I hope this puts Sarah and her hypocrity even further into the trash can

We dodged a bullet here, folks.

Can you imagine what this country would look like if this piece of trailer trash (Palin) was elected?

I can see it now, cars up on blocks on the lawn of the white house, and rusting "snow machines" under the portico.

While this might make an amusing "reality show" our country is in too dire straits to mess around with folks like Sarah Palin in positions of leadership.

Let her run Alaska, where the oil companies pay each citizen every year. How badly can she mess that up?

Oh, wait...

This wouldn't even be news if Palin didn't drag these kids around the country during the run for office. Let them come to the RNC and a few big events, but these kids needed to be at home and in school. The were pushed into the spotlight and were not given a choice. Sure the media is having a field day. What did Palin expect? Bringing these kids out wasn't about showing family values, it was used to try and show that someone had family values. It backfired and these children are going to have to pay. They will now have every move scrutinized and when something backfires, the media will jump on it. I feel bad for these kids. They had a normal life and now the will never see one.

I like the Ozzy comment. At least Ozzy tells it like it is and has the dignity to know that Sharon is right. Ozzy for President. Sharon for VP.

For the sake of transparency in government, I suggest that in the interests of all parties concerned, especially the citizens of the United States, ALL meetings between Lobbyist's and elected/appointed officials be video/audio taped. A simple solution to a very complex problem in this country. Thank you. Paul Seery

The Johnston family is just looking for their 15 minutes of fame, and they're using Sarah Palin to get it. I'm no fan of Palin's, but she's got more class than these folks will ever have.

The baby has a God given right to see his father and mother!

Isnt that right Sarah?

I still think they should have a shotgun wedding because it isn't Christian to be unmarried with a baby.

Isn't that right Sarah?

Oh-wait.......things like this doesn't apply to Sarah and her family. She is immune.

patNY April 23rd, 2009 9:29 am ET

As a lawyer myself, who has worked on custody cases, this is unfortunately, the right thing for him to do. Hopefully, the parties will agree to settle on an agreed upon custody agreement, but, Levi, with custody, whether it be joint, sole, or whatever, you are legally required to provide child support for your son, so, you better be prepared for that reality as well, if you aren't already doing it now.

======

He haven't even bought diapers for the baby. The news failed to mention the mother of Levi Johnson was arrested last December (2008) for DRUG POSSESSION. That's how the falling out of this two young people started. It has NOTHING to do with the campaign which the Johnson family wanted the American people to believe. Bristol did the right thing, NO mother in this world would want their child to be associated with a DRUG USER.

Sara's kids were not raised "normally", so why should we expect her grandchild will be? It's one big dysfunctional mess in those two families. Maybe the child should be adopted out and never told of it's "roots" --–

I could have sworn that i saw an artical not that long ago saying Levis mother had been arrested for either selling or using drugs. Is this what we want around any child? Is Levi paying child support? Are we even sure that he is the father?

The issue here is they don't have an agreement on visitation. A mother protects her child. I think all this is pretty normal. It sometimes sucks to be a father. But without an agreement you can't expect things to be any better.

Who cares, why is this news?? He's a loser and a liar. Maybe in the future he'll use birth control.

U know i don't agree with what he and his family are doing i don't like the palin's and did not vote for them but levi and his family are trying too get money and fame i don't believe that they really even care about this baby at all because if they did they would n't really care what anyone says but that is right they need money (don't says ohh its not for money cause yes it is ) " we couldn't say anything because the mccain campaign said we couldn't ) hmmmm no one in my life stopped me from saying anything

The three stooges on Larry King Live.....what a joke !

Just another trailer-trash shake-down attempt .

While I think the father has the right to be in the child life, you have to look at the whole picture. The best interest of the child should always be forefront. Yes Levi should get to see his son, however the "best interest of the child" is not to be around the paternal grandmother unsupervised, selling drugs. no judge in the world would ever grant custody to that type of family. While I am no Sarah Palin fan (and you dont have to be) I totally am on the side of the child, and the mother in this one.

YOu know these situations happen all the time. My brother has been going through custody issues with his son for 4 years! He's not a dead beat dad by the way! It's been a nightmare for our family. The mom uses the child against my brother all the time. She's even gone as far as saying that my family abused the little boy. It was eventually cleared up in court BUT it took almost 2 years to do so and guess who still is the primary care giver -the lying mother. It's a sad situtation all around but the person that it is getting the raw deal is my nephew. He has paternal and maternal family members that love him dearly.

If Levi wants to be a part of the baby's life, he should be allowed to.be At the same time, he has to be aware that along with a custody agreement will come responsiblity for making child support payments .

The Palins so obviously used him during the campaign, and expected him to keep his mouth shut. I personallly also very much doubt that the summer wedding they declared would take place was ever really planned in the first place.

Yes, he is now getting his half hour of fame, and deserves to be part of the baby's life, but he also needs to get his young adult life together

has anyone considered that Levi can't take the baby for a weekend because Bristol is nursing? If she is, then it would be a tad difficult for Levi to feed Tripp, even if Bristol has stored breastmilk to send along with the baby. a nursing mother needs to have regular nursing and pumping intervals to keep her milk supply adequate to feed her child. Tripp should not be forced to drink formula so Levi can ease his conscience. If she is not nursing, then keeping Levi from seeing Tripp is simply selfish and a glaring admission that she is punishing him for God knows what.

When you have a child you don't just give up on your relationship because now it is stressful. I've heard Levi say things like maybe later we'll be able to get back together. Later? When? When there is less responsibility? If he wants shared rights with his child he should share responsibility. That means financially, time, Doctors appointments, important decisions. Make a go of it with the mother of your child. Move out of her mother's house and take care of your family. You can't just play house and then decide it's not fun anymore.

I say this feeling like Levi is a nice kid who is just a little immature. However, his mother inlaw will walk all over him and his rights if he doesn't buck up.

How come CNN did NOT mention the mother of Levi Johnson was ARRESTED last December for DRUG POSSESSION? That's how the falling out of this young people happened. I don't think any mother would want her daughter to be married to a man whose mother was arrested for DRUGS! I don't blame Bristol Palin for whatever she's doing, she doesn't want her son to be associated with a grandmother who was arrested for DRUG POSSESSION.

