Moore County's delegates to the Republican National Convention were surprised at John McCain's choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his vice presidential running mate.

But they like her.

"I think she's absolutely perfect," said Do Shaver of Seven Lakes.

Shaver, who is secretary of the Moore County Republican Party, and Dr. Jim Taylor of Southern Pines, are in St. Paul, Minn., this week for the convention.

"I need to know more about her, but at first glance, she has the beautiful appeal of a political outsider," Taylor said of Sarah Palin.

In brief telephone interviews Tuesday morning, both Shaver and Taylor said they regard the news that Palin's 17-year-old daughter is pregnant as a personal matter and unrelated to the campaign. They said the girl's decision to have the baby and marry the father is a reflection of her mother's teaching and example of Republican principles, including the pro-life position and the need to take responsibility for one's behavior.

The delegates said they used the Monday hiatus from regular convention activities to good purpose. Sen. John McCain, the GOP candidate for president, did not appear at the convention because of the expected severity of Hurricane Gustav. Instead, he went to Waterville, Ohio, to help pack relief materials for hurricane victims. President George W. Bush went directly to New Orleans to determine how well relief efforts were being carried out. Both had been expected to make appearances at the convention Monday.

Shaver said delegates were organized to help hurricane victims and everyone was asked to make donations to storm relief.

Taylor said he used his time to stroll the streets of St. Paul, and that he spent some time talking with anti-war protesters gathered a short distance outside the convention area.

First Lady Laura Bush and Cindy McCain, wife of the presidential candidate, made up for their absent husbands with brief appearances on the convention floor Monday.

For more on this story, see Wednesday's print edition of The Pilot.