Alaska GOP thrilled Palin plucked for VP

MAT-SU — Like much of Alaska, the state’s Republican Party is thrilled with GOP presidential candidate U.S. Sen. John McCain’s choice of Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate.

Party Vice Chairman Steve Colligan, a Wasilla resident, said he was elated to hear of Palin’s newest role in the national spotlight.

“We think it’s the best thing to ever happen to Alaska,” Colligan said.

McCain, the senator from Arizona, introduced Palin at a rally in Dayton, Ohio, Friday. After piling lavish praise on Palin, the first-term governor accepted the position, saying she’s proud to do so.

Back in Alaska, Colligan said McCain couldn’t have made a better choice for his vice president.

“There’s no better person to identify with Alaskans and everyday Americans,” Colligan said.

And, he said it will let the party get the message out that while earmarks and federal money may get a bad rap, in Alaska there’s little recourse.

“We have huge infrastructure and other needs that the rest of the nation takes for granted,” Colligan said.

Responding to McCain’s pick, a spokesman for U.S. Sen. Barack Obama’s presidential campaign said Palin’s name on the ticket won’t affect Obama’s strategy in Alaska.

“We’re still treating it as a battleground state,” said the spokesman, Jeff Giertz.

In an official statement from the Obama campaign, both Obama and his running mate, Delaware Sen. Joe Biden, said Palin’s nomination is a sign old barriers are falling in politics.

“While we obviously have differences over how best to lead this country forward, Governor Palin is an admirable person and will add a compelling new voice to this campaign,” the statement says.

In an interview with CNN, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., one of McCain’s closest friends, largely supported Palin.

“I have a lot of confidence in her,” Graham said. “I’m proud of Senator McCain. I’m proud of my party. This is an historic pick — a pick based on, I think, sound judgment.”

Asked by CNN’s Wolf Blitzer if Graham thinks Palin would be ready to take over as commander in chief if something were to happen to McCain if he wins the presidency, Graham seemed confident she would.

“He sees in her a lot of himself when it comes to changing government,” Graham said. “That’s why he picked her.”

By the afternoon Friday, national media outlets had already started talking about what has become known in Alaska as Troopergate.

The investigation of Palin by the state Legislature regarding allegations she fired former Public Safety commissioner Walt Monegan because he wouldn’t fire her ex-brother-in-law is expected by many to become an issue in the campaign.

Palin has denied any wrongdoing in the Monegan controversy, and last month defended herself on CNBC in an interview with Larry Kudlow, telling the national media outlet she has nothing to hide and did nothing wrong. Palin was also asked at that time by Kudlow whether the investigation would ruin her chances of being McCain’s running mate. Palin, again saying she did nothing wrong, said it wouldn’t disqualify her.

“As for all that VP talk, I can’t answer that question until someone answers for me what is it exactly that the VP does every day,” she added.

Mark Neuman, the incumbent Republican up for re-election this fall representing state House of Representatives District 15, said he thinks Palin’s nomination will be great for the state.

“It’s going to be great for Alaska, one way or another, win, lose or draw,” Neuman said.

He noted that nationally the state has three representatives, a small voice that can get lost on the national stage.

Palin’s nomination, he said, gives him hope on numerous Alaska issues, such as opening the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling and wildlife management issues like the polar bear’s listing as an endangered species.

Neuman said that in his view McCain’s selection of Palin shows some independent thinking.

“People who thought that John McCain is going to follow Bush’s policies,” Neuman said. “We see that John McCain isn’t afraid to step outside the box and think of something new.”

Colligan said he’s also excited that Todd Palin might be heading east.

“As a Valley person an and an admirer of the First Dude, I’m excited about having a national-level snow machine racer in the White House,” he said.

A call seeking comment from state Senate President Lyda Green, R-Wasilla, who decided not to run for re-election this year because of her differences with Palin, was met with a message saying Green had not set up her voice mailbox.

If Palin does become vice president, Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell will take over the state’s top spot. However, if Parnell, who is neck-and-neck with U.S. Rep. Don Young in the state Republican congressional primary, becomes a congressman, Attorney General Talis Colberg would be next in line to be Alaska governor until a special election could take place.

Asked during a press conference Friday who will lead the state while Palin travels with McCain on the campaign trail, Parnell said the state administration is well suited to handle the day-to-day operations.

“We have a great team of people who are accomplishing the day-to-day business of the governor,” Parnell said. “She’s making sure her duties are completed.”

The nationwide general election takes place Nov. 4.

Contact Michael Rovito at michael.rovito@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.

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