Presidential candidate John McCain has picked Alaska Governor Sarah Palin (left) as his running mate, a senior McCain campaign official told CNN today.
At 44, Sarah Palin is “the first woman and the youngest person to hold the state’s top political job” according to CNN.com. She’s currently in her first term as governor. Previously, she held the positions of mayor and council member of the small town of Wasila and was also chairman of the state Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (a group that regulates Alaska’s oil and gas resources) in 2003 and 2004. Born in Idaho, she moved to Alaska with her family in 1964 and graduated from Wasila High School in 1982. She then returned to Idaho and received a bachelor of science degree in communications-journalism from the University of Idaho in 1987.
Her husband is Todd Palin, an oil production operator on Alaska’s North Slope. They have five children, including a son who enlisted in the Army last year and a baby boy (born April 2008) with Down Syndrome (with Sarah and Todd at right). Palin’s choice to proceed with the pregnancy despite the diagnosis made her a bit of a hero in the eyes of the anti-abortion community. “We’ve both been very vocal about being pro life,” Palin said. “We understand that every innocent life has wonderful potential.” This well-known stance, as well as the fact that if elected, Sarah Palin will be the first female vice president – possibly a consolation for Hillary supporters? – undoubtedly played a factor in McCain’s decision.
“She stands up for what’s right, and doesn’t let anyone tell her to sit down,” McCain said in his announcement. “She is exactly who I need. She’s exactly who this country needs, to help me fight.”
Check out a native Alaskan’s take on the situation here: McCain’s Next Trophy Girl.