Even Tyra Banks did NOT ask Levi Johnson about arrest of his mother December 2008 because of drugs. Everybody are busy jumping all over Governor Palin without knowing facts. Newsies are hiding the truth from the people, they're painting Sarah Palin as some user. Hey! do you want your daughter or grandson associated with a grandmother who is a DRUGGIE?

Anyone can father a child, but it takes a real man to be a DAD. Step up to the plate Levi instead of using your 10 minutes of fame by going talk show to talk show.

How old is this baby? If they were going through a divorce, child support amounts would not even be fixed this quickly.

People accusing Levi of being a "deadbeat dad" are a little premature. He is outiftting his own space to take care of his child, there is no reason for him to send money to the mother until custody and visitation are figured out. It's not like the baby doesn't have government-subsidized housing to live in. Who would he pay part of the rent to? This is just another Palin red herring.

I am glad Levi is talking and getting air time. I DO I wish it wasn't necessary, but it is.

The custody rules in this country favor the mother even when the relative political and financial circumstances are even. In this case you have a governor's office using their pulpit to trash this kid, who was lauded highly by the Palin's when it served her political ambitions.

I realize Palin fans would like him to fade into the background, or better yet to look like a villain, so that Palin can play the sympathy card again.

There is a child involved. Every child deserves to have a mother and a father who care for him and wants him. There are too many instances where this isn't the case.

Unfortunately, the politics of the situation will overshadow the good of the child, not to mention the rights of both the mother and the father, in an attempt to support the grandmother's ambitions.

It was wrong of Palin to parade these poor kids around as she did. Levi should NOT be doing the TV circuit either. An Palin should mind her own business and let him see his son.

This is just the power trip Governor Palin is on. Who cares if he's talking about it – what is there to hide? The baby kinda proves what happened and how it happened. I'm glad that Levi and his family have a lawyer.

People are calling him a deadbeat dad – there is NO custody arrangement and we don't know if he is or isn't paying support. He wants to spend time with his son which he has legal right to without supervision. What makes Bristol this outstanding parent? I don't care who the grannie is or what she' accused of doing (not convicted). I'm sure Palin will endure she is convicted just for fun though guily or nont guilty. Bring on the lawyers – go Levi.

It's best to have a custody agreement written in stone, I believe. Otherwise, Levi will feel like he always has to be on Sarah Palin's best side in order to have a normal relationship with his son. Sarah Palin has already proven how controlling she can be.

Fathers do have rights, but he should already be supporting his child financially and not wait for the court to tell him to!

I also don't like how his sister referred to Tripp as "that baby." Really, you want "that baby" in your life? How about calling him "my nephew," or "Tripp" (dumb name), or "my nephew Tripp." "That baby," sounds like something Cruella DeVille would say!

AS IF people haven't done this before. Obviously this guy has done something, maybe lashed out, to cause her to feel he is dangerous. Maybe he's untrustworthy? There are so many young teen moms who don't want the father to take the child and nobody talks about them! Just because she is Sarah's daughter, everybody in Democrat-world wants to hate on her for doing something she feels necessary for the safety of her child. Leave her alone to live her life!

People, he is allowed to see the baby. He is just not allowed to take him to his mother's meth house. Sheeesh.

His sister needs to stay out of it.

We don't have to make Sarah look bad, she does that brilliantly on her own.

First of all, if anyone doesn't have creditability it's Sarah Palin when she announced to the whole world and her precious Lord Jesus that her pregnant daughter was getting married to Levi Johnston. Of course that was never going to happen because it was all political and what was in her best interest at the time.

Secondly, under no condition is it anyone's business that doesn't have proper education and experience to decide who is fit and who is unfit as a parent. That is why we have a legal system to decide this. It doesn't matter if your a red-neck Republican hillbilly who thinks that Levi is a dead beat dad and his mother is a drug dealer. Your not qualified to say that. People don't have the right to forbid a child from seeing his or her parents unless it is court ordered.

@ willow, who said "If they really cared about settling this matter they would not be running to the media at every turn. "

That's BS. Palin is the Governor of the Alaska, and although she may be a complete moron, she is a very powerful moron. I don't blame him one bit for using every avenue he can to assure he is awarded shared legal and physical custody of the child. It was clear from the get-go when this whole soap opera started that Palin was positioning to rob the kid of his parental rights.

It aggravates me to see the women writing about how he has no rights. Like hell he doesn't. The Palin clan has engaged in a pattern of denying him access/rights to his child, and will surely turn around and blame him/use it to claim he hasn't been involved. I hope they award him custody so they child has a shot at growing up in a stable household without being paraded around the country by Sarah as a prop to demonstrate what a great grandma she is in an attempt to make another run on the White House.

This boy is the father and has the SAME rights as the mother. I hope he takes them to court, wins, and young Bristol is sacked with child support payments. The Palin family clearly isn't interested in the best interests of the child.

Sarah Palin used this young man as she threw him into the spotlight and paraded him around the country as she did her own children. This woman is all about contol and herself.

At the beginning of the interview Levi says he doesn't have a lawyer, only to admit he does. He also says he doesn't " kiss and tell' yet we know that is exactly what he did in earlier interviews. He says he insn't trying to benefit finacially, yet he has a lawyer fielding requests. If Bristol allowed her baby near Levi's mother, she would be labled a bad mother because ot the drug arrest.

I don't care for the Palins, and I have questions about the Johnstons. I might have listened to McCain a bit longer had he not chosen someone so ill-suited to a governorship, much less as a Vice-Presidential runnint mate. All that being said, I found Larry King's questions to be leading and boring – asked and answered. He just kept pounding on the issue of legal representation until he found one of them willing to talk about it, which was second only in the disgust factor to his sordid questions about sex between two teenagers. Please CNN, stop giving Sarah Palin and her family a place in the news. She'll be back on her own I'm sure. But as one other respondent said 'loving grandparents would behave otherwise'.

how about those Christian family values.

You folks need to support Levi on this, because sara palin is a witch.

He has same parental right as his ex-gf....but my one advice to Levi would be, be a father, support your son.

STAND UP FOR YOUR RIGHT LEVI, no back down because Sarah is a governor.

As a 27-year resident of Alaska, I have one comment for Levi.

Instead of getting a lawyer, why don't you get a pastor, and make the mother of your child and wife, and you a legitimate father.

