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Levi Johnston mumbled his way through an interview on the “Today Show” this morning in which he continued to paint a rather unflattering image of former Republican Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin. Johnston says she abruptly resigned as Alaska’s governor because she wanted to “take the money and run.” He also says Palin was interested in making money and getting more fame by doing a reality show.
Levi Johnston [says Sarah Palin] resigned as Alaska governor because she was too stressed out and wanted to “take the money and run.”
While living with the Palin family, “she was talkin’ about how [being governor] is a very stressful job,” Johnston — the 19-year-old father of ex Bristol Palin’s baby — said on the Today show Monday. “After the campaign and things, we had tons of offers, from everybody out there; just all kinds of ridiculous things. There had been talk about, ‘It’d be nice to just take the money and run.'”
Asked if that’s what Palin said, Johnston replied, “Yeah, and do a reality show maybe, or somethin’ easier.” (As for a reality show, Johnston said he and Palin’s kids “didn’t want to do any of that.”) Johnston said he believes Palin earned more than the $7 million that’s been reported for her Harper’s Collins book deal. “I’ve heard anything from $7 to $9 million,” he said. “It’s up there.”
He said money isn’t the only reason Palin resigned. “I am sure there are multiple reasons… but that’s definitely a part,” he added.
[From Us Weekly]
Perhaps unintentionally, Johnston also paints a sympathetic portrait of Palin after the election. Though he doesn’t use the word “depression,” it sounds like that’s what she was suffering from. Johnston says she lost her spark and you could tell she was no longer feeling the same way about being governor – and he believes the fame got to her head.
After losing the presidential campaign, Johnston said Palin “wasn’t as outgoing. I didn’t see the spark in her eyes about being governor anymore.”
“She’d come [home] and hang out in her room…. She was sad she lost,” he added.
Asked if the fame went to her head, Johnston said, “Yeah, a little bit, I think so. Just being up there and running for vice president, it’s totally different than governor. There’s cameras every day, she had secrets service… You name it.”
“Seeing how she acted when it was all gone, I think it definitely got to her head.”
He said he admires Palin because she “speaks her mind,” but said that “there are times when she’s not up front with everybody.” He cited her resignation as an example. Asked if he’d vote for her if she ran for president, he said no. He explained that if she couldn’t handle the stress of being governor of Alaska, she wouldn’t be able to handle being president of the United States.
[From Us Weekly]
Levi’s point seemed to be that Palin had gotten used to the perks of being a potential VP and was bummed to have lost that. I think it’s more likely she was depressed after working hard and getting her hopes up. We could argue all day about how well Sarah Palin did, but she obviously stepped up her game from what she was doing in Alaska. It does make sense that anyone would naturally feel let down – how could you not? But I agree with Johnston and think she’s killed any chance at a higher-level political career. She didn’t follow through on being the governor of Alaska and has yet to provide any good reason for it. It doesn’t sound like her heart is in politics anymore – though I can’t imagine she won’t eventually regret her decision.
thats so sad for a narcissistic personality like palin. high on the attention and fame and depressed in her room when they lost. how ridiculous. what a loser. a 74 year old mccain didnt slide into a depression and quit his job when he lost and he was working harder than she was.
This kid needs to shut his pie hole talk about attention whore. Now he is trying to milk his 15 of being the baby daddy to a former VP runner’s daughter, I wonder where he finds the time to be a father to the little one when every other day he’s on TV spewing crap about his kids granny.
She wears hair extensions.
Anyway, when she resigned I read all the theories: possible federal indictment coming, possible huge personal scandal she was trying to head off, etc.
In the end, it’s the simplest explanation: she can make more money and get more exposure (two things she really wants) by quitting being governor and having someone ghost write her book and giving speeches to the people who like her, etc.
But I have no respect for that. She wanted the job, she ran for it, the people voted her in, then she just drops it and runs. Just like she’s done with every other position she’s ever held.
She won’t ever be elected to office again, watch.
Well if you went from Walmart to Bergdorf’s and had to go back to Walmart, you’d be pretty bummed out too. You can take the girl out of the trailerpark….
Man. I wish I could cite “stressful job” and somehow get away scott-free with perhaps a nice little $7 million check. Do you think they’ll accept that at my job?
Agreed. At least McCain (old fart that he is, lol) is still a senator.
And we give a **** about what Levi says because…….?
Why should he “shut his piehole”????
I don’t get Sarah defenders.. Don’t you want to know more about your fearless leader? What’s the problem with Levi shining the light on dark corners of Sarah’s psyche?
I am not defending or promoting Sarah Palin. But this boy has no decency or pride. How would you like to have him as the father of your child or grandchild? Running around trashing your family every time he sees a microphone? He is desperate for attention and the only way that he can get it is to publicly humiliate his baby’s mother’s family. I am embarrassed for him.
Eh, it’s a free country, he’s allowed to say what he wants just like she is. At least it shows she’s not trying to pay him off to keep quiet.
This is definitely a “pot calling the kettle black” situation. Levi was on the Today Show because…?? It’s obvious he has issues with the family. Regardless of what you think about Sarah Palin, I think you’d agree that you wouldn’t want the media going to a person who doesn’t like you for opinions on you and your motives. It’s interesting that they would turn to him for his thoughts…especially since less than a year ago these same people were basically calling him an uneducated yokel and nothing but comedic fodder. It’s interesting how the old “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” thing goes.
TMZ is about to break with the cancelled checks that the Democratic Party has been writing to Levi to keep him bashing Palin.
But of course, no one will care how wrong that is, and the bashing will continue.
Seroiously, as much as I hate Sarah Palin, why is this guy still talking? The fame all went to HER head, right…
I’m wondering if Levi is going to eventually come out and finally admit that Trig is his and Bristol’s baby. Now that would be a book deal worth millions. I’d read it.
How do you know McCain didn’t feel depressed after losing the election? Maybe he’s better at hiding it or maybe he copes with it through working, which some people do.
Why would the Dems pay Levi to bash her?
I’m not an American and am not Republican, or Dem, or whatever, but…didn’t she kind of make an ass of herself? pretty much the whole English-speaking world outside of the US was laughing at her lack of experience and knowledge. Why pay someone to bash her when all she’d have to do is run for office again and give her opponents all they need?
Sarah Palin is opportunistic and greedy, not terribly intelligent or articulate in the political spectrum, but streetsmart and manipulative as all hell. She’s had a taste of fame and loves it. You haven’t seen the end of her.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jul/12/palin-stump-conservative-democrats/
Ditto zelda, and I’m Texan!
I thought Levi was banned from the Palin house…how does he know all this shiz?
Bob,
That is total nonsense, and you know it, don’t lower yourself by passing off unsubstantiated claptrap as fact. No one in the DFL or the GOP is ‘paying him’, maybe the TV shows are, just like the would for MJs nanny interview etc. not for partisan reasons but for ratings.
Honestly, I can not understand why some people, on both sides of the aisle, just make up poppycock like that due to pure partisanship; I know some very smart people who do so and frankly it is beneath them. Seems to me, if you are unhappy with your elected officials, then get your boots on the ground and volunteer for a candidate you believe in. Simply making BS accusations and comments not only doesn’t work, it can work against you and your ultimate goals.
He had no qualms about throwing Palin under the bus!
As much as I REALLY “dislike” my mother in law, I just keep quiet to keep the peace. After all, family drama mainly affects the children.
I think he is doing this to make enough money to buy that trailer with the killer cynder blocks! He’s a bottom feeder.
Levi is an ass, his mother a drug dealer and he should just shut is piehole.
What comes around goes around dude.
who gives a flying fig about any of these snowbillies? they should all STFU and stay in wasilla where they belong.
Why the hell is Levi Johnston still giving interviews? STFU already dude and concentrate on being a dad then a fame whore.
Levi needs to get back on his ATV and go back to where he came from.
No one knows if McCain or anyone else is “depressed” because he doesn’t have white trash going on the Today Show to discuss him. As IF Levi knows anything. sigh.
And – after a big election there is ALWAYS a psychological let down – even for voters, so why shouldn’t she go thru it too?
Snowbillies? Oh, that’s a good one. I’m using that.
@ iGGLES “Why should he “shut his piehole”????”
Where was his concern and outrage when he had an “IN” with the family?
Since the falling out all he does is spew his hate for them where was that hate before, he is an attention seeking whore.
Funny how a little fame can go to someones head or pea brain.
It is amazing to me that the Today show is interviewing a kid whose claim to fame is getting a girl pregnant. He wasn’t smart enough to use birth control, but we are to listen to how he is an expert on Sarah Palin. I think he needs to go back to Alaska – get a job and support the child he helped create. Maybe he should give Sarah a percentage too, because if it wasn’t for her we wouldn’t know who Levi was.
