Assessing Risk Of McCain-Palin Ticket

Alaska Governor, 44, Is First Female Republican Running Mate

(CBS/AP)  Republican John McCain introduced first-term Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his vice presidential running mate Friday, a stunning selection designed to get an edge in the increasingly competitive White House race.

"She's exactly who I need. She's exactly who this country needs to help me fight the same old Washington politics of 'Me first and country second,' " McCain declared as the pair stood together for the first time at a boisterous rally in Ohio just days before the opening of the party's national convention.

Palin, the first Republican woman on a presidential ticket, promised: "I'm going to take our campaign to every part of our country and our message of reform to every voter of every background in every political party, or no party at all."

"Politics isn't just a game of competing interests and clashing parties," added Palin, 44, who has built her career in large measure by challenging fellow Republicans.

In the increasingly intensive presidential campaign, McCain made his selection six days after his Democratic rival, Barack Obama, named Sen. Joseph Biden of Delaware, as his No. 2 on the ticket.

"This is John McCain the fighter pilot," said CBS News chief Washington correspondent Bob Schieffer when he heard the news. "He is willing to take a risk and put it all up on the line. I think the Republican base will be pleased by this."

"This the most out of the box pick in a very long time," added CBS News senior political correspondent Jeff Greenfield. "It says to me that the McCain camp believes the democratic convention was a success for the Democrats, they cannot afford to play it safe."(Read Jeff Greenfield's analysis of the pros and cons of McCain's choice)

The contrast between the two announcements was remarkable - Obama, 47, picked a 65-year-old running mate with long experience in government and a man whom he said was qualified to be president. The timing of McCain's selection appeared designed to limit any political gain Obama derives from his own convention, which ended Thursday night with his nominating acceptance speech before an estimated 84,000 in Invesco Field in Colorado.

Public opinion polls show a close race between Obama and McCain, and with scarcely two months remaining until the election, neither contender can allow the other to jump out to a big post-convention lead.

On his 72nd birthday, McCain chose Palin, a woman younger than two of the Arizonan's seven children and a person who until recently was the mayor of small-town Wasilla, Alaska and has been governor less than two years. He settled on her six months after first meeting the governor and following only one phone call between them last Sunday and a single face-to-face meeting Thursday, according to a timeline provided by his campaign.
(Learn more about Sarah Palin.)

The Obama campaign immediately questioned whether she would be prepared to step in and be president if necessary.

"Today, John McCain put the former mayor of a town of 9,000 with zero foreign policy experience a heartbeat away from the presidency," Adrianne Marsh, a spokeswoman for Obama, said in a written statement.

While members of his campaign staff attacked the pick, Obama praised Palin, calling her a "compelling person with a terrific personal story," reports CBS News correspondent Dean Reynolds

Obama placed a short phone call to Palin Friday afternoon to congratulate her.

President Bush complimented McCain for "an exciting decision."

"Governor Palin is a proven reformer who is a wise steward of taxpayer dollars and champion for accountability in government," a presidential statement said. "By selecting a working mother with a track record of getting things done, Senator McCain has once again demonstrated his commitment to reforming Washington."

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, who came so close to being the first major party woman presidential candidate, said in a statement: "We should all be proud of Gov. Sarah Palin's historic nomination, and I congratulate her and Sen. McCain. While their policies would take America in the wrong direction, Gov. Palin will add an important new voice to the debate."(Read more reaction to the Palin pick)

"It definitely reflects a decision on two fronts," said CBS News political analyst Dan Bartlett, a former adviser to President Bush. "One that with the departure of Hillary Clinton from the race that this is an opportunity for McCain to make even more headway to a key voting block."

"Second, they’re aiming to reinforce message of reform. Palin is someone who has made a mark on both the state of Alaska and nationally as someone who has taken on ethics reform boldly," Bartlett added. "The McCain campaign seems to believe those two qualities will more than make up for her lack of national exposure."

On the flipside, CBS News political analyst Joe Trippi, a former Democratic strategist, said: "If he’s going to argue she’s ready, he’s taken away the argument that Barack Obama isn’t."

Palin's name had not been on the short list of people heavily reported upon by the news media in recent days, and McCain's decision was a well-kept secret until just a couple hours before Friday's rally.

