Last modified: Saturday, August 30, 2008 1:02 AM EDT History-making choice Republican presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., left, and Republican Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin acknowledge supporters after McCain introduced Palin as his vice presidential running mate Friday at Ervin J. Nutter Center in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Associated Press) Palin a hit with local GOP members BY JIM HAND SUN CHRONICLE STAFF About three weeks ago, state Rep. Betty Poirier received an invitation to a reception at the Republican National Convention for a little-known governor from Alaska. Intrigued, Poirier started researching Gov. Sarah Palin. Little did she know that by the time the convention came along, Palin would be Sen. John McCain's pick as his vice presidential running mate. Poirier, R-North Attleboro, and other Republican activists said Friday they were surprised and impressed by McCain's selection, although they were a little disappointed former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney did not get the nod. "I'm very excited," Poirier said. "She's young, she's vibrant, she has executive experience. "I had mixed feelings at first because I was rooting for Mitt Romney, but now I think it was a brilliant pick." Danielle Fish, a Republican State Committee member from Mansfield, said she was also hoping for Romney and believes he still has a role to play in national politics. "Palin was definitely a surprise," she said. Fish said she does not know much about Palin yet, but the Alaska governor should be popular with the party because she has strong conservative credentials and she can attract women voters. "She holds a lot of promise. I look forward to finding out more about her," Fish said. Poirier said politically Palin has a lot to offer the ticket. She is the mother of five children, a former athlete, a former beauty queen, her son is in the Army and is headed for Iraq, she is a former mayor and is now governor, Poirier said. McCain has been courting supporters of Sen. Hillary Clinton who are angry she did not win the Democratic nomination, and having a woman on the ticket will help McCain with that task, Poirier and Fish said. But, state Rep. John Lepper, R-Attleboro, said he believes Palin will be just as attractive to men because she is a member of the National Rifle Association, a hunter and a fisherwoman. Her surprise selection also "stole the thunder" from Democratic nominee Barack Obama just hours after his historical address before 84,000 supporters in Denver, Lepper said. He said time will tell if Palin was a good pick, but at first blush she appears to be someone who can excite the conservative base of the party while appealing to undecided voters. Lepper and Poirier both said Palin got off to a good start at her announcement ceremony by coming off on television as a very likeable candidate.