McCain chooses pro-life Sarah Palin for veep

The Associated Press says its a lock (as does everyone):

John McCain tapped little-known Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to be his vice presidential running mate, two senior campaign officials told The Associated Press on Friday.

A formal announcement was expected within a few hours at a campaign rally in swing-state Ohio.

Palin, 44, is a self-styled hockey mom and political reformer who has been governor of her state less than two years.

update: Some quick facts:

• She has an 80-90% approval rating in Alaska, the most popular governor in America
• She's been described as a "crackerjack governor, a strong fiscal conservative and a ferocious fighter of corruption, especially in her own party."
• A lifetime member of the NRA, she also has a son in the army
• She appears to be a "non-denominational protestant"
• She aimed "to reduce general fund spending by $150 million" in Alaska
• She belongs to Feminists for Life

And Palin is not just pro-life politically, she is also amazingly and joyfully pro-life personally, and not only because she has five kids (ph/t: SBA):

In April of this year, Sarah Palin give birth to her fifth child, Trig, who was born premature with Down Syndrome. Recent statistics show that in the U.S., approximately 90% of Down Syndrome diagnoses end with the mother choosing abortion. Palin on her family’s reaction to the diagnosis, in her own words:

“We knew through early testing he would face special challenges, and we feel privileged that God would entrust us with this gift and allow us unspeakable joy as he entered our lives. We have faith that every baby is created for good purpose and has potential to make this world a better place. We are truly blessed.” (April 18, 2008, Anchorage Daily News)

[Read more from the SBA statement.]

The "Draft Sarah Palin for VP" blog is going crazy. MM has a play-by-play.

update: some helpful links...

• John McCain's official press release
• Palin's Wiki Page
• Jack Kelly on why McCain Should Pick Sarah Palin for VP
• Deacon Keith Fournier on McCain's choice
• Fox News: Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the GOP's Newest Star
• Sarah Palin's On the Issues

update 3 (finally managed to get a photo of her family on the blog succesfully - sheesh!):

There's a huge glut of information flooding the net right now on Palin. Here's some of the best:

• Boston Globe Blog: Sarah Palin on faith, life and creation
• CNA: Conservative leaders react to McCain’s VP choice of pro-life Gov. Sarah Palin
• CNS Blog: Sarah Palin’s pro-life credentials
• Jill Stanek: McCain picks Palin!
• NewsBusters: Palin Might Neglect Her Disabled Infant? (rediculous)
• InsideCatholic: A question for the ladies
• Off the Record: Especially troublesome
• (CNN links to welcome outside visitors)

I thought this point especially good: "[Palin as VP] makes me trust McCain's judgment much more than I would have if he had gone for Romney, Ridge, or Lieberman. Brownback or Pawlentey would have signaled "more of the same." But Palin? That's "change." - Eric Pavlat

I'm also thrilled to see, based on the visitor count today, and the increased number of email tips and links I'm receiving (thank you!), as well as the record-high activity level in the comment boxes (awesome!) ... that papists and other readers are beginning to treat AmP as the one-stop newsblog where they can discuss and stay up-to-date on (usually up-to-the-minute) the most important stories in American politics, the Catholic faith, and the intersection of same.

Thank you, let's keep a good thing going, and get it better.

update 5: on the evangelical side...

• AP: McCain's VP Choice Reassures Evangelicals
• John Allen: McCain's choice a nod not only to women, but post-denominationalists