Idaho Republicans say they are thrilled with presidential nominee John McCain's pick of Idaho native and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as the GOP vice presidential nominee.

"It was a totally brilliant choice," said Rep. Mike Simpson. "Plus, she's got Idaho roots, and an Idaho woman is tough."

Gov. Butch Otter is among the few Idahoans who know Palin personally. Both were elected in 2006 and have met at regular gatherings of the nation's governors. They also sat together at a White House dinner.

"I think she brings a lot of balance," Otter said, praising her for her understanding of Western issues.

Palin has been active in the national and western governors associations on education, criminal justice, natural resources and transportation, Otter said. "She has always provided a lot of leadership and a lot of input to the other governors," he said.

Born Sarah Heath in Sandpoint Feb. 11, 1964, she moved with her parents to Alaska as an infant. Palin was a high school basketball star and won a state championship before attending Hawaii Pacific University in 1982. In 1983-84, she spent the school year at North Idaho College in Coeur d'Alene. In the fall of 1984, she transferred to the University of Idaho and spent four semesters on campus. She earned a journalism degree in 1987.

Officials at NIC and the U of I issued statements praising Palin's leadership on Friday but were unable to find any faculty or staff who remembered more than her face. Palin apparently didn't write for the college paper or work on the TV station, according to Kenton Bird, director of the School of Journalism and Mass Media.

"She left light footprints at the University of Idaho," said Bird.

Now, Republicans are eager to get to know her. GOP Chairman Norm Semanko said plans are afoot to invite her to a state delegation breakfast during the GOP national convention in Minneapolis next week.

Semanko attended U of I while Palin was on campus. "I don't recall ever having met her, but we'll fix that next week," Semanko said. "We were all pretty excited to go to Minneapolis but we're really, really excited now."

Sen. Mike Crapo called the choice inspired. "I am certain that voters will find that Governor Palin shares the concerns and virtues of Idaho's families, and that she is superbly qualified to be the next vice president of the United States," Crapo said.

Said Rep. Bill Sali: "Her values represent America's values - and my values."

Simpson predicted that Palin will lure women voters unhappy with Democrat Barack Obama for passing over Sen. Hillary Clinton as his choice for No. 2.

"All those Hillary supporters that are mad she didn't get selected as VP - a lot of them are going to go to McCain," Simpson said.

Simpson said Palin won't help Idaho Republican candidates quite as much as Mitt Romney would have. "But nationally, I think she probably helps the ticket more than Romney."

Dan Popkey: 377-6438