New Mexicans react to McCain’s surprise VP pick

Top New Mexico Republicans were quick today to praise John McCain’s selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to be his running mate.

“I think she’s a great pick. She’s a governor of an energy producing state and has a reputation as a reformer,” U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M. said in an interview. Wilson also pointed out Palin’s experience in business and raising children.

Allen Weh, chairman of the state Republican Party, said in a news release that Palin “has proven herself” by beating an incumbent governor in the 2006 primary.

“Among her many talents, she has further demonstrated that she’s a fiscal conservative and knowledgeable on the issues of oil, gas and energy, all subject matters absolutely relevant in this election,” Weh said. “While we congratulate Barack Obama on being the first African-American nominated for president of the United States, we look forward to the distinction of Sarah Palin being elected in November with John McCain as the first woman vice president of the United States.”

Palin is the second vice presidential candidate to represent a major political party in the nation’s history. She referenced Hillary Clinton during the introductory speech she gave today in Ohio, pointing out that Clinton made 18 million cracks — representing the number of votes she received — in the glass ceiling. Today, Palin said, “It turns out the women of America aren’t finished yet, and we can shatter that glass ceiling once and for all.”

Wilson made headlines in June, shortly after her primary loss to Steve Pearce in the U.S. Senate race, for authoring a letter published in the New York Times stating that sexism contributed to Clinton’s loss to Obama in the Democratic primary.

Asked today to comment on that dimension of McCain’s selection, Wilson said Palin “is in a generation of women, and we’re both in a generation of women, who didn’t have to open the doors the first time, but have benefited from opening opportunities for women.” She pointed out that Palin was a point guard on her high-school basketball team, and said, “The generation before didn’t have the opportunities we’ve had as young women.”

Meanwhile, Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, a Democrat, criticized McCain’s selection in a news release, saying it is “difficult to see what Gov. Palin contributes to the Republican ticket.”

“She attributes a large part of her experience to being the part-time mayor of a town of 9,000, has no foreign-policy experience and provides no balance to McCain’s ticket,” Denish said “The Republicans failed to select someone with the experience and ability to step up and fill the presidency, should the need arise.”

Denish also called Palin a supporter of Bush-Cheney policies and said she “isn’t going to change the fact that the Republican ticket is offering more of the same.”

Was Wilson considered?

The surprise pick of Palin, a woman and Westerner, raised questions about whether McCain considered other women, including Wilson, to be his running mate. Wilson has been doing a great deal of campaigning for McCain since June, appearing on television news shows and hosting campaign conference calls. Some, including U.S. Rep. Tom Davis, R-Va., have suggested Wilson might make a good running mate.

During today’s interview, Wilson wouldn’t talk about whether she discussed the possibility of joining the ticket with McCain or any members of his staff and whether she was vetted for the position.

“I don’t have any comment on that. I think that Gov. Palin is a great choice and a great complement, and I’m very glad that Sen. McCain chose someone to be his vice president who is an outsider with executive experience,” Wilson said.

During an interview in Las Cruces earlier this month, McCain said if Wilson were interested in a job in his potential administration “she would get every consideration.” He said she has “a very compelling résumé” but “loves it in New Mexico.”

“I know that Heather would prefer to stay in New Mexico,” McCain said.