GOP consultant Jennings says McCain ‘swung for the fences’ with Palin

DENVER – Republican strategist Scott Jennings, a Dawson Springs native, believes Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin’s addition to Sen. John McCain’s (R-Ariz.) presidential ticket will “play very well in Kentucky.”

“She’s pro life, pro-Second Amendment, is a sportsmen herself and certainly can relate to many Kentuckians who share those values and attributes,” Jennings told PolitickerKY.com.

Jennings, who served as a special assistant to President Bush and as a deputy to White House political strategist Karl Rove, contrasted Palin’s background to that of the Democratic vice-presidential nominee, U.S. Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware.

“This was an attention-grabbing selection for McCain versus Obama’s rather conventional, boring pick,” said Jennings. “I also find it interesting that on the first major decision made by these candidates as nominees of their party, Obama looked to a Washington insider and McCain chose a decidedly out-of-Washington person.”

Biden has served as a U.S. senator since 1973 while Palin, a former mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, was only elected governor in 2006.

Jennings still sounded a note of patience about how the two picks would impact the race.

“McCain swung for the fences with his pick. Obama bunted,” said Jennings. “We need a few more at-bats before we find out if someone can score a run.”

Jennings worked on both of George W. Bush’s presidential campaigns, including serving as manager for the Bush’s 2004 effort in New Mexico – one of two states that went Republican that year after going into the Democratic column in 2000. Jennings also worked as political director for U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell’s 2002 campaign and former U.S. Rep. Ernie Fletcher’s successful gubernatorial run in 2003.