The news will no doubt bring disappointment to die-hard Republicans and romantics alike - there will be no shotgun wedding to brighten the race to the White House.

Those hoping for excited talk of baby-bump-covering bridal gowns to pierce the economic woes dominating the presidential elections will have to wait until next summer, when, it has been revealed, Sarah Palin's pregnant daughter, Bristol, will marry her 18-year-old boyfriend.

The confirmation comes from none other than the 'second dude of Alaska' himself , Levi Johnston, self-proclaimed 'redneck' and future son-in-law of the Republican vice-presidential candidate.

Speaking in a rare interview outside his home in Wasilla, Alaska, the teenager said: "We were planning on getting married a long time ago with or without the kid.

"That was the plan from the start," he said.

"We both love each other. We both want to marry each other. And that's what we are going to do."

It also emerged that he had been too late to register his vote.

Asked about Barack Obama, he replied: "I don't know anything about him. He seems like a good guy. I like him," before adding, wisely: "I just hope (Mrs Palin) wins. She's my future mother-in-law. She better win."

Despite the Republicans' commitment to the right to bear arms, Mr Johnston insisted he was not being marched down the aisle with the party pistol pressed against his back.

He also maintained he was not forced to appear alongside the Palin clan at the Republican convention.

"At first, I was nervous," he said. "Then I was like, 'Whatever.'"

Standing in the driveway of his family home in this small Alaska town, Mr Johnston spoke about the rumours swirling around him.

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