17-year-old Bristol Palin (right) is 5-months pregnant.

The 17-year-old daughter of McCain running mate Sarah Palin, is 5 months pregnant, according to news reports.

Palin’s daughter, Bristol, will keep the baby and marry the father, CNN and The New York Times reported.

Sen. John McCain’s campaign announced that McCain knew about the pregnancy before he chose her as his running mate.

The aide said it was decided the campaign would reveal this information now because of rampant Internet rumors that Sarah Palin’s 4-month-old baby, who has Down syndrome, was actually Bristol’s, CNN reported.

VP candidate Sarah Palin

According to NYTimes.com, the Palin family made a statement saying “Bristol and the young man she will marry are going to realize very quickly the difficulties of raising a child, which is why they will have the love and support of our entire family. We ask the media, respect our daughter and Levi’s privacy as has always been the tradition of children of candidates.”

Photo Source: Daily Mirror

Sen. John McCain will announce his choice for a running mate Thursday and appear with his VP on Friday, according to a report on FOXNews.com.

Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty are at the top of the list sources told FOX.

Former Oklahoma Gov. Frank Keating is also said to be a late addition to McCain’s list however Keating told reporters he has not been vetted by the McCain campaign and does not plan to attend the Republican National Convention due to a scheduling conflict.

Photo: Jared Lazarus/Miami Herald/MCT