Obama congratulates McCain on VP pick

WASHINGTON, Aug. 29 (UPI) -- The surprise pick of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as John McCain's running mate in his quest for the U.S. presidency drew praise from the Democratic ticket.

"We send our congratulations to Governor Palin and her family on her designation as the Republican nominee for vice president," Barack Obama and Joe Biden said in a joint statement, Fox News reported. "Her selection is yet another encouraging sign that all barriers are falling in our politics ... ."

However, Bill Burton, Obama's campaign spokesman was less congratulatory, saying, "Today, John McCain put the former mayor of a town of 9,000 with zero foreign policy experience a heartbeat away from the presidency," The Page reported.

Burton, in a statement, said Palin "shares John McCain's commitment to overturning Roe v. Wade (legalizing abortion), the agenda of Big Oil and continuing (President) George Bush's failed economic policies -- that's not the change we need, it's just more of the same."

McCain and Palin are poised to be named to the top spots on the GOP ticket next week during the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn.