The Minnesota Star Tribune has a number of reactions up regarding the Sarah Palin pick, but one stuck out to me... full quote after the jump.
The Minnesota Star Tribune posted this list of quotes this evening, in response to the Sarah Palin pick. Most of them are your typical party talking points.
This one stood out to me, though:
"She's not prepared to be governor. How can she be prepared to be vice president or president? Look at what she's done to this state. What would she do to the nation?"
Sen. Lyda Green, president of the state Senate and a Republican from Palin's hometown of Wasilla
This is obviously a woman who is very familiar with Palin's politics, having lived in Wasilla since 1984, and witnessed Palin's meteoric rise from the Wasilla PTA to presumptive Vice Presidential nominee.
As the State Senator representing Wasilla during Palin's entire tenure as Mayor, and a member of the same party, Green has no doubt spent a lot more time working with Gov. Palin than John McCain has. Lyda Green does not believe Palin is even qualified to be Governor of a state with a small population. And regarding the quote, the way I read it, it speaks more about Palin being inadequate during her short tenure than it does about the extent of her experience, from the way I read it.
Of course, it could be that Green is one of the "corrupt Republicans" we've heard so much about Palin doing battle with. I do hope we hear more State Senator Green in the coming weeks.
UPDATE:
Lyda Green is listed on the wiki for the Alaska corruption scandal as a member of the "Corrupt Bastards Club". There are no supporting links (it appears that critics are calling Green an enabler, for not putting a stop to the corruption), but this is a direct contrast to this glowing Editorial in the Ankorage Daily News discussing Green's decision not to run for re-election.
We have often disagreed with Sen. Green, but she's been consistent and honest. Throughout her 14-year career, she offered her Mat-Su constituency responsible and effective representation. While a number of her colleagues in the Legislature left office because of ethical lapses and criminal investigations, Sen. Green is leaving on her own terms, with a measure of grace.
It does, however, appear that Sen. Green is one of the key proponents who was calling for an investigation on the Troopergate scandal.
Senate President Lyda Green, a Wasilla Republican and member of the Legislative Council, said the investigation is "absolutely" needed.
"I'm hoping for a clean bill for everybody -- that everyone has acted honorably," said Green, who has butted heads with Palin politically.
UPDATE 2: Thanks to Sharman on this. The battle between Lyda Green and Sarah Palin is pretty deep. Palin appeared on the "The Bob and Mark Show", a radio show on KWHL radio, and as host Bob Lester called Green a "bitch" and a "cancer", Palin just laughed. (Green is a breast cancer survivor).
The governor's office eventually tried to spin the public relations disaster, releasing a statement reading, "Governor Palin was caught off guard by Bob Lester's reference to Senate President Lyda Green."
I don't buy it. Early on in the conversation before Palin started to crack up, Lester referred to Sen. Green as a jealous woman and a cancer. Palin, who knows full well Lyda Green is a cancer survivor, didn't do what any decent person would do, say, "Bob, that's going too far."
But as the conversation moved on, Lester intensified his attack on Green.
Lester questioned Green's motherhood, asking Palin if the senator cares about her own kids. Palin laughs.
Then Lester clearly sets the stage for what he is about to say by warning his large audience and Palin. He says, "Governor you can't say this but I will, Lyda Green is a cancer and a b----." Palin laughs for the second time.