Palin generates buzz on GOP presidential ticket

More than 37 million television viewers watched Republican vice presidential hopeful Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska deliver her party's nomination acceptance speech during the convention in St. Paul on Wednesday.

Several Lenoir County residents acknowledged the historical significance of Palin's nomination this week. The Lenoir County Republican Party discussed Thursday the impact Palin will have on the presidential campaign.

"I am real excited about Sarah Palin," Lenoir County Commissioner Chris Humphrey said. "She was a relative unknown before her speech, which surpassed my expectations. She is smart, direct and represents everyday Americans."

Before Palin was elected as governor of Alaska in November 2006, she served two terms on the Wasilla City Council from 1992 to 1996 and two terms as mayor of Wasilla from 1996 to 2002. She was born in Sandpoint, Idaho on Feb. 11, 1964.

Palin and her husband Todd have five children, which include Track, Bristol, Willow, Piper and Trig.

A trio of Lenoir County Republican women - Mary Pharo, Nancy Barwick and Kathy Riggs - said Palin is compatible with her running mate, Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain of Arizona. McCain announced Palin as his vice-presidential pick on Aug. 29.

"She is the first woman on the Republican vice presidential spot," Pharo said. "America seems to be pulling for her."

Barwick said, "I am very impressed with her. Palin is a big asset for the Republican Party."

Riggs added, "Her speech was well-crafted and delivered directly to the American people. I overlooked the fact she was the first woman nominated. "

Riggs said Palin is qualified to run for vice-president, regardless of gender.

Several LCC students also said they support McCain's decision to select Palin as his running mate.

"She is a good pick," LCC student Lindsey Stapleford said. "Palin is against abortion."

LCC student Erica Johnson said she supports Palin's view on gun control.

"It's good to have a female running with McCain," Johnson said. "She will do a good job."

Both presidential candidate Democrat Sen. Barack Obama and Palin's party nominations have shown that Americans have shifted their social attitudes, LCC student Donta Bioncaromon explained.

"It's good to have a woman running," Bioncaromon said. "Palin's nomination is just as historically significant as Obama's nomination."

LCC instructor Greta Quinn said she watched Palin's nomination acceptance speech on Wednesday.

"She says she is fighting against corruption," Quinn said. "It was a great speech but didn't offer anything specific. Palin's strategy will be to get swing-vote moms on her side."

LCC student Kevin Hall said Palin seems like a "nice lady" but wasn't sure what she could do to improve Americans' lives.

Palin's credentials will be debated as the general election looms. Both North Carolina Republican Party chairwoman Linda Daves and vice-chairman David Sawyer attended their party's national convention in St. Paul, Minn.

"With his selection of Sarah Palin as running mate, John McCain has demonstrated once again his commitment to putting country first and his determination to shake up the status quo in Washington." Daves said in a press release. "Sarah Palin not only talks about change, she has a long record of producing results."

Sawyer told The Free Press this week Palin has energized the Republican Party's faithful.

"She is on the better of the two tickets," he said. "We are very proud of her."

Chris Lavender can be reached at (252) 559-1078 or clavender@freedomenc.com.