BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – Republican Gov. Jim Douglas said Thursday that Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin nailed her speech on Wednesday night, and that the GOP ticket national ticket this year provides an opportunity Republican candidates in traditionally Democratic states.

Speaking to the Massachusetts GOP delegation at its brunch, Douglas said Palin is a great addition to the ticket. Palin, Douglas said, has “energized the Republican Party” and those outside the GOP base.

“She is going to bring a great deal of enthusiasm to the Republican team, and I am very optimistic about what the fall portends,” Douglas said.

In particular, Douglas said many Americans can relate to Palin.

“For the first time in many years we have someone on the ticket that’s just like us,” he said. “Someone who has dealt with the challenges of raising a family, dealt with so many issues that confront small town America… someone who has provided leadership in rural parts of our country.”

Douglas also said one reason he believes the GOP will win this fall is the way all of the presidential candidates have fallen in line behinds presumptive nominee John McCain.

Former Gov. Mitt Romney (R-Belmont), former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani (N.Y.) and Gov. Mike Huckabee (Ark.), all showed their support in their addresses Wednesday night.

“That’s how we’re going to win,” he said. 
Douglas also commented on the uphill battle Republican state legislative candidates face in New England.

In Vermont, he said, Democrats now have veto-proof majorities in both the state House of Representatives and state Senate. “Although they haven’t overridden me yet,” he said to applause.

“We’ve got to work extra hard, especially in our part of the country – we’re deep blue,” Douglas said. “We need to work extra hard to get our friends out to the polls.”

“It is tough,” Douglas added, “but I really believe that New Englanders, with their rugged individualism and sense of independence, can be persuaded.”
McCain and Palin, he said, will help all Republicans in November.

“Don’t worry about the color of the map,” he said. “I think we’ve got the right message; we’ve got the right candidates leading our ticket this year. I think we can have a real impact and provide some opportunity for the people of our region to make some good choices and grow the strength of the GOP.”