Palin Memoir Reveals Tension With McCain Campaign, Doesn't Mention Levi Johnston

An early copy of "Going Rogue," Sarah Palin's upcoming memoir, reveals that the book delves into the former vice presidential candidate's grief about her daughter's pregnancy playing out before a national audience, the Associated Press reports. It also offers intimate details on Palin's tension with the McCain campaign, naming staff members Palin thought were keeping her from being herself, and gives a behind-the-scenes look at her interview with Katie Couric.

But the 400-plus-page book doesn't include a single mention of Levi Johnston, the father of Palin's grandchild, who has publicly questioned her parenting and indicated he has additional embarrassing information about her. Johnston seemed to anticipate that the book would speak badly of him, but Palin steered clear of the controversy. It coincides with a general warming in her public stance toward Johnston: In an interview that will air next week, Palin told Oprah Winfrey that Johnston is "part of the family," and she would love for him to reconcile and spend Thanksgiving with them.

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Palin's gentle approach to Johnston contrasts sharply with her take on the McCain campaign staff. She expresses her dissatisfaction with their handling of her family, including shielding her from the press and forcing her to "stick with the script" even when she thought their prepared statements glamorized Bristol's pregnancy. Palin writes that she found the makeover the campaign gave her family excessive, and would have been happy with less expensive clothing on the campaign trail. Without directly attacking him, she confirms her well-known tension with Steve Schmidt, McCain's chief strategist.

Palin also writes that she found Couric condescending, biased and "badgering," and accuses the CBS anchor of leaving our portions of their interview where Palin gave more substantive answers. (The interview, which was widely criticized, featured several instances where Palin appeared stumped.) She writes that she was "shocked" Couric asked her what newspapers she reads, and wonders if she should have turned the question back on her interviewer.

The book's tone is "folksy and homespun," according to the AP, and includes 68 color photographs.


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