MINNEAPOLIS--State Rep. Kent Lambert (R-Colorado Springs) defended Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin on Monday morning against charges that she was unqualified to be vice president.

"I think most people, especially, understand this is a very, very qualified executive leader," Lambert told PolitickerCO.com at the Four Points by Sheraton Minneapolis hotel. "Alaska's practically a nation in itself - it's got Coast Guard, it's got the only missile defense system in the world."

That's not to mention international issues concerning Alaska, such as fishing issues and energy exploration, he said.

"She's unknown to a lot of people in the United States," Lambert said. "But she's going to get real well known real soon here, and I think people are going to have a tremendously positive reaction."