McCain introduces celebrity running mate to NM

Republican presidential nominee John McCain introduced his running mate Sarah Palin — who has become quite a celebrity — to New Mexico this weekend.

The two arrived at Saturday’s rally in Albuquerque by driving into the Albuquerque Convention Center through a cloud of smoke while Van Halen’s “Right Now” blared, according to the Albuquerque Journal. The campaign that has spent months decrying Democratic opponent Barack Obama’s celebrity is milking Palin’s for all it’s worth.

The two GOP candidates deviated little from their recent convention speeches during the short rally in Albuquerque, which was attended by some 6,000 people. McCain and Palin also made a brief appearance Sunday morning at El Pinto restaurant before leaving the state. Peter St. Cyr, a radio reporter for 770 KKOB in Albuquerque, got a 32-second interview with Palin during the Sunday stop — a rarity others, including me, have sought in vain.

Palin hasn’t been speaking much to the press. She’s scheduled to give her first major interview later this week to ABC News. In the meantime, want to know more about her? Click here.

Here’s video of the entire Albuquerque rally:

And video of Sunday’s visit to El Pinto: