DENVER (AP) — Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is John McCain’s pick for vice presidential running mate.

Palin is a self-styled “hockey mom” and a political reformer.  At 44, she is younger than Obama and, like McCain, calls herself a maverick, according to The Associated Press.

Palin adds youth to the McCain ticket, but it is her gender that could help sway women, especially the “security moms” who helped President Bush win re-election in 2004, to vote Republican, according to Fox News.

Palin’s selection met with mixed reviews.

“I applaud John McCain’s selection of Governor Sarah Palin, whose commitment to reform and record of bipartisanship is exactly what our country needs,’’ Republican National Committee Chairman Robert M. “Mike” Duncan said in a statement released to the media. “I am confident that this teamwill continue to keep America safe and make our nation more prosperous.’’

But Kim Gandy, chairwoman of the National Organization for Women’s Political Action Committee disagreed.

“Sen. John McCain’s choice of Alaska governor Sarah Palin as his running mate is a cynical effort to appeal to disappointed Hillary Clinton voters and get them to vote, ultimately, against their own self-interest,’’ Gandy said in a statement released to the media. “Gov. Palin may be the second woman vice-presidential candidate on a major party ticket, but she is not the right woman. Sadly, she is a woman who opposes women’s rights, just like John McCain.’’

bbennett@sfltimes.com