A large crowd waits to enter the Colorado Jet Center for a John McCain rally in Colorado Springs on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2008. (Chuck Bigger, Special to The Denver Post)Posted on 09/06/2008 12:19:46 PM PDT by GVnana
A large crowd waits to enter the Colorado Jet Center for a John McCain rally in Colorado Springs on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2008. (Chuck Bigger, Special to The Denver Post)
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. — In just the second day out on the campaign trail with running mate Sarah Palin, Republican Presidential candidate John McCain will get a rock star's welcome this morning at the Colorado Jet Center.
Campaign staff say more than 10,000 people are expected to crowd into and overflow out of an airplane hangar at the Colorado Springs airport. They began lining up as early as 5:30 a.m., even though doors for the event didn't open until 9 a.m.
Palin is scheduled to start speaking at 12:30 p.m., followed by McCain.
By the time doors did open, traffic jammed for miles around the airport and the line of people waiting to get in wound for several hundred yards around large hangars.
"We wanted to be here for this memorable day," explained Patricia Strawser, who left her Denver house with her husband, Tom, at 5 a.m.
They arrived at the airport at 6 a.m. and found 50 people already in line ahead of them.
"I've never done anything like this before," said Tom Strawser, who wore a cowboy hat adorned with little American flags. "Nothing."
The crowd was made up of both veterans of political rallies and first-timers. Patricia Strawser said she worked for Democrat Al Gore's campaign in 2000. Tom Strawser said McCain's pick of Palin, the quick-witted, charismatic and conservative Alaska governor, made all the difference.
"Sincerity," Tom Strawser summed it up. "She's very authentic. I've never been inspired by anyone else like this except Bobby Kennedy."
"It has energized the base," added Patricia Strawser, a naturalized citizen from Colombia who said she became a Republican because she feels it's the party of moral values. "And it shows how bright John McCain is. He knows how the game is played. It is game on now."
Other people in the crowd said Palin has brought an enthusiasm level to the McCain campaign that now rivals that of Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama's famously devoted supporters.
"Military moms means what they say," Cathi Judy, a 52-year-old woman from Penrose whose husband is serving in the Army in Iraq and who has two children serving in the military, said in reference to Palin and her son, who is also in the military.
Radio show host Dan Caplis stirred up the crowd by pointing out several Republican women who hold elected office in the state.
"It just seems funny to hear Barack Obama say that he's for equal opportunity for women," Caplis said. "Tell that to Hillary Clinton."
He then led the crowd in chants of "Palin power!"
Sitting high up in the bleachers adjacent to the stage, Lorena Mitchell said she thought McCain would have received a rousing reception in Colorado Springs regardless of whom he chose as his running mate.
"This is typical El Paso County," said Mitchell, a Colorado Springs resident who is a lifelong Republican who has served as a party precinct chair for several years.
She said she has attended rallies for five presidents and several presidential candidates but has never seen McCain speak in-person.
"I thought, 'Gosh, if he's this close, I ought to come see him and show people I support him,'" she said.
But sitting down in the crowd, Mitchell's brother, George Mitchell, said he wasn't so sure. Mitchell, a Democrat, said he came with his sister and his girlfriend, who is also a Republican, to the rally. He held a sign reading "Maverick" over his head, but he said that was to block the intense morning sun.
"I'm still undecided," he said. "I came here to see what he looks like. Obama scares me too."
And, as for Palin, he was equally skeptical.
"I have nothing against hockey moms, don't get me wrong," he said invoking Palin's oft-quoted self characterization. "But c'mon, you've got to have a little more experience than that."
Lorena Mitchell was chuckled at her brother's skepticism.
"I think this will change his mind," she said.
"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
Mr. Mitchell, I give you credit for keeping an open mind and showing up to see for yourself. But if you're going to grade harshly on experience (or lack thereof), then you absolutely cannot vote for B. Hussein Obama, a man who's done nothing.
Great news! Thanks for posting!
"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
screen capture from CNN outside the arena.
Cherokee County, Georgia would give them a good run for their money..(Guess where I live..)
What I like is that they said she’d speak at 12:30 (local time)—and she did. Very respectful of all those people crowding together and waiting to support them.
Uh...how 'bout mayor and governor of Alaska? That work for ya, George? Sheesh...
I heard Sarah’s speech and a bit of McCains until Fox had to break away. The both were great, but must say Sarah was awesome! The McCain/Palin ticket will not lose in November!
I saw this on Fox News, but the article doesn’t mention anything about the American flags that were handed out to the crowd? Apparently, after the crowds at the DNC dumped their American flags in the trash at Invesco Field, they were “rescued” and handed out at this McCain rally.
Hypocrites. They thought Patti Murray’s “mom in tennis shoes” schtick was just great.
Sarah has been compared to Teddy Roosevelt, the Kennedy brothers, Ronald Reagan and Harry Truman.
:).. she is something special.
This is the first report I could find and most of it was written before the rally. There will be more reports coming up soon.
Sounds like this article was written before the rally got started and news of the flags was just coming out.
"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
However, Sarah could truly “Give them Hell” if she was in a position of authority.
That said, I've donated to his campaign in the past week and am thankful for Sarah being on the ticket, if only that she becomes the likely person to clean up the mess he will likely leave.
I have nothing against messianic self deluded community organizers... don’t get me wrong,” I said invoking Obama’s oft-quoted self characterization. “But c’mon, you’ve got to have a little more experience than that.”
I heard some of Sarah. Frankly, she needs some fresh material. The last couple speeches have been almost identical to the one from the RNC. Too many people have already heard that.
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