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MIDDLETOWN — As flags waved and people cheered anxiously awaiting the first woman chosen as Republican vice president to appear before them in Fairborn, students at Miami University Middletown were left with one question: Who is Sarah Palin?

Broken down to just basic information — she's conservative, 44, a mother of five and the first female governor of Alaska — most students said it was about time a woman takes that office.

"There's already been Middle Eastern countries that have had women leaders," said Dennis Goodlett of Middletown. "We try to boast about equal rights and we still haven't even had a woman vice president."

But like many on campus, the historical choice did little to sway his vote.

"It will probably hurt his chances because so many people didn't want a woman president yet," said Hannah Harrison of Mason, who said she liked the choice because "it's time for change."

"I think she could do the job just as well as any man could," said Mark Adkins of Monroe.

Middletown resident Leah Adams said she never thought she'd see a woman vice president and said McCain is "letting other people out there know that men don't only have the chance at becoming vice president, women do, too."

"Women need to be out there and show that they have the same equal rights," said Brittany Murphy of Middletown.

But not everyone was happy about the surprise choice.

Chris Long of South Lebanon said though he supports more women in politics, he "wouldn't want her as president."

Long said he is concerned Palin doesn't have the "life experience" to be president, but said McCain had "to pick somebody, and he picked who he thought would be best."

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2551 or mengle@coxohio.com.