Republican Gov. Jim Douglas applauded the selection of Gov. Sarah Palin (R-Alaska) as the Republican vice-presidential nominee Friday.

“She’s feisty,” Douglas told PolitickerVT.com. “She’s scrappy. She’s candid. She’s bold and at the same time she is very respectful of other people and very polite. I think she is a great pick.”

Douglas, who is seeking re-election, said Palin shares many of the values that Vermonters hold dear.

“She is a fiscal conservative,” he said. “She has talked about energy independence and has addressed ethics reform in her state in a big way. That was the hallmark of her candidacy. She has fought to clean up the corruption in her state government and the oil industry there. I think Vermonters would like to see that anywhere. We expect our government to be honest and ethical.”

Douglas said Palin can identify closely with working Vermonters because she is a working mother of five with one son being deployed to Iraq next month. He also said the Alaska governor understands the impact of climate change in Alaska better than any other part of our country.

On Thursday, Douglas told Vermont Public Radio that he hoped McCain would pick a vice-presidential running mate that had gubernatorial experience.

 “Governors are working closer to their constituents, delivering the services and pressing the economic challenges that families are facing,” Douglas said. “I think the choice of a governor is a very positive one.”