This is hardly a bombshell. Larry King kept pushing the kid that he needed a lawyer to protect his rights as a parent. Not until the other came one did they admit there was even a lawyer, but they have not planned any action yet. This program was a real yawn...... the news had to be created.

Sadly, even if the parents had been married 10 years, the Dad "visits" his children at the Malicious Mom's whim.

An unmarried Dad gets even less.

After watching last night's Larry King interview of Levi Johnston, I think I have a better understanding of the problem between Levi and his girlfriend – it's his sister! She is an agitator. I think Larry pressed too much for the family to take legal action. This matter is too personal to be aired to the whole nation...Lay off!

This is terrible, Sarah will never be a presidential contender at this rate her republican rivals will destroy her in the primaries.

I dont like Sarah Palin,i did not vote for her,and I will never do.But in this case I agree with the palins.These people are looking for fame and fortune.If what they are saying is true,then take them to court.Privately...dont go to every talk show looking for fame.

Palin's white trash will finally be spilled all over Jerry Springer... AWESOME!! This is going in a great direction. I for one will be hanging on the edge of my seat. God Bless America.

I can't blame them one bit for not wanting the baby around drug dealers. This is definitely an argument for abstinence and especially birth control. What a shame that the grandparents and of course, always the baby has to suffer for the parent's impulsive choices. Hate to see this being played out in public though. That deadbeat Dad is trying to take advantage of the Palins' fame to get himself money at the baby's expense. The baby gets thrown under the bus. As he grows up this aired dirty laundry will have preceeded him.

So white trash! Who didn't know this during the election? This isn't a surprise, is it?

This is the drama that you could be witnessing in the white house. Thank God we have mature people in the white house!

Look, this guy is out for his 15 minutes of fame. Why isn't he spending time w/ his son instead of trying to hit all the news talk shows? Cause he doens't care about his child, he just wants to be on TV!

I have nothing against this family but the interview was really creepy!

They should hire a lawyer to rename the child. Tripp is something you name a dog (an unlucky dog), not a human.

Is it really Christian and family values to deny a man to be alone with his child?

Just like most other Republican values, they don't pertain to them if they get in their way.

It really is sickening how they bully everyone who will disagree with them.

“I got everything my boy needs back home – diapers, toys, everything. Once we go to court, we’ll deal with that.”. That quote right there is exactly why he is running into issues regarding custody. He should have been paying child support since his child was born. Not being petty and buying stuff for his home only. How does that benefit his son? Sure he deserves access to see his son but the Palin`s are providing that access. The Johnson family seems to be enjoying the fame this is getting them. If they really were putting the baby first they would not be fighting this battle on TV, which shows complete disrespect. Another point, should an infant really be allowed in a home where the mother of the father was just charged with drug possession?

LOL...go ahead and get a lawyer and take the girl to court. THen you will have to start being a man and pay child support. The mother is a druggie and looking for money to pay for her addiction.

Wow, who care if Palin is right or wrong. I just love how they are trashing her in the media. She really tried to trash Bid Daddy O when she was running and now she is getting it back in spades. She has been getting bad press at every turn. She should take the hint and start treating Levi better. He is hitting her in the one place she does not control in Alaska, the media.

Maybe they won't let him take the baby out for the day because they know he'll run right to a TV show with him?
I am NO fan of Sarah Palin's, but I do have a lot of sympathy for what her daughter went through with all of this, and I get the feeling that she's just trying to be smart and protective of her baby because now she's seeing what the father and his family are really like.
They seem to only want to go to court to prolong their 15 minutes of fame – why is the sister on there at all? Ridiculous. Because they're not married and live separately, I don't think it's a bad idea to have the custody and support issues worked out legally so everything is clear. But you don't need to go on Larry King to do that.

Annie – you shouldn't be so quick to judge them..... I don't know what they have or haven't done (and you can't know for sure either), but at least he WANTS to be involved – that's a lot more than a lot of fathers of illegitmate children! Good for them. Mistakes happen, people change and as the baby's parent he has EVERY right to parent him.

to Annie Palin 2012..... yeah, the Johnstons maybe aren't the greatest family on earth, but he was good enough to date Bristol, and he was good enough to parade up on stage when they needed him. Kind of makes you wonder where Sarah was, when Bristol needed upbringing and advice.....

Does this idiot actually think a judge is going to give him custody? A) his best best is visitation rights and B) he'll end up paying child support. The Palins are in the governor's mansion and his family is constantly being arrested for something. Not to mention, that the Court in custudy disputes is not pro-father.

He should make a REALITY TV out of this topic. It'd be nice to show how young boys fight for their kids

This poor young man was made into a national "pawn" of Sarah Palin just for the sake of her failed election campaign. They were never going to get married: Palin claimed the wedding would be conveniently in December (2008), slyly two months after the election for the sake of her megalomaniacal campaign "image." There never was going to be such a wedding. Palin needed to promote that mythical "plan" to avoid being rightly named a bad mother, a permissive parent who let her own daughter become pregnant.
Now "Governshooter" Palin is revealing her own low-class traits: Keeping the little baby "hostage" and illegally denying this young man his parental rights.

Personally as a Grandmom myself, I cannot wait to see Palin put up in front of a judge – hopefully not one she had appointed herself! - and lectured on the law of parenting rights.

Give this young man and the baby their rights, Palin! Stop interfering in the lives of the two parents and stop influencing your 18 year old daughter Bristol to deprive her child of his daddy!

Sure, let him protect his rights. The judge will be happy to work out a visitation plan for him and a child support plan for him.

What a loser. Levi, get a job and support your kid!

Wasn't part of the whole Palin campaign all about family and family values? –Talk about your blatant campaign lies.......it seems to me that the only reason Bristol had this baby in the first place was because her mother was running as VP and the Palins wanted to keep up appearances. Now that the elections are over and Palin is a big loser, appearances need not be kept up. I guess if Sara Palin can have her ex-husband fired, she'll find ways to make the life of the father of her grandchild miserable too.

one thing Republicans are good at doing so far is cashing in on their "15 minutes of fame". Sarah Palin has done it along with "joe the fake Plumber" and Mehgan McCain is doing it now so why not Levi?

The first red flag is Levi has not paid child support for his son Tripp.
If he is serious about his responsibility and wants the courts to listen, start acting responsable. I have worked with many children through
CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for abused and neglected children and found numerous times where the parents displayed everything the child needed except for emotional and physical responsibilities. I would be concerned about Levi placing blame on Bristol as to why he is not permitted to take the child away from the home. Levi....start paying for this little guy!

