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Nation's Eye On McCain VP Pick Gov. Palin

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ― Sen. John McCain's campaign for president is feeling winds of another sort by a surprise disclosure form his vice presidential choice, Sarah Palin, and the continued questioning of Palin's qualifications by some.

"She's only been governor for not very long. I don't think she has the resume to back it up," Kacia Hillesland, from the North Side, said.

"My wife's first instinct was that it was a complete insult to women to choose an inexperienced woman," Dan Krauth, from Mt. Lebanon, said.

But conservatives are embracing Palin.

"I really see the energy here because of that, because of her. I think it makes a big difference," Ron Rometo, an attendee at the GOP Convention, said.

"Absolutely, absolutely, and that family she has around her is fabulous," Dawn Dice said.

When Palin was in Washington County on Saturday, her oldest daughter was not on the platform.

Hours later, Palin announced that her 17-year-old daughter Bristol is carrying a child fathered by 17-year-old Levi Johnston. Voters don't seem to care.

"What's that got to do with her? If you've have a child that's say a criminal, should that affect you? I can't see that bothering her," Jules Melograne, from Castle Shannon, said.

In fact, former Sen. Rick Santorum says Palin's embrace of her daughter only adds to conservative support for her.

"We love her more because of what she did. We don't expect perfection," he said. " What we do, we expect forgiveness and we expect love to follow and that's what she's shown. And hopefully that will teach America that this is not judgmental, puritanical crowd -- but a crowd of folks who preach forgiveness and love."

And while it may take momentary attention away from McCain, Republican leaders think it will be temporary.

"I think Barack Obama said it best about the pregnancy that that's a family affair. That doesn't belong in the election, and we should leave that to the family to settle," Jim Roddey, Allegheny County Republican Chair, said.

Everyone from Barack Obama to the person on the street says the same thing which is why Democrats are focusing attention on Troopergate - a state ethics investigation that Gov. Palin had her brother-in-law fired from the State Police when he divorced her husband's sister.

Palin has hired a lawyer in that case.

One of these days, maybe both parties will get back to the issues.

(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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