Posted on 08/29/2008 5:48:34 PM PDT by Graybeard58
HARTFORD — Republican leaders from Connecticut are applauding Arizona Sen. John McCain's unexpected choice of little-known Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as a running mate.
"Maverick John McCain strikes again," said Brian Flaherty, a former state representative from Watertown and a delegate to the Republican National Convention.
McCain named Palin three days before the Republican convention starts Monday in Minneapolis-St. Paul.
Gov. M. Jodi Rell knows Palin though the National Governors Association.
"I think she is a great pick .... She is dynamite," Rell said. "She is one of those people who will stand up and talk to you and tell you exactly where she stands on the issues and make no bones about it. She is quite capable, articulate and I think she'll be a great asset to the McCain ticket."
The more politically experienced Rell had been mentioned at one time as a possible candidate for the No. 2 spot on the Republican ticket.
Rell said the McCain campaign hadn't interviewed her about the job or contacted her about any possible candidates.
McCain and Palin are taking on Illinois Sen. Barack Obama and his running mate, Delaware Sen. Joseph Biden. Rell had some advice for Biden when he debates Palin.
"Do not underestimate Sarah Palin. She will carry her own. She will be well versed, and I would only say don't take her for granted, and please don't assume that she is weak in any way. She certainly is not," the governor said.
Connecticut Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman, a self-styled independent Democrat, had also been mentioned as a possible running mate for McCain. He was the Democratic candidate for vice president eight years ago.
The speculation about Lieberman increased in the lead-up to McCain's announcement of Palin on Friday morning.
State Rep. David K. Labriola, R-Naugatuck, said Palin is the best fit for McCain and Republicans. He is another delegate to the Republican National Convention.
"What an electrifying choice. She is going to rock the house in St. Paul next week, and I can't wait to be there and participate in the election of this amazing ticket, this historic ticket," Labriola said.
Flaherty also liked McCain's selection of Palin over Lieberman and other more prominent Republicans who were in the running.
"The GOP is often accused of being a 'next in line' party, and he showed that picking a running mate shouldn't be done like a deli counter," Flaherty said. "It's a bold move, but it looks like he has picked an energetic, no-nonsense reform governor who shares the same kitchen-table concerns raising her family that so many of us do."
Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain, left, smiles as his Vice Presidential running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, pumps her fist as she is introduced to supporters at a campaign rally in Dayton, Ohio, Friday, Aug. 29, 2008. McCain introduced Palin as his running mate at the event.
I think the McCain-Palin ticket has a chance in CT. Obama may go the way of Ned Lamont in 2006. Lieberman won in 2006 with 50%, Lamont 40% and Schlesinger 10%.
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