Associated Press
 
September 5, 2009
 
WASHINGTON -- Oregon Sen. Gordon Smith says he is impressed with Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the Republican party's pick for vice president.
 
The Republican senator did not attend his party's convention in Minnesota, but says he watched Palin's acceptance speech and liked what he saw. Palin, a self-described hockey mom, has drawn rave reviews from Republicans nationwide for her smiling, sarcastic attack on Barack Obama.
 
"I think she has the right stuff," Smith told KOIN-TV in Portland Thursday. "I believe that many women will relate to her as a mother, as a wife (and) in national life as a very competent administrator of her state and of her town."
 
Smith said Palin will resonate with the small towns and big dreams of Oregon. He said the all-Western ticket will focus on issues facing Oregon.