John McCain's Choice for VP Garners Mixed Reviews

Sen. Sarah Palin of Alaska named as John McCain's choice for his running mate sent a shock wave through her hometown of Wasilla, Alaska and surprised many in the other 49 states.

The Washington Post got responses from those who know Palin and praise her, "'She handles things with such grace,' said . . . Kelly Thaler, whose father employed the future governor 25 years ago to do office work for his land surveying business. . . . 'She handles tough questions well. It's hard to get elected -- to be a woman and get elected -- in Alaska.'"

Some members of Palin's hometown are proud that their governor has been chosen for such a powerful position. While others think she is not up to such a lofty and important post.

The Washington Post caught up with a person in the political arena that had not such glowing things to say about Palin. "'She's not prepared to be governor; how can she be prepared to be vice president or president?' said state Senate President Lyda Green, a Wasilla Republican who told the Anchorage Daily News that she at first thought news of Palin's selection was a joke."

In addition, Palin is no stranger to politics, when she was mayor, the residents say she answered every question asked. In other words she gave her tine to anyone with the slightest comment or inquiry. As evidenced by this quote from a resident: "Lee Sherriff, 83, said that when Palin was mayor, he walked into her office 50 times or more with a question or just to talk. She always got back to him if she didn't have an answer. 'I felt that we were good friends. I could go in there and chat 15, 20 minutes, no problem.'"

All in all, it will be interesting to see if McCain becomes president, what the first female vice president will do with her newly appointed post.