He and his family seem trashy. I would not want my son to go to a family whose mother was arrested for peddling drugs. Sure, he is the father and can have supervised visits, but who knows what kind of environment he would be putting the child in. The mother needs to go to jail for her drug charges period. I feel sorry for the Palin family having to deal with these obvious fame seekers. On a more obvious note, Levi is not even paying child support. It doesn't matter that he has diapers at his home. The child is with the mother 90% of the time, and therefore the mother deserves child support.

His sister needs to stay out of it. Sorry but it's between the mother and father. Old enough to have sex, have a baby then they are old enough to suck it up and do the right thing. The parents can guide and lend a hand but if it goes to court then the young man best be prepared to also pay for the support if he wants equal time. The baby is going to be the one to suffer due to family feuding and public mud slinging.

trailer trash. The mother has been arrested for drugs and theft-–they don't need a lawyer, they need a shrink, re-hab, and some education.

How about getting Judge Ito and whole OJ Gang back together again for one big reality show? Sure, Robert Kardashian is gone, but his daughter could take his place. Phil Spector or Rod Blagojevitch could host!

The Palins are going to have to realize that he has rights too. They cannot keep the child from his father no matter how much they dislike him. As far as the Grandmother is concerned how come she's out of jail? If the charges are so bad why isn't she still there? Maybe the charges were faked? Eh, Sarah?

Bristol needs to grow up and get over the jealously. Bristol wouldn't appreciate being told that she couldn't associate with any member of her family.

The Johnston family will need to keep this in the eye of media in order to keep it fair.

It is sickening to see this whole sordid mess paraded in front of the entire world in the name of "news-worthiness". These kinds of situations occur every day throughout this country and are painful for all individuals involved. This is a personal matter between two people who should be working it out in private.

You go Levi stick it to her she thinks nobody can touch her get a lawyer you have rights and see your kid.

That interview was quite confusing to me. I would hope I am not alone....

What a trailer park circus. And to think that this family could've been in the White House.

Why does Larry King feel the need to have an 18 year old kid on his show to complain about parental rights? Ha ha. If you watch the interview, it's almost as if Larry King wants Levi to fight for custodial rights. Levi, the Palins are giving you an out, I suggest you take it... don't get caught up in this mess. The media is just using you to attack the Palins.

I'm sorry but this kid comes across as an immature attention seeker. And are we really supposed to give weight to the words of his YOUNGER sister? He and his family are an embarrassment. That baby is better off not spending too much time with them as they seem to just want attention. If they truly cared for that baby, they would be doing what they had to do in private, not playing games in the media spotlight.

How much more Jerry Springer-ish can this thing get?

This is turning out to be a mess... but then again I knew it from he beginning. I am pleased that those two kids did not allow Sarah Palin to push them into marriage, my suspicion is that the getting married drama was all a show for political gain during election season to save face and shame. But the truth will come out eventually and it has started already.

I was never really impressed with Gov Palin, further more it frightened me to the core when she hit the national political stage, and show cased who she truly was, a national mishap, who was way over her head in my opinion. I keep saying to think this woman could have been Vice President, and worst yet President.. I know there is a lot of people who don't believe in God, but honestly he must exist, because he saved us from a catastrophe.

I don't think she would have been a Cheney at all, because its one thing doing and saying stupid senseless things, but its another when u not only do stupid things but are stupid yourself..

Not our business, but this is just ONE of the MANY issues with unmarried parents... It certainly isn't exclusive to the Palin's. You see these problems everywhere. Just watch Judge Judy, Maury or whatever else for examples.

This whole thing is like a three-ring circus. Everyone is looking
to be in the limelight and Sarah Palin is still proving what an
absolute idiot she is. What a pathetic bunch. Stop cramming
the airways with this garbage please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Also revealed was that Levi's dad could beat up Bristol's dad, and that Sarah Palin, in fact, does have cooties.

Seriously folks, this is what happens when you bring someone like Sarah Palin onto the national stage at the highest level: National Politics becomes Jerry Springer.

Oh God – Doesn't Levi see that he is being manipulated by the anti-Palin media? Does Levi not understand that he's mother, sister & others are just trying to make a $ off of his personal life? A Good father would be trying to take advantage of whatever time he can spend with his son, instead of looking like a dolt. Does he have a job? Or is he already trying to capitalize on the baby's maternal name. Shame on your mother, sister and you. Grow-up and conduct yourself responsibly. And in this instance your inmediate (mom & sis) family are demonstrating they aren't the adults you should be looking to for advice.

This is great. Palin in a tit-for-tat with a high school dropout.

No child support, no visitation. No job or income, no visitation. I wonder how much of a monitary settlement he is looking for. This young man gives all the appearances of a leach.

GOP "family values" in all their glory.

Isn't funny how Hillary and BIll raised a well-educated daughter in the White House and God-fearing-hockey- mom Sarah can't do the same in backwoods Alaska

I am willing to bet the Palins would love for Levi to start legal action. Its up to him to do it and I would love to see him tell a judge" I really want to take my baby home with me, I am a good influence (bashing my baby's mom on national tv-why earn money for support) and my mom will be there to help me too. (Until she gets convicted on drug charges thet is). Yep- the kind of dad every baby needs,,,,

These three sure seem to love the spotlight alright. The more they blab, the better they make the Palins look. Scary!

It really annoyed me when Levi was asked about child support and he said he was not paying for the son he claims he loves. I went through a similar situation with my now ex husband no matter what you have with the child's Mother and family it is you responsibility to support your child and no one elses that is such a poor excuse to get out of your responsibility. If you did not want to become a young father Maybe you should have taken precautions he makes me ill typical guy trying to get out of his responsibility!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is BETTER than Jerry Springer.

The Palin's are non-stop white trash entertainment.

IF, and a big IF, Palin had gotten to the VP spot they would be married. We all knew he was a hostage to Palin's career.

This is so out of control.

Are they serious? Do they need to go on Larry King for that. If they were really concerned with Levi having access to his son they would focus on the child. They don't need media attention. Go to the court house like everybody else and see to it that he gets his parental rights. And Levi should have objected when Sarah Palin wanted to put them in the lime light. That was s dumb move because now they have baby daddy drama!

