Politico and Chicago Tribune: Republican sources say Palin McCain's VP pick. AP confirms it's Palin. McCain campaign confirms. WP.

It's a smart choice. She manages to please GOP base (NRA, pro-life) and appeal to independents and some fence sitters because she is a woman and young and anti-corruption. And having been voted "Miss Congeniality" in a beauty contest requires skills that would be good on national political stage. Her weakness is inexperience. But governor/executive experience works to advantage of John McCain and she adds vitality and something newly compelling to somewhat tired/same old vulnerability of his campaign. And, as a friend notes, her selection will "make energy, gas prices etc front and center. That is the issue the Republicans are hoping to ride."

Update: From the archives: Politico: Palin backed parts of Obama's energy plan. Backed windfall tax on oil companies.

Update II: McCain campaign's take on how the Palin pick came about.

Update III: Go read Steve Benen here on what Karl Rove recently had to say about consideration of a first term governor for the VP pick.

Posted by Laura at August 29, 2008 10:14 AM