***AUGUST 29: THIS POST IS CONSTANTLY UPDATED WITH NEW INFORMATION. SCROLL***
CLICK HERE TO READ HUFFPOST'S SARAH PALIN BIG NEWS PAGE WITH EVERY STORY.
*** See Sarah Palin Photos from her beauty queen days and beyond
*** Watch the John McCain/Sarah Palin announcement and their speeches
*** Read Sarah Palin's thoughts about having her baby son Trig, who has Down Syndrome
*** See photos of Sarah Palin in Vogue
*** Read HuffPost bloggers' posts about Sarah Palin***
Read more about Palin at her Wikipedia page, her official Sarah Palin bio and her official site.
See where Sarah Palin stands on on many issues.
Read a FoxNews article calling Sarah Palin the GOP's newest star from July 2007.
Sarah Palin supports teaching creationism in public schools. "You know, don't be afraid of information. Healthy debate is so important, and it's so valuable in our schools. I am a proponent of teaching both," she said in a debate.
Barack Obama called Palin to congratulate her, wishing her 'Good luck, but not too much.'
John McCain's official statement says "Governor Palin... is ready to be president":
U.S. Senator John McCain today announced that he has selected Alaska Governor Sarah Palin to be his running mate and to serve as his vice president.
Governor Palin is a tough executive who has demonstrated during her time in office that she is ready to be president. She has brought Republicans and Democrats together within her Administration and has a record of delivering on the change and reform that we need in Washington.
Governor Palin has challenged the influence of the big oil companies while fighting for the development of new energy resources. She leads a state that matters to every one of us -- Alaska has significant energy resources and she has been a leader in the fight to make America energy independent.
In Alaska, Governor Palin challenged a corrupt system and passed a landmark ethics reform bill. She has actually used her veto and cut budgetary spending. She put a stop to the "bridge to nowhere" that would have cost taxpayers $400 million dollars.
As the head of Alaska's National Guard and as the mother of a soldier herself, Governor Palin understands what it takes to lead our nation and she understands the importance of supporting our troops.
Governor Palin has the record of reform and bipartisanship that others can only speak of. Her experience in shaking up the status quo is exactly what is needed in Washington today.
AP reports on the Palin pick:
John McCain tapped little-known Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to be his vice presidential running mate, two senior campaign officials told The Associated Press on Friday.
A formal announcement was expected within a few hours at a campaign rally in swing-state Ohio.
Palin, 44, is a self-styled hockey mom and political reformer who has been governor of her state less than two years.
Palin's selection was a stunning surprise, as McCain passed over many other better known prospects, some of whom had been the subject of intense speculation for weeks or months.
At 44, she is a generation younger that Sen. Joseph Biden of Delaware, who is Barack Obama's running mate on the Democratic ticket.
She is three years Obama's junior, as well _ and McCain has made much in recent weeks of Obama's relative lack of experience in foreign policy and defense matters.
Palin flew overnight to an airport in Ohio near Dayton, and even as she awaited her formal introduction, close aides said they had believed she was at home in Alaska.
She is a former mayor of Wasilla who became governor of her state in 2006 after ousting a governor of her own party in a primary and then dispatching a former governor in the general.
AUG 29 -- CNBC Says It's Palin The network echoes the Chicago Tribune, quoting a Republican source.
CNBC's John Harwood reports that John McCain has selected Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate.
"Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, a self-styled "hockey mom" who has only been governor for a little over a year, is GOP Presidential candidate John McCain's choice for Vice President, CNBC has learned," he reports.
"According to a Republican strategist, Palin is the nominee, though McCain's campaign has not comfirmed this."
AUG 29 -- Source Tells Chicago Tribune It's Palin: According to Jill Zuckman, Palin is confirmed.
A Republican source confirms that John McCain has chosen Alaska Governor Sarah Palin to be his running mate. Campaign officials, however, remain mum this morning.
McCain is expected to announce his choice at a rally in Dayton later.
AUG 29 -- Spokeswoman Says Palin Is In Alaska: The governor's office throws water on rumors that she will be McCain's surprise pick.
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., is in Dayton, Ohio, awaiting a high noon event at which the campaign has said the Republican contender will announce his running mate.
But one person who will not be there: Palin. The Governor's spokesperson, Sharon Leighow, tells ABC News she's going to the State Fair in Anchorage, Alaska.
AUG 29 -- A Plane From Alaska Sparks Palin Buzz: With reports that Pawlenty and Romney are out, speculation turns to the Alaska governor.
Two GOP strategists close to the McCain campaign said all indications pointed to Palin, a self-styled "hockey mom" and political reformer. The strategists spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized by the McCain camp to discuss the matter. There was no confirmation from McCain or his advisers.
...
A Gulfstream IV from Anchorage, Alaska, flew into Middletown Regional Airport in Butler County near Cincinnati about 10:15 p.m. Thursday, said Rich Bevis, airport manager. He said several people came off the plane, including a woman and two teens, but there was no confirmation of who was aboard.
PREVIOUSLY:
AUG 1 -- Sarah Palin Faces State Probe: The LA Times says an investigation will probably kill her VP chances.
Recently, there have also been some murmurs about its telegenic, reformist Republican governor, Sarah Palin, as a possible long shot for vice presidential running mate with Sen. John McCain. ...
But now Palin is also caught in a probe of her official conduct that likely nixes whatever chance she had to be on the McCain ticket. She's only been a governor for two years, but that's about four times as long as someone else mentioned as GOP VP pick, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal.
However, questions have now arisen over whether Palin used her office to try and fire her ex -brother-in-law from a state trooper's position. Palin asserts the charge is untrue, but the Alaska Senate this week approved the hiring of an independent investigator to look into the allegation.
JULY 31 -- McCain VP Talk Turns To Two Female Conservatives: The Washington Times reports that speculation about Sarah Palin is growing.
Sen. John McCain's growing popularity among women is fueling speculation that he will select a female running mate, ripening talk about conservative favorite Sarah Palin, governor of Alaska, and former Hewlett-Packard Chief Executive Officer Carly Fiorina, one of his top economic advisers. ...
"Sarah Palin is a great choice," said Grover Norquist, a Republican activist best known for his economic conservatism.
"She's got it all, and is a remarkable leader who brings a number of good qualities to the table," said Wendy Wright, president of Concerned Women for America.
JULY 26 -- Candidates Narrow Lists Of VP Prospects: Palin would be an "outside the box" choice for McCain.
Both presidential candidates are closing in on their selections of running mates -- with the timing and atmospherics of their announcements complicated by the opening next month of the Olympic Games.
If Sen. McCain goes "outside the box," as one adviser put it, he might select Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, a mother of five, or 37-year-old Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal.