Finally the "right" woman!

Alaska Governor Sarah Palin has been selected by United States Presidential candidate John McCain as his vice-presidential running-mate. The official announcement was made at noon Eastern time at a rally in Dayton.

News agencies began reporting Palin as the selection about an hour earlier, citing sources within the McCain campaign.

In introducing Palin, McCain said, "I have found the right partner to stand up to those who value their privileges over their responsibilities." Palin has an "outstanding reputation for standing up to special interests and entrenched bureaucracies," he added.

"I will be honored to serve next to the next president of the United States," said Palin, accepting the position. "To have been chosen brings a great challenge. I know that it will demand the best I have to give, and I promise nothing less."

Palin has been the governor of Alaska since 2006, and previously served as councilwoman and mayor of Wasilla, Alaska. Prior to this announcement, other potential picks included former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty, former Pennsylvania governor Tom Ridge, and Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman.

Sarah Palin will be the Republican Party's first female candidate for vice-president. In 1984, Geraldine Ferraro was Walter Mondale's running mate on the Democratic Party ticket.

The first scheduled vice-presidential debate is October 2 in St Louis, Missouri, where Palin will debate Barack Obama's running mate Joe Biden.

Palin's aides said they thought she remained in Alaska, however she secretly flew overnight to Ohio where McCain made the formal announcement.