On Monday, Governor Sarah Palin revealed that her 17-year-old daughter is pregnant. The announcement comes after weeks of speculation that Bristol (Palin's second oldest) and her boyfriend, Levi, were expecting.

As you can imagine, Monday's announcement was met with a round of shock and surprise from Alaskans—and now people across the nation.

As on Friday when Governor Palin was named McCain's running mate, the national media picked up on this story and has once again put Alaska's first family in the spotlight. The Associated Press is reporting the baby is due in December, making Bristol five months pregnant.

In a written statement released through John McCain's campaign, Todd and Sarah Palin said this about Bristol's pregnancy:

    "We're proud of Bristol's decision to have her baby and even prouder to become grandparents. As Bristol faces the responsibilities of adulthood, she knows she has our unconditional love and support."

    "Bristol and the young man she will marry are going to realize very quickly the difficulties of raising a child, which is why they will have the love and support of our entire family."

Palin in the past has touted her public policy stance on sexual education as abstinence-only. No doubt, with her name in the national political arena, we will hear more in the coming days on how, or if, this news will affect her bid to be America's next vice president.

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