WASHINGTON (AP) _ GOP presidential hopeful John McCain tells Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback that his choice of a running mate will ``unite the party.''

Brownback, who has led McCain's outreach to social conservatives, says McCain called Friday morning to assure Brownback that his choice would be ``well received.''

Brownback says Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's strong anti-abortion stance and personal story will appeal to the conservative base of the party. Palin gave birth to a fifth child earlier this year knowing the boy had Down Syndrome.

Brownback says the Republican Party's conservative base will be excited because Palin is ``an authentic person who believes and does what she says in her policy atmosphere and can authentically carry that message to the country.''

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)