Rangers center Scott Gomez, ready to face his former Devils teammates in Saturday's preseasion game at Madison Square Garden, is backing Republican presidential candidate John McCain at least partially because of running mate Sarah Palin.

"I'm not swaying anyone on how to vote," Gomez said, "but as far as (Palin) coming from my home state of Alaska, I've got to be proud of her."

Gomez said he has met Palin once and will vote via absentee ballot.

"I remember when I signed my first big contract," Gomez recalled. "My father is a Democrat and I asked him who we vote for. He said: 'You were raised a Democrat, but by signing that contract you've just become a Republican.' "