News: McCain chooses his running mate

McCain announced his choice of running mate this morning (Friday). He chose Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.

Who is Sarah Palin? That is what a lot of the country wants to know. She is pretty much an unknown in the political world. Which, in my opinion, may be a good thing. Obviously, she has not been tied up in lots of scandal, right? (She is being investigated for a small scandal. Something about her asking for her ex-brother-in-law to be fired from law enforcement. However, her response was pretty much "bring it on." She was even quoted as saying, "Hold me accountable.")

The Associated Press, via Yahoo! News, reports her as "Palin, like McCain, is a conservative with a maverick streak who has shown a willingness to clash with others in her own party. A self-styled hockey mom and political reformer, she has been governor of her state less than two years."

Another AP article said this of Palin. "A suburban mother and PTA member who described her fisherman husband as a proud union member and "champion snow machine racer," Palin brings to the ticket the blue-collar, everyday-American qualities that Sen. Joe Biden brought last week to Obama's ticket — with a distinctively Alaskan twist."'

It went on to say, "The pick earned McCain praise Friday from evangelicals and other social conservatives who have been skeptical of him. "Conservatives will be thrilled with this pick," said Greg Mueller, a conservative GOP strategist. ..... McCain's announcement of Palin made clear the paucity of her experience."

'"As the head of Alaska's National Guard and as the mother of a soldier herself," the statement said, "Gov. Palin understands what it takes to lead our nation and she understands the importance of supporting our troops."'

Another AP article stated, "She brings a strong anti-abortion stance to the ticket and opposes gay marriage — constitutionally banned in Alaska before her time — but exercised a veto that essentially granted benefits to gay state employees and their partners."

'"She knows where she comes from, and she knows who she works for," McCain said in introducing her to an Ohio rally. "She stands up for what's right, and she doesn't let anyone tell her to sit down." He said: "She's exactly who I need."'

"Said Palin: "I didn't get into government to do the safe and easy things. A ship in harbor is safe, but that's not why the ship is built."'

"The Palins' five children are Track, 19; Bristol 17; Willow 14; Piper, 7, and baby Trig."

"Track enlisted in the Army in 2007 on the sixth anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, and has been assigned to Fort Wainwright in Fairbanks."

"Palin was born Feb. 11, 1964, in Idaho, but her parents moved to Alaska shortly after her birth to teach. She received a bachelor of science degree in communications-journalism from the University of Idaho in 1987."

She is 44 years old making her 3 yrs younger than Obama. Not to mention, she's gorgeous.

I think I already like her. She sounds great. She sounds like the Republican version of Hillary.

This looks like a great strategy by McCain, though, doesn't it? I think he held off making a decision until Obama had made his. If Obama had chosen Hillary, would McCain have chosen a black woman? Just a question.

So, it looks like McCain has got most of the bases covered, the women's vote because she's a woman, the younger vote because of her age, & the men's vote because she's a hotty. Basically, they are leaving out the gay vote, the pro-choice vote, & the environmentalist vote which wouldn't have voted for a Republican anyway.

This will certainly be an exciting election year.

Below is a picture of her parents, Chuck & Sally Heath, watching Sen. John McCain announce his running mate.

Below is a 2006 photo showing Palin with her husband, Todd, in Anchorage, Alaska.