Sen. John McCain has a rural running mate who was once a journalist: Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin began her political life as a member of the city council of Wasilla, Alaska (near center of Encarta map), in 1992. She was elected mayor in 1996. In 2000, the town had 5,469 people, but it was growing, and flush with sales-tax revenue that allowed Palin to cut property taxes. That, and her good looks and speaking skills, drew the attention of state Republican officials. As she moved up the state political ladder, she confounded the party establishment and earned marks for challenging the longstanding coziness of policymakers with the oil and gas industry, while not broadly opposing the industry.

Alaska's population is 34 percent rural, and even Anchorage has a rural tinge; moose are often seen in the city. But McCain's selection of Palin is much less about rural voters than about capturing the votes of women, who account for most of the undecided vote nationally -- especially moderates who wanted to see Sen. Hillary Clinton be the Democratic nominee. "It turns out the women of America aren't finished yet and we can shatter that glass ceiling once and for all," Palin said today.

The selection will please and motivate social conservatives, because Palin is a pro-lifer who not only talks the talk but walks the walk, this year bearing a child that she knew had Down Syndrome. Her oldest son is in the Army and ships to Iraq on Sept. 11, and she is a life member of the National Rifle Association. All those factors should have rural appeal. Additionally, her youth, her looks and curiosity about her should add some excitement and volunteers to the McCain campaign, both of which it badly needs. But will the selection meet the traditional test of "do no harm"? That probably depends largely on her performance in the debate with Sen. Joe Biden.

And we must add that Palin (Associated Press photo) was once a journalist. After graduation from the University of Idaho in 1987, she was a TV sports reporter. She has also been co-owner of a commercial fishing business and a dealer of watercraft, snow machines and all-terrain vehicles. Pretty rural.