While the media today focused around the bailout legislature in Washington, and President Bush's call for the leaders of the House, Senate and both Presidential Candidates to come to the White House, Alaska Governor, Sarah Palin (AK) seized on the opportunity to take questions from a small group of reporters today while she toured the Ground Zero site in New York City.
While the questions and answers were short and routine, it was her announcement after the cameras stopped that surprised everyone.
"All of you know that Senator McCain suspended his campaign yesterday, owing to his responsibilities as a Senator from Arizona. I'd like to take this moment to make an important announcement.
"On these Sacred Grounds, I openly and proudly declare my candidacy for President of the United States of America because we need a full-time candidate to defeat Barack Obama.
"Since Senator McCain is putting his country first, I will take his place as candidate and make the case for real leadership in this time of crisis and crack that glass ceiling once and for all."
She then opened the group to questions:
Q: Governor, is this something you and Senator McCain had been planning for long?
Palin: He's been keeping me out of contact for a month. Why do you think I'm declaring today while he's tied up in that Washington place with the Bush Administration? Senator McCain's not the boss of me.
Q: Do you still plan to attend the Debate with Senator Joe Biden on October second?
Phalin: Why should I? That's for the Vice Presidential candidate to attend. I will be flying to Oxford tomorrow to debate Senator Obama and show the American people who's really ready to lead this God-loving country of ours.
Q: Have you decided on a running-mate?
Palynn: I have. Todd Palin, my husband, has agreed to join me in this cause and I believe he will serve the office of Vice President very well. Okay, I have to go now and prepare for the debate tomorrow night.
I think you should all write down some tough questions for me to answer at tomorrow night's debate.
God bless you all.