McCain's campaign said that Palin and a top aide met with senior McCain advisers in Flagstaff, Ariz., on Wednesday night. The next morning, the campaign said McCain formally invited Palin to join the ticket on the deck of McCain's home near Sedona, Ariz., and later Thursday the governor flew to Middletown, Ohio, with staff to await Friday's event in Dayton.

Describing the process that led to her selection, Palin told reporters she'd received word that she was McCain's choice on Thursday and had met privately with him that day to discuss it. She spoke briefly as the two running mates surprised shoppers at the Buckeye Corner in Columbus, Ohio, where they purchased Ohio State University sports memorabilia. McCain and Palin started a bus tour across Ohio and to Pittsburgh, where they will hold a campaign rally Saturday. Ohio and Pennsylvania are two states that figure prominently in who wins the election this fall.

Asked why McCain chose her, his campaign manager Rick Davis said, "Part of it is personal fit."

"He sees Sarah, Governor Palin, as the future of the party," he added. "These are people he'd like to elevate in that regard. reformers."

Sharyl Odenweller, a retired teacher from Delphos, Ohio who was visiting the store, said she was pleased that McCain had chosen a woman and someone "very pro life." But, Odenweller also said, "I'd like to know more about her experience. If something happened to him, would she be qualified to step into the presidency?"

With his pick, McCain passed over more prominent contenders like former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, as well as others such as former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge, whose support for abortion rights might have sparked unrest at the convention that opens Monday in St. Paul, Minn.

A self-styled hockey mom and political reformer, Palin became governor after ousting a state chief executive of her own party in a primary.

Her political career started with the PTA, reports CBS News correspondent Chip Reid. She quickly moved up to the town council, then the mayor's office of Wasilla, a suburb of Anchorage. Along the way she revived her old basketball nickname, Sarah "Barracuda," given for her aggressive style and willingness to take on corruption in a state notorious for its wild west ethics.

More recently, she has come under the scrutiny of an investigation by the Republican-controlled legislature into the possibility that she ordered the dismissal of Alaska's public safety commissioner because he would not fire her former brother-in-law as a state trooper.

Palin has a long history of run-ins with the Alaska GOP hierarchy, giving her genuine maverick status and reformer credentials that could complement McCain's image.

Palin is also celebrating her 20th wedding anniversary, reports CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric.

Her husband, Todd Palin, is part Yup'ik Eskimo, and is a blue-collar North Slope oil worker who competes in the Iron Dog, a 1,900-mile snowmobile race. The couple lives in Wasilla. They have five children, the youngest of whom was born in April with Down syndrome.

It was discovered during pre-natal testing, but the fierce opponent of abortion said she sees only perfection when she looks at her son, reports Couric. Her oldest son, 19-year-old Track, enlisted in the army a year ago and will be deployed to Iraq next month.

[crystalblue3]

He''s just proven to me how crazy he is. If he had wanted a hope of a chance to beat Obama, he shouldn''t have picked her.

GO OBAMA!!!!

[sly_64]

What a calculated move to pander to the Billllary fans.

[rosesnpearls]

YES!!!! Lifetime NRA, Feminists for Life, goes after ethics violators in her own party, cut her own pay when she became governor, didn''t abort when she knew her son was going to be born with Down''s Syndrome, oldest son going to Iraq on 9/11, Washington outsider - YES! YES! YES!!!!!

[thenamesdave]

Partyguy51, you mean she''s a VPILF.

I don''t care who McCain picks. He is still the problem!

[crystalblue3]

*proved* to me...not proven. Sorry all. Blonde moment...

[tbweb]

McCain unleashes a gimmick trying to go after the female vote! McCain should have picked Mitt Romney instead! This won`t work! lol

[metroduck75]

I am a resgisted Democrat who has long believe DEM party has selected the Wrong person to be Nominee....

Now, the McCain has made his VP choice..... He has outsmart the crowd.... He has Won my Vote in NOV.

Hillary Clinton has been Mistreated by her own Party.... and Now, DEM party is already regret.

Thanks to Pelosi and Dean who pre-selected Obama.... and thanks to IOWA caucus for ALWAYS picking the WRONG Candidate for the DEM party.

For me to return to DEM party, DEM party must first FIRE Dean and Pelosi, then take away the FIRST Vote of IOWA Primary.... The Corn people should have picked Hillary.

Obama''s Ego and Arrogance for NOT picking Hillary as VP will cost DEM party another Term....

[mandalay-bay]

Boy, someone is desperate to get those Hillary votes...

Not gonna happen!

