LANSING – While a substantial portion of the Michigan Republican Party had its heart set on Vice President Mitt Romney, they quickly jumped behind Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, who U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona) announced Friday as his running mate.
Palin, who is in her second year as governor of the 49th state, was a surprise to many when her name was leaked as the pick early Friday. But Republicans were still quick to praise the choice, while Democrats and environmental groups were as quick to criticize her stand on energy programs.
“I’m excited that Senator John McCain has chosen Governor Sarah Palin as his vice-presidential running mate in this all important election year,” said state party Chair Saul Anuzis in a statement. “Governor Palin is a conservative Republican with a track record of reforming government. She will strengthen Senator McCain’s appeal to Reagan Democrats, and supporters of Senator Hillary Clinton, who are looking for a president who has the experience and temperament to be commander-in-chief. I look forward to seeing Senator McCain and Governor Palin in the White House in 2009.”
“It’s an exciting pick for the party,” said Tom Shields of Marketing Resource Group, a long-time consultant for Republican candidates and causes.
Shields said choosing Palin reinforces McCain’s image as a maverick in the party. “It’s certainly a breath of fresh air,” he said of the pick. “Republicans have gotten a little tired of the good ole boy network.”
“As a popular maverick Governor who fought corruption, Governor Palin has demonstrated she shares Senator McCain’s independence and dedication to fix a broken Washington,” said U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Howell) in a statement. “Palin also has the executive experience needed to help create jobs and turn around the American economy.”
But Shields said it was unknown if Palin would provide the boost in Michigan that he and others had expected from adding Romney to the ticket. “I think he would have been great for Michigan,” he said of Romney.
“Does it help him with people who thought his campaign needed more youth and energy? Does it help him with women? Does it help him with small town America?” Shields said. “Long term we’ll have to see.”
Shields admitted that, with only two years in the governor’s office, Palin could open the ticket to some of the same criticisms it has made about Democratic candidate U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Illinois).
“She’s certainly as qualified as Barack Obama, who’s had no executive experience,” Shields said.
As would be expected, Governor Jennifer Granholm disagreed. “Unfortunately, this choice reinforces John McCain’s embrace of the failed Bush economic policies that have squeezed Michigan for the last eight years. On the issues that matter, from outsourcing to choice, the McCain-Palin agenda is wrong for Michigan,” she said in a statement. “And, unlike Joe Biden, Governor Palin does not have the experience to step in and serve as our commander and chief. Women and men across Michigan are ready for change, and all John McCain has offered with his pick is more of the same.”
Environmental groups argued Palin would push the GOP ticket away from discussion of alternative energy in favor of more oil production. “With his selection of Sarah Palin, John McCain is telling millions of Americans who care about the high cost of oil, finding appropriate solutions to stop global warming and an end to lining the pockets of Big Oil to expect more of the same Bush approach in a McCain administration,” said Clean Water Action President John DeCock. “This ticket means we can expect four more years of neglect, disinterest and kowtowing to Big Oil.”
DeCock and others pointed to an interview with Palin where she said the country could drill its way out of the current fuel price crisis, an assertion environmental groups and some economists have rejected.
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