Republicans thrilled by John McCain's Veep choice, Democrats skeptical

John McCainMinneapolis, Aug. 30: John McCain's choice of Republican running mate -- Alaska Governor Sarah Palin -- has made a key evangelical leader and a foe of him, a believer, the New York Times reports.

James Dobson told The Washington Times on Friday that he now fully supports McCain.

"If flip-flopping is a sin, I'm a sinner. As you know, I once said I don't see how I could ever come to support John McCain," Dobson was quoted, as saying.

Dobson said he and other social conservatives were excited about Palin’s pro-family, pro-life stances, her support for tax cuts and her opposition to pork barrel spending.

Minneapolis will be the venue for next week's Republican convention, and Dobson’s endorsement coupled with McCain leaving the party platform a conservative document, suggests that the latter he is not out to moderate the party.

Donald J. Devine, a conservative author and McCain skeptic, said: "I never thought McCain could do anything that could get this cynical old conservative to care about his election. Sarah Palin is unbelievably good. I first met her years ago as a solid limited government, socially conservative activist and she hasn't changed a bit since."

Democrats, however, argue that Palin has too little experience to be vice president.

New York Democrat Chuck Schumer said: "After the great success of the Democratic convention, the choice of Sarah Palin is surely a Hail Mary pass."

But David Barton, the influential founder and president of WallBuilders, a national pro-family organization, said that despite her having been governor for only two years, she reassures skeptical Republicans and independents about McCain.

"Everyone I know in the evangelical community is ecstatic over McCain's choice for vice president," Merrill Matthews, Resident Scholar with the Institute for Policy Innovation, said. (ANI)

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