Now, is he gonna claim is own VP pick is too inexperienced?

[barryisdun]

Dems pick:
President - Barry Obama - no experience
VP - Joe Biden - tons of relative experience

Repubs pick:
President - John McCain - tons of relative experience
VP - Sarah Palin - no experience

I can''t wait until used car salesboy Biden says ANYTHING about Palin...do it Joe....go for it!!!

[peterp111]

Palin!! let Obama and his minions say she is not qualified, with no experience. She has run a state and Obama has run nothing ( but he has run very hard for office).

It will be very hard for Biden to come on strong with a woman as his opponent. Remember what happened to Lazio with Hillary Clinton.

Ed Lasky comments:

She ran a busines succesfully; she has run a state succesfully; she can play up the energy issue and become the czar.

She even has a kind of national security credibilty, governing next to Russia.

Otis Glazebrook comments:

It looks as though John McCain is going to capitalize on Obama%u2019s colossal mistake of picking Joe Biden over Hillary for his V. P. slot; by picking Sarah Palin the Governor of Alaska.


Speaking as a Conservative who would have favored Mitt Romney for the V.P. slot, I think this is a brilliant game changing (for the better) pick.

[metroduck75]

P.U.M.A. = Party Unity My A$$

Obama''s Ego and Arrogance for not picking Hillary as VP has COST DEM Party another term.

[rudy654-2009]

Posted by BarryIsDun at 10:57 AM

I wonder if you know that she believes that global warming is serious problem. OOps you guys don''t believe in that, right?

[whatithink-2009]

Possible McCain VP Sarah Palin under investigation for abuse of power.

[barryisdun]

Now, is he gonna claim is own VP pick is too inexperienced?


Posted by MANDALAY-BAY at 10:57 AM : Aug 29, 2008

Does a VP candidate need presidential experience? Only if one of you crackhead libs offs McCain on his first day.

[cbsblogger]

Is this April Fools day? If not then McCain is a fool as he has just exceeded the absurdity VP picks of Dan Quayle and Spiro Agnew.

The mayor of Mooseville Alaska 2005 as potentially the President of the USA in 2008.

But she is good looking and that was that viagra filled old codgers true motivation.

[dremn1]

I LOVE IT!!!!! go McCain

[creeper00]

YES!!!!!! Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!

[broadwayphi]

Is that a polar bear?

NO! It''s a pander bear!

A....weird choice. But highly political.

She already has that deer in the headlights look.

[broadwayphi]

Is that a polar bear?

NO! It''s a pander bear!

A....weird choice. But highly political.

She already has that deer in the headlights look.

[sly_64]

If people can''t see through this type of deception, I have no faith in America.

[whatithink-2009]

"Lawmakers will hire someone within a week (like the week after the Convention) to investigate whether Governor Sarah Palin abused her power in firing Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan. The legislative council approved 100,000 dollars for the investigation that will find out whether Palin was angry at Monegan for not firing an Alaska State Trooper who went through a messy divorce with Palin''s sister."

[rudy654-2009]

"Obama''''s Ego and Arrogance"

There''s that "How dare a black man" thing again.

[barryisdun]

Possible McCain VP Sarah Palin under investigation for abuse of

Posted by whatithink at 10:59 AM : Aug 29, 2008

HAWTness.

[metroduck75]

Too bad Obama cannot claim McCain''s Choice has NO experience.... as he himself has NO experience.

Democrats for NOOOOOObama.

[jackdems]

Barack Who?????

Congratulations Sarah Palin!!!

McCain/Palin 08

[u-r-right]

Dang! She''s quite fetching! I could see her whipping off those glasses, letting down that hair and having a real good time in the oral...I mean, oval oraffice....I mean, office.

[realpatriot1]

2 years removed from being the Mayor of Wasilla, Alaska.

How is she more ready to be a feeble heartbeat away from the Presidency than a U.S. Senator?

It doesn''t surprise me that McCain would make a pandering pick of an untested novice with an ethics cloud over her head. He''s just undercut 80% of his message against Obama.

[barryisdun]

If people can''''t see through this type of deception, I have no faith in America.

Posted by sly_64 at 11:00 AM : Aug 29, 2008

Stop adding pretenses....you have no faith in America regardless.

[metroduck75]

Obama''s Thugs keep Insulting HIllary''s Supporters every single day......

Now, they will get a taste of what''s it like to be Insulted.

Latinos for McCain''08.