I got a great idea, lets invite them all, Palin and Johnston families, to the Maury Pauvich show. Better yet, is the Jerry Springer show still on the air?

So he dose not support his son, but thinks he has the right to have custody. They don't want to go to court. If they did Palin would just say she is a drug dealer and would be putting the child in danger. If he gets his own place and wants to have half custody then he should be able to do so, if he can show he can provide for the child and keep the child safe.

Ah, the front-runner to lead the party of Family Values. What a joke. No wonder the GOP is one more national election away from joining the Whigs and Free Soil Party in the history books.

My son went through something like this with his baby's mother. I contacted Legal Aid and found out that a father has just as much right to his child as the childs mother. What Levi needs to do is ask to see his son for an afternoon during the week and once he's in his possession go to the courts and file for custody. When it's time to return the child he does not have to do so. He will have temporary papers and the police won't get involved because he already filed. Levi and the baby's mother isn't married therefore the child is considered a ward of the state until one of them files for custody. It worked for my son and we have had my grand son since he was three weeks old and he is now almost three years old. His mother has visitation rights and she must pay child support, all because he filed first. Now I don't know if Gov. Palin can flex her muscles and bend laws in family court and if so, Levi may have to take his case to the airwaves like he is now. But nothing beats a failure but a try.

Here is some advice to you levi... you are fighting a battle you will lose.. thats the society we live in.. save that money and put it to use so that you can better your life.

Another deadbeat dad and a drug dealing grannie. WOW, wonder why the Palins want supervised visits? Grannie probably knows alot of attorneys with her line of work.

the Pain-Lins need to grant this young man full custody to his son!

the baby deserves his father!!!....it is ironic that Pain-Lin only believes that babies have a right to life, but NOT a right to their father!!!

the hypocrisy of this red-neck woman stinks to high heavens!!!!

Levi is an immature brat. He is not grown up enough to take care of a baby. And as for his druggie mother – I would not let my baby be taken by her to her house. No telling what could happen. And his sister – she's just wanting her 15 minutes of fame. They all just want to cause trouble and hope to make money off the baby.

Levi – you, your mother and your sister need to the right thing and step away. You can't do anything for the baby until you grow up, your mom gets off drugs and your sister cleans up who she hangs with. That precious little boy deserves a decent life – not one of constantly being in the media because you want to hurt the Palins. This is how you repay someone who treated you like a son? I do believe I smell a democratic pay off in what you are doing. Is that how you bought diapers, toys, etc? It'll come back to bite you!

It's official. Levi Johnston is dumb as a box of rocks.

and she said "we were just hoping we wouldn't have to do it". Do you think the lawyers were lined up outside their house and that the job went to the highest bidder?

One more reason (in a very long list) why Palin should never be allowed anywhere near the White House. Who wants a president or vice president that fueds with teenagers. Not me!

I read the transcript of the interview. Can the "boy" tell the truth? What a little dip. No wonder Bristol doesn't want her baby to go with this crew! That just shows she's a good mother. Grow up, Levi.

Wont help him at all.

Levi's rights are just as important as those of Bristol Palin. Of course you can be sure that the neocon beauty queen, Caribou Barbie, will do whatever she can to interfere and get her way....after all she is a Republican and laws only apply to other people. If the GOP thinks that she is an asset to their party......well that just falls in line with all of their other failures.

Hillbilly heaven. What is so interesting about these people? Palin is never going to be anything but fodder for cable news. It's interesting that CNN would take the ball and run with a man who had a child out of wedlock, has no job, doesn't support his kid, a mother who was arrested for selling illegal drugs and a sister, who does what?

ANY unmarried man who doesnt have some kind of formal legal arrangement regarding the custody of his child/children is a fool, regardless of how well he may or may not get along with the mother's family.

If Sarah Palin is trying to keep Levi from seeing his son, than he has a right to seek custody or joint custody of his child.

However, if he isn't paying child support than Bristol has the legal right to go to court and ask for support.

Sarah Palin needs to stay out of their relationship and allow the two teenagers to work it out for themselves.

I think McCain should have picked a member of Ozzy Osbourne's family as a vice-president. There would have been less wackiness and drama. And at least the Osbournes were likeable!

Good old conservative family values for you!

As a lawyer myself, who has worked on custody cases, this is unfortunately, the right thing for him to do. Hopefully, the parties will agree to settle on an agreed upon custody agreement, but, Levi, with custody, whether it be joint, sole, or whatever, you are legally required to provide child support for your son, so, you better be prepared for that reality as well, if you aren't already doing it now.

Right Larry . . . the Palin's want to argue their custody rights on your show.

What a BAFFOON ! ! !

Why is this gang of trailer-trash getting so much publicity? They are nothing more than ignorant losers, and the media should be ignoring their ridiculous stunts.

So do what you need to and stop taking space on the news. Truly, he is not the first father who experenced DRAMA-wit-da-babiemomma, get a job Bru!

This is the poster child for both abstinence AND birth control or ANYTHING that stops you from being entangled for the rest of your life with someone you dont really like. Good Grief What a MESS.

The palin soap opera just never ends. And people actually wanted her to be VP? You've got to be kidding me.

You can't make this stuff up, what a freak show.

PLEASE Sarah, run in 2012 so we know Obama is assured of a landslide...

How in the world does Mrs Palin believe she is capable of running this country, when she can't fix her personal mess in Alaska??!?!

If she can't keep her home in order, then there is NO WAY she can run our country.

NONE!

So you have a lawyer..great! Do you have a JOB??!

I can't ever imagine Sarah Palin being elected in any capacity after all the stories have come out about all the people that surround her. It's time for her to gather some humility about her and take care of her own doorstep...

Who the heck do the Palin's think they are? This kid has just as much right to the child as Bristol does. He should go there to visit and just take the kid for a few hours. They can't do squat as it's his kid and there is no legal agreement. Talk about denying someone there rights. And the repugnatcins wanted this grand ma to be VP? She can't even give her granddaughters father the right he deserves!

The Palins are a hot mess...

Political figures are not above the law... noone in the real world would be able to get away with this, so why should she?

