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Illinois Republicans surprised by McCain pick
By Kurt Erickson
kurt.erickson@lee.net
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SPRINGFIELD -- Illinois Republicans were surprised but generally pleased with GOP presidential nominee John McCain's pick of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate.

The prevailing sentiment Friday among Republican's heading to the party's national convention in Minnesota next week was that Palin would bring executive experience to the ticket, as well as help draw Hillary Clinton supporters away from Democrat Barack Obama.

Connie Nord, a delegate from Bloomington, had been pulling for her friend, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, to get the nod.

But, Nord said the pick of the little-known Palin was a strategic masterstroke.

''I think it's bold and beautiful,'' Nord said. ''I think its going to appeal to the Hillary Clinton supporters. I think what he's done is very courageous.''

State Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson, R-Greenville, thought McCain's pick would be linked to a swing state, such as Florida or Pennsylvania.

In the end, Watson said the choice of Palin ultimately makes sense.

''She did come kind of out of nowhere,'' Watson said. ''This is a pick that is typical of John McCain. It's out of the box.''

Watson said the choice will help bring women to the ticket.

''It is an appeal to women,'' Watson said.

State Rep. Dan Brady, R-Bloomington, said he was surprised by the choice, but called it a good one.

''You hadn't heard much of her name,'' Brady said. ''But when you look at someone who's talking about change, she represents it.''

Mary Welling, a delegate from Rock Island, said she wanted Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Rommey to get the nod.

''I'm not thrilled,'' Welling said. ''I don't know how much overall she'll bring to the ticket.''

State Sen. Dan Rutherford, R-Chenoa, also favored Romney. He called the pick of Palin ''intriguing'' but acknowledged he wasn't very familiar with her.

''I feel Mitt Romney would have been a good complement to the ticket,'' Rutherford said. ''I'm looking forward to knowing more about her.''

Rutherford said the pick could be beneficial in McCain's attempt to pick up wavering Hillary Clinton supporters.

''I don't see any downside in this potentially have the effect of reaching out to people who supported Hillary,'' Rutherford said.

Carbondale Mayor Brad Cole is pleased McCain picked someone with executive experience. The fact Palin was once a mayor like himself didn't hurt either.

''I felt both Obama and McCain should pick someone with executive experience,'' Cole said. ''It was good that McCain decided to look outside the beltway and look outside the standard cast of characters.''

U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood, a Peoria Republican, lauded McCain's choice and predicted delegates would be ''100 percent'' behind Palin by the end of the convention next week.

''I think she has an outstanding background,'' Lahood said.

Illinois Republican Party Chairman Andrew McKenna called it a ''bold pick.''

"This historic decision is a reminder that John McCain is serious about bringing real change to Washington D.C.,'' McKenna said. "Governor Palin is a proven leader who has taken on members of her own party, led on ethics reform, and has fought wasteful spending and higher taxes.''

U.S. Rep. John Shimkus, a Collinsville Republican, said she brings conservative values to the ticket.

''It's a great signal to the conservative movement,'' Shimkus said.

Illinois Democrats said adding the 44-year-old first-term governor to the Republican ticket raises questions about McCain's judgment.

''After trying to make experience the issue of this campaign, John McCain celebrated his 72nd birthday by appointing a former small town mayor and brand new governor as his vice presidential nominee,'' said Democratic U.S. Rep. Rahm Emanuel of Chicago.

''Is this really who the Republican Party wants to be one heartbeat away from the presidency? Given Sarah Palin's lack of experience on every front and on nearly every issue, this vice presidential pick doesn't show judgment: it shows political panic,'' Emanuel said.

