McCain's choice catches politicians by surprise

JUNEAU — Sen. John McCain's choice of Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate astonished Alaska's political leaders, and many were divided over whether she'd earned her new stature.

"Wow, that's amazing. I guess I'm stunned," said state House minority leader Beth Kerttula, a Democrat from Juneau.

Kerttula said she hoped that Palin, with her reputation as a reformer, would present the nation with another — more credible — side of Alaska than the unfolding FBI corruption probe involving some of the state's top politicians.

She questioned Palin's credentials for the job, however.

"You're a heart beat away from being president and that's just not enough. It's hard because I like her very much as a person but with (Democratic nominee Barack) Obama, we have a chance to change our world on so many levels."

House Majority Leader John Harris, a Valdez Republican, said he thought Palin's choice was good for the state.

"Alaska has been given a national stage like it hasn't had in some period of time — a good national stage, let's put it that way," Harris said.

Asked if it was good for the country, he was noncommittal.

"I don't know. Obviously John McCain must have thought it was a good choice or he wouldn't have made it," Harris said.

With 20 months as governor and a stint as mayor of a small town, Palin was widely considered to be a long shot for the spot despite appearing on many pundits' lists as a possible candidate.

Rumors started churning, however, during the wee hours of Friday morning in Alaska, which is four hours behind the East Coast. Alaska Republican Party spokesman McHugh Pierre said he had no clue of the pending announcement, and he almost didn't answer his phone when the first media call came in at 3:30 a.m.

Even then, he was unable to confirm the rumor for another two and a half hours.

"Folks from all over the country are calling and talking," said Pierre. "She's a fantastic pick and a fantastic person, and she will make Alaska proud."

Alaska Democratic Party Executive Director Mike Coumbe called it an "odd pick," given the fact that Palin is under investigation by the state Legislature.

Lawmakers this month hired an investigator to look into recent allegations that Palin fired the state's public safety commissioner after members of her family and staff unsuccessfully tried to pressure him into dismissing a trooper involved in a messy divorce with Palin's sister.

"It just seems really odd for John McCain to want to take that kind of risk with a governor that is under investigation," Coumbe said.

Coumbe speculated that McCain may have picked Palin to draw votes from disgruntled Hillary Clinton supporters. Such a strategy could backfire, he said, given Palin's strong opposition of abortion rights.

Palin's next-in-line, Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell, also a Republican, said he let out a "whoop of happiness" at the news.

And her hand-picked attorney general, Talis Colberg, said watching her acceptance speech on television was like "watching the Olympics when they play the national anthem."

Some from her own party questioned McCain's wisdom.

State Senate President Lyda Green, from Palin's hometown of Wasilla, said she thought it was a joke when someone called her at 6 a.m. to tell her the news.

"She's not prepared to be governor. How can she be prepared to be vice president or president?" Green told the Anchorage Daily News. "Look at what she's done to this state. What would she do to the nation?"

Palin and Green feuded over the big oil tax increase Palin pushed through last year.

Green also opposed Palin's successful push to award a $500 million state subsidy to a Canadian firm to pursue a natural gas pipeline that's far from guaranteed.

Many Republicans stressed Palin's ability to turn the focus on the state's energy resources.

Even U.S. Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska, who is facing a federal trial on accusations he didn't disclose $250,000 in gifts from VECO Corp. and has taken heat from Palin in the past, issued a glowing endorsement.

He said the McCain-Palin ticket "can and will deliver a comprehensive energy plan, one that will include development of Alaska's resources and reducing our dependence on foreign oil."

His colleague, Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, described Palin's choice as "historic for Alaska and for the women of America."