What a joke this interview was. Larry King is becoming the next Jerry Springer. What mother in their right mind would want their baby to visit a grandmother who is a drug addict. It doesn't matter if their is a joint custody law, this will be used against Levi's because of his loser mother. The sister is another joke oh they broke up because Bristol was jealous of my friends who went out with Levi before. What a juvenile thing to say. I didn't even watch the whole show just this interview was sickening enough.

I can't wait to see the judge force those idiot Palins to give Levi his due time with his own kid.

I don't blame Levi. He has a right to have visitation with his child. Governor Palin and her family do not have the right to deny him just because she is the Governor.

Palin is a freaking control freak and bossy. Why wouldn't they let him take his son with him back home? These people are unbelievable

The Palins are in for a shock. Levi Johnston has rights.

I am sooooo not suprised.

He has the legal right, no? What a sad legal mess

What an opportunist. Instead of trying to really deal with the situation and do what's best for the child, he does what's best for HIM to get HIS name out there. High school dropout, little prospects of a future and could've had one but threw it away. Welcome to teenage life in the US. Get a life and quit bringing your pathetic story onto my TV and into my home. Deal with it like an adult, back home in Alaska, not in Hollywood, NYC, or some talk show. Get real.

How can Sarah Palin be the leader of an entire state and at the same time set the example that a child does not need to have a father in their life. To not allow Levi the ability to spend time with HIS son at his home is a crime. How is this even legal? Then again, Mrs. Palin isn't always about what's legal is she?

Well that's not going to win her back, Levi! Give her some flowers and write some nice things about her on your Myspace and Facebook pages. You two lovebirds will be back together in no time.

This should be an easy judgement for the courts: who is the child better of with, a father that loves him or a group of nuts who are using him for further their notoriety?

Conservative family values for you. Nice.

A real shame both sides want this to be done in front of the world – seems family matters should be private – but this is a circus!

Why wouldn't he have a lawyer? It would be a good idea for him to know his rights. Cnn, you're jumping to conclusions.

I hope that Levi does win against the Palins. It was "Gov" Palin who threw him into the spotlight when she announced her daughter was pregnant and she was going to keep the baby (actually, it was her family who made the decision. Listen to "Gov" Palin's remarks when she introduces Bristol and Levi at the convention). It was unfortunate that their relationship ended, but the baby deserves both parents as well as grandparents. The Palins are acting very snooty and think that because they have money, they can make the decisions as to what role the Johnstons have in the baby's life. I believe that since there is no formal or informal custody agreement, Levi should be allowed to take the child to his family's residence to be with his father's family. "Gov" Palin is abusing her power as governor! Bristol is following in her mother's footsteps and that's a shame since she is a mother herself! Let Tripp be with his father! I hope Levi gets full custody of Tripp and lead a happy life. God Bless Levi and the Johnston family.

You lie down with dogs and you're gonna get fleas.

Oh my......their five minutes of fame. What sad group.

bristol and 'baby daddy' never planned to marry. if you think that, i have some oceanfront property in arizona i'll sell you...cheap!

it's too bad things have gotten so bad between them all. i guess that's what happens when you're vindictive, Sarah.

maybe now people will see how she uses people and lashes out when they don't behave as she demands.

good luck with that political career.

I was wondering where the Palin soap opera story was on this board. It had been 2 or 3 days since "as the rednecks turns" aired. I see Levi and family are still on tour. Fido and her "handlers" will no doubt come out with some new retort besmirching his family while her model existance continues to refute her family values hypocrisy

When did Levi start voting on bills and proposing legislation? What does this story have to do with national politics? I thought this webpage was political ticker?

White trash trying to make a name for themselves!

If Levi Johnson was a true gentleman, he NEVER of spoken to the media about his relationship with Bristol. Why bring out this to the public; its the same problem any family could have.

Instead because of his lack of knowledge and education; not too mature; he's created a circus of he said; she said.

Go home Levi; get an education so you can support your son!

Next: the saga continues..

Apearance on Jerry Springer show. Sarah Paling on a cat fight with Levi's Mother..

Get lost...!!!

I can hardly wait for the Palins to start demanding their air time on Larry King so they can continue to fight with Levi Johnston. Sarah Palin wont be able to resist firing back at this 18 year old with her special kind of mud.

I think Levi does need an attorney, and a good one – a pit bull – because you know Sarah Palin is the one behind this whole mess and she needs to be set in her place – she is the grandmother, NOT the parent. She needs to be busy running the state of Alaska, not running the state of Bristol's and Levi's affairs. They are adults now, and its their baby, NOT HERS. Besides, doesnt Sarah Palin have her own infant to be concerned with? Special needs, no less?

I saw this interview, and I thought Levi handled himself with poise and grace, despite the difficulties Bristol and her family are putting him through.

Why should Levi have to have a formal agreement to see his son......he is the father and he should have the same rights as any other father........I hope he does get a lawyer.........it sure is funny the Pot Calling The Kettle Black.........Palin is the one that has sought out fame........always wanting to be in the spot light.......she was the one dragging her kids all around the country, putting them on stage every chance she got when the should have been in school.......some times late at night , when these kids should have been in bed.......Palin deserves all the bad press she gets

Levi is a parent too and he has every right to take that child home with him. It's not just Bristol's baby.

I just hope the child in this case gets to have a somewhat normal life and can see both his mother and father without all the trouble that seems to be coming with this custody battle.

This really should be about the child and not about the 2012 election. Lets hope things work out.

What has Levi and his family done, other than his mother's pending drug charges, but Levi himself done, to give the Palins ANY RIGHT to make Levi have visitation with his son ONLY at their home? How can this possibly be legal? I think he needs a lawyer and needs to get in front of a judge NOW.

I think it is so sad that the Palins are denying Levi access to his son on a regular basis. To see your child once a month is not enough. I hope if this end up in fromt of a judge, Levi wins additional visitation rights and the Palins are stopped from denying this your man access to his son. This child is a much Levi's as it is Bristol's. Levi should seek joint custody and be able to take his child home with him. The child should spend as much time with Levi's family as he does his mother's family

I think it is disgusting that father's rights are trampled on in this country and this mother is assumed to be the best parent and the one who should be given custody.

Fathers should have equal rights when it comes to custody of their children. They shouldn't just be looked at as the parent who provides money to the mother. They should be be allowed to play an active role is all decisions regarding the rearing of their children.

