Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/palin-brings-conservative-credentials-to-mccains-bid Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Transcript GOP Sen. John McCain made an unexpected move Friday when he nominated Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate. Judy Woodruff examines Palin's background, her path to the governorship and her conservative track record. Read the Full Transcript Notice: Transcripts are machine and human generated and lightly edited for accuracy. They may contain errors. JIM LEHRER: Who is Sarah Palin, and why did John McCain choose her? And to Judy Woodruff. JUDY WOODRUFF: John McCain announced his surprise pick for vice president in the battleground state of Ohio in front of a boisterous crowd of thousands, just hours after the Democratic convention in Denver wrapped up.SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), Arizona: 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." My friends and fellow Americans, I am very pleased and very privileged to introduce to you the next vice president of the United States…Gov. Sarah Palin of the great state of Alaska.GOV. SARAH PALIN (R), Alaska: Thank you so much. And I thank you, Sen. McCain and Mrs. McCain, for the confidence that you have placed in me. Senator, I am honored to be chosen as your running mate.I will be honored to serve next to the next president of the United States.