The recent appointment of Alaskan governor Sarah Palin as John McCain’s running mate in the American presidential elections has caused a stir in the international press. Palin is an evangelical and may appeal to evangelical voters who have been uncertain about McCain.

In an election year that has seen the Democratic candidate speak more openly and warmly about his faith than his opponent has, the announcement of Palin, both a woman and an evangelical, as the Republican nominee for Vice-President has added a new dimension to the race. Both candidates have been courting the religious vote and both claim to be religious themselves, but with different ideas about how they should approach public policy.

How the evangelical vote will break down in the November election remains to be seen, but it will be fascinating to observe.

Sarah Palin

Guardian comment: Stars, stripes and stereotypes

Times comment: Evangelical fervor will be a revelation to intelligentsia

Times: Sarah Palin, the pastor and the prophecy: judgment day is not far away

Sunday Times: Sarah Palin - northern star injects new life into lumbering campaign

Sunday Telegraph comment: Sarah Palin brings the Hillary Clinton era to an end

Guardian: Sarah Palin on a mission from God

Times blog: Palin and creationism, again

Guardian comment: Bush may be going, but the religious right is fighting fit

Telegraph comment: Sarah Palin is not such a small-town girl after all

Independent comment: This 'babe' has floored the left

Financial Times: Mrs Underestimated