AP - Republican presidential candidate John McCain's surprise choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate has given a brief, upbeat biography of her the kind of boost that Sen. Joe Biden's memoir received when he joined the Democratic ticket.

AP - In two short years, Sarah Palin moved from small-town mayor with a taste for mooseburgers to the governor's office and now — making history — to John McCain's side as the first female running mate on a Republican presidential ticket.