McCain picks Alaska governor Sarah Palin as running mate

Say what you will about John McCain, but he certainly proved today that he is willing to step outside the boundaries and select someone as his running mate which will certainly stir the pot on both sides of the aisle. Just minutes ago in Ohio John McCain announced that he has picked Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate. This was a shock to almost everyone involved who had figured that McCain would pick either Mitt Romney or Tim Pawlenty from Minnesota.

Who is Sarah Palin anyways? Well she is 44 years old and has been Governor of Alaska now for a little over a year and a half. She has five children and is married to Todd Palin. Todd is a commercial fisherman and works for BP energy corporation outside the fishing season. The couple have five children, including four month Trig Palin who has Down Syndrome. Palin was the runner up in the 1984 Miss Alaska contest after winning the Miss Wasilla contest earlier in the year.

Palin spent most of her younger years in Wasilla, Alaska where she starred as a point guard for the girls basketball team, which went on to win the state championship in 1982. Before she became Governor Palin was a member of the Wasilla City Council between 1992 and 1996. She then became Mayor of Wasilla in 1996 by running on a platform of lower spending and lower taxes. Palin reduced property taxes in the small town in Alaska by up to 60% during her term as Mayor.

In 2006 pulled a shocking upset, defeating incumbent Lisa Murkowski in the Republican primary. During her time as Governor Palin has made a name for herself as an independent thinking Republican who has cut costs and dramatically reduced the amount of pork barrel spending which goes through the state of Alaska. Palin is not without some controversy, as there is currently an investigation into her firing of Walter Monegan.

Palin is considered strongly conservative on social issues such as abortion and gun control. Palin comes from a family who have all been avid hunters and are all staunchly pro-life.

What will this surprising pick by John McCain do to the complexion of the Presidential election? It's hard to say at this point, but it certainly makes it more interesting. Democrats will be quick to point out Palin's lack of experience and they will definitely bring up the investigation currently surrounding her. Republicans will be pointing out that Palin has the chance to become the first female Vice President ever, and they will also point out her stance as a maverick and independent, especially on energy issues. This election has just gotten a little more interesting!