Republican presidential candidate John McCain surprised many in his party by picking first-term Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate. McCain called his decision "a game changer" and hopes to appeal to women voters, many of whom were angry that Hillary Clinton lost the Democratic nomination. Palin has also energized the evangelical religious part of the Republican Party with her strong pro-life stance. McCain said he saw in Palin a younger version of himself: a maverick who is not afraid to challenge the Republican Party, believes in change and has a record of reform. However, many analysts inside and outside the Republican party worry that the 44-year-old governor, who was elected just over a year and a half ago, lacks the experience to deal with complex international relations and an ailing economy. Quotes "She's fought oil companies, and party bosses, and do-nothing bureaucrats and anyone who puts their interests before the interests of the people she swore an oath to serve. She's exactly who I need. She's exactly who this country needs to help me fight... to help me fight the same, old Washington politics of 'me first and country second.'" -John McCain, Republican presidential candidate "Some of life's greatest opportunities come unexpectedly, and this is certainly the case today. I never really set out to be involved in public affairs, much less to run for this office." -Sarah Palin, Alaska Governor and Republican vice presidential candidate "This is a moment -- this is a moment when great causes can be won and great threats overcome, depending on the judgment of our next president. In a dangerous world, it is John McCain who will lead America's friends and allies in preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. It was John McCain who cautioned long ago about the harm that Russian aggression could do to Georgia and to other small democratic neighbors and to the world oil markets. It was Sen. McCain who refused to hedge his support for our troops in Iraq, regardless of the political costs." -Sarah Palin, Alaska Governor and Republican vice presidential candidate "Hillary left 18 million cracks in the highest, hardest glass ceiling in America... but it turns out the women of America aren't finished yet, and we can shatter that glass ceiling once and for all." - Sarah Palin, Alaska Governor and Republican vice presidential candidate Warm Up Questions 1. Who is John McCain's running mate in the 2008 presidential election? 2. Who is Barack Obama's running mate? 3. Who is the current vice president? What do you know about him? 4. What does a vice president do? Do you think he or she is important? Why or why not? Discussion Questions 1. What do you think of Sarah Palin? 2. Why do you think John McCain chose her? 3. Do you think she will convince women to vote for McCain? Why or why not? 3. Make a list of Palin's positives and negatives as a candidate for vice president. Which list is longer? Write the list from the perspective of the Republican Party, then write it from the perspective of the Democratic Party. 4. Watch a profile of Barack Obama's running mate, Joe Biden. Make a list of his positives and negatives. 5. Make a prediction: what do you think will happen in the vice presidential debate in October between Governor Sarah Palin and Senator Joe Biden? Additional Resources Transcript Online NewsHour: Vote 2008