(AP) - John McCain has tapped little-known Alaska Governor Sarah Palin to be his vice-presidential running mate. That's the word from two senior campaign officials who spoke to The Associated Press.

A formal announcement is expected shortly at a campaign rally in
swing-state Ohio.

The 44-year-old Palin, a mother of five, is a self-styled hockey mom and political reformer who has been governor of her state less than two years.

Palin's selection is a surprise, as McCain passed over many other better-known prospects, some of whom had been the subject of
intense speculation for weeks or months.

At 44, Palin is a generation younger that Joe Biden, who is Barack Obama's running mate.

She is three years Obama's junior, as well. McCain has made much
in recent weeks of Obama's relative lack of experience in foreign
policy and defense matters.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)