(August 29, 2008)—Sen. John McCain introduced Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin late Friday morning in Dayton, Ohio as his running mate, saying, “She’s exactly who I need. She’s exactly who this country needs.”
“She knows where she comes from and she knows who she works for,” McCain said.
Palin, who has been governor less than two years, "has the record of reform and bipartisanship that others can only speak of,” McCain’s campaign said.
"Her experience in shaking up the status quo is exactly what is needed in Washington today,” the campaign said.
Palin is a self-styled hockey mom and political reformer.
She was chosen over several more prominent prospects, including Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge.
Palin told the crowd she is "honored" to be chosen.
The 44-year-old Palin is a former mayor of Wasilla who became governor in December 2006.
She has a national reputation for bucking her party's establishment and Alaska's powerful oil industry.
More recently, Palin has come under the scrutiny of an investigation by the Republican-controlled Legislature, which is looking into the possibility that Palin ordered the dismissal of Alaska's public safety commissioner because he would not fire her former brother-in-law as a state trooper.
She and her husband, Todd Palin, have five children.
The latest was born last April with Down syndrome.
The Palins said there was never any doubt they would have the child after learning in the fourth month of pregnancy that the boy had Down syndrome.
"We've both been very vocal about being pro-life,” Palin said.
Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, who was the object of some speculation as McCain considered possible running mates, applauded the Arizona senator’s choice.
Hutchison said Friday at her Dallas home that she wasn't disappointed about not being McCain's choice.
Hutchison, who has hinted that she might run for Texas governor in 2010, said she doesn't "want to spend four more years in Washington."
Hutchison said McCain's choice of Palin is a "bold and exciting opportunity."
She said that by choosing a woman, McCain has an opportunity to capture voters who are eager for a change.
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, praised the choice.
“Gov. Palin supports an “all of the above” energy approach, with first-hand experience advocating it,” he said.
“She has a strong record of working to cut wasteful spending. She is firmly dedicated to promoting strong families and protecting the most vulnerable in society. Gov. Palin will be a true agent of change who brings a breath of fresh air to Washington from far outside-the-beltway.”
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