Levi Johnston 'answers political queries'

Levi Johnston has appeared on US talkshow to answer queries about his bid to become the mayor of a small Alaska town.

Johnston, who is the father of Bristol Palin's 1-year-old son Tripp, was interviewed by Lawrence O'Donnell on his MSNBC series The Last Word on Tuesday and shared his views on a variety of hot-button issues.

O'Donnell asked the candidate the same questions that journalist Katie Couric had quizzed Bristol's mother and former Wasilla mayor Sarah on during a notable 2008 interview.

When questioned about which newspapers he reads, Johnston admitted that he has not devoted much time to keeping up on current events in recent months.

He explained: "I'm not gonna sit here and tell you that I read a lot of newspapers, I don't get The New York Times. I don't watch a whole lot of news. I don't watch TV that often."

He also said that he does not believe in abstinence and described his son Tripp as "the best thing that ever happened to me".

The 20-year-old further remarked that he does not believe that global warming is "man made" and that use of the morning-after pill is "a girl's decision".

Asked whether the US should disengage from the war in Afghanistan, Johnston replied: "I have no idea."

Johnston asserted that he will be ready to debate any and all current events by the time of the Wasilla mayoral election in 2011.

"Next year I will be ready," he concluded.