Levi Johnston plays by his own rules

Levi Johnston had a good thing going. He played hockey, went to school, and dated the governor's daughter. He probably didn't see it coming that he was a a few months away from quiting school to get a job in the Alaskan oil fields, having a kid, marrying the governor's daughter, and having their relationship celebrated by Republicans far and wide as an ideal of moral purity. Over the weekend, the AP caught up with Levi and asked him a few questions on how his life has changed. Enjoy.

On the rumors that he's being forced into a shotgun wedding:

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

And with heartfelt words like that, I can't imagine how anyone got the wrong idea. Well at least he's pumped about his kid now:

"I'm looking forward to having him," he said. "I'm going to take him hunting and fishing. He'll be everywhere with me."

Johnston, a Wasilla heartthrob, said he wanted to set the record straight.

For starters, he said his much-maligned MySpace page was a joke _ the one that claimed he said: "I'm a ... redneck," and "I don't want kids." Johnston said his friends created the page a few years ago and he had nothing to do with it.

Well I'm glad that's cleared up. And if you wanted to know more about Levi, AP writer Adam Goldman reveals his man-crush:

Johnston is an avid hunter. He's dark haired, tall and muscular, sports a bit of stubble and drives a red Chevy Silverado truck. He'd be the perfect cover for Field & Stream.

Uh, ok...

He's bagged bears, sheep, elk, and caribou. Some of the antlers are scattered about his yard. Last July on a caribou hunt he lost a "promise" ring that Palin had given him. He said he decided to tattoo her name on the finger and not bother with more rings because he'd just lose them anyway.

No time for rings, just time for tattoos, and killing. But what about the convention? Was he scared about being thrown into the spotlight?

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

While Barber said his friend is a celebrity now, Johnston said it hasn't changed him.

"I'm still the same old boy," said Johnston. "I'm just a workin' man."

Bold. Spoken like a truck commercial. And his politics?

Johnston didn't register in time to vote, according to the Mat-Su Division of Elections Office in Wasilla.

The young man said he wasn't an expert on politics by any stretch. Asked about Barack Obama, he replied: "I don't know anything about him. He seems like a good guy. I like him."

Levi Johnston, the original maverick.