I am excited by John McCain’s choice of Sarah Palin as his Vice-Presidential running mate. Sarah brings a wealth of experience to the campaign and will pose a formidable challenge to the Democratic nominees.

As governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin is in a position to help articulate an all-encompassing, long-term energy strategy that will lower gas prices and create jobs, while protecting the environment. This will stand in stark contrast to the Obama / Biden team which opposes all efforts to reduce gas prices.

Sarah Palin is a smart conservative woman who represents change. Real change not the stale rhetoric coming from Obama. Let the word go forth that the McCain / Palin team will fight for every vote, in every state, and I am confident we will be victorious in November.

I look forward to next week’s Republican Convention in Minnesota where John McCain, Sarah Palin and the rest of our Party will lay out our plan to defeat the recycled policies of the Democrats this November. Please check my blog often throughout the Convention as I will be posting breaking news and updates several times a day next week.

Working Americans have every right to be outraged at the skyrocketing gas prices! Moms and dads, small businesses, and all hardworking Americans have even more gripe with Washington’s inaction in the face of what I consider a “hidden tax” on workers in our country. This week, John McCain introduced his proposal to end the federal moratorium on drilling in the outer continental shelf. This proposal does a number of things, but most importantly, if it were signed into law, it would signal to the world that we are serious about producing American energy. With that, upward pressure on prices in the spot markets and at the pump would likely diminish. In Virginia, deep water energy exploration would mean approximately $250 million/year for 40 years. This money could be used to help clean up the Chesapeake Bay, as well as provide dedicated revenues to research and develop alternative fuel sources to replace the fossil fuels that we are receiving from Middle Eastern countries and others who don’t always have America’s interest in mind. If a President McCain were sworn into office, deep water energy exploration would mean more jobs and more security for us all.

The Washington Independent ran a great article today featuring Rep. Cantor’s comments on the need to cut the cost of gas, rather than ‘adjust’ to it as the democrat presidential nominee would prefer.

“I had representatives from a mobile [rural] hospital that told me that the increase cost of fuel has caused them to incur an additional $100,000 in expenses in fuel use. We’ve also seen widespread reports of local law enforcement and police departments having to reassess how they are going to use their vehicles and their fleet, because of the strain that the high cost of gas is placing on their departments. So clearly it’s not just working families. It’s communities across the country who are struggling up under these high costs, and for Sen. Obama to indicate that we’ll just have to get used to them is clearly an indication that he is out of touch.” Read the full article here

Still want more? Click here, and here,

Rich Cohen profiled Eric Cantor for the latest edition of the National Journal

“44-year-old first elected to the House in 2000, is emerging as his chamber’s most outspoken and active supporter of Sen. John McCain’s presidential campaign. The only Jewish Republican in the House, Cantor has assumed a pivotal role in helping the McCain campaign build support—and raise money—in the Jewish community. And Cantor quite likely has his sights set even higher. As chief deputy whip for House Republicans, Cantor is a party stalwart and conservative leader.”

As Chairman of the 2008 Victory Jewish Coalition, Eric Cantor will lead outreach efforts to the Jewish community on behalf of Senator John McCain and the RNC. Fred Zeidman will serve as Co-Chair.

“Senator McCain has a long and proud pro-Israel record, and he understands that as one of our nation’s closest allies, Israel deserves our aid and support. Eric and Fred will play a critical role in sharing John McCain’s message, record, and vision with the Jewish community,” said Lew Eisenberg, Victory 2008 Finance Chairman.

Read more about it here

In case you missed it, Bob Rayner had some nice things to say about Eric Cantor today.

“As a member of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, Cantor brings the clout and experience on economic and tax issues that many believe McCain lacks. He was a businessman before being elected to the House in 2000 and has been an eloquent spokesman for pro-growth policies ever since.”

This Just In: Stuart Roy at The Hill’s Pundits Blog agrees