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McCain picks Sarah Palin as vice president
Friday, 29 August 2008
Sarah Palin has become the attack dog for the McCain campaign, with increasingly personal tirades at her rival
enlargeUS Republican presidential candidate John McCain has chosen Alaska Govenor Sarah Palin as his vice presidential running mate, a senior McCain campaign official said today.
At 44, she is younger than Barack Obama and the first woman ever to run on a Republican presidential ticket.
Palin's selection was a surprise with McCain choosing her over many better-known prospects, including former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney who ran against McCain for the Republican candidacy.
"She will be his partner in reforming Washington," said the McCain official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
By announcing his pick today, McCain was hoping to divert attention from the Democratic convention in Denver, which concluded last night with a speech by Obama. The Democratic candidate opened a broad assault on McCain, accusing him of following the policies of unpopular President George Bush.
It is also thought that by picking a female deputy, McCain might well attract some of those disappointed women among the 18 million voters who chose Hillary Clinton during the Democratic primaries and caucuses.
With women making up about 52% of the electorate, Palin could also appeal to them.
"This is a bold choice of a strong conservative who is a reformer and will be greeted by the delegates in St. Paul with enthusiasm," said Republican strategist Scott Reed.
McCain is preparing to accept his party's nomination for president at the Republican convention in St. Paul, Minnesota, next week.
Palin, 44, was elected Alaska's first woman governor in 2006. She has extensive influence in Alaska politics, where she served as mayor of Wasilla and ethics commissioner on the state's Oil and Gas Conservation Commission.
Republican pollster Kellyanne Conway previously said of Palin: “She’s young, vibrant, fresh and now, and a new mother of five. She should be in the top tier. If the Republican Party wants to wrestle itself free from the perception that it is royalist and not open to putting new talent on the bench, this would be the real opportunity.”
Palin has steadfastly opposed abortion and last year gave birth to her fifth child, who she knew would have Down syndrome.
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I was AWESTRUCK by the choice, I have not seen the Republican Party this energized since Ronald Reagan. McCain picked a true conservative, and many of us are surprised! Looking over the list of potential, McCain picked a candidate that was well in the top 1% of real Conservatives! She is WINNER!
Posted by Gary | 21.09.08, 20:29 GMT
I'm a black Republican Christian who had vowed to vote for none of the above. By nominating Governor Palin, the Republicans have salvaged my one vote, and possibly the presidency. The more I read about this wonderful choice for Vice President the more excited I've become. Anyone who risk their political career by filing ethics charges against top ranking state party officials is alright in my book. We need more people like her that will stand up for moral standards.
Posted by Chief Jay | 31.08.08, 00:36 GMT
I love this choice for vice president! Folks we finally have a horse race!
Posted by sfoust | 30.08.08, 03:54 GMT
Gov. Palin has zero foreign policy experience, no real time spent in goverment and no chance of becoming the next vice president. John McCain is a 72 yr old man whom has had cancer 4 times. Four Presidents have died whilst in office in the US , two by assination and two by ill health. Should anything happen to John McCain even if he where President that would mean Gov. Palin would serve out the rest of his term. All these factors play into the minds of American voters. John McCain = George W. Bush policy! The Rep. Party has made a bad choice in there V.P choice which will cost them dearly no doubt.
Posted by Sir Robert | 30.08.08, 02:51 GMT
It was a brilliant move.
There are more women today with degrees and interest in voting than ever before in our nation's history. Palin will appeal greatly to those women (which make up a huge count of the nation) who are seeking a VP they can relate to.
Over here most people want change - yet change they can connect to. Palin will seal the vote from all of us who want someone who has not been corrupted by the White House white wash and who will approach things without all of the political bias. And with her being a mother of five to top it all, one a special needs child, she will gain massive support from the nation's women.
McCain/Palin will be a dynamic team and fresh changes to the nation will be anticipated and hoped for.
Posted by H. Carroll | 30.08.08, 02:39 GMT
I think he knows that this may be the only chance the Republicans have to win. It's not only about attracting the younger set and the female vote. They are going to have to drill in the Alaska preserve and she can smooth the way. The fact that she is environmentaly conscious will also still a lot of otherwise raucous voices. Wise choice. Mitt Romney's input will still be there somewhere.
Posted by bill | 30.08.08, 01:55 GMT
I think it is a Great choice! This will cast a negative spin on why Obama chose not to appoint a female as his running mate!
Posted by Ernie | 29.08.08, 20:15 GMT
John McCain has selected a wise choice for his VP running mate. She has executive experience, is pro-life, anti-gay marriage and wants to drill in Alaska and off-shore to increase the supply of oil. Sarah Palin is able to weigh raising a family and meeting the demands of being a governor of Alaska and is not beholden to established politics. She is also one tough-minded lady and that is the reason those in Alaska have nicknamed her "Sara Barracuda."
You will like her the more you hear her and read about her.
G Kerr
Posted by G Kerr | 29.08.08, 19:27 GMT
N. Lacker, don't be disheartened. Palin is pro-life, pro-small government (she's made many cutbacks in Alaska), pro low taxes (shes' cut taxes too), pro 2nd Amendment, and pro ANWR drilling. She's very conservative. I think McCain made a good choice for the reasons mentioned and for other reasons as well.
Posted by Ken | 29.08.08, 18:52 GMT
I must say, I'm quite disappointed that Mitt Romney was not selected for VP. I'm sick to my stomach at how the Republican base has strayed from its conservative roots, and I was hoping that Mitt Romney would get McCain back on track.
I do not know anything about Mrs. Palin..... however, I can only hope what we soon learn of her will be somewhat uplifting, but at this point, I'm pretty disheartened.....!!!!!! :(
Posted by N. Lackner | 29.08.08, 16:50 GMT