Bristol Palin boyfriend convention-bound

by Mark Silva

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Levi Johnston, boyfriend of the pregnant 17-year-old Bristol Palin, plans to join the family at the Republican Party's nomination of mom Sarah Palin for vice president.

The 18-year-old father-to-be (pictured at right in an AP photo) left Alaska this morning to join the Palin family at the convention, according to his mother.

The young parents-to-be haven't faced any pressure to wed, says the boy's mother, Sherry Johnston, reporting that the two teens planned to marry before it was known she was pregnant.

"This is just a bonus," Johnston said.

So much for family privacy: Imagine the attention this couple will confront in the media-filled Excel Energy Center arena where the convention is playing out.

The Palin family already has captured the attention of this hall, after Sarah Palin and husband Todd announced Monday that their daughter plans to have the baby and wed the father. They also asked the media to respect the young couple's privacy.

Sarah Palin plans to address the convention Wednesday night, and it's traditional for the running mate's family to join her on stage at the close of her acceptance speech.

Sherry Johnston allows some concern about all the attention her son will face. It's difficult enough for teenagers to cope with pregnancy, she says, without an entire nation watching.

Levi Johnston, a hockey player for Wasilla High School, is not listed on the team roster for 2008-2009, and his mother isn't saying if he graduated. She does says he's no longer a student.

Sherry Johnston isn't too thrilled with all the attention her own family has faced back in Wasilla: "This is out of my league. I'm just a country gal and I want to keep it that way."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.