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McCain picks female running mate McCain picks female running mate
(40 minutes later)
US Republican presidential hopeful John McCain has picked Sarah Palin, the female governor of Alaska, as his surprise running mate.US Republican presidential hopeful John McCain has picked Sarah Palin, the female governor of Alaska, as his surprise running mate.
At 44, she is younger than Barack Obama and is credited with reforms during her first term, but she is relatively unknown in US politics.At 44, she is younger than Barack Obama and is credited with reforms during her first term, but she is relatively unknown in US politics.
Mr McCain has gone on stage at a rally in Dayton, Ohio, to celebrate his 72nd birthday and present Ms Palin. Mr McCain went on stage at a rally in Dayton, Ohio, to present her.
Analysts say the Republican is keen to wrest back headlines from Mr Obama. Analysts say Ms Palin was chosen to rejuvenate the campaign of Mr McCain, who is celebrating his 72nd birthday.
The youngest governor of Alaska and the first woman to hold that position, Ms Palin is married with five children. Some commentators are calling Mr McCain's running mate decision the strangest since Dan Quale, George Bush Senior's young and untested pick in 1988.
Ms Palin is perhaps the most daring vice-presidential choice for Mr McCain, the BBC's Kim Ghattas reports from Dayton. It seems an audacious, perhaps slightly desperate, effort to bring youth and vigour to the Republican ticket, the BBC's Justin Webb reports.
But the choice will give John McCain's campaign a shot in the arm after the praise Mr Obama received at the Democratic convention in Denver this week, our North America editor adds.
Todd and HillaryTodd and Hillary
Speaking to a large crowd, who sang Happy Birthday when he appeared, Mr McCain introduced Ms Palin as someone who "understands working people".Speaking to a large crowd, who sang Happy Birthday when he appeared, Mr McCain introduced Ms Palin as someone who "understands working people".
SARAH PALIN Elected Alaska’s youngest and first woman governor in 2006Grew up in Wasilla, near Anchorage, and was voted Miss Wasilla in 1984Studied journalism and political science at University of IdahoIs mother of five, including a son with Down's syndromeHer husband Todd is an oil production operator Likes hunting and fishing Profile: Sarah Palin SARAH PALIN Elected Alaska's youngest and first woman governor in 2006Grew up in Wasilla, near Anchorage, and was voted Miss Wasilla in 1984Studied journalism and political science at University of IdahoIs mother of five, including a son with Down's syndromeHer husband Todd is an oil production operator Likes hunting and fishing Profile: Sarah Palin
"She's got the grit, the integrity and commitment to the common good which are exactly what we need in Washington today," he said."She's got the grit, the integrity and commitment to the common good which are exactly what we need in Washington today," he said.
"She's exactly who I need, who this country needs, to help me fight to turn the same old Washington politics on its head.""She's exactly who I need, who this country needs, to help me fight to turn the same old Washington politics on its head."
Thanking Mr McCain, Ms Palin said she would be honoured to serve next to him. Thanking Mr McCain, Mrs Palin said she would be honoured to serve next to him.
She introduced her family including her husband of 20 years, Todd, saying:She introduced her family including her husband of 20 years, Todd, saying:
"My husband was a lifelong commercial fisherman... [He is now] a production operator up in the oil fields up on Alaska's north slope, and he's a proud member of the United Steelworkers' Union. And he's a world champion snow machine racer.""My husband was a lifelong commercial fisherman... [He is now] a production operator up in the oil fields up on Alaska's north slope, and he's a proud member of the United Steelworkers' Union. And he's a world champion snow machine racer."
Speaking of her time in office in Alaska, she said she had "fought corruption".Speaking of her time in office in Alaska, she said she had "fought corruption".