Levi has every right to see his son.
Sarah was all for Levi when she was running for vice president when she needed him. Now that she lost she is controlling her daughters life and does not Levi in it. Sarah is such a phony.....I can not for the life of me see what the republican party see in her?
Sarah is a ev..il vindictive woman

Happens all the time. Should be next chapter on one of the soaps.
Everyone was so happy & cuddly cuddly when first announced and now look. ONLY reason we are hearing about this is due to Palin's politics.

While the family should probably push for custody sharing, it's unbelievably sad to see them rushing to the TV cameras. But then, that's what we do here in America. We sell our story to the highest bidder.

Makes the relationship seem rather shallow, doesn't it?

Aren't their fifteen minutes expired yet? Please return to the trailer park.

I agree with Levi. He is the father, and he should be able to have a part in his son's life. Children need a mother and a father in their lives. Levi should go forth with his legal pursuit as soon as possible. The Palins are obviously spiteful, and it isn't right. Levi has a lot of potential; he needs to first and foremost get an education and, in addition to his fantastic looks and personality, he could really do something great with his life.

what a bunch of glory seekers, i quess they just want there five minutes of fame jumping around the country appearing on t.v. shows. maybe the bum should try to get a job to support his son instead

If he is not cashing in on their name, why is he on Larry King? Levi, be a man, get a job, support your son.

Get past all this. When Levi thought he could just do his thing with the Palin girl and have no consequences, he was wrong just as millions of young boys and girls are wrong about this. He has no rights to the child as he never bothered to marry the girl. Sorry about that, Levi; life is tough sometimes and you have a lot to learn. If you do things in proper order (like be married before producing a child???) you will have legal rights. You can't change things after they have happened, you know.

Well in order to get a custody plan as well as child support, you need to go to court, but Levi, watch out for Sarah Palin, she would cut off your nose inspite of your face...

Don't talk about custody and what your boy!!! has and you haven't offered child support or health benefits. Your mother should know better than to talk about what you plan to do legally and your legal rights haven't been violated you offer no finanical or moral support to your infant son or his mother.

Well Well I am so thankful that Sarah is not our VP, what would the world leaders think........Lord save us from the Palin's.

This poor kid will need many lawyers to defend himself against one of the most vile and toxic attack dogs in the US. The snow billy hate queen destroys (or tries too) everyone she disagrees with using any powers her office or position avails her. So watch your back Levi.

You can bet his Mom won't be getting a pardon from the Gov. That is probably the only Lawyer they have. Levi keep it civil and stop the trash talking. All they are doing ( News stations ) and reporters are just using you. Democrats are making you look stupid like them. Stop and just let this stay between you and Bristol. Don't let your son grow up and having too live with this trash smearing about his mother or you.

Levi needs to start supporting his son now by supplying the necessary items such as diapers formula, clothes, etc. Waiting for a court hearing just makes him look like a deadbeat dad. Also, talking about the child's mother in a negative light is not endearing himself to the public in my opinion. Remember, in a few years your son will be reading all the those negative things you've said about his mother and will not be very happy with you. So suck it up son and behave like an adult instead of a spoiled child. As far as Levi's mother, obviously you need parenting skills.

Levi has a much right to be a parent as does Bristol. The arrogant, hateful, mean-spirited, idiotic, witch Sara is trying to prevent him from being a father.

15 minutes of fame...and who is in the middle?...an innocent child!

It's really too bad for the sake of the baby that these two young kids can't figure things out on their own, as opposed to their the adults putting their two cents in the hat. Leave them alone and they will be just fine. Heck they didn't need their help to produce the little tyke. Too many cooks in the pot, leave them alone.

Levi Johnston,

Dude, You need to quit your circus. You are being a big buffoon on the national stage. If you think you can extort some money from the Palins then you are sadly mistaken. Go Get yourself some life and try to achieve something in life. Your achievement so far in life has just been become a teen father!

Well, I feel bad for this young man's family. They probably don't have the money for a good lawyer that would like to argue with the Palin bullies, and this poor young man is going to have to fight the rich Palin woman for his right to see his own son. Remember the rich 'well dressed' woman will pay for anything to win this fight, never mind what her daughter says. So far, I've only seen her bark and bark about this issue, the daughter hasn't said anything, then again the girl lives under her power. Can't you tell who's going to win this fight???? Thank you, Rm.

This boy and his family are trash, why is he out here on national television discussing their personal business. If he cared so much about his son, he would already be supporting him and have visitation rights in place instead of going on public television and airing their dirty laundry, he is trash.

Levi, you need to take control of your life and talk for yourself. Stand up and be a man so your child will have a Father in his life.

Wow. This family's dirty laundry is being aired on tv because his almost mother in law ran for V.P. The sad thing is I feel sorry for Levi and Bristol but mostly for little Tripp because this is documented now and will be a part of his history of existance all because Sarah Palin ran on a right wing, conservative platform when she knew she had a unwed pregnant teenage daughter at home and she didn't put the welfare of her family before he own political agenda.

This is nothing more than a bad soap opera! Why don't they go on the Jerry Springer Show!

Those kids were thinking with their glands, and never bothered with condoms at all, now they have to live with the consequences...Having to raise their kid.

Levi's mom was arrested for drug possesion. What mother in her right mind would want to send her newborn son to that house. The Johnston family is trying to get fame and create a story where there is not one.

It is unfortuante that this is so public. It would certainly be in the best interest of the baby and his mom and dad to settle this privately without the interference of grandparents, siblings and the media.

Palin and family should take a roadtrip in their trailer this summer and settle the dispute at the Jerry Springer show.

This guy is an attention seeking deadbeat Dad. He was in some sort of apprentice program or oil something or other which was set-up by Gov. Palin and then this kid quit on that. He doesn't pay child support not because of some personal convivtion, but it's because he doesn't have a job and hasn't been able find a talk show which will pay him. If he was so concerned about being by his son, he shouldn't be jetting around the US acting like he's a celebrity, he should be at home "taking legal action" or whatever he's claiming he is going to do. And just as bad, this also being perpetuated by Johnston's drug addict mother, who within the past 6 months was picked up for drug posession. They are white trash attention seekers and that is all.

Bristol should consider herself lucky this boy even wants to be a father to his child. There are older, more financially successful and better educated men than this country bumpkin who couldn't give two shakes about their children. If Levi isn't a danger to himself or others, what's the problem? Make him pay support and let him be a father to his kid.

