The Ticket for America

John McCain Selects Alaska Governor Sarah Palin As Vice Presidential Running Mate

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.

John McCain and Sarah Palin

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.

John McCain has a comprehensive economic plan that will create millions of good American jobs, ensure our nation's energy security, get the government's budget and spending practices in order, and bring relief to American consumers. Read each of the sections below to learn how the McCain Economic Plan will help bring reform, prosperity and peace to America.



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.

ICYMI: U.S. Representative Heather Wilson On The Selection Of Gov. Sarah Palin

"You know, Governor Palin has more executive experience than Senator Obama, Senator Biden, and Senator Schumer combined because those guys have never run anything." -- Rep. Heather Wilson

U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson (R-NM)
MSNBC
August 29, 2008

MSNBC's Peter Alexander: "There were several women spoken about as possible vice presidential candidates, Kay Bailey Hutchinson from Texas, Meg Whitman from eBay, Carly Fiorina, why Governor Palin?"

Rep. Heather Wilson: "She's a chief executive of a state. She's a governor, former mayor of a city in Alaska. She's been a businesswoman. She helped her husband run the family fishing business. She's a mom of five and she's a reformer. She's not a Washington insider. She's been a reformist governor and very strongly supported in Alaska."

"You know, Governor Palin has more executive experience than Senator Obama, Senator Biden, and Senator Schumer combined because those guys have never run anything. So I find that quite amusing."

"I was very disappointed with Senator Obama's choice of a running-mate. He chose somebody else who's a Washington insider from the East Coast who knows nothing about the west and Senator McCain surely does. I'm also very pleased that he's chosen as his vice president, the chief executive of the oil producing state in America, strong energy credentials and the energy issue is very important to Americans."

Republicans Prepare to Welcome an Unlikely Virginian to Their Convention Next Week


, WDBJ7
August 28, 2008

Article Excerpt
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A Virginia woman will speak to Republicans at their national convention in St. Paul, Minnesota next week. It's unusual because Christy Swanson always considered herself a Democrat.

Swanson's husband, Kip, is an Independent. The New Kent County couple brought a Filafry franchise about two years ago. Both of them are voting for Republican John McCain.

"If you have a deep fat fryer, I can service you," said Kip Swanson.

Kip collects used cooking oil from restaurants and turns it into biofuel. Christy keeps the books and networks. The couple quickly realized the unique challenges of owning a small business.

"There's no sick days, very little vacation. You have to worry about health care costs," said Kip.

Christy was planning to vote for Democrat Barack Obama, until she went to Washington in June for a summit of small business owners. Both Obama and McCain were invited. Only McCain showed up.

Christy liked what she heard.

"I didn't go running up to him like many did. I, you know, stayed back and said, 'okay, let me look at some other candidates here and do some research,'" said Christy.

The reasons to vote for McCain, she says, stacked up.

"The corporate taxes, the portable healthcare is huge," said Christy.

Now she leads "Virginia Citizens for McCain," a coalition of Democrats and Independents.

The McCain camp says there are millions of voters like Christy, which is why the polls are moving in his favor. Democrats say McCain represents the past, that Virginians ready to turn the page should vote for Obama.

The Swanson's encourage voters to do their homework before deciding on a candidate. Christy leaves Tuesday for the Republican National Convention, a Democrat the party faithful are happy to welcome.