[broadwayphi]

She reminds me of...Katherine Harris.

That''s it!

[jackdems]

WoW!!!!

The Real Change!!!!

2 Mavericks

Mccain

Palin

Congratulations

[sly_64]

She''s a dawg. Get higher standards.

[metroduck75]

Too bad Obama cannot claim McCain''''s Choice has NO experience.... as he himself has NO experience.

Democrats for NOOOOOObama.

That''s what happens for NOT consider Hillary on the shortlist.

[retrovvision]

Absolutely FANTASTIC!!!!!
History is being made - this time the running mate is a brilliant business woman, experienced, with the highest standard!

No dodgy friends (Obama) and no Washington connections (Biden).

God bless America - GO McCain/Palin

What a BRILLIAN choice!!! Saying bye bye to the "exclusively all boys club" in politics.

WELL DONE !!!!!!!!!!

[hungry1968]

She''s currently under state ethics investigation!!

I don''t like Palin''s political philosophy. I will not vote for someone just because she is a woman. There are women I agree with and then there are those whose politics I can''t stomach. Hillary I agreed with...Palin I do not! It''s that simple!!!

[barryisdun]

Oh Please. I like the pick, it makes McCain more paletable. But Palin is just as inexperienced as Obama. Please don''''t start with the double standard by throwing up Palin''''s equally thin resume as somehow superior to Obama''''s.

Posted by rafterman1 at 11:02 AM : Aug 29, 2008

Palin''s not running for president.

[mandalay-bay]

Hillary Clinton has been Mistreated by her own Party.... and Now, DEM party is already regret.

Posted by metroduck75 at 10:57 AM : Aug 29, 2008

How exactly was she mistreated? By losing? too bad, so sad but she ran a horrible campaign. It was hers, to lose and she did. Now, people like you are blaming Obama for winning. I suppose he held a gun to millions of peoples head to make them vote for him??


Obama''''s Ego and Arrogance for NOT picking Hillary as VP will cost DEM party another Term....

Posted by metroduck75 at 10:57 AM : Aug 29, 2008

No, that would be YOU, and people like YOU costing the DEM party. Congratulations on trying to sabotage your own party. (if you even are a DEM and not a GOP troll)

[mrmazerati]

McCain''s gone maverick again! Look out! Seriously, I think it''s a good strategic move. Kudos for thinking out of the box.

[screan_name]

Lol!



Zero experience and a heartbeat from the Presidency?

No thanks!

[shazam116]

wow what a dumb and corrupt choice ...mccain is halucinating ....the man is too old for any thing .....I rest my case....what a moron....he will lose with a land slide....yeah...

[kman821]

Absolutely too funny for words!

[smurfcrusher]

This is fantastic news. (For the Democrats!!)

It demonstrates several things - mainly McCain''s poor judgment.

Considering his age, it''s not unrealistic to expect his Vice President to inherit the office should he become elected.

McCain is so desperate to get the female voters who have backed Hillary Clinton, that he would jeopardize the safety of the country by choosing this ex-beauty queen over a candidate with substance. Talk about celebrity! Does she plan to wear a sash to the debates?

McCain is more generous than I thought. Joe Biden will eat her alive in a debate.

This campaign is toast.

[hungry1968]

She reminds me of...Katherine Harris.

That''''s it!

Posted by broadwayphi at 11:02 AM : Aug 29, 2008



LOL!!!

[broadwayphi]

I dunno, Patriot, Wasilla, Alaska is a fine proving ground for international politics.

I''ll bet she got a good look at global warming firsthand.

Wonder if sheknew what it was?

First clue: Polarbear falls through ice.

[metroduck75]

Thanks to all Insults from Obama''s Thugs to Hillary''s Supporters.....

You can kiss your Messiah good bye.

[tbweb]

Dang! She''s quite fetching! I could see her whipping off those glasses, letting down that hair and having a real good time in the oral...I mean, oval oraffice....I mean, office.

Posted by u-r-right at 11:01 AM : Aug 29, 2008,,,

McCains side piece hottie Vicki Iseman hiding in one of McCains 10 houses won`t like that one bit! Wait until McCain gets home, but which one? I wonder if the Secret Service has to guard all 10 of McCains homes? That can get expensive!

[benissimo-2009]

Obama has it made in the shade now, too cool.

[sly_64]

She''s representing Alaska, of COURSE she''s in bed with the oil companies !