The Republican governor from the overwhelmingly Democratic state where Barack Obama was born got the chance to introduce the biographical video about Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. In Hawaii, Lingle has claimed the mantle of bipartisan reform and had glowing praise for Palin. Lingle is the first Republican to govern the Aloha State since 1962 and enjoys approval ratings at home approaching Palin’s 80 percent. Lingle was elected to her second term in 2006 by the largest margin in state history.