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Bay County Delegate Approves McCain’s V.P
08/29/08 - 08:31 PM
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Presidential candidate John McCain’s choice for Vice President means this year’s Republican National Convention will go down in history.  One Panhandle woman will have a unique opportunity to see the event first-hand.

“I’m excited and a little nervous at the same time,” said Melissa Hagan.  She’s a mother of 3 and wife of almost 19 years.  She and her husband will celebrate a special anniversary next week, at the National Convention.  She says recent political developments are defying her greatest expectations.

“We’re history in the making and I’m pretty excited to be part of that history,” said Hagan.

News of Vice Presidential nominee Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin is giving her a personal connection.

“We actually lived about 20 miles South of Wasilla, which is where she was the mayor,” said Hagan.

A resident of Alaska from 1992 to 1996, she never met Palin, but says she’s very familiar with her reputation.

“I’m very excited about the pick,” said Hagan, “I think she’s a great choice just to bring some new life into the Republican Party.”

While Hagan says McCain’s choice will boost the party’s chances of winning, other Bay County residents say they have mixed opinions.

“Obviously they’ve been hammering Barak Obama very hard about his inexperience,” said resident Mark York, “and for them to pick someone who’s only been governor for 2 years of Alaska, it just caught me by surprise.”

“I think that she has a lot of conservative values that I held and I’m just excited that this race is getting more interesting every day,” said Cathy Pickrell.

“She’s only been governor for two years,” said John Thomas, “The same argument can be said about Obama as her.  He should’ve went with Romney.”

But, Hagan says the candidate will get more citizens participating in politics, and she says Florida’s participation in the Convention with its 225 delegates, will be easy to see.

“You’ve got some surprises,” she said, “I think you’ll be able to recognize us on the floor when you see us so it’s exciting.”

Hagan is also an active resident in Bay County as a volunteer for the Red Cross and the Women’s Club of Panama City.