In all fairness, the media and BOTH families should being making every attempt to keep THEIR issues out of the media. Rather, the media should be looking at trends of custody issues when the father WANTS to have custodial time and is NOT permitted to have it. The imbalance is clear, at least to me, in that he doesn't have the "luxury" of a family spokesperson to lob accusations, nor does he have the backing of a political engine.

This is an opportunity for parents, kids, and teen parents, alike, to have dialogue about how to handle teen parenthood. Some may think my comments are idealistic, and people are entitled to their perceptions. However, the Palin family must realize that they can't ask for privacy for a matter that is TRULY between the PARENTS of the INFANT, and then have a family "spokesperson" fuel a fire. Furthermore, how can Bristol Palin, according to the Palin 'camp', promote abstinence and abstinence based education when she was quoted ON FILM as saying it was unrealistic?

Were these kids irresponsible in having unprotected sex AT ANY POINT? Yes! Do teens do this DEPITE what their parents tell them? Yes! Do ALL teen parents have parents, influential or otherwise, who will support them? No. Merely SUPPORTING adoption as a pro-life approach is not enough, however. It's time for the pro-life movement to put their money where their mouth is and DO SOMETHING to help prevent the rampant problem that is teen parenthood/unplanned pregnancies. *stepping off my soapbox*

Hello Levi,
It works like this. The Momma is the Momma. If you do not grow up and sort out a way to be a live-in and responsible father to this child.... you lose. The baby needs Mom and your family has to get some class and figure out how to stop milking the stature of Governor Palin and her family. Do you really care about this child and his mother? If so get a grip and start acting like a man. That is what your son needs, not some media besotted goof accompanied by hangers on who are obviously easily manipulated by the snake pit a.k.a. the media.

Levi has equal rights to his child and a 50:50 agreement would be in everybody's best interest. Including the child's.
There is not reaon why he sold not be allowed to spend unsupervised time wiht his child, just like Bristol. He has not been convicted of child abuse that would warrant a supervision.
I'm afraid Sarah Palin will need to understand that there are some things she is not allowed to interfere with. A parents rights is one of tose things.
I hope she is aware that Bristol can lose custody for keeping him from seeing the child.
I hope they find a neutral judge that will decide in the CHILDs best interest.

Levi, most fathers don't do a great job raising babies. It does take a woman who is geared up for the job, almost from her birth. Dolls, etc.

I don't know which family is trashier. Poor Tripp never stood a chance.

Levi & Bristol liked each other before. They had a silly argument. Can't they make up, so they can be happy together and not have to go before a judge?

It is nauseating to see this family trying to gain some advantage of this sitauation

It is sad this has to play out in public. Unfortunately, Palin is not above using this baby as a pawn, and if she handles this like she did the vice-presidential campaign then this baby is going to be involved in a tug-of-war like no other.

When the baby is older, and Bristol has an engagement to advocate for abstinence, maybe she will see the value in him taking the baby away to care for!!

I am always for sharing custody of children but it appears that Johnston and his family are only doing this for the "fame" of it all. If they really cared about settling this matter they would not be running to the media at every turn. Young couples get pregnant everyday – married or not, and they don't hunt down the press to get attention and or monetary gain from it. Sure, go to court, arrange visits, but for heaven's sake keep the media out of it!

What parental rights. Does he want the Palins to support him also. After all he hasn't sent or spent one cent for support of that child. And just think of all the money he is getting for his round of the talk shows.

If he is supporting the child, if he has given any money why doesn't he tell the Palins they are accusing him of being a "run away dad" incorrectly. Remember the old saying...."I think he dost protest too much".

How can this guy have any credibility when he doesn't even support his child financially?...I have a hard time taking anything he says seriously.

the republican party sure has this whole "family values" issue figured out... and sarah palin was considered qualified to be the vice president of the united states ?? lol... i guess, when you compare her to dick cheney, she was OVER-qualified, but, the woman can't even run her own household !!!

i'm guessing most of everybody will be taking the johnston family over the palin family, anyday, i'll be on the johnston family side. fade away palin

Larry...I love you and watch your show every evening....I did not enjoy the interview with the Johnstons, however. What is the facination with this family. They are 'The No News Bears'...who really cares. They do not present themselves well, who cares if Levi had protected sex and how many times....there is bigger news out there. The comment
"What do you make of that?" is now very much overused...What I "made of that" interview was ... "Who Really Cares????" They are not newsworthy and you had to drag words out of them. You continued to aggravate the situation by telling him he has rights as a father. He can decide that.
Yikes...you have done better interviews. You were definitely against the Palins.

What a wonderful "second family" these yokels would have been!

Well, Well, Well looks like a huge falling out in the trailer court. I still think they should take this to the Springer Show. All this does is force the American Public to listen to the Moron Palin tomorrow. Thanks Levi we owe you.

Levi is about to find out how badly biased against fathers US family law tends to be.

What a show! Why even go there Larry King?

jerry, jerry, jerry

It's really very sad. Levi and Bristol have been used and abused. They're just kids. Supportive (grand) parents would never act this way.

While I don't agree with the Johnstons going on national TV to air their grievances, I do think it's smart for him to get a lawyer. He needs to protect his rights as the baby's father. He also needs to get a real job and start contributing to the cost of raising his child.

It's the Hatfields and the McCoys.
It's Deliverance.
Yeeee-haw

Geez this guy is really pushing it!

After the shady deal and subsequent cover-up regarding Sarah Palin toward her brother-in-law, the Johnstons had better retain a lawyer to watch out for their interests!

Yeah, I would want my baby around a grandmother arrested for dealing drugs and a deadbeat dad. These people are real winners and the news media will do anything in their power to try to make Gov. Palin look bad. Well, sorry cnn but no one in their right mind would want an innocent baby around this deadbeat dad and drug dealing grannie. I am surprised at you Larry King that you would stoop this low. These johnston's are nothing more than a bunch of money grubbing white trash.

The Hillbilly Follies continue....and this could have been happening from Washington D.C.....scary....

In an interview with CNN’s Larry King, Johnston, his mother, and his sister acknowledged that they have a lawyer and are contemplating taking legal action to protect Johnston’s parental rights.

Good for them. Look what Palin did to her brother in law.

Sarah Palin's hypocrisy is catching up with her and Todd.