Hey, the Palins used Levi, making him show up show to their campaign events with Bristol. It was SO phony, designed to make it look like they were responsible adults. WHAT BS. And, now that he wants to talk, all the Palin supporters want him to shut up? WHY? Is he making the ICE QUEEN look bad? She made herself look bad by using her kids as PR props to support her rise to the top. NOT EVEN McCain likes her anymore, and he picked her to support him! But, she used him and threw him away, too. So SAD!
this constant media bashing of sara palin is sickening. the reason for it is that the left in this country is terrified of her and the connection she has with ordinary americans like no one since ronald reagan. they see it and will stop at nothing to discredit her. it’s vicious and unrelenting, but don’t worry, the only place it’ll work is in their own minds. she’s not going away, and will become their worst nightmare come true, probably in 2012. God bless her.
I actually find Levi’s explaination more plausible then what Sarah tried to tell us – although I still do not understand what she was trying to say.
As much as the supporters would love to deny it – Levi was a part of the Palin family and he traveled with them on the campaign trail!
It’s too bad that Sarah couldn’t be honest with the citizens of Alaska in regards to her resignation.
Levi has as much right to freedom of speech as the next person!
i have an aversion towards men who gossip….grow up levi and become a man.
for 19 years old and one who mumbles through every interview, for which he gets paid- I’m glad to see so many americans even listen to this kid and all the journalists use his useless mumbo jumbo for politico
I am a liberal who is terrified of Sarah Palin, not because she has a connection with other Americans like her, but because she IS witless.
@Joe BAHHHHHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHA!
You gave me the best damn laugh I’ve had in AGES!!!
Yeah right mate, pull the other one why don’t you!
And the post-er who said that SP is the biggest joke outside of the US was right, NO ONE and I mean NO ONE right or left leaning outside of the US of A takes Sarah Palin as anything but a colossal red-neck joke…
She’ll make her money, she and her husband will split up, the divorce will get nasty, she’ll be exposed for all the dodgy sh** she’s pulled while gov and the saga will continue…
that was my point Cici, im sure mccain felt a let down and depressed since that was his last chance at fulfilling his dream to be president. but the people of arizona elected him to do a job, so if he didnt win for president, he needed to keep doing his JOB that the electorate put him in. not quit because he was depressy wessy boohooing. he took his loss like a man and continued his work as a true public servant (i didnt vote for him, but i have nothing against him and blame palin for the nasty turn the election took). she, on the other hand, has no interest in doing a job that people hired her to do. she is an opportunistic narcissist who left a gaping constitutional mess in alaska and couldnt even leave at the right time to make sure that the legislature was in session to appoint replacement next-in-line people. she’s a whiny delusional quitter, and i have no idea how people can still look at her and think she is anything other than a punchline.
Palin has ZERO connection with the average American (as if there were such a thing). She has never fulfilled a position that she was elected to & she clearly has less than no clue what it means to be a elected official. It isn’t just the left that is “terrified” of her, its the rational people. The idea that she was thisclose to being a heartbeat away from the Oval Office that is so terrifying.
McPalin shoved this backwoods kid into the spotlight & the entire camp should have realized that when shit went south the was gonna open his maw.
“Levi Johnston says fame went to Sarah Palin’s head”
Levi Johnston says this? oh Really?
ROFLMAO….that is rich.
I love Sarah Palin. Just another great female Christian achiever that is judged, ridiculed, lied on, and attacked by the stinking liberals who are too stuck on living for themselves and their lusts that they can’t do anything else but attack that which is over their heads and beyond their morals! God will put Mrs. Sarah Palin where HE wants her. No one can stop Him.
LEVI, G-R-O-W U-P!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
#37—that sounds very much like the Chris Bown “everyboody who hates me is just a hater” statement, or whatever he so articulaltely said.
Sometimes, people mock you because you ARE a joke.
I hope desperately that your political group CAN find a good, intelligent spokeswoman.
But honey, that twit ain’t it.
Considering the verbal diarrhea that is Ann Coulter, the what-the-f*ck of Heidi Montag, and the Palin display of genius…well, your demographic of right-wing women HAS NOT been very fairly portrayed on average.
The right-wing women I know could string together sentences that are less hateful, less vapid, and more on-the-ball than those three respectively.
