Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich was asked by the Washington Post for his reaction to John McCain's selection of Gov. Sarah Palin as his Vice-Presidential running mate. Here is what he said:

Gov. Sarah Palin is exactly the right choice for John McCain's running mate. The contrast with Sen. Joe Biden is extraordinary.

Biden came to the Senate in 1973; Sarah Palin was 9. Biden has spent all those years in Washington; Sarah Palin spent them in the American West.

She is against tax increases; Biden is for them. She is for drilling for more American oil, and Biden is against more American oil.

If you want real change, count on Palin. Her record in Alaska proves that she will take on Washington lobbyists and Washington interests. Obama's first big choice was for continuity of the Washington system -- an old Washington hand who is comfortable with lobbyist money. McCain's choice of Sarah Palin is a move for real change. Every reformer and every Hillary Clinton supporter should take note -- they have an opportunity to reject a disappointing betrayal of their hopes and vote for real reform and real opportunity for women.