WATERLOO - Locally and statewide, Iowa Republicans praised the surprise pick of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as a savvy move that will invigorate the Republican presidential ticket with her youth and Washington outsider status.

Though Palin boasts impeccable conservative credentials, Rep. Tami Wiencek, R-Waterloo, said she has a strong record of challenging the status quo, regardless of party affiliation. That maverick tendency, a strong part of John McCain's appeal, should resonate with voters, she said.

"She has taken on the good-ol'-boy network; she has taken on politics as usual," Wiencek said. "I think she puts politics last and her constituents first, and that's exactly what people want."

Palin has steadfastly opposed abortion and gay marriage, and is a lifelong member of the National Rifle Association.

Running on an ethics reform platform, Palin won the governor's race in 2006 despite not enjoying the backing of the state party during the primaries.

Stephanie Laudner of Rockford, a delegate to the Republican National Convention, admires the way Palin publicly called on Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, to explain a federal investigation against him. Making such a move against the dean of the Alaskan Republican Party was considered politically risky by some.

"The old adage of Washington is broken - it is broken, and she's going to be part of the resolution," said Laudner, who also serves as campaign manager for Christopher Reed's Senate run against Democrat Tom Harkin.

In Des Moines, Rep. Tami Wiencek, R-Waterloo, said Palin will attract voters looking for a change from status quo Washington politics.

"She's the chief executive officer of a state, and she's a fresh face in Washington. That's what the electorate says it wants," Wiencek said.

Rep. Jamie Van Fossen, R-Davenport, said Palin will strengthen the Republican ticket by appealing to female voters, and Palin may help McCain tap into former supporters of Hillary Clinton who are still bitter their candidate didn't win the Democratic nomination.

Van Fossen predicted that critics will ague that Palin lacks the experience necessary to be vice president, but he said she'll bring a fresh perspective to the ticket and executive experience in a race that had previously centered largely on legislators.

"Having all these senators running kind of makes me nervous," he said.

Republicans also say Palin will go a long way toward helping Republicans win the energy crisis debate. The party has turned to the mantra, "Drill here, drill now," in an attempt to draw a clear distinction from Democrats, particularly on drilling in the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge.

Palin brings expertise on energy issues and oil as the governor of Alaska, Wiencek said.

McCain formerly opposed but now supports drilling in Alaska, so picking Palin could go a long way toward convincing skeptics, like Bill Ramsey of Cedar Falls, that his conversion is sincere.

"Palin's state sits on an area as big as Saudi Arabia full of oil, and they're not touching it. The liberals, including John McCain, have said it's such a pristine area," said Ramsey, an Iowa delegate.

Matt Reisetter of Cedar Falls, also an Iowa delegate, expressed relief that McCain did not choose former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who was considered one of the leading vice presidential candidates. Reisetter, 32, lost the Iowa House District 19 race two years ago in his first run for public office.

"Here in Iowa we saw how much Romney got beat up. I was afraid the rest of the nation would react to him the way a lot of Iowans did," he said.

Fred Love of the Courier Des Moines Bureau contributed to this report.

Contact Jens Manuel Krogstad at (319) 291-1580 or jens.krogstad@wcfcourier.com.