Bristol Palin's Break-Up Could Be Seen For Miles

CLEVELAND - The train wreck that is the Palin family just continues to crash and burn in front of the entire planet.

Bristol Palin once again looks ridiculous.

Palin, the 18-year old daughter of Alaska governor Sarah Palin is a single mom now. Her now ex-fiancee Levi Johnston announced yesterday that they called off their engagement "a while ago" but he wouldn't disclose any specifics.

He didn't need to.

The young Palin, who gave birth to Johnston's child at the end of December was interviewed on Fox News last month and made their relationship sound peachy keen. She even gave off the impression that the hockey-playing Johnston was thrilled to be a father.

But I saw right through her words.

Ever since Gov. Palin was selected to be Sen. John McCain's presidential running mate last summer, I sensed something woefully inept about the Palin family. Shortly after Palin became an instant spark plug for the GOP, she revealed to the nation her then-underage daughter's pregnancy. Anytime Bristol was shown on television with Johnston, they were always holding hands with her smiling or grinning and Levi wearing a very uneasy expression. The few times he managed a smile, it always seemed forced; very transparent.

And then there was MySpace.

Johnston wrote on his MySpace page that "[he doesn't] want kids." This was around the time that Palin was five months pregnant and her family was still nationally obscure. When her mother became a national fixation in early September, it unexpectedly vaulted Johnston into the spotlight, something he clearly was uncomfortable with.

He needed a way out.

Remember, Bristol is only 18...still a kid herself and a high school student. Levi is only 19. For people that young, marriage and parenthood are enormous burdens to bear. I believe that Johnston stepped back and looked at the big picture once the child was born and their nuptials grew closer (they were scheduled for a summer '09 wedding). High school sex with your girlfriend is great for that moment, but when it morphs into a legal commitment and lifelong obligation, suddenly it becomes scary.

I'm not gloating about their split. I'm only saying that it should come as no surprise. This union was snake bitten from the start and destined to fall apart at the seams. The question now is very simple.

How are the Palins going to spin this?