Republican presidential hopeful John McCain's choice of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as running mate was dismissed Friday by Democrat rival Barack Obama's campaign as "more of the same." ( dpa )
"Today, John McCain put the former mayor of a town of 9,000 with zero foreign policy experience a heartbeat away from the presidency," Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton said in a statement.
"Governor Palin shares John McCain's commitment to overturning (abortion rights), 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," the statement said.
The Republican announcement came hours after Obama gave his acceptance speech as the Democrat nominee at the party's convention in Denver, Colorado.
Palin was a surprise choice because of her low profile in national politics. But she might be able to win over disgruntled supporters of Hillary Clinton who are keen to vote for a woman candidate in the November 4 election, despite Democratic pleas for party unity.