Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com
Published - Friday, September 05, 2008
Huebsch: Palin won over skeptics, made ‘tremendous first impression’
Supporters of Republican presidential nominee John McCain stepped up the praise for his running mate Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin in the wake of her convention speech Wednesday night.
Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Mike Huebsch, who arrived in St. Paul on Sunday, said the vice presidential nominee’s appearance solidified his confidence in the Republican ticket.
“A couple weeks ago, a couple months ago, I wasn’t as optimistic as to what we were going to be facing at the top of the ticket,” he said. But with McCain and Palin, he added, the party has put forth the best possible pairing.
“We all came in skeptical,” he said. But by the end of the night, there wasn’t a single detractor.
“She won over everybody in the hall and won the hearts of people that were watching on TV,” Huebsch said. “The lines were good. The delivery was outstanding. She made a tremendous first impression.”
She proved she wasn’t selected because she’s a woman or because she’s young or because she’s a governor, he said. She personifies change, Huebsch said, noting her “maverick stance” meshes with McCain.
“(His choice) shows that John McCain is still a fighter pilot. This guy is still taking chances,” Huebsch said.
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