McCain's VP Pick: Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin

Sen. John McCain (R., Ariz.) may turn 72 today, but the old dog still has a few tricks up his sleeve. He shocked many pundits Friday by naming Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate, introducing her to the public at a press conference in Dayton, Ohio.

Palin becomes only the second female vice-presidential candidate in U.S. history, following in the footsteps of former Democratic Rep. Geraldine Ferraro of New York. Palin is 44 years old.

McCain's bold move could prove a game-changer in several ways. The surprise selection could ignite a media firestorm and overshadow the well-received acceptance speech Sen. Barack Obama (D., Ill.) delivered just last night. McCain also has worked to attract women dissatisfied with the loss of Sen. Hillary Clinton (D., NY) in the Democratic primaries. Palin has a reputation as an outsider and a government reformer, qualities that could help differentiate McCain from President Bush. ...