News - Local/State

Saturday, Aug. 30, 2008

Republicans in S.C. cheer McCain's V.P. choice

COLUMBIA -- South Carolina Republicans gave enthusiastic approval Friday to Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, U.S. Sen. John McCain's choice for vice president.

Palin appeals to broad swaths of state Republicans for pushing reform in Alaska, opposing abortion and supporting gun rights. Though state Republicans were already strongly behind McCain, the Palin choice had supporters fired up.

"I just think she's an excellent pick," said House Speaker Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston. "They have very similar goals for how to bring sanity back to Washington."

Harrell said Palin was an unexpected, out-of-the-box choice, but voters will like her positions when they learn more about her.

John Rainey, a McCain supporter and fundraiser, said Palin was the perfect choice considering the opponent and national political conditions.

"I think it was a surprise," Rainey said. "I think it was a deal changer."

But Clemson University political scientist Dave Woodard, who is also a Republican consultant, called Palin's selection "a terrible pick."

McCain, Woodard said, has neutralized his best line of attack against Democratic nominee Barack Obama: his many years of experience. Palin is in year two of her first term as governor.

Woodard said Palin does not strengthen McCain's campaign and heightens the risks in a close race.

"This is not going to excite the evangelicals," Woodard said. "I don't feel like she's been vetted enough for what they need."

Democrats said Palin was controlled by Alaska's oil and energy interests for wanting to drill in an Alaskan wildlife refuge. Gov. Mark Sanford told Fox News: "They don't know Sarah. ... She's in nobody's pocket."

Democrats also criticized the selection as pandering to independent female voters, or dissatisfied supporters of defeated Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton.

Palin asked female voters to join her in shattering the glass ceiling Clinton helped "crack."

Lexington County resident Kathy Hensley took satisfaction in quietly casting a vote for Hillary Clinton at this week's Democratic convention in Denver. Though she was disappointed Clinton did not win the nomination, Hensley said women who had fought for equal rights were looking at more than a candidate's gender.

Palin's bid for female voters, Hensley said, seems cynical.

"There's a big difference between Hillary Clinton and the governor of Alaska," Hensley said. "I don't know who (Palin) is, but I know she's not been on the front lines with Hillary Clinton.

"I'm shocked that (McCain) would pick someone with such inexperience."

But Lexington Rep. Nikki Haley, herself a reform-minded mother and Republican, was impressed with Palin's record of shaking up Alaskan politics. Experience does not breed courage, Haley said, it comes from within.

"(McCain) basically said 'Courage is what I need,'" Haley said. "It proves that McCain really does want change."