Posted on 10/16/2008 7:49:12 PM PDT by cmj328
SALEM, N.H. -- "Sa-rah! Sa-rah! Sa-rah!"
Two days after her Democratic counterpart drew a comparatively intimate crowd of 600 people to a small basketball gym in Manchester, Republican vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin filled the Salem High School football field to capacity last night with adoring supporters chanting her name.
"Thank you for that warm welcome to the Granite State. I hope you don't take the beauty of your great state for granted," said Palin, opening her speech before a wildly enthusiastic and all-supportive crowd that Salem fire marshal Jeff Emmanuelson estimated to be about 7,000.
"I've never seen anything like this," commented McCain-Palin campaign volunteer Laurie Myers of Chelmsford, Mass., on the turnout shortly before Palin arrived. Myers had assisted in keeping the orderly, long line of ticket holders moving since 4 p.m. "Everyone keeps saying she's down in the polls, but if this (turnout) is any indication, I think the polls are wrong."
By all accounts, it was easily the largest gathering for an appearance by a political candidate -- presidential, vice presidential or otherwise -- from either party in Salem's, if not southern New Hampshire's, history.
"It's a long way from a coffee shop walk-through and handshakes, I'll say that," said Hudson police officer Bill Emmons, who was among a squadron of about 30 policemen from Salem and surrounding towns that handled security for the event.
The seemingly Iditarod-length line to get in appeared to trace the outline of Gov. Palin's home state of Alaska, winding slowly from the corner of Broadway, about a quarter-mile away, along Geremonty Drive, before turning right up a steeply inclined driveway, then left around the back of the school, and finally downhill to the football stadium entrance.
Spotted among the multitudes were dozens of families with young children; several 30-something moms wearing look-a-like Palin hairdos and glasses; another group of women in Boston Bruins, Bobby Orr-like black-and-gold jerseys with the words "Hockey Moms 4 Palin" on the back: and at least one proud female Palin supporter carrying the homemade sign, "Read My Lipstick!"
Experienced together -- the large crowd, the three metal-detector security portals, the three giant projection-screen TVs, and towering stereo speakers -- gave the event a distinct celebrity-concert atmosphere.
Before Palin spoke, three local Republican notables officially welcomed her to the state, including U.S. Sen. John Sununu, Salem High, class of '82; N.H. congressional candidate Jennifer Horn, a 44-year-old mother of five; and Shonda Schilling, wife of Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling, who managed to lump together the enemies of the Republicans and the Red Sox.
"Obama supporters are like Yankee fans," Schilling told the crowd, enticing loud whoops and cheers. "They're not bad people; they're just backing the wrong team."
Palin took the stage accompanied by her husband Todd, "the first dude of Alaska," as she called him.
"John (McCain) and I take seriously your state's motto, 'Live Free or Die,' " declared Palin, while accusing Obama of attempting to curtail New Hampshire residents' freedom from oppressive federal taxes.
"I hear that here in Salem, there are two kinds of people who call this home," Palin said. "The fine people of New Hampshire, and also the fine people of Massachusetts who got sick of paying all those taxes and moved here."
It was a line that produced possibly the loudest ovation of the night.
"Barack Obama has voted 94 times for higher taxes," said Palin, eliciting a loud chorus of boos for the Democratic presidential nominee. "Taxes are already too high and he wants to raise them; John and I will actually cut your taxes."
The solution to America's economic problems, Palin told the Salem crowd, using the "just folks" vernacular that has endeared her to millions, "is to just stop spending so much doggone money."
"The last thing we need in the White House," she added, "is another big spender."
As governor, Palin claimed, "I put the veto pen to a half billion dollars in wasteful spending.
"In New Hampshire, from now until election day, you are going to hear our opponents say, on and on, how they will fight for you," Palin said. "Since my running mate isn't here to say it on his own, I will say it for him: There is only one man in this race who has ever really fought for you."
The crowd responded with more loud cheers, mixed with chants of "John McCain! John McCain!"
"And as the mother of one of the troops who are over there in Iraq right now, I can tell you he is exactly the kind of man I want as commander in chief," Palin added.
