Reaction to Palin pick splits down party lines

Whether or not you think John McCain made the right decision by choosing Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to be his running mate, not surprisingly, depends on your political party.

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin

Democrats and Republicans praised the selection of a woman to run on the ticket with the Arizona senator, but that’s where the similarities end.

“There has been a definite enthusiasm gap between Republicans and Obama supporters,” said Republican state Sen. Jeff Angelo. “From talking to people today, suddenly there is passion for the McCain campaign that was definitely lacking before. I think [choosing Palin] will shake up the race.”

Republican U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley called Palin a candidate who doesn’t just talk change, “she is change.”

“She’s stood for principle over party and has record-breaking support in her state for it. She’s demonstrated strength of character when faced with adversity,” he said. “It’s the kind of situation where the more you learn, the more you like and respect her.”

Democrats were not nearly as enthusiastic about the choice.

“While Gov. Palin supports big oil, Joe Biden shares Barack Obama’s dreams of energy independence,” Gov. Chet Culver said in a statement. “And while Sarah Palin opposes a woman’s right to make her own health care choices, Joe Biden has a long history of supporting women’s rights. It is clear that Barack Obama and Joe Biden will be the best people to lead our nation forward.”

Former Democratic Gov. Tom Vilsack said McCain’s pick was “puzzling” and showed he is willing to put ideology before country.

“He chose the governor of Alaska, who placates the base of the Republican party and the archconservative agenda of the Republican party,” he said. “Sen. McCain’s selection of the governor of Alaska also shows he is clearly committed to continuing the failed Bush energy agenda. This agenda of more of the same when it comes to energy is offensive to those of us who have worked so hard to expand America’s opportunities related to home-grown renewable energy.”

Andy McGuire, a former Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor and a Hillary Clinton supporter, told Des Moines CBS affiliate KCCI that she applauds the Republicans for putting a woman on the ticket but she can’t see her having appeal to Clinton voters.

“On the issues of choice, on the issues of the economy, she’s just now where we are. So, even though I applaud having a woman at this level and I think other Hillary Clinton supporter would, I don’t think she’s right on the issues,” McGuire said.

While Republicans hope Palin can persuade Clinton supporters who don’t want to vote for Obama to come to their side, the consensus among observers is that Palin’s major effect will be to help McCain appeal to social conservatives around the nation, a group that has been suspicious of him in the past.

Steve Scheffler, president of the Iowa Christian Alliance, told The Des Moines Register that Palin would prompt social conservatives in Iowa who have been inactive this year to get involved in McCain’s campaign.

“I think it’s a phenomenal choice to mobilize the base,” said Scheffler told the paper. “It’s going to be the ingredient to help McCain pull this out.”

The response to the choice among Iowa media was also mixed. Sioux City Journal columnist Bret Hayworth said he believes McCain has changed the game by picking Palin.

Seriously, I think the election is his to lose now. Reaction to her pick has been overwhelmingly (universally?) positive from Republicans, and Palin definitely has the ability to pull in independents — and some disgruntled Hillary Democratic supporters.

But Des Moines Register columnist David Yepsen felt the choice undercuts the “lack of experience” attack McCain has been using on Barack Obama while accentuating McCain’s age.

Yepsen goes on to call Palin’s selection an “obvious pander,” with McCain using the VP pick to go after Hillary Clinton supporters and social conservatives in one fell swoop.

But the second pander could cancel the first. Many of the women who are disappointed Hillary Clinton isn’t the Democratic nominee are pro-choice. It’s doubtful they will set aside their views on reproductive rights just because Palin is a woman.