Some question Palin for vice president

August 30, 2008

Palin is a new name to the rest of the nation. (Carolyn Hall/KTUU-TV)

by Jason Lamb
Friday, Aug. 29, 2008

ANCHORAGE, Alaska-- As much as it caught many Alaskans by surprise Friday morning, the McCain campaign surely put a lot of thought into its vice presidential pick of Gov. Sarah Palin, saying she'll compliment the senator.

But Obama supporters say it was a poor choice.

What, exactly, does Sarah Palin bring to the Republican ticket? How will it hurt the McCain campaign?

Behind the surprise and celebration there is a whole of chatter going on around the world.

"They are both the maverick type," said Mchugh Pierre of the Alaska Democratic Party.

Palin is a new name to the rest of the nation and the country wants to know more about Alaska's leading lady.

"She's clearly anti abortion, anti corruption," said University of Alaska Anchorage Political Science Professor Carl Shapro.

Shapro says the choice could reign in McCain support from those who might normally vote for McCain's opponent.

"He certainly is trying to attract women voters and keying on disaffected Clinton supporters," said Shapro.

Others say McCain's pick of Palin will attract voters looking for female leadership.

"Women voters felt disenfranchised and she brings that hope back to ballot," said Pierre.

Alaska Republicans say Palin is the perfect choice for a presidential candidate who brand's himself as someone different.

"McCain has been the maverick and people were talking about his stardom before Obama in 2000 and he was big. I believe Palin has that same type of attitude, that change. She ran in 2006 as a change agent and she brought new energy to the office of the governor and it has been infectious," said Pierre.

And in a field of senators Palin is the only presidential or vice presidential candidate who also sits as a governor.

"She is the only executive on the ticket. No other person on either ticket has executive experience, Palin is the only one," said Pierre.

But state democrats paint a different picture of Palin, one of concern, pointing out the governor's lack of experience.

They also point out Palin is under investigation.

At a time when both presidential and congressional approval ratings are low the McCain campaign picked a vice presidential nominee with some of the highest approval ratings as governor.

Shapro pointed out that Palin simply offers things that Sen. McCain may be lacking as a presidential candidate.

Not to mention she's pretty much stifled the attention from Sen. Barack Obama after his acceptance speech last night.

As such an unforeseen pick Republicans say she's re-energizing the Republican party while at the same time soaking up all the attention, making Obama's speech Thursday a distant memory Fridayy.

Contact Jason Lamb at jlamb@ktuu.com

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