As she wrapped up her half-hour speech "under a beautiful, moonlit sky," Palin made indirect reference to national polls showing McCain trailing Obama, while mentioning that she was looking forward to watching last night's televised presidential debate "from inside Red Sox Nation."
Like the Red Sox, Palin predicted, the Republicans are the "underdogs" that will come from behind and win on Nov. 4.
Note that Obama came to Londonderry, NH this morning and drew 4,100, about a third of Palin's statewide tally in three rallies.
More importantly: If Obama is really 10 points up in NH, like the polls say, why is he coming to NH at all?
He has absolutely NOTHING in common with the average American.
Folks can relate to John and Sarah for a variety of reasons.
However, Obama's friends are black racists, anarchists, terrorists, communists, abortionists, taxmen, criminals and other horrible people.
Who wants to think of such monsters controlling our taxpayer dollars?
“Like the Red Sox, Palin predicted, the Republicans are the “underdogs” that will come from behind and win on Nov. 4.”
Uh-oh, the Red Sox are trailing 7-0 in the 7th.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
How can anyone really honestly believe that this campaign is behind?
80 million Americans tuned in to watch this women debate Joe Biden.
She has transformed American politics more than Hillary Clinton because she is an authentic American— not the pretentious Beltway insider so charming to the Kristols, Krauthammers, and Noonans.
She is the clearest indication of the potential demise of a ruling elite that presently straddles the political continuum. This is their world and its happy manipulations will not be easily upset by this upstart reformer.
But the victimized public knows its champion despite the long odds.
Go get em Sarah!
I am going to remind myself of this before I fall asleep tonight, and sleep the sleep of the blessed and carefree. Obama has lost this election. Sarah is going to drag her grandpa across the finish line, with Joe the Plumber helping, and save us from this despicable communist termite. Let's get out there and kick his teeth in!
-ccm
“Obama supporters are like Yankee fans,” Schilling told the crowd, enticing loud whoops and cheers. “They’re not bad people; they’re just backing the wrong team.”
yeah...whatever.
Good question. And why Biden, as well? You know, I lived there for a few years. It’s a quirky state, but those are hard-nosed people up there. And if you combine the Palin crowds with the thought that McCain won two come-from-behind primary races there (against Bush and then Romney), and it is difficult to believe he will not win the state.
MSM version of the ‘inflammatory’ populism of Palin:
Don’t take the beauty of your state for granted.
Cherish all human life.
Love our country.
Exactly right - Obamunism and friends want to ROB us blind and DESTROY this nation and they will succeed unless God intervenes and stops the massive voter fraud theft of this election!
God bless and keep Gov Palin and Senator McCain!
During Harry Truman's 1948 "Give 'Em Hell" tour, the crowds started out small but grew exponentially. Tom Dewey happily sat on his lead in the polls, talking platitudes, running out the clock.
When Truman hit a whistle stop in Ohio, Alice Roosevelt Longworth, TR's daughter, drove out to see him speak and was alarmed. Alice could name most GOP county chairmen off the top of her head and had a better political brain than most men in the party. Alice called RNC headquarters and said, "Get Dewey a message, or we're going to lose this thing!" She was ignored.
The rest is history. And the growing size of the crowds testified to that.
It’s all about turnout! And the fact is that McCain and Palin (especially Sarah) have been turning out crowds and Obama simply hasn’t! During the primaries, Obama was sending thrills up Chrissy Matthews legs, but somehow Sarah’s numbers are ignored by the media in terms of their significance.
If McCain/Palin bring out the vote as they are in the football stadiums, Obama will lose!
Well today I voted early and I voted for McCain/Palin without holding my nose..
Lowell’s a heck of town. I worked there for a while back in ‘76/’77.
A town of energy and renewal - peace be with you.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Yes, there seems to be more passion on the Republican side. I don't think the passion is there for the dimocRATS except for the extremist.
Sarah’s packin’ em in and Joey plugs can just about fill a gym BUT Barry is ahead and walking away with it.
Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight.
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