Palin's hand were tied on this one. Palin, by Alaska Constitution, has to choose from nominees presented to her by an independent committee. The two nominees were pro-choice Morgan Christen and pro-choice Eric Smith. Smith is also an environmental lawyer who supports listing Beluga whale as endangered which Palin doesn't support. This was kind of a lesser of two evils choice for Palin. It isn't as though she bucked her party line and went pro-choice.
Gramps
Good for her, and congrats to da judge