But they said their objections to Democrat Barack Obama provided the glue that united them behind their soon-to-be nominee.
Former Gov. Pete Wilson, who started out supporting former New York Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, headed into the convention confident.
"It is a combination of enthusiasm for John McCain and the prospect of an Obama administration that is, to say the least, sobering," Wilson said. "It scares the hell out of people, rightly so."
California delegates saw a potential gain, but also some risk, in McCain's selection of Palin.
Wilson lauded the choice, saying that although Palin lacks foreign policy experience, "she is a very gutsy young woman willing to take on special interests . . . [and] corruption, even when it was in her own party."
In 2003, after Palin was appointed to the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, she led an ethics investigation against a fellow panelist, the state Republican Party chairman, who later admitted to violations.
Some analysts contend that Palin's inexperience could undermine the McCain contention that Obama lacks the experience to lead the nation. Democrats have wasted no time citing her limited world travels and tenure in office -- she took office in 2006, and Alaska's population is less than one-fourth that of Orange County.
But California delegates who are Palin fans brushed that issue aside, saying that she has balanced state budgets and vetoed bills.
"If they want to put a spotlight on Sarah Palin's experience, it will turn into a mirror for Obama," said delegate Tim LeFever, chairman of the Christian conservative group Capitol Resource Institute in Sacramento.
"She wasn't put on the ticket because she has 36 years of experience," he said. "Maybe that's why Barack Obama put Joe Biden on his ticket."
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dan.morain@latimes.com
