Alaska Governor Sarah Palin

John McCain has picked the next Vice President to be Sarah Palin, current governor of Alaska.

Palin, like McCain, is a conservative with a maverick streak who has shown a willingness to clash with others in her own party. A self-styled hockey mom and political reformer, she has been governor of her state less than two years.

Palin’s selection shocked numerous Republican officials.

At 44, Palin is a generation younger that Sen. Joseph Biden of Delaware, who is Barack Obama’s running mate on the Democratic ticket.

She is three years Obama’s junior, as well — and McCain has made much in recent weeks of Obama’s relative lack of experience in foreign policy and defense matters.

In making his pick, McCain passed over several more prominent prospects who had figured in speculation for months — Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge among them. [source]

Palin is pretty young, and the Democrats will have a few things to sling mud at, but I think she’s a pretty good choice for McCain to make. She’s not a Washington insider, which is good. She’s got a history of busting corrupt politicians, which is great. And there is certainly a percentage of people who will vote McCain/Palin just because she’s a woman. So politically, I think he made a good choice.

I’m still not voting for him, but he made a good choice.