Levi Johnston talks about Palin's resignation

By MARY PEMBERTON, Associated Press Writer Mary Pemberton, Associated Press Writer –

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The former fiance of Gov. Sarah Palin's 18-year-old daughter says he thinks he knows why the Alaska governor is resigning — concerns over money.

Levi Johnston, 19, whose wedding to Bristol Palin was called off earlier this year, says he believes the governor is resigning over personal finances.

Johnston says he lived with the Palin family from early December to the second week in January. He claims he heard the governor several times say how nice it would be to take advantage of the lucrative deals that were being offered, including a reality show and a book.

"I think the big deal was the book. That was millions of dollars," said Johnston, who has had a strained relationship with the family but now says things have improved.

Palin has a book deal, but compensation details haven't been disclosed. The governor has said she is facing more than $500,000 in legal fees.

"It is interesting to learn Levi is working on a piece of fiction while honing his acting skills," Palin family spokeswoman Meghan Stapleton said in an e-mail to The Associated Press.

Johnston made his comments at a news conference Thursday at the office of his attorney, Rex Butler.

Johnston came forward, Butler said, because Alaskans want to know why Palin has decided to resign. She made the announcement last Friday.

Johnston also is pursuing his own book deal. He is working as a carpenter while also pursuing a movie deal.

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Levi Johnston poses shirtless with baby for GQ magazine

The 19-year-old Johnston, opens up about Bristol and the Palin Family in the July issue of GQ Magazine.

Levi Johnston says his relations are improving with Bristol Palin, daughter of former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin.

The 19-year-old Johnston tells GQ magazine that the Palins aren't "lying when they say that things are better."

Johnston fathered a child with Bristol, the 18-year-old daughter of Alaska governor. But since the couple broke off their engagement, he has complained in national interviews that the Palins were limiting his access to his son Tripp, born Dec. 27.

Johnston also claims in the GQ article that Sarah Palin's husband, Todd Palin, offered to buy Bristol a new car if she broke off the relationship.

By John Jeremiah Sullivan
GQ.com correspondent

Levi Johnston calls Sarah Palin 'snobby,' says his family is not 'white trash' on CBS' 'Early Show'

The father of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's first grandchild slammed the vanquished vice presidential candidate for snobby behavior, declaring the biggest misconception about him is "my family's white trash."

In an exclusive interview on CBS' "The Early Show," hunky baby daddy Levi Johnston said Wednesday that he's heart-broken over the end of his engagement with Palin's daughter, Bristol. He also accused the governor and her family of lying.

"We're not cashing in on their name," Johnston, 18, insisted. "I'm just trying to get my side of the story out there and letting people know who I am."

Asked to identify the biggest misconception about him, Johnston replied, "Probably that my family's white trash."

Johnston and his sister, Mercede, portrayed the Palin family as stuck-up.

Johnston said he's under the impression the Palins think he's not good enough for their daughter. His sister called the Palin family's conduct "snobby."

"Look what they're doing. They're lying, trying to save theirselves. And they're the one that asked for it," Levi's sister said. "They brought him to the campaign. They should have known what was coming. They can't, you know, turn around and try to take it back now."

The Johnston siblings accuse Palin of lying about Levi staying in her home. According to Levi Johnston, he began sharing a room with Bristol in the Palin household a few weeks before the birth of their son, Tripp, and stayed there until the couple recently split.

"They said I didn't live there," Levi Johnston said. "I stayed there. I was like, OK, well, whatever you want to call it. I had my stuff there."

Asked directly if the Palins were lying, Johnston replied "Yes."

Johnston said his son means "everything" to him.

"He's my little boy. I don't know what I'd do without him," he said. "When I hold him, it's an amazing feeling. I just shake."

While the pregnancy was unplanned, Johnston said he doesn't view it as a mistake.

"I wouldn't call any baby a mistake," he said. "I mean, I love him more than anything. I wouldn't trade him for the world.

At one time, Johnston said he had an excellent relationship with the governor.

"She was great. I mean, she treated me like a mom," he said. "I think she'd do anything for me at the time. And now I don't know."

But the relationship began to sour, he said, after she lost her bid to become the nation's first female vice president.

"When she lost is when it started happening," he said. "When she had got back, I think it's when it went downhill."

"I can go over there whenever I want and see my baby, but nine times out of ten, I'm not allowed to take him," he explained. "It's not as comfortable -- they don't think of me the same way anymore."

The Palin-Johnston family feud exploded last week when news broke that the Johnston family gave an exclusive interview to the "The Tyra Banks Show."

On the show, Johnston said he believed the governor knew he was having sex with Bristol prior to her becoming pregnant at age 17.

Caught off guard by Johnston's public remarks, the Palin family released a blistering statement last weekend.

"Bristol did not even know Levi was going on the show. We're disappointed that Levi and his family, in a quest for fame, attention, and fortune, are engaging in flat-out lies, gross exaggeration, and even distortion of their relationship," the statement said.

"It is unfortunate that Levi finds it more appealing to exploit his previous relationship with Bristol than to contribute to the well being of the child," the statement said. "Bristol realizes now that she made a mistake in her relationship and is the one taking responsibility for their actions."

Johnston said he's working odd jobs and hopes to be an electrician. Or perhaps the publicity surrounding his relationship with Bristol will lead to an acting or modeling gig, he said.

The Johnston family hopes there won't be a custody battle for Tripp because they fear any judge in Alaska would side with the governor and her family.

Johnston said he's heartbroken.

"But I got an amazing little boy out of it," he said.

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