SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Republicans were surprised but generally pleased with presumptive GOP presidential nominee John McCain's pick of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate.

The prevailing sentiment Friday among Republican's heading to the party's national convention in Minnesota next week was that Palin would bring executive experience to the ticket, as well as help draw Hillary Clinton supporters away from Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois.

Connie Nord, a delegate from Bloomington, had been pulling for her friend, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, to get the nod.

But, Nord said the pick of the little-known Palin was a strategic masterstroke.

"I think it's bold and beautiful," Nord said. "I think it's going to appeal to the Hillary Clinton supporters. I think what he's done is very courageous."

State Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson, R-Greenville, thought McCain's pick would be linked to a swing state, such as Florida or Pennsylvania.

In the end, Watson said the choice of Palin ultimately makes sense.

"She did come kind of out of nowhere," Watson said. "This is a pick that is typical of John McCain. It's out of the box."

Watson said the choice will help bring women to the ticket.

"It is an appeal to women," Watson said.

Mary Welling, a delegate from Rock Island, said she wanted Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Rommey to get the nod.

"I'm not thrilled," Welling said. "I don't know how much overall she'll bring to the ticket."

Carbondale Mayor Brad Cole is pleased McCain picked someone with executive experience. The fact Palin was once a mayor like himself didn't hurt, either.

"I felt both Obama and McCain should pick someone with executive experience," Cole said. "It was good that McCain decided to look outside the Beltway and look outside the standard cast of characters."

Illinois Republican Party Chairman Andrew McKenna called it a "bold pick."

"This historic decision is a reminder that John McCain is serious about bringing real change to Washington, D.C.," McKenna said. "Governor Palin is a proven leader who has taken on members of her own party, led on ethics reform and has fought wasteful spending and higher taxes."

Illinois Democrats said adding the 44-year-old first-term governor to the Republican ticket raises questions about McCain's judgment.

"After trying to make experience the issue of this campaign, John McCain celebrated his 72nd birthday by appointing a former small-town mayor and brand-new governor as his vice presidential nominee," said Democratic U.S. Rep. Rahm Emanuel of Chicago.

"Is this really who the Republican Party wants to be one heartbeat away from the presidency? Given Sarah Palin's lack of experience on every front and on nearly every issue, this vice presidential pick doesn't show judgment; it shows political panic," Emanuel said.

kurt.erickson@lee.net|789-0865