Chris Cavey, the chair of Maryland for McCain, said John McCain’s selection of Gov. Sarah Palin (R-Alaska) as a running mate is “going to be an excellent advantage” in the race against Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama.

Palin is “exactly what the Republican Party needs to showcase,” said Cavey. “It’s gonna sway female voters.”

Cavey said the advantage of picking Palin is that she appeals to so-called soccer moms.

“It will go beyond political philosophy,” he said. “People vote for people like themselves.”

Cavey said Palin also has “a little bit of a maverick overtone” and “understands energy.”