Opinion: John McCain says he’s “grateful” to have Sarah Palin on his ticket

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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