John McCain says he's "grateful" to have Sarah Palin on his ticket

ST. PAUL -- Republican Party presidential-nominee-to-be Sen. John McCain was campaigning in the Philadelphia area today, while his ticket mate, Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska, was holed up near the national convention site here, working on her acceptance speech.

And the Arizona senator also went out his way twice today to support her, according to press pool reports.

"I just want to repeat again how excited I am to have Sarah Palin, the great Governor of Alaska, as my running mate. America's excited and they're going to be even more excited once they see her tomorrow night. I'm very, very proud of the impression she's made on all of America and looking forward to serving with her."

At another stop McCain defended his campaign's vice poresidential selection process. "The vetting process was completely thorough," he said at Engine Company 56 of the Philadelphia Fire Department, "and I'm grateful for the results."

--Andrew Malcolm

Comments

[Concerned Mom]

Regardless of whatever else we know about Gov. Palin, this seems clear. There was a pregnant teen issue that had to be dealt with by the spin doctors. How better to pave the path to make Gov. Palin a victim than to start a rumor that her baby was Bristol's? Nice spinning, guys. Now when the real bad news comes out, it is 'only because' someone was mean to Gov. Palin's family - she is just a victim... Really typical Republican spin doctoring to make a bitter pill go down with the naive person..

[John]

What was John McCain thinking? Did he know anything about Sarah Palin before he chose her to be his VP?

It sure doesn't seem like it...

[kody]

I am sick of these Republican's gimmicks. John Mccain has gone senile and so are all the republicans rallying behind Sarah Palin and her teen daughter"s pregnancy. Talk about moral values ? Republicans are champions of THESE values?. Yeyyyyy. Makes me sick to my stomach when I see these republicans trying to spin something disgusting to something that americans should be proud of. I guess republicans consider teen pregnancy to be a reason to be proud of and celebrate. Even more, when the choice made is PRO LIFE. what a distorted view !with leaders like John Mccain and Sarah palin, who needs enemies.

[sheldon berger]

What kind of parent chooses to selfishly expose his or her 17-year old daughter to this kind of national scrutiny (assuming he/she knew about this)?

[Lauri]

Is Sarah Palin truly the best, most-qualified person McCain could have picked as a potential VP?
I think not.
Which poses the question: Is John McCain the best candidate that Americans can rely on to make critical choices required of a U.S. president?
Obviously, not.
It is not his old age, poor health, anger management problems, lack of knowledge about Iraq and "The Google," and his wife's unlimited wealth that puts him out of touch with the lower and middle class people in this country that are the only issues to consider.
After the Bush-Cheney fiasco of the last 8 years, our country can not afford another administration that is not sensitive to Americans. We want to end the war and bring back economic prosperity. He is not with us or one of us.
It is definitely time for a change. If not now, when?

[Tom K]

I was 50 50 on McCain until this. This choice ranks with George Bush nominating his family lawyer for Chief Justice.

[H Rich]

It is interesting to read the twisted thoughts of those who look for the vile and corrupt in every aspect of life. Fortunately, the majority of Americans have a brain and christian hearts to see past the retoric of the disalusioned. I thank the Lord that we have McCain and Palin running. There is the chemistry of a vetran with enough wisdom and foriegn policy experience combined with the intuitive new verve of Palin and her fresh HONEST approach to policy and what is better for the people of our fine country. She WILL fight for the good of our country and our rights... including our GOD given ones that a minority of athiests seem to want to abolish...
McCain/Palin will bring about the change we need toward the country we should be... as long as those minority of disallusioned idiots who are out there come to see the light...
GOD BLESS AMERICA and McCAIN/PALIN all the way to the WHITE HOUSE!!!

[Robert]

It's hilarious how the same right-wingers who boycotted the movie Juno are now rallying around Palin's pregnant daughter. Can the hypocrisy get any thicker?

Personally, I don't think the fact that her kid got knocked up has any bearing on Palin's ability to govern. Her near-total lack of experience might, but that's another matter entirely.

[Ron]

The reason that I don't believe lying McCain when he says Palin was properly vetted is because, if he knew that Bristol was pregnant, they would have had to vet her boyfriend Levi. Wait till you get a load of HIM.

[Ron]

The reason that I don't believe lying McCain when he says Palin was properly vetted is because, if he knew that Bristol was pregnant, they would have had to vet her boyfriend Levi. Wait till you get a load of HIM.

[cecilia]

Sadly, with his absurd choice, McCain has not only made himself look foolish, but the entire Republican party as well. Now all R leaders have been put in the awkward position of defending a choice that is at its core indefensible. Every negative stereotyple of the Rep. party is being highlighted here. It was thoughtless move on mcCain's part and he has lost this moderate republican woman's vote.

Bottom line: McCain as I understand it is a betting man - He's betting that the American people are stupid. I hope that he's wrong.

[a black person]

for all intents and purposes the democrats dont need an operation mayhem - that attack spearheaded by rush limbaugh - when the gop is doing their darnded to create their own mayhem for all of america to witness and their diehards to cosign ...