INSTANT VIEW : McCain picks Palin as running mate

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican presidential candidate John McCain has picked Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his vice presidential running mate.

Following are comments on McCain's choice:

FRIENDS OF THE EARTH ACTION PRESIDENT BRENT BLACKWELDER

"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.

Palin's addition to the ticket underscores the difference between the candidates on environmental issues. The McCain-Palin ticket is a recipe for energy disaster."

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MANUFACTURERS EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT JAY TIMMONS

"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.

REPUBLICAN SEN. KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON OF TEXAS, INTERVIEWED ON CNN:

"The fact that she's not a Washingtonian, that she is a reformer, that she's outside the Beltway is, you know, a point in her favor. The fact that I don't know her, the fact that others maybe in Washington haven't known her and she doesn't know the ways of Washington might be the very best thing of all."

MICHAEL LINDSAY, DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY, RICE UNIVERSITY, HOUSTON

"This has to be the biggest surprise in this year's presidential campaign drama but it's a strategically brilliant development for McCain. He needed a reformer ... But he also desperately needed to woo evangelical voters.

"Governor Palin's involvement over the years with groups such as Feminists for Life and Fellowship of Christian Athletes sends all the right messages to these evangelical supporters."

CHIP HANLON, PRESIDENT DELTA GLOBAL ADVISORS INC., HUNTINGTON BEACH, CALIFORNIA

"This was a fabulous pick. Not just strategically, because it sets up his ticket to be historic but also because this lady is really sharp.

"People who haven't seen Governor Palin before will be blown away by her personality and her communication skills are going to make Joe Biden look even more boring than he already does."

SUBODH KUMAR, CHIEF INVESTMENT STRATEGIST AT SUBODH KUMAR & ASSOCIATES, TORONTO