Locals react to McCain's VP

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Like many other Republicans, Ron Nate expected Mitt Romney to become Sen. John McCain's presidential running mate, but the Rexburg man contends Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin was still "an excellent choice."

Nate, an economics professor at Brigham Young University-Idaho, is one of five Eastern Idaho delegates going to the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis-St. Paul next week, where McCain's acceptance speech will undoubtedly be the climax.

Another recent topic of discussion among political analysts has been McCain's vice presidential nominee, whose highest point in the political arena was as Alaska's first female governor.

Palin has been her state's governor for two years, and previously served as a mayor and City Council member in her home town of Wasilla, Alaska.

While Democrats deem Palin too inexperienced to assume on the vice presidency, Nate believes she has shown the conservative qualities needed in a time when too many so-called D.C. "insiders" have sent the nation's economy spiraling downward.

Nate said he supports Palin because she is married and has a family, is pro-life and is heavily involved in her children's extra-curricular activities.

"She has solid conservative values, she's obviously a family person, she will bring to the table fiscal responsibility, she's pro-life and she comes from a background that everyday Americans can associate with," Nate said. "A lot of the middle class would be able to identify with her, and she is taking it to the next level."

Palin has Idaho ties. She was born in Sandpoint and earned a journalism degree from the University of Idaho in Moscow. She is an outdoor enthusiast who reportedly hunts, ice fishes and frequently goes snowmobile driving.

Earlier this week, Nate envisioned himself contributing to a previously favored McCain/Romney campaign.

"McCain doesn't just go by popular sentiment like Romney," Nate said. "Personally, I like Romney, but you know what? Palin brings a lot to the ticket. I was pleasantly surprised."

Nate, though, doesn't just support Palin for representing the American middle-class mother. He pointed to her track record of fiscal responsibility.

Last year, Alaska decided against building the proposed Gravina Island Bridge, which was a federally funded project that would have connected Ketchikan to its airport on Gravina Island.

Citing a $329 million funding shortfall for the project, Palin urged the state to begin concentrating on other ways to better access the island, which was already accessible through a ferry.

As a result of the cancellation, Alaska's Congressmen lost more than $200 million of secured funding for the Gravina Island Bridge. However, Congress still sent the money to Alaska to use for other purposes.

Palin opposed the payment.

"The earmarking policy is not a big part of the budget, but it's an indicator of where politicians stand on spending," Nate said. "If we have the resources, we might as well use it."

Nate is anticipating the Republican convention. Nate leaves for Minnesota today where he will be accompanied by his wife Maria, who is serving as an alternate delegate, and 10 other university students who will serve as his guests.

"I'm excited about getting out and doing what I can to help McCain and Palin," he said.

On the Democratic side, Sen. Diane Bilyeu, D-Pocatello, praised Palin for being a successful woman in politics but believes Palin is too green for the job.

Aside from governor, Palin's highest position in the Alaskan government was as a commissioner with the state's Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. Prior to working with the state, she spent about six years as mayor of Wasilla.

"I'm happy that both parties seem to be able to select women, and it just seems so much easier for women to be seriously considered. That pleases me very much," Bilyeu said. "But I do have a concern about her lack of experience to be a heartbeat away from the vice presidency."

By Yann Ranaivo

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