Local Republicans praise Palin pick

By Cheryl Chumley

Published: August 29, 2008

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is a strong, conservative Republican vice presidential pick who will bring in some undecided and independent voters disappointed by the Democrat Party’s disregard for Hillary Clinton, said one member of Prince William’s G.O.P.

“Yes, there’s a segment of Hillary Clinton supporters who are probably disappointed she was not asked to be on that ticket,” who now have a choice with the Republican’s match of Palin with Sen. John McCain, said Jeanine Lawson, vice chair of the Prince William County Republican Committee.

“From the perspective of a woman,” Lawson continued, “I’m very excited we’ve chosen a mom on the ticket who shares my conservative family values. I’m very energized by our ticket.”

Palin has been a discussed VP-pick for weeks, according to Del. Scott Lingamfelter, who represents parts of Prince William and Fauquier counties, and who is also a voting delegate for McCain’s campaign.

“I’m solidly behind Sarah Palin. She is someone I’ve been advocating for weeks,” Lingamfelter said. “She’s a strong conservative, she believes in drilling and exploiting the natural resources in our own nation … she’s pro-Second Amendment, she’s pro-life and she fits the conservative agenda to a ‘T.’”

Further, he continued, to say Palin’s selection came solely as a strategic political response to the failure of the Barack Obama camp to choose Hillary Clinton is “somewhat of an insult” to her credentials.

“Sarah Palin was picked by McCain because she was a solid conservative and she was an executive,” Lingamfelter said. “She has more executive experience than Barack Obama has senatorial experience.”

Palin has been governor of Alaska since 2006, and also served as mayor of Wasilla from 1996-2002. Obama was elected senator of Illinois in 2004 and sworn into office, January of 2005.

“I think it’s absolutely brilliant,” said Chairman Corey Stewart, R-at-large, of the selection of Palin. “She’s conservative and a conservationist. That is the new face of the Republican Party—environmental sensitivity and fiscally and socially conservative. She represents the new generation of conservatives.”

Staff writer Cheryl Chumley can be reached at 703-670-1907.