Missouri Republicans have been quick to weigh in on presumptive presidential nominee John McCain’s choice of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate.

Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder was the first to issue a statement, applauding the selection, and saying, "Governor Palin’s integrity, strong pro-life record and her continued stance on energy independence makes her the perfect choice to be our next Vice President."

A statement with comments from Governor Matt Blunt, Senator Kit Bond, and Missouri Republican Party Chairman Doug Russell was then sent from GOP headquarters. Governor Blunt, who has worked with his fellow Republican chief executive, saying, "As a fellow governor I understand the experience she will bring to Washington having managed a large budget, lead the state’s National Guard and made tough executive decisions for her state including cutting spending."

Senator Bond calls Palin, "A bipartisan reformer who brings the executive experience and values voters in Missouri and across the nation are looking for."

Says Russell: "Sarah Palin is a strong conservative and the Missouri Republican Party is proud to have her as the vice presidential nominee for the Republican Party."

State Treasurer Sarah Steelman has offered a comment of her own.  "I am thrilled," writes Steelman, "With John McCain’s bold selection of Sarah Palin for Vice President" Steelman adds, "in battling wasteful and wreckless spending by Congress, Governor Palin called for a ban on earmarks, even when they would benefit her state.  That’s the kind of leadership America needs."