McCain Veepstakes Thread (Updated) It's Sarah Palin!!!

I was crestfallen when I saw on Drudge that Romney had been ruled out.

Now, we find that Pawlenty and Palin are going to be in their respective states when the announcement is made...so I am thinking he may very well go with Giuliani.

I'll keep updating as I find out more.

CNN thinks a private plane arriving in Ohio from Alaska may indicate Palin in the choice.

**9.54 AM** I have tracked the flight from Anchorage to Hook Field in Middletown, Ohio.




The plane is a Gulfstream G-IV and is owned by Gypsy Two LLC out of Kirkland, Washnigton.

**10.13AM** CNBC is reporting that Palin is the pick, which would serve to bolster my research above. I am still looking for a live stream of the event, so I can embed it here. I think that the McCain Campaign needs some net-saavy people on their team.

**10:17AM** According to Palin spokeswoman, Sharon Leighow, Palin is at home in Alaska...and plans on attending the Alaska State Fair.

Which leads me to wonder where is Giuliani?

**10.30AM** Glenn Beck just reported that Fox News is reporting that Alaska Governor Palin is backstage at the Dayton Rally. That is probably it, then. I will have to do some research on her, because I know little about her beyond her being a governor, a new mom who refused to abort her Downs Syndrome child.

**10.59AM** I will embed a C-SPAN video stream here, and take it down after the event is over:

View the rally at the C-Span Website, or here.
My first thoughts:

1) McCain is going after a pick that will be attractive to both PUMAs and the conservative base of the GOP.

2) Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin is famous for going after corruption in Alaska, and has gone against those in her own party to do it. This fits well with McCain's efforts at the same in the Senate.

**11.54AM** Here is the official Press Release from the McCain Campaign:



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.