John McCain's VP pick: Who will it be? What about Sarah Palin?

Lots of rumors flying around early this morning on the identity of Sen. John McCain's pick for his vice presidential running mate. Focusing especially on Alaska's fresh Gov. Sarah Palin.

One has former Massachusetts Mitt Romney enroute to Dayton, Ohio, where McCain plans a noon Eastern time rally to announce his selection. No guarantee if that invitation is true, that Romney is the pick, despite his tireless campaigning and fundraising for the Arizona senator for months now.

It would seem a little odd though to have onstage one of the "losing" candidates for VP if you're announcing someone else.

The Associated Press has published a report about Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, the subject of much recent speculation after he canceled his appointments for the next couple of days, saying he will not be in Ohio today.

Most Americans won't be in Ohio today, but that would rule Pawlenty out.

Another rumor has a chartered plane from Alaska landing a while ago near Dayton, Ohio. If true, that could mean McCain's selection could be an outside-the-box game-changer: picking Alaska's first female governor, Sarah Palin, a 44-year-old mother of five and political maverick in her own right, who went against her state's GOP establishment in recent years to drive a series of reforms through.

What a surprise that would be if after watching the Democrats debate for nearly two years having a female in the person of Sen. Hillary Clinton at the top or No. 2 spot on their ticket, it was actually the Republicans with a candidate who turns 72 today picking a pro-life woman three years younger than Obama, who's been a city councilwoman, a tax-cutting mayor and an anti-pork barrel state chief executive.

A former high school athlete (basketball) and beauty queen, she could become the first female vice president and be in position to become the nation's first female president, as she was her state's first female governor and the first governor there born since statehood.

But remember last week when Barack Obama was about to announce his pick and we had reports of Obama-Bayh signs being printed in Kansas. It didn't quite turn out that way.

Stay tuned. We'll have the announcement right here on The Ticket asap.

--Andrew Malcolm

Photo credit: Associated Press

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Comments

[John S.]

Go Mitt !! We need someone who understands the economy!

On a side note, I was not impressed with Obama's speech last night. It was more of the same. Blame the Republicans for everything and promise everything to everyone. Translation: Raise Taxes.

You can't blame Republicans for California's budget defecit. There are way more Democrats in the California State Legislature. Instead of being fiscally responsible, they keep focusing on social issues.

[curtiss]

If he doesn't pick romney...he's lost my vote. how can you go after the lack of experience obama has then put a first term governor in?

[Jacki]

I think Rep. Eric Cantor will be John McCain's pick as VP

[EmilyAva]

What a pleasant suprise.... Romney would have put McCain over the top and now with this VP pick it will be a well deserved landslide

[Michael]

I would love Sarah Palin to be the VP. She would be a breath of fresh air to what is becoming an old and stodgy party. She gets my vote!

[Janos Schumacgher]

I hadn't paid attention to Palin until this morning. Now that I've read about her, I'm torn. As a democrat, I hope McCain doesn't pick her as it would strengthen the ticket immensely. It would also draw former Hillary supporters to the GOP ticket.

However, as a citizen, I think she would be an excellent choice should McCain win the general election.

[Matooso Ferrara]

This woman sounds like exactly the quality VP choice that can close the deal for McCain. From what I know of her, Sara Palin could swamp the Billarys' in 2012 too.

[Henry]

Obama has spent half a billion dollars trying to convince us about his message of "change" and then he picks a veteran politician as his running mate. All promises and no action.

The ACTION of Mr. McCain's VP selection should embody change itself. Obama talks, McCain does - that would be sweet.

Oh and wouldn't that be funny if he picked Sarah Palin?

Go Maverick!! Go McCain!!

[craig evans]

Of all the candidates; obama, biden, McCain- she's the sharpest and most sincere. No matter what happens, she WILL be the 1st woman President of the USA.

[Tom Tee]

McCain will pick the Alaska female governor as his VP. After all she is a former beauty queen and we know how these old Republicans like beauty queens. Look at the second wives of Strom Thurmond, Bob Dole and old Johnny Mac himself.

[Juanito]

Don't you mean first female VICE president? Or is McSame abdicating? After Denver, they just as well should call the whole thing off.

