It's Officially Official: McCain Picks Palin

By Holly Bailey 

(AP Photo / Stephan Savoia) 

DAYTON, Ohio--Preceded by Van Halen's hit "Right Now," John McCain just took to the stage here in Dayton, where he introduced his new running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. According to the campaign, about 15,000 people are on hand this afternoon, easily one of McCain's biggest crowds this campaign. Before he could begin speaking the crowd began serenading the senator with "Happy Birthday," as today is also McCain's 72nd birthday. "Thanks for reminding me," he joked.

In introducing Palin, McCain praised his pick as someone that has a record of fighting against "corruption and politics of the past." "She's got the grit, integrity, good sense and fierce devotion to the common good that is exactly what we need in Washington today," McCain said. "She's exactly who I need. She's exactly what this country needs." In taking the stage, Palin praised the women who had run before her, citing Geraldine Ferraro and Hillary Clinton. "She left 18 million cracks in the glass ceiling," Palin said of Clinton. "But it turns out women aren't finished. We can shatter that ceiling."

Already, the Obama campaign has criticized the Palin pick, raising questions about what likely will be a big issue heading into the final two months of the campaign: Palin's status as a political newcomer. "John McCain put the former mayor of a town of 9,000 with zero foreign policy experience a heartbeat away from the presidency,” Obama spokesman Bill Burton said in an email to reporters. Yet it appears the McCain campaign anticipated this line of argument. Here’s the official release announcing Palin as the pick—expect much more to come:

ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain today announced that he has selected Alaska Governor Sarah Palin to be his running mate and to serve as his vice president.

Governor Palin is a tough executive who has demonstrated during her time in office that she is ready to be president. She has brought Republicans and Democrats together within her Administration and has a record of delivering on the change and reform that we need in Washington.

Governor Palin has challenged the influence of the big oil companies while fighting for the development of new energy resources. She leads a state that matters to every one of us -- Alaska has significant energy resources and she has been a leader in the fight to make America energy independent.

In Alaska, Governor Palin challenged a corrupt system and passed a landmark ethics reform bill. She has actually used her veto and cut budgetary spending. She put a stop to the "bridge to nowhere" that would have cost taxpayers $400 million dollars.

As the head of Alaska's National Guard and as the mother of a soldier herself, Governor Palin understands what it takes to lead our nation and she understands the importance of supporting our troops.

Governor Palin has the record of reform and bipartisanship that others can only speak of. Her experience in shaking up the status quo is exactly what is needed in Washington today.