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The new team appeared together at a rally in Dayton, Ohio, an important swing state and made it clear that the choice was intended in part to appeal to women who were disappointed that Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton's historic campaign fell short.
But it's a risky move given that McCain has attacked Democratic nominee Barack Obama as unprepared for the presidency. Before becoming governor two years ago, the 44-year-old Palin was mayor of Wasilla, a town of 6,500 about 30 miles north of Anchorage.
She also does have a record of ethics reforms and fiscal conservatism in the state capital of Juneau and, as a virtual unknown, could bring a jolt of energy to the GOP campaign and help McCain make a claim to this year's ever-important "change" mantel.
"I have found the right partner to fight those who put their privilege ahead of their responsibility, power ahead of principle," McCain said in announcing her selection. "In these tough changing times . . . you want your government to understand what you are going through, to stand on your side and fight for you."
"The American public expects us to seek public office and to serve for the right reason," Palin said, "and the right reason is to challenge the status quo and to serve the common good."
She also honored Geraldine Ferraro, who was the Democratic vice-presidential candidate in 1984, and Sen. Hillary Rodman Clinton, whose presidential bid fell short this year. Polls show that up to a third of Clinton voters say they might vote for McCain.
"I can't begin without honoring the achievement . . . of Sen. Hillary Clinton, who showed such toughness and grace in her presidential campaign," Palin said. "It was rightly noted in Denver this week that Hillary left 18 million cracks in the highest, hardest glass ceiling in America. But it turns out that the women of America aren't finished yet and we can shatter that glass ceiling once and for all."
A high-school basketball star – nicknamed "Sarah Barracuda" - and beauty queen in Wasilla, Palin nearly won the Republican lieutenant governor primary in 2002. She ran for governor four years later on a platform of ethics reform, benefitting from the public's disgust with a scandal involving the GOP incumbent, whom she beat in the primary.
Palin is opposed to abortion rights, making her acceptable to the pro-life powers in the GOP, unlike some of the moderate Republicans McCain was considering for the nod.
She also is the mother of five – calling herself a "hockey mom" - including an infant who was born with Down Syndrome. "We understand that every innocent life has wonderful potential," she said in an AP interview.
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