Richard: I'm still surprised McCain is the nominee

While many Missouri Republicans were surprised by John McCain's choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his vice presidential candidate, Rep. Ron Richard, R-Joplin, was just as surprised by the fact it was McCain who was making that choice, he told the Joplin Globe's Susan Redden:

State Rep. Ron Richard, of Joplin, also a convention delegate, praised Palin’s selection “based on her ability and credentials.”

Palin formerly was chairwoman of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. She entered politics in 1992, serving two terms on the Wasilla (Alaska) City Council, then two terms as mayor from 1996 to 2002.

Asked if he was surprised by the choice, Richard, who supported former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney for president, said he still is “surprised that McCain’s the nominee.”

Richard said he wasn’t unhappy that Romney was not McCain’s pick for vice president. “I think he would be better in the Cabinet,” he said.