John McCain picks Alaska's Gov. Sarah Palin as his VP

The Republican Party's presumptive presidential nominee, Sen. John McCain, has pulled a fast one on his Democratic opponents, who spent much of the last 19 months arguing over whether they'd be the party to have a female on their 2008 presidential ticket.

The rumor is true. As The Ticket reported just before dawn this morning, minutes ago, McCain confirmed that his vice presidential running mate is Sarah Palin, the first female governor of Alaska and the first woman on a national GOP ticket.

And hear this: The 44-year-old Palin, a former city councilwoman, Alaskan mayor, star high school basketball player and beauty queen, is a Republican political maverick (does this sound familiar on a McCain ticket?).

She overthrew her own state party's corrupt establishment in 2005-06 to run without its support and win on a reform ticket against a Democratic former governor, Tony Knowles. See video below.

She's been enjoying statewide popularity ratings of 70% to 80%, not least for her down-to-earth touches, like selling the previous governor's jet plane to fly commercially and driving herself to work in the family Jetta. She's worked against government pork barrel projects; again, a familiar phrase.

Palin, the first Alaskan governor born after statehood, was actually born and raised in Sandpoint, Idaho. She is the mother of five (see family photo below) and is married to a native Alaskan, Todd Palin, who is a seasonal fisherman and an oil field worker offseason. He races snowmobiles on vacation.

The governor is a lifetime member of the National Rifle Assn., an ardent hunter and outdoorswoman (her family has its own float plane) and is a sure bet to please the antiabortion wing of the Republican Party.

When prenatal genetic testing of their fifth child showed he had Down syndrome last spring, the couple went ahead with the birth in May and now talk of him as the joy of their life. (See photo below.) One of ...

... their other four children entered the Army and deploys to Iraq next month.

Palin is also an ardent advocate of developing Alaskan natural oil resources, having recently signed a bill to establish a new trans-Alaska gas pipeline to deliver energy to the lower 48 states.

In the face of opposition from large domestic oil companies, which have ruled Alaska state politics for many years, Palin supported the 1,700-mile gas line proposed by a Canadian firm.

She also likes to point out that Alaska was admitted to the Union 50 years ago in large part for its trove of natural resources, much of them now locked up, while the country sends billions to other oil-rich nations.

She notes that while the controversial Arctic Natural Wildlife Preserve is roughly 19 million acres of protected federal land, the area actually proposed for oil development with directional drilling is smaller than LAX.

When The Ticket first mentioned Palin as a McCain VP prospect back in June, Palin pooh-poohed the idea as "not this time around." But, obviously, the Arizona senator saw an opportunity in partnering with a fresh, non-Washington face, a conservative chief executive who enacted property tax cuts as a mayor and who addresses the lingering doubts some conservatives have about McCain.

She also happens to be female and 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, she could also appeal to them.

There was some concern in recent weeks that an investigation into an attempt by the governor's office to have an individual state trooper fired could derail Palin's VP chances. The trooper in question had been involved in a contentious divorce with Palin's younger sister and reportedly threatened others. So far, independent investigators have found it was Palin staffers who made the contacts and Palin knew nothing of their efforts.

Though new to national politics, Palin has proven a quick learner and is not shy using her elbows under the basket. While leading her high school girls team to a championship as a point guard, the future governor earned the nickname "Sarah Barracuda."

— Andrew Malcolm

Photo credits: Top and middle, Office of the Alaska Governor; bottom, Al Grillo / Associated Press

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Comments

[El Grito]

This has a Geraldine Ferraro blowout loss written all over it. This is INSULTING TO WOMEN. HILLARY WAS QUALIFIED!!!!. This mayor of a one horse town, and governor of a one horse state, I don't want this person near the button.

[Louis Ricciardi]

Excellent choice McCain going with Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.A winning ticket.

[keithnewman]

so much for experience and ethics

[Bill]

"Sen. John McCain, has pulled a fast one on his Democratic opponents."

Islamofascism is the No. 1 threat facing America, according to McSame, so that makes McPalin a stellar pick. While she was mayor of Wasilla, not one single terrorist attack occurred there.
He also pulled a fast one on America. He likes pretty women and she was one with no record of attacking him during the primaries.
Judgment, experience, oh yah!

[baz]

I guess all those that criticize Obama, for inexperience, will have a field day, with McCain choosing Sarah Palin, for his VP. 2 years ago, she was mayor of Wasilla, Alaska... population under 6,000. Is she ready to be President??
She's also under investigation for abuse of power.
All-in-all, while I've thought for weeks he'd name Palin, and would love to see a woman President, this is a bad choice - - showing poor judgment.
McCain is 72 years old, more than most Pres candidates, he needed to be thinking about America, rather than getting Hillary's disaffected voters... and choose someone who could take over as Pres. And that she's under investigation... it's more of the same GOP - - Abramoff, etc.
And the hypocrisy, after attacking Obama endlessly on lack of experience... she's more *ready* than Obama?
Really poor judgment by McCain.

[Bonnie Lee]

Sweet! I like her already! ... nice journalism here, no bad sides of Sarah? Hmmm...

[suzyku]

Problem is she's NOT pro choice and McSame is still the Presidential nominee! Out with the old and in with the new, OBAMA,'08! And exactly what foreign policy experience does Palin have?!! What exactly does she bring to the table if McSame dies and she' the President? Sorry but SHE DOESN'T HAVE THE EXPERIENCE TO BE PRESIDENT IF NECESSARY, BAD CHOICE. JUST BECAUSE SHE'S A WOMAN DOESN'T QUALIFY HER!

[Ken]

Both parties have women who would be qualified to be VP candidates so it is no surprise that McCain picked one. With McCain's reputation with women it's also no surprised that his pick is a bit of eye candy - and beauty contest winner. No drab looking women for old John.

[Iris]

She will be scrutinized, for like many rich old men choosing young women to make them seem young, McCain could kick off and the rest of us will watch her inherit. Ponder that.

[John]

I think I'm in love.
Reformer, out of Washington, principled?
Sweet (and hot)

[MrsJones]

Does he really think women are THAT dumb? Well, I guess some are, but how can you vote against your own interests? She is clearly against a woman's right to choose and where does she stand on universal health care, Hillary' biggest issue? She doesn't bring any new ideas to his ticket. If you're a far right-leaning Republican or independent, its a great choice.

Also, McCain can't challenge Obama's experience or Rezco for that matter because it appears she's being investigated in her home state for unethical activity. It may not actually be anything, but neither is the Rezco issue.

I learned my lesson with the Clarence Thomas fiasco. Just because you're black doesn't mean you're my brother; likewise, just because you have ovaries, doesn't mean we're on the same side.

[Dean]

It saddens me to say this, but Obama made a huge mistake in not picking Hillary Clinton as his running mate. There is no way that Bidden is going to measure up to Palin during the campaign. She is hot, known for aggressive political moves, and she even has a son going to Iraq.

With McCain advancing in age, there is even a realistic chance that she could become the first female president; A fact that will be very appealing to many Clinton supporters.

Obama, you blew it.

Go Nader!

[Chris Keitlen]

Now this is something to get excited about! From my personal view, we need someone with some integrity and who has a great respect for life. I had deep concerns until I found out this great news! Jumping ahead, she would make a great female president one day!

[Lee-Usa]

star high school basketball player and beauty queen

Nice touch. Some how I doubt she'll let McCain get away with [publically calling her a c**t like he did with his poor wife, Cindy.

[Rebuplican..Now for OBAMA BIDEN ticket]

Wow, you must be on the McCain camp payroll??? I am sure she is a good Governor, but she is no VP! What the hell was John thinking????

[Jonny Wonder]

AMAZING. Republicans managed to salvage an unsalvageable election. Who is McCain's strategist? Can we promote him?

[Mike]

I'm a Democrat, but I like to think that I keep an independent mind set on politics. Obama's speech last night was one of the best I've ever heard. But I have to give credit to John McCain, selecting a woman as VP was a smart move. Unless she is a complete idiot, she has to help the republican cause. Unfortunately for the republicans, I think the've dug the hole too deep this time. They'll most likely end up losing. Adding another setback for women in politics. It appears to be a time for racial unity rather than gender equality. I'm glad to see that a black from the Democratic party is being elected to provide better representation for blacks in America. A women can provide true representation from either party.

[Sad Democrat]

Supersmart pick which have just won the election for him. Obama is running on hubris and narcissism, just like Hillary did. Biden was a stupid, throw-away pick.

Now Obama's folly is apparent, Bill can say I told you so, and he's going to have to run the primary all over again.

And here I'd been convinced it would be Fiorina. Silly me.

[Paul Swart]

A good choice if you wanted a woman on a losing ticket. Just like Geraldine Ferraro was.

I see desperation in this choice, a hope for Clinton supporters, a hope for solidifying the anti-abortionists who dislike McCain. But independent women are not going to vote for an anti-abortion, pro NRA candidate.

And many conservative men in the red states do not like women in power, especially this kind of power, one step away from the presidency.

I think this will probably not be a net positive move by McCain, "maverickish" as the move itself is.

[TruAmerican]

McCain for prisdent and Palin for VP is the answer. Way to go, McCain. Get rid of the sucker Obama!

[Willard]

What McCain doesn't get is we weren't voting for Hiollary because she was a women...it's because she's a great business women. How contrived the Rep. Veep pick is. Wow, they must think everyone is as ignorant as they are.

[Willard]

What McCain doesn't get is we weren't voting for Hiollary because she was a women...it's because she's a great business women. How contrived the Rep. Veep pick is. Wow, they must think everyone is as ignorant as they are.

[Willard]

What McCain doesn't get is we weren't voting for Hiollary because she was a women...it's because she's a great business women. How contrived the Rep. Veep pick is. Wow, they must think everyone is as ignorant as they are.

[Kira]

I am thrilled, McCain just proved to the world that he thinks women are so stupid they will vote for 'any woman' even one who has been Governor of a tiny state for less than 2 years and is under investigation by her own legislature- WTG McCain you just handed the election to Obama!

[SteveO]

Democrats, sorry you loose!

An unqualified man against this pair...no contest!