BLOOMINGTON, Minn. - Presumptive Republican nominee John McCain's surprise selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate Friday sent the political world into a frenzy, leading some to wonder what effect she could have on women who supported Democratic U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton's bid for the White House. Some leading Bay State women said last week that Palin could be a welcome [img_assist|nid=964|title=Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R)|desc=|link=none|align=right|width=119|height=149]alternative for Clinton supporters and U.S. Senate candidate Jeff Beatty (R-Harwich) said Palin would help McCain carry Massachusetts, which would be the first time a Republican carried the Bay State since 1984.

In response to those remarks, analysts and strategists on both sides of the aisle panned any notion that Palin could put Massachusetts in play again.

"I'd love to say she helps in Massachusetts, but I don't think that's the case," said Rob Gray, a Boston Republican strategist and former aide to Govs. William Weld, Paul Cellucci and Mitt Romney. "While Palin is a good pick nationally, and will likely help in the West and Midwest, Massachusetts is a lost cause for the GOP in terms of presidential politics and no running mate is going to change that."

Dan Payne, a veteran Boston Democratic strategist, said Palin evokes memories in Massachusetts of other inexperienced politicians. Payne, a media consultant, said Palin came off as "cocky to the point of smugness" in her introduction last Friday and said her positions on issues simply do not match up with Clinton supporters or Massachusetts voters.

"Pro-life, pro-gun, pro-drilling in [the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge] -- it's hard to see which of those things the Hillary holdouts will find attractive," Payne said. "In Massachusetts, we've seen what happens when someone unqualified gets into position of power - [former Gov.] Jane Swift. But Democrats should recall that 20 yrs ago, the Republicans picked someone we were amazed by and laughed at - [former Vice President] Dan Quayle."

Another Boston Democratic strategist, Michael Shea, was even more direct. "McCain," he said, "couldn't win Massachusetts with Mother Teresa on his ticket."

Others said the Bay State women won't be susceptible to simple identity politics. "Just as it was insulting to Democratic Jews for the media to have speculated they would have abandoned their party and their values for had [U.S. Sen.] Joe Lieberman been chosen by McCain as VP," said Michael Goldman, a Boston Democratic strategist, "so, too, is it insulting an stupid to think that a pro choice, pro stem cell, pro environment, pro evolution, pro gay, pro Hillary voters are going to vote for an [National Rifle Association] ice fisherman who opposes married couples having access to birth control and condoms just because she is female."

Dennis Hale, a political scientist at Boston College, said he doubts Clinton supporters will naturally flock to the McCain/Palin ticket. "I can't imagine many Clinton Democrats will vote for McCain/Palin just out of gender consciousness," he said.

However, Hale said independent voters may be impressed by Palin's "grit," her record of taking on corruption in Alaska and as a dedicated, working mother. Rather than court Clinton supporters, Hale said Palin will help McCain solidify his support from the conservative wing of the party. "Palin has a record and also the character that conservative Republicans look for, and there is evidence that the choice has already made a difference in conservative circles."

But that circle doesn't extend very far into the Bay State and Palin's character won't be "enough to carry Massachusetts," Hale said, "but it might make a big difference in New Hampshire, which will be much closer than Massachusetts in November."