She is a 44-year old, Alaskan mother of five, a self-styled “hockey mom” and, like her home state, filled with mystery and the unknown for many living on the U.S. mainland.

But first-term Alaskan Gov. Sarah Palin will be a mystery no longer as Arizona Sen. John McCain Friday announced the politician and journalist as his vice presidential running mate.

The announcement brought with it praise from some Orangeburg County Republican Party leaders and wonderment from others.

“It is an excellent choice,” Orangeburg County Republican Party Chairman James Ulmer said. “It is almost like she could be somebody from Orangeburg County.”

Ulmer said Palin -- who has executive experience as governor and small-town experience as mayor -- understands both the national and small town political scene.

These small-town values combined with national tenacity is a unique and attractive combination, he said.

“She is just a regular girl who has done great things in her life,” Ulmer said.

Palin’s previous political experience consisted of terms as Wasilla’s mayor and councilwoman and a stint as head of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission.

Ulmer noted that as governor of Alaska for the past two years, Palin has helped reduce taxes. She has overhauled education funding and shown she is capable of leadership.

He cited her crackdown on political corruption and leadership skills in the chairmanship of the National Governors Association Natural Resources Committee. The committee is charged with pursuing legislation to ensure state needs are considered as federal policy is formulated in the areas of agriculture, energy, environmental protection and natural resource management.

Ulmer particularly cited Palin’s nomination as a change from the ways of Washington.

He noted her willingness to “weed out” the bad apples of the Republican Party and her fearless approach to politics.

Palin gained attention for publicizing ethical violations by state Republican Party leaders.

“She calls a spade a spade,” Ulmer said, noting that in the world of politics, this is a breath of fresh air.

Ulmer said the news of Palin as the vice president was a surprise.

He, like many, was expecting the names of more prominent Republican Party candidates such as former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts and former Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota.

Charles Reddy Betsill, a veteran Republican Party leader who worked extensively on President Ronald Reagan’s campaign, said the nomination of Palin “kind of hit me cold.”

“I was blind-sided,” he said. “I don’t know anything about her. I will have to evaluate it.”

Betsill said he, like Ulmer, was expecting either Romney (a personal favorite) or perhaps Florida Gov. Charlie Crist to be selection.

“Mitt has been tremendously successful,” Betsill said. “He knows the economy and he knows how to control government spending.”

But Betsill said he trusts McCain’s judgment and is satisfied with the choice of Palin, particularly in light of reaching out to women voters.

“I think this is one part of it that makes sense,” he said. “An outstanding woman could possibly get a lot of the Hillary vote. It would be nice to get a woman involved in this Republican election. There are a lot of women out there who would like to vote Republican. It can be a tremendous thing.”

County Republican Zilla Hinton said she was “delighted” with McCain’s choice.

“I prayed to the Lord and he has answered my prayers,” Hinton said. “She is a remarkable woman and a very courageous woman. I can’t wait for the vice presidential debate. I think (Delaware senator Joe) Biden has met his match. My enthusiasm for the Republican ticket has improved tremendously.”

Hinton said when people get to know Palin, they will have a greater appreciation her.

“She will appeal to both men and women of both parties and independents,” Hinton said. “When people know of her accomplishments and her record, they will say we finally have somebody we think is admirable who can be put in Washington and work for the good of the American people.”

Ulmer echoed Hinton, noting that Palin will reach out to both women and minorities.

“We don’t want to disenfranchise any voter,” he said. “It is going to be a very interesting two months.”

In the interim, Hinton, who was watching the various news sources Friday about the announcement, expressed her disappointment at some Democrats who were already “putting her down.” The attacks will “encourage people to be for her.”

“She comes across loud and clear,” Hinton said.

Sources confirmed Palin as the running mate around 10:30 a.m. Friday prior to the official noon announcement at a Dayton, Ohio, rally.

Palin is the second woman to run for vice president, after Geraldine Anne Ferraro who ran with Democratic candidate Walter Mondale in 1984.

The speculation on the running mate has been bantered about through various media outlets for weeks. Others thought to have been in the running were Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman of Connecticut and Tom Ridge, former governor of Pennsylvania.

T&D Staff Writer Gene Zaleski can be reached by e-mail at gzaleski@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5551.

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