McCain Chooses Palin as Running Mate

Q: What move can steal both a news cycle and droves of Hillary-supporting Democratic voters? A: The McCain campaign announcing Friday, just 12 hours after Barack Obama’s acceptance speech in Denver, that his running mate will be Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska.

The Washington Post:

John McCain has selected Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to be his vice presidential running mate, according to the McCain campaign, a surprise pick sure to shake up the race and reinforce the idea of the Arizona senator as a reformer.

The news that Palin, the mayor of a small town in Alaska just two years ago, was the pick came after CNN reported that a private plane had traveled from the Last Frontier to Dayton, Ohio where McCain is set to unveil his vice presidential pick later today. The Palin news came after the two supposed frontrunners—Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney—each confirmed he would not be traveling to Dayton today.

In picking Palin, McCain is taking a calculated risk. She is totally unknown and untested on the national stage but also has impressive credentials in her short time in public life.

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teamsugar.com

McCain and Palin, the 2008 Republican ticket. The choice of a female vice presidential candidate is probably a strategy to capitalize on the dissent between Hillary supporters and the rest of the Democratic Party.