FAIRBORN — The woman who would be vice president is a stranger to most Americans, but Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin introduced herself to the country on Friday, Aug. 29, as a reformer, a fighter of corruption and a partner in Sen. John McCain's demand for change in Washington.

"I've stood up to the politics-as-usual, to the special interests, to the lobbyists, to the Big Oil companies and the good old boy network," Palin, 44, said as the Ervin J. Nutter Center crowd roared its approval.

McCain stunned most people with the selection of Palin as his running mate, keeping the choice under wraps until just minutes before taking the stage. He complimented Palin on her "grit," her "fighting spirit and deep compassion."

"She's not in the least partisan," McCain said. "She's not even in Washington."

McCain, who turned 72 on Friday, came on stage to the sound of the flag-waving crowd of 12,000 singing Happy Birthday. His remarks focused on Palin, a former mayor of a small Alaska town and now in her second year as governor. "(She) understands the problems and hopes and values of working people, knows what it's like to worry about mortgage payments, health care and the cost of gasoline and groceries," he said.

Palin introduced her family — and herself — then made a not-so-disguised bid for some of the votes Sen. Hillary Clinton may have left behind in her failed bid for the Democratic nomination. "It was rightly noted in Denver that Hillary left 18 million cracks in the highest, hardest glass ceiling in America," she said. "But it turns out the women of America aren't finished yet and we can shatter that glass ceiling in November."

Palin said America needs a president who has the good judgment to overcome grave threats, who can keep Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, and who refused to "hedge his support for our troops in Iraq regardless of those political costs."

A spokesman for Democratic nominee Sen. Barack Obama criticized McCain's choice. "Today, John McCain put the former mayor of a town of 9,000 with zero foreign policy experience a heartbeat away from the presidency," said Bill Burton, Obama campaign spokesman. "Governor Palin shares John McCain's commitment to overturning Roe v. Wade, the agenda of Big Oil and continuing George Bush's failed economic policies — that's not the change we need, it's just more of the same."

More from McCain's Dayton visit and VP announcement:

> McCain's VP pick wows local crowd

> Senator's pick known as maverick

> Nutter crowd greets Palin with enthusiasm

> Ohio Republicans voice support

> Photos: McCain's visit | Gov. Sarah Palin | Spotted at the Nutter

> Videos: Palin's speech | Nutter Center rally

> More election coverage