I think it’s time that Christian Republican women stopped saying “hey, she’s one of us, stop persecuting her” and start saying “Nope. Not good enough. We deserve better.”
It’s okay not to like someone, even if they are on your side.
Everyone need to remember that when defending “role-models” no matter what their political leaning. *cough*MichaelMoore*cough*
rhondafly: I don’t care whether Sarah Palin is a Jew, Catholic, Buddhist or Hindu Priestess. Her faith and religion have nothing to do with my judgement that she is a failed public servant. If you want to pretend that everyone hates her because she is Christian than go ahead and waste your time, but you will be wasting your time. You might as well go ahead and just stick that head of yours in the sand….now…deeper…there you go…all the way down.
What I do care about is the fact that this country came very, very close to this woman becoming V.P. of our country, mind you, one heart beat away from becoming President, and THAT is scary. Can you imagine?
She couldn’t handle the stress of being ridiculed and challenged in her position as Governor of Alaska but she could have potentially been the President of our country? All of us, lib and con alike should think long and hard about this. Regardless of your views, morals, ethics, tax position, etc.. you have got to support the notion that whomever is the Commander in Chief of our military, and the chief sworn protector of our Constitution, has GOT TO BE a STRONG person who can handle criticism, ridicule and disappointment! One cannot simply run to the hills because the going gets tough.
Everyone needs to stop the partisanship bickering long enough to seriously consider why we are putting the type of people into office that we are. The American public is played on again and again by political master minds who care nothing about the end result, but only what it takes to WIN during campaign season. As one who has worked on many a campaign I can tell you that the goal of winning becomes the only goal and NOTHING else matters. If there’s a glitch in your candidate, cover it up! If there’s a problem with their past, cover it up! If there’s knowledge they do not have…cover it up! At all cost WIN and WIN big. Scary, scary stuff.
I don’t think Sarah Palin would have lasted a year as V.P. She would have self-destructed long before then.
The word I’m hearing is that the Palin family is going to be slammed for taking free building supplies and labor for the home they built in Wasilla 5 or 6 years ago. Apparently it was built during the same time she was mayor and approved the building of a large, tax burdened, ice skating rink that sits on the edge of town very close to her property. Many of the contractors who were chose to build the ice rink are contractors who also worked on the Palin’s lake front home. Both projects were built during the same time frame. Since building permits are not required in Wasilla (wouldn’t that be nice for the rest of us in the U.S.?) there are sketchy records as far as whom actually worked on the home, what was paid for, and how it was paid for. There are a lot of ex-staff and former supporters who have turned on Palin and are working over time to turn in the dirt on her and her husband’s shady dealings. In fact, they have been so harassed by ethics violations that her staff is spending three quarters of every day dealing with those problems rather than solving Alaska’s many problems.
My guess is that this will come out sooner rather than later and that Ex-Gov. Palin thinks she will be able to sweep it under the table much faster as an Ex Gov rather than one still in office.
rhondafly: “God will put Ms. Sarah Palin where HE wants her.”
Interesting. So following your logic, that means He wants her out of the political sphere since she’s no longer the governor of Alaska.
AND that He wanted Obama elected President. Or was He just not paying attention that day?
Man, I can’t stand when people presume to know what God wants…
sorry–my last comment was directed at #38.
CeeJay: dead on. except that I wouldn’t laugh at the Christians’ right to care about candidate’s religion.
Just cuz I don’t care about my candidate’s faith, doesn’t mean it’s not a very valid reason for someone else.
(I for one vote on my Prime Minister based on his or her zombie-apocolypse-readiness.)
“he reason for it is that the left in this country is terrified of her and the connection she has with ordinary americans like no one since ronald reagan”
Riiiight. This is comedy, right? You meant that as a joke?
When was Ronald Reagan, the famous Hollywood actor turned president, EVER seen as an ordinary American? Maybe to the richies and good ole boys he appealed to, but not any of us.
Leave it to a starry eyed Palin defender to blame the scrutiny on fear of her powerful image and appeal. You couldn’t be further from the truth. She’s a flightly imbecile. She couldn’t stick to one college (didn’t she attend, like, 4?), and neither can she stick to a government position. I’m all for feeling like my politician is a “regular person” but they better be smarter than me. And I can’t honestly say that Sarah Palin isn’t.
