No matter who takes the White House in January, history will be made.
Last Friday, John McCain announced Sarah Palin's name would be listed with his on the November ballot.
Palin, governor of Alaska, brings history-making potential to McCain's campaign.
Accounting, Economics and Finance Professor Mark Jelavich was surprised when he heard Palin will be McCain's running mate because he'd never heard of her before. Palin's executive experience is a positive for McCain's campaign, Jelavich said. Her mayor and governor experience are an asset for McCain's campaign, Jelavich said.
News broke over the weekend that Palin's 17-year-old daughter is five months pregnant. Jelavich doesn't think Palin's family issues will have a big impact on the McCain Campaign.
"I think most people would probably consider it as a private matter, not a public one," Jelavich said.
In the past, candidates' children have been off limits, Jelavich said, which is probably the reason Barack Obama's campaign said they wouldn't comment about it.
"She has the reputation of shaking up the party establishment in her state," Jelavich said. "I think also the fact that she's a woman obviously has a certain appeal."
When History, Humanities, Philosophy and Politics Professor Richard Fulton heard the news he was also "very surprised."
"This was an interesting and strange choice," Fulton said. "It's just sort of out of left field."
It appears McCain is catering to two groups with his decision, Fulton said, the very conservative Republicans and women.
"She's going to be a heartbeat away from the presidency and the president's 72-years-old, with some health problems in the past, she has no, absolutely no background in national defense or foreign policy," Fulton said.
Palin's name on the ticket does energize the more conservative in the party, Fulton said.
Washington University in St. Louis will host the vice presidential debate Oct. 2.
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