FACTBOX - Quotes on McCain's choice of Palin as VP

(Reuters) - Republican U.S. presidential candidate John McCain made the surprise choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his vice presidential running mate to face the Democratic ticket of Barack Obama and Joe Biden in the November 4 election.

Following are notable quotes regarding this choice:

"Her selection is yet another encouraging sign that old barriers are falling in our politics. While we obviously have differences on how best to lead this country forward, Gov. Palin is an admirable person and will add a compelling new voice to this campaign." Obama and Biden statement.

"Governor Palin is a proven reformer who is a wise steward of taxpayer dollars and champion for accountability in government. Governor Palin's success is due to her dedication to principle and her roll-up-your-sleeves work ethic and serves as a wonderful example of the spirit of America. ... I applaud Senator McCain for selecting Governor Palin." - President George W. Bush.

"She opposed the listing of polar bears as a 'threatened' species. She supports the brutal aerial hunting of wolves. And she has been a friend of Big Oil, opposing a windfall profits tax on the oil industry that could fund affordable clean energy for more Americans." - Friends of the Earth Action Vice President Brent Blackwelder.

"A consistent economic conservative, Gov. Palin understands first-hand the complexities and challenges of stimulating economic growth and job creation ... The job of a governor is perfect preparation to helping run the federal government." - National Association of Manufacturers Executive Vice President Jay Timmons.

"Today, John McCain put the former mayor of a town of 9,000 with zero foreign policy experience a heartbeat away from the presidency. Governor Palin shares John McCain's commitment to overturning Roe v. Wade, the agenda of Big Oil and continuing George Bush's failed economic policies -- that's not the change we need, it's just more of the same." - Bill Burton, Obama Campaign Spokesman.

"There are a lot of women who are disaffected by how Hillary (Clinton) was treated by the media, by how she was treated by the Obama campaign, by how she was treated by the Democratic National Committee, (DNC Chairman) Howard Dean not speaking up when sexism raised its ugly head." - Geraldine Ferraro, 1984 vice presidential candidate on the Democratic ticket with Walter Mondale, on Fox News.

"She brings some appeal to women voters who feel that Obama has treated Hillary Clinton badly." - Matthew Wilson, political scientist, Southern Methodist University, Dallas.