Douglas arrives at the Republican National Convention

Gov. Jim Douglas (R-Middlebury) has just arrived in St. Paul, Minn., for the Republican National Convention, according to campaign manager Dennise Casey. "I'm looking forward to spending time with the Vermont delegation, taking in the historic nomination of my colleague Governor Palin and hearing Senator McCain's nomination speech," Douglas said in an email to PolitickerVT.com on Wednesday.

In a phone interview on Friday with PolitickerVT.com, Douglas applauded the selection of Gov. Sarah Palin (R-Alaska) as John McCain’s vice presidential running mate. He said Palin shares many of the values Vermonters hold dear and that she can identify with working residents in the Green Mountain State.

Douglas told WCAX-TV that even though Palin is relatively unknown, he does not think there will be more surprises. Earlier this week it became known Palin’s 17-year-old daughter was pregnant and was set to get married to the father. 

Douglas, who is seeking re-election, does not believe this revelation will impact the race. 

"I'm quite confident that any nominee for vice president has been well vetted by Senator McCain's campaign organization and that he's very confident that she's qualified and will be a strong contender," Douglas told WCAX-TV.