[Sigmond]

Great pick if true. Palin will shake it up.

[Josh Geller]

I like her better than I like either Pawlenty or Romney (nothing against either of those boys, but there it is).

.

[Former HIllary Supporter]

WOW ! If McCain picks Sarah Palin, I will rip up my Democratic voter card! Palin ROCKS!

[ted in pdx]

I knew nothing about Governor Palin, but after reading up a little, she sounds great (albeit I disagree with her pro-life stance). In fact, if Obama wins, I think she'd make a great cabinet member.

As for the craven and somewhat desperate tokenism the choice itself would represent, I hope McCain does choose her, for two reasons: first, I think most women who supported Hillary Clinton are more likely to be offended by such a patronizing act on his part. Second, at least it would put to rest the 'Commander-in-Chief' issue. It's hard to see how McCain could assert that Palin is any more qualified for that job than Barack Obama.

[Rider 51]

If McCain picks the woman from Alaska, then he is wise to do so. McCain needs something to jazz up his can do image and a lethargic voting populace. I'm still writing Hillary Rodham Clinton in as my candidate for president.

[Lee Caroline Whittmer]

What a blow to the dems! Palin is the right choice John,p0ease don't blow this.

[dragonfly777]

PALIN! PALIN! Mitt will bury us.! But Palin would boost McCain so high, Obama will only see the dust trail! With her is a sure win!! She is exceptional smart, imaginative, a dynamic speaker and one of the most common sense politicians I have had the pleasure of hearing.
For once let us Republicans blaze the trail only the Parrot Obama speaks of. My guess is Obama is would be devastated in his campaign if McCain will choose a not just a woman, but an extremely strong, and savvy individual.
We can put it to rest with Palin.

[AKrw]

OH, YES!!! Go, Sarah!

[GW]

Who ?

Man that would really chap Hillary's hide ! LOL!

[VAROL]

HURRICANE MCCAIN! The biggest national disaster ever. Forget Gustav! choosing Palin will be a huge deal breaker in November! Let's just coronate Obama now. Apparently Mccain didn't really want to be president. That is apparent after choosing an unknown mother of 5 from alaska. I am 41 and have 5 children. That alone is a difficult job. I can't imagine being a mother and being second incommand of America. She is everything we don't like about Obama. Inexperienced and not ready to lead. STUPID STUPID STUPID HURRICANE MCCAIN WILL LOSE. Sincerely, a life long devoted republican....

[Jon Zank]

The GOP or "Gang Of Pirates" who fooled a nation into being plundered for their own greed knows that the American people are sick of being lied to. It does not matter who John McCain picks as his VP. The problem is obvious. John McCain is not a bad guy personally, but politically his views are controlled by that of swashbuckler Captain Rove & his crew. Apparently once your sworn into a Pirate crew you take all your orders from the Captain. This behavior John McCain knows well. It will be interesting to see if anyone shows up at the "Pirates" Monster Ball this Monday. Good luck but no thanks. Maverick? Maverick is generally defined as a drifter who gambles and cheats for a living. Revered for their absolution for risk and bad behavior. Not exactly the traits needed to be the next President. If you can honestly feel in your heart that you would feel safe with the Maverick's hand on the RED BUTTON at 3AM when he is awakened from a drug induced sleep (he is a long term Ambien user), then give him your vote.

[uncle Sam]

Barak's speech was indeed more of the same! Where is the "change" there? I was suprised at some of the comments he made about the economy, but then again, there is so much ignorance in this country that more people will fall for it sadly. The fact of the matter is, the economy was better up until 2006 when the DEMOCRATS took over congress... it was after 2006 that gas prices started rising to all time highs.... correlate the 2 and try and explain to me again what change REALLY means?

[v racer]

Palin would seal the deal. A smart, proven, patriotic, conservative woman! Any Republican who can't go along with that isn't paying attenion. Meanwhile, the "candidate of change" selected a senate fixure who had it all wrong when he attempted to belittle General Patraeus at their hearings.

[Maurice McClain]

This would be a blow to the Dems... For all the reasons everyone else stated, and the big blow would be Biden would not be able to attack her in the debates like he would a man. It would not go over well.

M.