Politics | Sarah Palin Battle Is On for the Female Vote McCain's veep choice could draw some vital votes away from the all-male ticket By Rob Quinn Posted Aug 30, 2008 6:24 AM CDT Copied Sen. John McCain, left, smiles after introducing his vice presidential running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, during a campaign rally in Dayton, Ohio, Friday, Aug. 29, 2008. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia) The GOP is betting that John McCain's choice of Sarah Palin as a running mate will put 18 million dents in the Democrats' White House hopes, the Washington Post writes. The party hopes the choice will woo disaffected Hillary Clinton voters, while many Democrats dismiss it as pure political pandering. "It's basically the equivalent of a midnight raid behind enemy lines," one GOP strategist notes. At minimum, it will make some Democrats cautious about criticizing Palin, and stir resentments of Clinton loyalists. Much will hinge on how Palin is defined in the coming weeks, the Post writes: as a hard-working hockey mom ready to make history, or as a pro-gun pro-life Republican cut from the same cloth as Bush. Ellen Malcolm, president of Emily's List, which supports women candidates, tells the Post, "McCain clearly sees the power of women voters in this election but has just as clearly failed to support any of the issues that they care about." Read These Next Her blood isn't compatible with anyone else's. Some of the most explosive Diddy allegations are dropped. Fan who taunted Ketel Marte's mom has been banned by MLB. NJ lifeguard survives after being impaled by an umbrella. Report an error