McCain on Palin: "She's Exactly Who I Need"

By: John Bentley
Topics: John McCain

(CBS)

From CBS News' John Bentley:

(DAYTON, OHIO) -- In a decision that surprised almost everyone in the political establishment, John McCain announced Alaska governor Sarah Palin as his running mate today. "She's exactly who I need," McCain said as he introduced her. "She's exactly who this country needs."

Palin arrived on stage with her husband and four children, telling the crowd that their oldest son is serving in Iraq. "It was Sen. McCain who refused to hedge his support for our troops in Iraq, regardless of the political costs," she said. "As the mother of one of those troops, and as the commander of Alaska's National Guard, that's the kind of man I want as our commander in chief."

She also mentioned the women who preceded her in national politics, Geraldine Ferraro and Hillary Clinton. The McCain campaign has made no secret of actively courting disaffected Hillary voters, and Palin made sure to speak directly to them. "It was rightly noted in Denver this week that Hillary left 18 million cracks in the highest, hardest glass ceiling in America," Palin said. "But it turns out the women of America aren't finished yet, and we can shatter that glass ceiling once and for all."

While the Democrats were just as surprised as everyone else by the announcement, they wasted no time in criticizing Palin. "After trying to make experience the issue of this campaign, John McCain celebrated his 72nd birthday by appointing a former small town mayor and brand new governor as his vice-presidential nominee," Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Il., said. "Is this really who the Republican Party wants to be one heartbeat away from the presidency? Given Sarah Palin's lack of experience on every front and on nearly every issue, this vice-presidential pick doesn't show judgment: it shows political panic."

The McCain campaign responded that even though Palin is a first term governor, she has more experience than Obama. "It is pretty audacious for the Obama campaign to say that Gov. Palin is not qualified to be vice-president. She has a record of accomplishment that Sen. Obama simply cannot match," said McCain spokesman Jill Hazelbaker. "Gov. Palin has spent her time in office shaking up government in Alaska and actually achieving results – whether it's taking on corruption, passing ethics reform or stopping wasteful spending and the 'bridge to nowhere.' Senator Obama has spent his time in office running for President."

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by obtel29 August 31, 2008 2:39 PM EDT: The reason the democrats are all in a tizzy about Palin is the fact she''s a better representation of the traditional Western manly values than those two limp wristed Eastern dandies the democrats nominated.

Besides its obvious, who would you trust to be able to bring the meat and ''taders to the table? If push gets to shove and you had to depend on Obama, Biden or McCain to exercise the manly arts we''d stave to death.

With Palin I know I''m eating tonight.; Reply to this comment


by obtel29 August 31, 2008 12:28 PM EDT: The reason the democrats are all in a tizzy about Palin is the fact she''s a better representation of the traditional Western manly values than those two limp wristed Eastern dandies the democrats nominated.

Besides its obvious, who would you trust to be able to bring the meat and ''taders to the table? If push gets to shove and you had to depend on Obama, Biden or McCain to exercise the manly arts we''d stave to death.

With Palin I know I''m eating tonight.; Reply to this comment


by notfooledtx August 30, 2008 4:50 AM EDT: She''s exactly what he needs? How the heck does he know - he''s only met her once!!!

Hey John, when you were considering this decision - it wasn''t like you were buying another house - you''re selecting the freaking vice president!!

Unbelievable lapse of judgement.; Reply to this comment


by penbandit August 30, 2008 1:38 AM EDT: Initially, and at the beginning of this post, I was shocked at McCain''s choice. After learning, and the more that I am, she seems to be a capable candidate and very complimentary to McCain. Good going John.; Reply to this comment


by barbjc1 August 29, 2008 10:15 PM EDT: "Miss Alaska" appears to be more successful than you are.; Reply to this comment


by bswalker121 August 29, 2008 10:14 PM EDT: We knew that by not picking Hill-arious Clinton the dems have shot themselves in the foot again.

it''s fun watchin squirm to attack a woman like they did in the primaries against Hill-arious.; Reply to this comment


by barbjc1 August 29, 2008 10:14 PM EDT: I am a college educated professional woman and I do not see McCain''s pick for VP as a political move or a panic move. He did the right thing. At least there is no doubt where this woman was born or her stand on any issues.
The DNC is just upset because they were stupid enough to force a nominee down the American people''s throat that all of us have concerns about.; Reply to this comment


by bswalker121 August 29, 2008 10:11 PM EDT: LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

gotta love those foolish democrats.

without ''em we wouldn''t have a dog to kick.; Reply to this comment


by bswalker121 August 29, 2008 10:08 PM EDT: Gov. Sara Palin actually has done some work other than obama who has only run for president since being sworn in as a sen.

Shame on those democrats for losing out on Hill-arious Clinton.

Now Vice President Sara Palin will be the 1st woman to hold this office.

I''ll bet Hill-arious is furious about this.

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!; Reply to this comment