Like many in the political world, G. Terry Madonna says his initial reaction to the news that U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) had chosen Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate was one of skepticism.

"At first I thought this was not exactly a strong choice," said Madonna, a longtime pollster and political science professor at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster.

"But the more you go and look at her biography—a reformer, taking on the republicans in her state—she’s got a wonderful personal story to tell," Madonna said.

Her inexperience aside, Palin could prove helpful in courting women in the critical Philadelphia suburbs, Madonna said.

Surely, Madonna said, conservatives in the state will prefer her to former Gov. Tom Ridge.

"I think the pro-life people in Pennsylvania will take to her," he said.

And while former Ridge may have given McCain a boost of a couple points in Pennsylvania, Madonna said, it will be up to both candidates at the top of the ticket to sell themselves, not their running mates.

"Once you get past the experience problem, it’s not a bad choice," Madonna said. "I didn’t think so at first, but it’s a good choice."