CHICAGO — Sarah Palin said in an interview with Oprah Winfrey that it's heartbreaking to see the road that Levi Johnston, the father of her grandson, has taken and that the soon-to-be Playgirl model hasn't seen his baby in a while.
In an episode that aired yesterday, the two women also talked about the controversy surrounding Palin's possible appearance on the show last year and touched on whether the former Alaska governor planned to run for president in 2012.
Palin and Winfrey embraced as the one-time Republican vice presidential candidate walked onto the talk show stage. Palin's 413-page book, "Going Rogue," will be released today and she begins a book tour tomorrow in Grand Rapids, Mich.
The new memoir doesn't mention Johnston, who has sparred repeatedly with his former mother-in-law-to-be. Johnston and Palin's daughter Bristol Palin are parents to son Tripp.
When Winfrey asked about Johnston, Palin said she didn't think "a national television show is the place to discuss some of the things he's doing and saying."
But Palin went on to say she finds it "a bit heartbreaking to see the road that he is on right now" and that "it's not a healthy place to be."
Bristol Palin and her son live at Palin's home, she said, and have much family support.
"(Johnston's) quite busy with his media tours and he hasn't seen the baby for a while," Palin said. "But we will let that be the discussion between Bristol and Levi as they work out their relationship."
Palin also said Johnston remains a member of the family and that they can work out any troubles. She said she prays for him and that he has an "open invitation" to Thanksgiving dinner.
"He's a teenager," Palin said. "I don't think he realizes quite yet what it is that he is being handled and orchestrated around."
Winfrey began the interview by asking Palin if she felt snubbed at not getting an invitation to "The Oprah Winfrey Show" last year. Winfrey said she didn't have any candidates on her Chicago-based show during the campaign because of her support of President Barack Obama.
Palin said she didn't feel snubbed and told Winfrey, "No offense to you, but it wasn't the center of my universe."
Winfrey also asked Palin if she was thinking about running for president in 2012.
"It's not on my radar screen right now," Palin said.
ShowBiz Minute: Houston, Grammys, BAFTAs
'The Artist' Triumphs at the BAFTAs
Stars Share Heartfelt Whitney Houston Memories
'Rumor Has It' Adele's Rolling in the Grammys
Grohl, Grammy Nominees Cut Up on the Red Carpet
Whitney Houston's Church Mourns Her Passing
Reaction to Houston's Death at Clive Davis Party
Raw Video: Whitney Houston's Last Performance
Fans 'Speechless' Over Houston's Death
Police: Houston Found Dead in Her Hotel Room
Latest Jason Wu Collection Shows Chinese Roots
ShowBiz Minute: Madonna, Beresford-Redman, Pawsc
Stars Show Support at AMFAR Charity Gala
BCBG Kicks Off NY Fashion Week
The Muppets Are Oscars Bound!
ShowBiz Minute: House, Perry/Brand, Grammys
Hearts Are Pumping for the Ladies in Red
Androgynous Model Walks Runway As Man and Woman
ShowBiz Minute: Super Bowl, Taylor, Adele
Dench: 'I'm Not Going to Retire.'
