Sarah Palin announced that her 17-year-old daughter, Bristol, is five months pregnant and is planning to keep the baby and marry the father

“We have been blessed with five wonderful children who we love with all our heart and mean everything to us,” said Sarah and Todd Palin in a statement. “Our beautiful daughter Bristol came to us with news that as parents we knew would make her grow up faster than we had ever planned. 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.”

The news comes just 72 hours after Palin was introduced by John McCain as his vice presidential nominee. In the time between the pick and Palin’s statement today, rumors had grown louder and louder that Palin’s youngest son, Trig, was actually her grandson and that it was Bristol who had given birth to the young boy.

According to Reuters, McCain campaign officials knew about Bristol’s pregnancy during the vetting process and that the rumors surrounding baby Trig’s birth made an announcement necessary.

Reuters’ Steve Holland writes: “McCain officials said the news of the daughter’s pregnancy was being released to rebut what one aide called ‘mud-slinging and lies’ circulating on liberal blog sites.”

- from Washington Post