Collins, Tardy, Frary and Strang Burgess react to VP pick

Several Republican leaders in the state issued statements regarding John McCain’s pick of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as Vice President.

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins:

“As evidenced by her speech in Ohio today, Governor Palin will bring a lot of energy and enthusiasm to the ticket and to John McCain's administration.  As Governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin has proven to be a real leader.  As a woman, a wife, and a mother, she would bring a unique perspective to the office.  I am not surprised that, for his choice, John McCain looked outside of Washington for an executive with a proven record of challenging the status quo."

State Rep. Meredith Strang Burgess (R-Cumberland), who is the state co-chair of Women for McCain and a member of Maine Small Business Leaders for McCain:

“I could not be more thrilled with Sarah Palin as John McCain’s pick for Vice President.

“Not only is this an exciting choice for women in Maine and across the country, but her solid record of results on ethics reform, energy independence, and cutting wasteful spending in Alaska sends a strong message to Washington that change is on its way.”

Maine House Minority leader Josh Tardy (R-Newport) who is the state vice chair for McCain’s campaign.

“John McCain has made an outstanding choice in Governor Palin as his running mate,” said Josh Tardy, House Republican Leader and Maine Vice Chair for John McCain for President. “Barack Obama has been running for President since he was elected to the Senate, while Governor Palin has been working hard challenging the status quo and cutting wasteful government spending in Alaska.  She is an excellent fit for McCain, for the country, and particularly for Maine.  The combination of proven reformers McCain and Palin will be a force to be reckoned with.”

John Frary, Republican candidate for the First Congressional District:

“This is a selection that should send chills down the spines of nanny state urbanites everywhere. As I understand it, not only does this woman have a horde of children, she also snowmobiles and owns guns, and although I can not say with certainty that she has a shotgun across the back window of her pickup, I wouldn’t be surprised.”

“Governor Palin is also an executive. The possibility of four windbag Senators on the two tickets was possibly the most chilling aspect of this year’s election. I will add that Senator McCain at least has some heroic credentials to go with all that hot air.

“Governor Palin beat an incumbent Governor in the primary and then a former Governor in the general election in a very poor Republican year by running as an eccentric outsider with blunt, no nonsense proposals. This is certainly an inspiration to me.

“But most importantly for the future of the US, Governor Palin is a strong advocate of DRILL NOW, and drill everywhere. We cannot continue to give foreigners little scraps of paper redeemable in the work of Americans for oil. I’m sure she knows how to get the caribou to agree.

"When I met Senator McCain, I told him I hoped he wasn’t counting on riding in for that tie breaking Electoral College vote on my coattails, but he assured me he was, which is a cause for some trepidation on my part. Senator McCain has chosen a running mate that will save him from implementing The Frary Strategy.

“And of course, should he be elected, the Democrats will have to be very solicitous of John’s health. Which is as it should be.”