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Reader comments on this story - 14 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Titan Sentinel wrote on Aug 30, 2008 8:23 PM:

" She was my first choice, so I'm happy. Biden will have his hands full. This race will be decided by the debates, assuming Obama shows up and doesn't duck them like he did McCain's invitation to 10 town hall meetings.
What a coward. Do we really want someone who is intimidated by Fox News going up against Al Quaeda, Iran, China, and Putin? "

Voice of Bloomington wrote on Aug 30, 2008 5:51 PM:

" I am an independant (male) and I actually like the choice. My wife likes Obama but hates Hillary. I think she has absolutely no respect for Hillary because Hillary did nothing while her husband was fooling around on her. As a guy, I surprised so many woman support Hillary. Palin is a tough woman with 5 kids who has a son going to Iraq and a child with Down Syndrome. I think most Democrat woman would have aborted that child. I don't think there is anything wrong to say that you support giving a child a chance to live. I'm also surprised that women don't respect the type of family life that the Palin family has where the husband helps out a bunch with raising the children. "

DaveII wrote on Aug 30, 2008 11:56 AM:

" The IL Republicans are about as clueless a group as exists anywhere. I'd guess they would be suprised if informed the sun comes up from the east. "

everyonehasanopinion wrote on Aug 30, 2008 11:45 AM:

" "Given Sarah Palin's lack of experience on every front and on nearly every issue,this vice presidential pick doesn't show judgment: it shows political panic,'' Emanuel said.

I think this says it all. I will be surprised of Clinton supporters move to McCain just because of this woman, they're different. I think they just took the Democrats one step closer! "

Archie Goodwin wrote on Aug 30, 2008 11:35 AM:

" Only mind-numbed liberals and the media see the Palin choice as a purposeful appeal to the womens' vote. 20% of Hillary voters had already decided to vote McCain. She was picked because she is a conservative. As far as experience, she did more in 20 months to reform a corrupt system in AK than Obama has done in his entire career. If she stared down Ted Stevens and his bridge, she will have no problem with Putin, et.al. The VP position is a perfect place for a little on-the-job training, and McCain isn't going anywhere. He is healthy as a horse, and his mother is in her 90's. The Republican Party is now the party of fresh ideas. The Democrats with Joe Biden are still the party of politics as usual. "

matt wrote on Aug 30, 2008 8:27 AM:

" does nord really think that 16million women voters will now vote mccain because of this? does she think that women are that stupid, to vote for someone because she has boobs just like them? even though she is the complete opposite of hillary. if so than she just set the womans movement back a couple of decades. "

BNHuman wrote on Aug 30, 2008 7:37 AM:

" Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Obama. "Senator Obama supports the very best of these Democratic values; they are values that he and I share, values I know he will fight for." "

bushIQis6 wrote on Aug 30, 2008 6:01 AM:

" she will not bring in disaffected Hillary supporters. this woman makes GW look like a liberal. her views are completely opposite to Hillary's position on most things. and just imagine if john were to kick the bucket..... president palin negotiating nuclear arms with russia? pakistan and india? Egads.... "

ConcernedBNCitizen wrote on Aug 30, 2008 12:19 AM:

" So he picked a woman from AK with no real experience.........just to steal Hillary's votes. This is a total Karl Rove tatic. Once Palin wins the votes do you honestly think she will have any real power or influence when she is in office? Honestly? She is a puppet, a face that happens to fill in the gap for the election. Don't just vote gender or race........vote for qualified leaders. The public should be offended. "

Not so Political wrote on Aug 29, 2008 11:46 PM:

" This looks like the repub grabbing a straws trying to get clinton supports. big mistake !! "

OGS wrote on Aug 29, 2008 10:04 PM:

" See the MTV video in which Palin liked Ron Paul & Romney. "

Woody wrote on Aug 29, 2008 9:43 PM:

" I think it was a major mistake. Essentially, McCain has said that experience doesn't matter after all.

If being mayor of a Clinton size town, and only 20 months as governor of one of the least populated states in the union is enough to be a heartbeat from the presidency, then Obama's 8 years in the Illinois legislature and 4 years in the Senate is enough experience to be president. "

John Weaver wrote on Aug 29, 2008 6:02 PM:

" Great bio- adds a whole new dimension to the campaign. "

91241 wrote on Aug 29, 2008 5:33 PM:

" Fantastic choice!!! I was orginally for T. Boone Pickens. I can't wait to see her debate Growl Biden. "
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