The choice of the 44-year-old governor stunned Republican allies and prompted many Democrats to allege that Palin did not meet McCain's oft-stated standard that his running mate must be ready to serve as president at a moment's notice.

Republican strategists and political analysts said that Palin, a social conservative who staunchly opposes abortion, could help energize the right wing of the GOP, which has been cool to McCain. They also said she might attract working-class voters and women who supported Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton in the Democratic primary campaign.

"Conservatives will be thrilled with this pick," said GOP strategist Greg Mueller. "Gov. Palin is a down-the-line mainstream conservative who will energize the base and reach across party lines, attracting women voters, independents and blue-collar Democrats."

Indeed, James Dobson, leader of Focus on the Family, said the pick was a "good sign" for McCain's campaign.

As she stepped onstage at a rally in Dayton, Ohio, with McCain yesterday, Palin paid homage to two Democrats: Geraldine Ferraro, the first female candidate for vice president on a major-party ticket in 1984, and Clinton.

"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 that the women of America aren't finished yet, and we can shatter that glass ceiling once and for all."

The partisan GOP crowd seemed surprised at her praise of the former first lady's "grace" and "toughness," but it echoed the "Yes, we can" mantra made famous at the rallies of the Democratic nominee, Sen. Barack Obama. Recent polls found up to one-third of disappointed Clinton supporters might vote for McCain.

"I have found the right partner to fight those who put their privilege ahead of their responsibility, power ahead of principle," said McCain, who turned 72 yesterday. "She knows where she comes from, and she knows who she works for. She stands up for what's right, and she doesn't let anyone tell her to sit down."

Democrats called the pick panicky.

"Is this really who the Republican Party wants to be one heartbeat away from the presidency?" said Rep. Rahm Emanuel of Illinois, the House Democratic Caucus chairman, noting that Palin was until two years ago the mayor of a small town.

Politically, strategists in both parties said that picking Palin could nullify McCain's strongest argument against Obama - that the first-term senator is too inexperienced to lead a nation at war and protect the United States against terrorism.

"Certainly the choice of Palin puts to rest any argument about inexperience on the Democratic team . . . her inexperience makes the thought of her assuming the presidency troubling," Sen. Charles Schumer (D., N.Y.) said.

Democrats also argued that Palin's opposition to abortion rights would make her a tough sell to the majority of women who voted for Clinton.

Palin said she believed the purpose of holding elected office is to "challenge the status quo and serve the common good."

Elected in 2006 as Alaska's youngest - and first female - governor, Palin is known as a reformer who believes in curbing government spending. In her first year, she introduced legislation cracking down on ethics abuses in government and slashed $124 million from the state budget.

Palin also has tangled with Republican party bosses, refusing, for instance, to accept federal money for the infamous "Bridge to Nowhere" sponsored by Sen. Ted Stevens (R., Alaska). She also took on the state's powerful oil industry, pushing through a profits tax that has improved Alaska's fiscal condition and allowed her to lower taxes on residents.

Describing herself as a "normal hockey mom," Palin has said her favorite food is mooseburgers. She got involved in politics first as a PTA member, and then was elected to city council and as mayor of Wasilla, a city of about 8,000 residents 30 miles from Anchorage. She and her husband have five children, including an infant who was born with Down syndrome earlier this year.

Palin's refusal to consider an abortion has made her a hero to the pro-life movement.

A star on her state championship high school basketball team - as a point guard nicknamed "Sarah Barracuda" - Palin also was a beauty queen in Wasilla. As mayor she became a persistent critic of wasteful state government spending and ethics abuses. After a narrow loss in the 2002 primary for lieutenant governor, she was appointed to the state's oil and gas commission. Two years ago, Palin defeated an incumbent Republican who was embroiled in an ethics scandal.

President Bush, in a statement, praised Palin as a "working mother" and a "proven reformer who is a wise steward of taxpayer dollars and champion for accountability in government."

McCain was said to be impressed with Palin's record, despite one blemish. The Alaska Legislature is investigating her firing of the public-safety commissioner, allegedly because he refused to fire a state trooper embroiled in a divorce with Palin's sister.

Campaign officials told reporters that McCain met Palin only six months ago and settled on her after a phone conversation Sunday and one meeting Thursday.

The Obama campaign also seemed surprised at the choice. At first, Obama spokesman Bill Burton blasted her as having "zero foreign-policy experience."

Later, Obama and his running mate, Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. of Delaware, issued a statement welcoming Palin as "yet another encouraging sign that the old barriers are falling in our politics," though they disagree with her on policy. Clinton echoed the sentiment.

INSIDE

A surprising

pick, but not unknown, as groups from

the left and right weigh in. A12.

Far from D.C.,

an Alaskan "hockey mom" who led ethics fight. A13.

Not long ago, Sarah Palin was mayor of Wasilla, Alaska (pop. 8,000). A mayor here tells what

it takes to

do the job. A13.