The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Dayton

Republican John McCain unveiled a major surprise in the White House race Friday with his pick of first woman governor of the oil-rich state of Alaska, Sarah Palin, as his running-mate.

"Governor Palin is a tough executive who has demonstrated during her time in office that she is ready to be president," the McCain campaign said in announcing the choice.

"She has brought Republicans and Democrats together within her administration and has a record of delivering on the change and reform that we need in Washington," it said in a communique.

McCain was due to present Palin formally as his running mate at a midday (1600 GMT) rally here.

The choice of Palin, a 44-year-old mother of five, marks a huge political risk by McCain, and a blatant bid to win over disgruntled supporters of failed Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

The timing of the announcement was clearly designed to overshadow the campaign of McCain's Democratic rival, Barack Obama, the morning after he accepted his party's presidential nomination in a nationally televised extravaganza in a Denver sports stadium.