John McCain, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, added Alaskan governor Sarah Palin to the ticket today at an event in Dayton..

Credit: DKS Editors

Dayton – Her husband is a commercial fisherman. She is a mother of five, with the fifth being just four months old. She once was a member of the PTA. And now Sarah Palin is a sign of change for the GOP.

John McCain announced at 11 a.m. today that the three-month-long search for the perfect running mate was over. The Republican presidential candidate made history by selecting Palin, the governor of Alaska, as the first female Republican vice presidential candidate today in Dayton.

The selection was a surprise choice, as most McCain supporters were clueless to whom the Arizona senator would pick. But they knew the announcement was coming less than 24 hours after Democratic candidate Barack Obama’s acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention. However, as surprising as the choice was to some supporters, the impact of Palin’s selection was felt just minutes after the rally ended in the minds of many Republican women in attendance.

“I think it’s awesome,” said Franklin University junior Tessa Teebam. “It’s wonderful because either way, this election is going to make history. No matter who wins – obviously I want John McCain to win – but I think it’s a very smart choice to add her.”

Reports spread about Palin’s selection about an hour before McCain entered the Nutter Center, which gave supporters little time to learn about Palin’s past history. The atmosphere inside the arena buzzed with excitement, and McCain wasted no time in describing his new running mate.

McCain, who turned 72 today, said Palin was ready to “shake-up Washington,” and was ready to stand on America’s side and not in its way. Within five minutes of McCain taking the stage, Palin was introduced in typical partisan applause, despite many supporters knowing little about her. The 44-year-old mother of five appeared on the Ohio stage with her husband and three of her children.

Palin’s first speech was more of a “getting to know your candidate” session than Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden’s speech last weekend. The former PTA member and self proclaimed “hockey mom” from Alaska told her story of moving from city council to mayor to governor.

Regardless of how little the crowd appeared to know about Palin, the choice was seen as a success, especially to life-long Republican Theresa Knacker, a teacher in Dayton.

“There really aren’t words when you’re a part of something like this,” she said. “I knew about her; I didn’t know she was gorgeous, but I knew she was a great worker.”

As the conventions near, there will likely be more information on this new major political power player, but for now, Republicans are happy about the hockey mom from Alaska.

“She was in the PTA,” said Teebam. “She worked her way from the bottom up and never stopped pushing herself up. She didn’t plan on (a political career), but people liked her enough to put her there.”

Contact public affairs reporter Brock Harrington [email protected].