Dayton, Ohio (AP) Saying she's “exactly” what he and the country need, John McCain has picked Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate.

McCain introduced Palin during a raucous rally in Dayton, Ohio.
The Arizona Senator said he made his pick after looking for a political partner who can best help him “shake up Washington.”

Palin, a conservative with a maverick reputation, thus becomes the first woman named to a spot on a Republican ticket. She declared herself “honored” to be chosen as she stood by a beaming McCain in her first few seconds in the national spotlight.

Unlike Barack Obama's running mate Joe Biden, who attacked McCain sharply in his debut last week, Palin was indirect in her initial attempts to elevate McCain over Obama.

Palin told the crowd, “there is only one candidate who has truly fought for America and that man is John McCain.”