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

[McCain Supporter]

An excellent choice as McCain's VP. Someone who, just like McCain, walks Obama's talk. Beats corruption and serves America.

[dave]

it is not so uncommon for aging men in positions of power to try and embellish or mask their rotten aura with the presence of younger, somewhat attractive women. the math is simple, palin is to appeal to the republican core majority and the undecided of the younger generations and make forget that mccain himself is not the legitimate candidate, and that his agenda is that of the neocon gangsters and hijackers of the republican party, whose masters are also his own. that palin at the same time is in a position to grease the oily palms of mccain and his buddies, by them would not be seen as a demerit or detriment. to expect that palin could somehow exorcize or counterbalance the corruption of mccain and his administration, should he ever be appointed president, would be delusional. the constitutional republican presidential candidate without hidden agendas, and not involved in corporate corruption, and actually in a position to make independent decisions in the best interest of the people, is candidate for president, RON PAUL.

[Fisher]

Bravo to McCain! Palin is an exciting choice and a brilliant counter to the Washington-insider Biden.

She has more experience than Obama so the criticism coming from the Democrats is laughable.

And besides, she could kick Obama's butt in a fight.

[Zyskandar A Jaimot]

In times of great stress and anxiety, the UNITED STATES as a nation somehow produces transcendent leader’s of great character.
Whether we follow BARACK OBAMA and other Democrat’s down his path(with the inspiring saga of his education and the pitfalls of being BLACK in this country and undergoing his hardships) or shall we follow the story of JOHN McCAIN; former POW in NVIETNAM and various confrontations with the Republican party over his policies to take this country on the path he chooses. WHICH WILL THE NATION CHOOSE??? Or will it be the subservient stories of JOE BIDEN – with his ‘working-class’ roots in Catholic Scranton, Pennsylvania --- or SARAH PAILIN the female-hunter-homemaker from the frozen oil rich wastes of Alaska; which will command our interest/titillation/respect??? Whichever this nation chooses too embrace – the outcome as well as the contest will be historic. And perhaps change the history and tenor of our republic for all time.

[viv]

I like it. I like it a lot. Good honest choice. Politics but not really a politician per the norm. Hope they win. I need to get back to work.

[mediatheenemywithin]

....soaring rhetoric about change is CHEAP.....McCain is the REAL DEAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[John]

Let the hair down then take off her glasses, I think I would...

[Dave Mc]

Thanks for the positive spin on Governor Palin. It's amazing how the tone of articles vary. I most enjoy hearing of the accomplishments and capabilities of candidates. There is enough anti in the world. And from the LA Times! She sounds terrific and I'm sure there are many more strong and positive attributes of this great women.

[subgenius]

Genius. This really shows the Democrats folly at not maintaining the original strength of the Obama campaign.

[H. Craig Bradley]

ZZZZZ! Moderators: Anybody Home today???

[Dave]

Interesting. Pleasant to look at also. Probably get a lot of the "woman" voters on her side (hopefully they would vote for her and McCain because she can do the job, not just because she is a woman . . . is this what McCain is up to?). Sounds like she has some connections to the petroleum industry? Let's hear from her. . . but let us remember more "oil" is not the ultimate answer and anyone who thinks it is demonstrates their ignorance quite well.

[Muzzy]

I'm not sure this was such a good idea. Mr. McCain looks pretty darn old and impotent standing next to her.

[Jeffrey]

Very nice move McCain... i like her already... A hunter imagine that!
The democrats will soon send news that she isnt really a woman.

[tonye]

Well, that was a One! Two! punch from McCain to the Dems. While Obama goes establishment McCain goes with change.

Take that Obamafaris and Clintonistas! That Arizona maverick rattler bit you just when you least expected it.

Did we have a convention this week? Did someone give a speech? Man, that's old news. Did you hear what McCain did today?.....

[SC DAVE]

SHE WOULD BE JUST A HEART BEAT AWAY FROM THE PRESIDENCY. HOW OLD IS JOHN MCCAIN? GREAT CHOICE JOHN SHE WILL BE READY DAY ONE.

[Mc]

Crafty move McCain. This one should put u over the top!!

Obama is a JOKE!!! All he talks about is "CHANGE" for 18 months, and then he picks "Old School" Joe Biden????

Wake up people!!!!! There is something not right with our friend Obama. Somebody's pulling this puppets strings!!!

[Panda Ganges]

Sarah Palin is Merlin with the wrath of Morgan Le Fay...

Panda Ganges

[Kelly]

I can't imagine that a woman who doesn't support women's rights could possibly do much to advance women or win their support.

[mfyang]

Palin certainly has more experience than Obama. She was mayor, governor. What does Obama has? Community organizer? haha

[Linda C]

As if this woman could be president when this old man
MCCain has health issues! How shallow to think that Hillary voters will vote for MCCain becas he has chosen a right wing, anti choice, pro oil, same old same old , who is already under investigation for corruption with no experience except as a beauty queen! That is the only kind of women MCCain has any respect for-
beauty queens and bimbos
I have to laugh to think he thinks and this headline thinks that the Dems are scared? I think we are laughing !

[tih]

if she is anti-choice, why did she have a genetic test at all?

don't her beliefs dictate that she have the child no matter what?

[Rep are confused!!!]

YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS!!! ANY WOMAN (REP OR DEM) THAT VOTES FOR MCAIN JUST BECAUSE HE PICKED A WOMAN FOR HIS RUNNING MATE NEEDS TO HAVE THEIR HEAD EXAMINED!!! WOMEN ARE TO SMART TO FALL FOR THIS STUNT AND THAT'S JUST WHAT IT IS A STUNT!!!!! KEEP BELIEVING ALL THE CRAP THAT COMES OUT OF GRAPPY MC'S MOUTH IF YOU WANT TO!!!!

[BJ]

McCain hit 2 birds with 1 stone picking Sarah Palin... he's getting Hillary's supporters and Pro-life voters!

I was hoping for Meg Whitman, but Palin is ok by me.

For the first time in my life, I will be voting Republican!

[Questioner]

FoundGoldie needs to look further than gender to make her decision. I wanted Hillary Clinton, too, but I wonder what would happen if this woman with five kids to think about, one in Iraq and a new Downs Syndrome baby, has to run the country?

And if she is as committed to her role as she says, what does that say about her family values? Back burner for the family.

And then there's her experience.

What were you thinking, John McCain?

[Matthew]

Perhaps it is a fast one. Will it be a lasting one?