She paid tribute to other American women in politics, including Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama's defeated Democratic rival:She paid tribute to other American women in politics, including Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama's defeated Democratic rival:
"It was rightly noted in Denver last week that Hillary left 18 million cracks in the highest, hardest glass ceiling in America. But it turns out the women of America aren't finished yet and we can shatter that glass ceiling once and for all.""It was rightly noted in Denver last week that Hillary left 18 million cracks in the highest, hardest glass ceiling in America. But it turns out the women of America aren't finished yet and we can shatter that glass ceiling once and for all."
The Obama campaign suggested Mr McCain's choice was irresponsible, referring to Ms Palin's former role as mayor of the small Alaskan town of Wasilla. Analysts say Mrs Palin may have been chosen by the McCain campaign as a tactic to win over Democratic women voters, disappointed by the defeat of Mrs Clinton to Mr Obama.
The Obama campaign suggested Mr McCain's choice was irresponsible, referring to Mrs Palin's former role as mayor of the small Alaskan town of Wasilla.
"Today, John McCain put the former mayor of a town of 9,000 with zero foreign policy experience a heartbeat away from the presidency," said spokesman Bill Burton."Today, John McCain put the former mayor of a town of 9,000 with zero foreign policy experience a heartbeat away from the presidency," said spokesman Bill Burton.
Broad appealBroad appeal
Ms Palin may reinforce Mr McCain’s "maverick" tag, enjoying a reputation as someone willing to take on the party establishment. Her relative youth and reforms as governor may go some way to matching Mr Obama's appeal.
Sarah Palin now appears side by side with Mr McCain on his websiteSarah Palin now appears side by side with Mr McCain on his website
Analysts say she may have been chosen by the McCain campaign as a tactic to win over Democratic women voters, disappointed by the defeat of Hillary Clinton to Barack Obama. Announcing Mr McCain's decision, his election website said Mrs Palin had "brought Republicans and Democrats together within her administration [in Alaska] and has a record of delivering on the change and reform that we need in Washington".
Her relative youth and reforms as governor may also go some way to match Mr Obama's appeal, and boost Mr McCain's chances. At the same time, she is a strong conservative, fiscally and socially.
"She will be his partner in reforming Washington," a senior McCain official told Reuters news agency, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Announcing Mr McCain's decision, his election website said Ms Palin had "brought Republicans and Democrats together within her administration [in Alaska] and has a record of delivering on the change and reform that we need in Washington".
At the same time, Ms Palin is a strong conservative, fiscally and socially.
She also opposes abortion and her baby son has Down's Syndrome.She also opposes abortion and her baby son has Down's Syndrome.
Abortion has been a key issue cited by Republican voters who feel the Arizona senator is not conservative enough, our correspondent says. Abortion has been a key issue cited by Republican voters who feel Mr McCain is not conservative enough.
Alaskan investigation Mrs Palin lacks foreign policy experience and while being a Washington outsider can be an asset for the McCain ticket, it also means she has not been tested on the national stage.
Ms Palin lacks foreign policy experience and while being a Washington outsider can be an asset for the McCain ticket, it also means she has not been tested on the national stage, our correspondent says.
HAVE YOUR SAY I was leaning towards Obama but with this choice I think I've changed my vote Tim, Stanford, USASend us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY I was leaning towards Obama but with this choice I think I've changed my vote Tim, Stanford, USASend us your comments
Her electoral chances may be harmed by the fact that she was placed under investigation in Alaska by state lawmakers at the end of July.Her electoral chances may be harmed by the fact that she was placed under investigation in Alaska by state lawmakers at the end of July.
She sacked a public safety commissioner and the allegation is that she sacked him because he had not fired a state trooper who is Ms Palin’s former brother-in-law, and who is in a custody battle with her sister. She sacked a public safety commissioner and the allegation is that she sacked him because he had not fired a state trooper who is Ms Palin's former brother-in-law, and who is in a custody battle with her sister.
She says she has "nothing to hide" and is "cool" about the investigation.She says she has "nothing to hide" and is "cool" about the investigation.