Valley buzzing over Palin veep nomination

MAT-SU — Gov. Sarah Palin has made Alaska history today after Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain formally picked the Wasilla resident as his vice-presidential running mate.

Palin is in Dayton, Ohio where McCain made the announcement of his pick.

“I have found the right partner to help me stand up to those who value their privileges over responsibilities,” McCain said at a rally. “She’s exactly who I need.”

Palin was introduced to loud applause at the McCain rally, where she thanked the Arizona senator for choosing her.

“I will be honored to be chosen as your running mate,” Palin said to McCain. “I will be honored to serve next to the next president of the United States.”

Palin’s father, Chuck Heath, told the Associated Press Palin’s he and Palin’s mother, Sally Heath, planned to go hunting today. When their plans changed because of a flooded creek, they returned home only to be inundated by the news.

"Holy cow. I'm just kind of speechless on the whole thing," Heath said.

News of Palin’s possible vice-presidential candidacy swept across Alaska this morning after national news outlets began reporting it.

Palin’s new national position as a vice presidential running mate has set the Mat-Su Valley buzzing.

At Wasilla High School principal Dwight Probasco said he made an announcement to students this morning.

Probasco said the school has been inundated by calls from national media all morning asking about Palin.

Wasilla high plans to make T-shirts commemorating their newest star graduate.

Probasco said the shirts will read “Wasilla High School, home of Sarah Palin and the Warriors.”

At least one local legislator couldn’t be more thrilled with Palin’s new running mate status.

Rep. Carl Gatto, R-Palmer, a three term representative, said Palin’s nomination is great for Alaska, long considered an “orphan child,” he said.

Gatto had been up since 7 a.m. following the news on television.

“Here we have the most dynamic woman probably if you put her in the whole country,” Gatto said.

But if McCain wins the presidency, taking Palin to Washington with him, Gatto said the state might lose a lot of good people the governor will likely take with her.

“If the governor starts stripping personnel all over the state to serve with the vice president,” Gatto said.

Palin’s successor at Wasilla City Hall, Mayor Dianne Keller, said today she’s a very happy Alaskan.

“This is a great day to be a female Alaskan,” Keller said. “Any Alaskan.”

Keller served on the Wasilla City Council with Palin from 1996 to 2002, and said Palin has more administrative experience than Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.

After watching Palin in action locally and on the state level, Keller said she’s confident Palin would be a great vice president.

“I have no doubt she is going to do a great job,” she said.

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski in an official statement, called McCain’s veep pick a “bold choice.”

“Gov. Palin has risen to every challenge she’s faced, and her choice is historic for Alaska and for the women of America,” Murkowski said.

U.S. Senate candidate and mayor of Anchorage Mark Begich released a statement calling McCain’s choice of vice president a reason to be proud.

“This is a proud day for the people of Alaska. Congratulations to Governor Palin for making history for women, our state and our country,” Begich said.

Palin, who is nearly three decades younger than McCain, a former Wasilla mayor and beauty queen, won the governor’s seat in 2006 largely on a reform platform.

During her appearance at the McCain rally, Palin touted what she called McCain’s leadership attributes.

“If you want change in Washington, if you hope for a better America, then we’re asking for your vote on the 4th of November,” Palin said.

Palin had previously said she was not pursuing the vice presidency, and felt it wouldn’t be offered, Palin’s press secretary Bill McAllister said.

McAllister added Palin, at that time, said she had things to do in Alaska.

But today, Palin and McCain laid to rest any speculation about her position on McCain’s ticket.

“When the presidential candidate says join me, it’s something you have to think seriously about,” McAllister said. “And obviously she did.”

Stay tuned to Frontiersman.com for more updates.