Billy House/Media General News Service
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ST. PAUL, Minn – Gov. Charlie Crist's vice presidential prospects came to an end Friday, but that did not keep Floridians from having a lot to say – good, bad and undecided -- about who John McCain did pick.
It's too early to say how Palin will play in Florida. A Mason-Dixon poll for The Tampa Tribune and other news organizations released this week shows Palin is not well known in the state.
But Mason-Dixon pollster Coker said Friday that Palin's selection could “certainly have the potential of shaking up the race in Florida, as well as the nation.”
Top state Republicans applauded the choice.
“She wasn't on my radar screen,” admitted Sen. Mel Martinez, during an interview on MSNBC. But he said Palin is going to help the Republican ticket “on a bunch of fronts,” and “I'm very excited.
But caustic reaction was swift from some state Democrats to the choice of Palin, including from Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who was a national co-chair of Hillary Clinton's Democratic presidential campaign.
Wasserman Schultz downplayed any notion that Palin will attract Clinton supporters who may be disappointed by her loss of the Democratic presidential nomination, or her non-selection as the party's vice presidential choice. She said there is no comparison between the two on issues, or in experience.
“I know Hillary Clinton. And Sarah Palin is no Hillary Clinton,” said Wasseman Schultz during an interview on MSNBC, in a play on the famous quip by Lloyd Bentsen to Dan Qayle in their 1988 debate.
State Democratic Party chair Karen Thurman was equally rough.
“McCain's pick of someone who is clearly not ready to be a heartbeat away from being commander-in chief once again calls into question if John McCain has the judgment and temperament to lead our nation,” Thurman said.
Others were less judgmental – at least for now.
The fact that Palin pick has a child with Down Syndrome did not escape the notice of Deborah Linton, executive director the Association for Retarded Citizens of Florida. “I hope it opens the dialogue about the lives of people with developmental disabilities, and the potential they can fulfill in their lives,”
Linton, who did not endorse either ticket, said she knew little about Palin but will be listening closely to what the Alaska governor has to say about the needs and concerns of the developmentally disabled. If she becomes vice president, Linton said she hopes that Palin would take an active advocacy role on behalf of disabled people.
Among other things, Linton said, she would like to see the federal government provide more services that disabled adults need to succeed in the workplace, and reconsider Medicaid restrictions that affect the adult disabled. “There's a lot more to be done there.”
The selection of Palin is also sure to put energy issues front-and-center in the campaign. She has been a vocal proponent of opening up the Alaska National Wildlife refuge for more drilling. She also has endorsed McCain's call for states like Florida to be able to approve more off-shore drilling.
But these are things few voters in Florida know right now.
The Mason-Dixon telephone poll of 625 registered voters done Monday and Tuesday found just 25 percent of those surveyed said they recognized her name. Of those voters, 2 percent said they viewed her favorably, 3 percent unfavorably, and 20 percent said they were neutral.
However, her increased exposure combined with a positive performance over the course of the campaign “could ultimately maker he a good choice,” Coker said.
Tampa Tribune reporter Catherine Dolinski contributed to this story. Billy House can be reached at bhouse@mediageneral.com.com or at 1 (202) 641-5080.
It's too early to say how Palin will play in Florida. A Mason-Dixon poll for The Tampa Tribune and other news organizations released this week shows Palin is not well known in the state.
But Mason-Dixon pollster Coker said Friday that Palin's selection could “certainly have the potential of shaking up the race in Florida, as well as the nation.”
Top state Republicans applauded the choice.
“She wasn't on my radar screen,” admitted Sen. Mel Martinez, during an interview on MSNBC. But he said Palin is going to help the Republican ticket “on a bunch of fronts,” and “I'm very excited.
But caustic reaction was swift from some state Democrats to the choice of Palin, including from Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who was a national co-chair of Hillary Clinton's Democratic presidential campaign.
Wasserman Schultz downplayed any notion that Palin will attract Clinton supporters who may be disappointed by her loss of the Democratic presidential nomination, or her non-selection as the party's vice presidential choice. She said there is no comparison between the two on issues, or in experience.
“I know Hillary Clinton. And Sarah Palin is no Hillary Clinton,” said Wasseman Schultz during an interview on MSNBC, in a play on the famous quip by Lloyd Bentsen to Dan Qayle in their 1988 debate.
State Democratic Party chair Karen Thurman was equally rough.
“McCain's pick of someone who is clearly not ready to be a heartbeat away from being commander-in chief once again calls into question if John McCain has the judgment and temperament to lead our nation,” Thurman said.
Others were less judgmental – at least for now.
The fact that Palin pick has a child with Down Syndrome did not escape the notice of Deborah Linton, executive director the Association for Retarded Citizens of Florida. “I hope it opens the dialogue about the lives of people with developmental disabilities, and the potential they can fulfill in their lives,”
Linton, who did not endorse either ticket, said she knew little about Palin but will be listening closely to what the Alaska governor has to say about the needs and concerns of the developmentally disabled. If she becomes vice president, Linton said she hopes that Palin would take an active advocacy role on behalf of disabled people.
Among other things, Linton said, she would like to see the federal government provide more services that disabled adults need to succeed in the workplace, and reconsider Medicaid restrictions that affect the adult disabled. “There's a lot more to be done there.”
The selection of Palin is also sure to put energy issues front-and-center in the campaign. She has been a vocal proponent of opening up the Alaska National Wildlife refuge for more drilling. She also has endorsed McCain's call for states like Florida to be able to approve more off-shore drilling.
But these are things few voters in Florida know right now.
The Mason-Dixon telephone poll of 625 registered voters done Monday and Tuesday found just 25 percent of those surveyed said they recognized her name. Of those voters, 2 percent said they viewed her favorably, 3 percent unfavorably, and 20 percent said they were neutral.
However, her increased exposure combined with a positive performance over the course of the campaign “could ultimately maker he a good choice,” Coker said.
Tampa Tribune reporter Catherine Dolinski contributed to this story. Billy House can be reached at bhouse@mediageneral.com.com or at 1 (202) 641-5080.