Gerard Baker: choosing Palin is a risky gamble | Obama’s rhetoric aims for Middle America | Democrats reflect on an historic convention | McCain looks to win over independents

John McCain sent a surge of energy through his presidential campaign yesterday by choosing a woman with just two years’ experience as Governor of Alaska to be his running-mate.

On his 72nd birthday, the Republican nominee announced his choice as Sarah Palin, a 44-year-old moose-hunting mother of five.

The surprise choice makes the race for the White House even more historically charged, ensuring that for the first time there will be either a black man in the Oval Office or a woman as vice-president.

Speaking at a rumbustious rally in Dayton, Ohio, Mr McCain said that he had chosen Mrs Palin rather than a more traditional candidate because she had the “grit, integrity, good sense and fierce devotion to the common good” to shake up Washington.

The announcement came hours after Barack Obama accepted the Democratic nomination with a speech watched by 84,000 supporters in Denver and 38 million television viewers.

The Republican convention begins on Monday. The election takes place on November 4. Polls show the two candidates neck and neck.

Mr Obama has sought to answer charges that he lacks the experience to be president by picking Joe Biden, a 65-year-old veteran bruiser from the Senate, as his vice-presidential nominee. His speech on Thursday night attacked his rival’s temperament, age and support for President Bush, saying that Mr McCain subscribed to an “old, discredited Republican philosophy”.

By choosing a woman virtually unknown outside Alaska — until recently mayor of a town of just 9,000 people — Mr McCain will hope to boost his reputation as a maverick.

Mrs Palin made pointed reference to the defeat of Hillary Clinton at the hands of Mr Obama, saying: “It turns out the women of America aren’t finished yet and we can shatter that glass ceiling once and for all.”

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