WOODBRIDGE - U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today issued the following statements regarding Governor Sarah Palin's acceptance of the vice presidential nomination, making her only the second woman in American history to run on a major party ticket.

Former Gov. Christie Todd Whitman: "Tonight's speech was historic and showed the qualities that have made Sarah Palin such a popular, effective governor. She is a tough fighter who has balanced a budget and made the difficult decisions of the kind we need to reform Washington. As the Governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin is the only candidate in this race who has been tested as an executive. With her years of service for the people of Alaska, Governor Palin brings an 'outside the beltway' approach to problem solving, the sort of perspective we need."

Assemblywoman Alison Littell McHose: " Sarah Palin is a reformer. She took on the corrupt party bosses in her state and threw them out of power. As a mayor, she cut property taxes. As Governor, she provided tax relief to the people of her state. These issues -- reforming broken government, cutting property taxes, and providing tax relief -- are the issues that New Jersey's voters care about, and Sarah Palin has a strong record on each of them.

"Sarah Palin isn't a fancy politician. She lives her life the way most Americans do. Near to their values. Understanding who they are and what they experience day by day. She will win over large numbers of work-a-day Democrats, Republicans and Independents who are looking for a neighbor who will speak with them on the level."

Bergen County Clerk Kathe Donovan: "Governor Palin tonight showed the world that she is the perfect addition to John McCain's ticket. Like John McCain, Sarah Palin is a maverick who will buck politics as usual to get things done. She compliments John McCain's message of reform. While Barack Obama prefers to play it safe, voting 'present' on tough issues and rarely breaking with the Democratic Party, America tonight learned that Sarah Palin is a tough executive who can bring people together to accomplish the people's business."

Senator Jennifer Beck, Honorary Co-Chair NJ Women for McCain: "As Governor Palin outlined in tonight's historic speech, she has what it takes to stand up to entrenched interests. She will put the government back on the side of the people, and she has the record to prove it. Unlike Barack Obama, Governor Palin has actually crafted budgets and vetoed nearly $500 million in spending. Unlike Barack Obama, who requested nearly $1 billion in pork, Governor Palin joined John McCain in reforming this broken system and end the abuses of wasteful earmark spending.

"Barack Obama may talk about fiscal responsibility but he is not shy about his plans to raise taxes on income, capital gains, and Social Security. While Barack Obama has been campaigning, Governor Palin has been busy cutting taxes. This is a record that will appeal to voters in New Jersey, the state that leads the nation in taxation."