Bolling likes Palin too

Bill Bolling just issued this statement regarding Palin's selection:

"I congratulate Governor Sarah Palin on being selected to serve as Senator John McCain's vice presidential running mate. Governor Palin has an impressive personal story and a record of effective service in state and local government. Her service in elected office has reflected a consistent commitment to conservatice principles and a desire to reform government and make it work for families and businesses. Governor Palin's addition to the Republican ticket will give us a unique opportunity to reach out to many undecided voters in the weeks leading up to the November election."

Gilmore + Palin = Drill now

In our live-blog session yesterday (see below), former governor and current GOP Senate candidate Jim Gilmore would predict only that presidential candidate John McCain would make a VP choice that would be good for "McCain-Gilmore" in Virginia.

Spank that Donkey believes that McCain has made exactly that choice in Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin:

All Jim needs is for the two governors to go on a barnstorming trip a couple times around Virginia, with Ms. Palin simply saying: "We need to elect a Senator who we can TRUST to vote for drilling off shore and in ANWR." ... Any other VP candidate can be ignored, but not a Governor from a state that is literally suing the Federal Government for not letting them develop the oil reserves in ANWR!

Here's a link to the full post.

With all the talk about what Palin brings to the ticket and how her selection changes the dynamics of the race and all that, I do have one pretty unrelated question. Isn't Sarah Palin ...

... the Lenscrafters model?

Warner, Kaine to appear at Scott's Labor Day Picnic

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine and former Gov. Mark R. Warner will headline Bobby Scott's 32nd annual Labor Day Picnic. Democrats on the Peninsula usually mark the event as the beginning of the fall election season. It is being held at his mother's house in Newport News at 914 Shore Drive, Newport News Va.

What do you think of McCain's choice?

What do you think of John McCain's selection of Sarah Palin?

Shad Plank poll: What do you think of McCain's choice?

So, kind readers, what do you think of John McCain's choice of Sarah Palin as a running mate?

Feel free to weigh in ... and here are a few options to get you started:

State Republicans applaud Palin

Republican officials are leaping out to show their support for Sen. John McCain's selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin for vice president.

Former Va. Gov. George Allen:

"Governor Sarah Palin is an oustanding Vice Presidential choice for John McCain. She will be a strong, principled advocate for Senator John McCain and Republicans everywhere. In all her positions of responsibility, she has been a proven conservative who has fought against wasteful spending, for lower taxes and for integrity in government. It was heartening to see her fight the infamous "Bridge to Nowhere" in Alaska. As Governor, I sold the Governor's limousine and helicopter and appreciated Governor Palin'sselling of Alaska's unncessary aircraft on eBay as soon as she took office as Governor. Governor Palin is an outstanding expert on American energy production, which will enhance American energy security."

Del. Brenda Pogge, R-96th district:

"It was complete surprise. The rumors have been flying all morning but I am really excited about it. I think she brings a lot of things to the table. Certainly I think her gender brings a lot. As a female conservative Republican I am appreciative of her stance on the issues. I think she is feminine but tought as far as holding down the line on spending and standing up to others in government. I think in my opinion I love a tough woman. I love Margaret Thatcher. She's one of my heroes."

State Sen. Ken Cuccinelli, Republican candidate for Attorney General:

"Governor Sarah Palin brings a strong conservative, pro-taxpayer and pro-life record to the Republican ticket. She is a reformer with results and her executive experience compliments John McCain's military service."

U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman R-1st district:

"I think it's a great pick. She brings a lot of experience to the table both in local government and as governor. She's got executive level experience as mayor and as governor. She's young and energetic. Her husband is a commercial fisherman and that brings a great grounding to things. Her son is in the military."

Del. Jeffrey M. Frederick, chairman of Republican Party of Virginia:

"John McCain hit it out of the park with his selection of Governor Palin. This is a bold, fresh and exciting choice that clearly demonstrates demonstrates that Republicans aren't reading from a script, but giving the nation a real choice: between an inexperienced Senator running with a Washington insdier; versus a true independent-minded maverick American hero running with a successful and dynamic female executive, a conservative and a reformer, who couldn't be further from Washington-as-usual."

Drake happy with Palin pick

U.S. Rep. Thelma Drake, R-2nd district, was thoroughly pleased with Sen. John McCain,R-Ariz., selecting  Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin for his vice presidential candidate. " I think that John McCain challenges conventional wisdom," Drake said. "He's a maverick. It shouldn't surprise us much that he's picked another maverick. " I think she'll be a great inspiration to women who see all the things that she's done and how she's been able to juggle her career with raising her family."

If you're one of the many that has never seen Palin before check out this video of her appearance on Glenn Beck.

Drake, Nye trade barbs over Drake's coming RNC appearance

Update: More of a clarification, actually, in response to the discussion the earlier version of this post generated on how Rep. Drake voted on Sen. Jim Webb's G.I. bill.

In May, Drake voted against the defense spending bill that included the G.I bill provisions. At a press conference, she said she voted "no" because President Bush had threatened to veto the bill and because she objected to several other provisions in the overall spending bill. Here's a link to a Pilot story on the press conference.

Here's a link to the Daily Press story that explains the vote and the details of the entire spending bill. The story says Drake joined other Republicans in abstaining from voting on the bill, but Thomas Voting Reports lists her as a "no" vote.

In June, Drake voted for a revised version of the bill.

***

U.S. Rep. Thelma Drake, R-Norfolk, and her Democratic challenger, Glenn Nye, swapped barbed press releases Thursday over Drake's being chosen to speak at next week's Republican National Convention in Minnesota.

Drake will speak on Monday, the first day of the convention. She's the only Virginia Republican now on the convention schedule.

"Its ironic that Thelma Drake is speaking on Labor Day," Nye said in his release, "because middle-class working families in Hampton Roads have been let down by her pure partisan votes in Washington.  Thelma Drake has voted in partisan lockstep to privatize Social Security, against the GI bill and against common sense steps to lower gas prices.  On Labor Day, middle class families in Hampton Roads will hear more of the same from Drake.  It's time for a change."

Drake campaign manager Corry Bliss quickly shot back:

"It is obvious that Glenn Nye is blind with jealousy that he wasn't asked to speak at his party's convention.  The national Democratic Party evidently doesn't even know who he is.

"Glenn Nye's attacks on Rep. Drake's record are each inaccurate and dishonest.  Thelma Drake helped negotiate a bi-partisan plan for lowering gas prices and to allow America to develop its resources, invest in alternative energies like nuclear, solar, wind, and geothermal and encourage conservation measures. The Obama-Pelosi-Nye plan is to raise taxes on Virginia families by $3,000 dollars a year and to increase gas prices by prohibiting the further domestic production of America's resources. Furthermore, Thelma Drake voted for the GI Bill that became the law of the land.  That is an irrefutable fact!

"And finally, Glenn Nye has no idea what Rep. Drake will talk about on Monday.  If he wants to know, he will have to watch Rep. Drake address a national television audience to find out."

Rev. Tim Kaine in Denver

Here, for those of you who missed it, is Gov. Tim Kaine's speech from the Democratic convention last night:

One Virginian may still land on a national ticket

The Fayetteville Observer -- here via hotair.com -- still likes U.S. Rep. Eric Cantor's chances of being named John McCain's running mate (an announcement that's supposed to be made tomorrow).

Cantor, who represents the Richmond area, has been on and off and back on the short list for the last couple of weeks. At the moment, he seems to be in third place behind Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and former Massachusetts governor and McCain challenger Mitt Romney.

Hotair's basis for speculation? "Cantor has not yet appeared on the convention schedule, which would seem strange for such a dynamic member of the House GOP’s leadership."

The continue: "Cantor has impeccable conservative credentials, and his selection would go a long way towards energizing the Republican base for the election. He has an engaging speaking style and has no problem with political infighting.  As a debater, he could be expected to match up well with Joe Biden, but more importantly, he could fire up crowds on the campaign trail for McCain."

Not a bad review. And Cantor has been on-site in Denver, projecting the McCain message. What better way to see how a running mate fares with the media than to drop him down in the midst of a hostile environment and 15,000 members of the media?

Here's a bit more on Cantor, from our friends across the water.