After months of speculation, John McCain announced Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska as his running mate today in Dayton, Ohio.

The announcement comes on McCain's 72nd birthday, and one day after his Democratic opponent, Barack Obama, accepted his party's nomination.

Palin, 44, was elected in 2006, after running on an anti-corruption platform in a state plagued by corruption.

Because of her tough talk against Alaska figureheads like Senator Ted Stevens and Congressman Don Young, she has a reputation there as a maverick.

She's pro-life. She supports gay rights but opposes same-sex marriage.

She is also a life-long member of the NRA.