In fact, I suspect that she was brought on the Republican board because they need a token female, but one they can still patronize so they don’t feel threatened. She’s stupid and attractive–fifty years ago, she’d be the secretary they were schtupping on the side.
Joe wrote: “the reason for it is that the left in this country is terrified of her and the connection she has with ordinary americans like no one since ronald reagan”
No Joe. The reason that thoughtful and insightful people, on BOTH sides of the aisle, are ‘terrified’ of her is because, I am not saying she isn’t a charming, driven or a bright person, she simply lacks the intellect and disposition that is needed in a world leader and the thought that she could be the representative of all of us is pretty unsettling. If she can not handle the likes of Katie Couric, or Charles Gibson, how on gods green earth is she going to be able to handle Medvedev, Raúl Castro, Ahmadinejad, or Kim Jong-Il?
The GOP has a stable of qualified, bright, thoughful stateswomen and statesmen who would be excellent candidates that they could hitch their wagon to for a 2012 POTUS bid. People put out the ‘she is an average Joe’ or ‘she has been picked on by the evil _____ (fill in the blank), poor thing’ stuff as justification to vote for her, these are the folks that vote with their hearts and not their heads; they don’t research a candidates positions or policies. Personally I would prefer that my POTUS be above average and isn’t just a product of a pity vote, but I am picky about that.
@ rhondafly – maybe god is talking through levi johnston…wouldn’t that be a kick in the pants?
Why are they listening to this kid? Apparently it not only went to Palin’s head but his as well since he is out doing this “interview”. The world has gone to hell in a hand basket.
Taylor: I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate the fact that you can make your argument without vilifying the right or the left. The notion that “all liberals/conservatives are …” is tired and totally ineffectual, and it’s nice to see someone rise above it every once in a while!
That boy is the most ridiculous person I have ever seen, he shows how inmature is and I do not know why the media is paying atention to him, the usual, the only one who brings this topics to the top just to make Sarah Palin look bad. Its disgusting.
Palin makes herself look bad; she doesn’t need any help
I don’t think Levi should be talking about the family at all. He can do whatever he wants in Hollywood but to do it at their expense is classless on his part. He needs to be careful because people don’t like rats and is close to losing it all if he keeps going on and on. If he wants to be famous, so be it, but do it on your own. Still a kid, and so unfortunate that his son will someday see how his father behaved. Levi, grow up. It’s not even about Palin, it’s ugly to hear a young man with so much potential lower himself to the level you seem to. It’s not amusing at all, and learn to open your mouth when you speak. He lokks like the puppet master. Good looks will can take you far, but when ugly inside people will lose interest. Was hoping you had it, but so far am disappointed. No need to hear yah now. Take care and speak of your own family. You never married in theirs, therefor so far only a sperm donor. Feel bad for Bristol. Sorry Bristol. Good luck. Your great girl, with a beautiful family. Levi, please be kind. It’s not pretty at all to hear you speak. Wow…
What a shame. It’s people like him who will actually boast a liking for Palin, and the reverse for himself. Was neutral before, but beginning to feel sorry for this family. They treated him well, even took him in, and this is what he does. Don’t become a clown young man. People may forgive this behavior because of your age, but soon may revolt against it as they should because it’s ugly behavior. I actually wish to see you do well, but afraid you may just ruin it yourself. You showed some class before, but wow, not now. Hollywood will turn on you after the 15 minute unless you change now. Speak up, sit up, this I’m honest thing is crap. Difference between honest and idiot. Get a degree or something, will you. Not impressed at all. Very disappointed because I actaully believed you could make it, but nahhhh. Maybe briefly, but then again hollywood may like it since…enough said…
I would be willing to bet that
‘Art’ and ‘Ann’ are the same person. Seriously, two, middle of the night seemingly drunken (or so it reads) ramblings within a few minutes?
Ann wrote: “People may forgive this behavior because of your age, but soon may revolt against it as they should because it’s ugly behavior.”
A national ‘revolt’ against Levi?? That is funny on so many levels I can’t even seperate them. But damn did that give me the best chuckle this morning… Thank you.
He’s 18. 18 year olds talk out of their asses.
Get a degree or something, will you. Not impressed at all.
If you’re impressed by Palin, he can make 5 attempts at getting a degree to still be in your good graces. 🙂
The liberal press wants to slam Sarah Palin. Who is Levi Johnston? Liberals would use the words of the dogcatcher, garbage man, anyone who has anything to say negative.