Palin makes her debut as McCain's VP pick

U.S. John McCain (R-Ariz.) with Gov. Sarah Palin (R-Alaska): Getty Images PhotoWhen Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin evoked U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) during her introductory speech in Dayton Thursday, it was initially met with a mix of applause and disapproval from the audience.

"It was rightly noted in Denver this week that Hillary left 18 million cracks in the glass ceiling of America, but it turns out the women of America aren't finished yet, and we can shatter that glass ceiling once and for all," said Palin, who noted that her selection for the Republican Vice Presidential nomination came nearly 88 years after women gained the right to vote in America.

For Palin, her speech wasn't just an introduction to her role in the McCain campaign - it was her introduction to the country. The dark- horse candidate wasn't widely considered to be in the running as McCain's running mate until news of a private jet flying from Alaska to Ohio leaked last night.

Speaking before a crowd of thousands, Palin explained her rise to the governorship in Alaska - where she worked her way up from city council member to mayor of Wasilla before becoming the ethics commissioner of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission.

"As governor, I stood up to the old politics as usual - to the special interests, to the lobbyists, to the big oil companies and to the good ol' boy network," Palin said. "I signed major ethics reforms and appointed both Democrats and Independents to serve in my administration."

And in a comment that could serve to separate herself from U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alas.) - who was indicted on corruption charges in July - Palin said she told Congress "no thanks on the Bridge to Nowhere," one of Stevens' most notorious pet projects.

She stayed off of the attack and didn't mention either U.S. Sens. Barack Obama (D-Ill) or Joe Biden (D-Del) over the course of her speech. Instead, she focused on praising McCain.

"This is a moment where principals and political independence matter a lot more than just party lines," Palin said. "And this is a man who has always been there to serve his country and not just his party. This is a moment that requires resolve and toughness and strength of heart... My running mate is a man who has shown those qualities in the darkest of places and in the service of his country."

For McCain, the reason for selecting Palin as his vice presidential pick was simple:

"She's exactly who I need," McCain said. "She's exactly who this country needs to help me fight the same old Washington politics of me first and country second."