Posted on 09/10/2008 11:42:37 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Fairfax, Virginia - The crowd burst into cheers of 'Sarah, Sarah, Sarah' as the Republican candidate for vice president waved alongside presidential nominee John McCain and their spouses.
If Senator McCain meant to excite the conservative basis of his centre-right party by naming Sarah Palin as his running mate, his decision was vindicated by the reaction from the red, white and blue- clad crowd at a campaign stop in Fairfax, Virginia, one week after the obscure Alaska governor's landmark convention speech to introduce herself to Republicans and the nation.
Palin has raised eyebrows since being pegged as McCain's number two, with many Democrats and analysts questioning her qualifications for the job - she lacks foreign policy credentials and has been governor of her remote state for less than two years.
But the party faithful in the battleground state of Virginia voiced excitement about the ticket's combination of military and legislative experience from former Vietnam prisoner of war McCain with Palin, a fresh face who brings a new voice to US politics.
Palin has sparked interest in the ticket, and though she has yet to give interviews or campaign on her own, she has pulled in huge crowds for McCain's campaign appearances since the Republican National Convention ended last week in St Paul, Minnesota.
More than 20,000 people turned out at the Virginia rally, and many parked as much as 2 kilometres away and waited in long security lines to catch a glimpse of the duo in a small, suburban park.
'I think the country realizes it can count on John McCain,' said Edward Bishop, a 47-year-old military veteran, who felt assured that Palin's values as a mother of five would help put McCain over the top with voters.
'I think she guarantees victory,' said Bishop, holding a sign reading 'Sarah, will you marry me?'
Her opposition to abortion and advocacy for stepped up energy production, as governor of an oil-rich state, were particularly popular with people at the Fairfax rally.
Among the homemade signs waved that day were: 'Dems Palin comparison,' 'Stay at Home Moms for Palin' and 'Family of seven for McCain-Palin.'
Women in the crowd, many with their young children in tow, said they were proud of their party for having a female candidate and were upset by suggestions that Palin's maternal responsibilities would distract her from official duties as vice president should the Republicans win the general elections on November 4.
Joan Czarra, 53, a business owner from nearby Centreville, Virginia, called such suggestions 'appalling,' noting other women with both powerful jobs and children.
'It would never even have happened if this were a man,' Czarra said.
Sherri Dreesen, 37, who came to the rally with her teenage children, said that having a woman on the ticket would not influence her vote and noted that though it was exciting to have a woman candidate she hoped that was not the deciding qualification for McCain's choice. Dreesen said she was 'cautiously convinced' that Palin was a good choice for the vice presidential slot.
McCain needs these voters' enthusiasm in Virginia, a Southern state that has been reliably Republican for 40 years in presidential elections but that has become a key battleground as residents of its populous, wealthy suburbs near the nation's capital - including Fairfax - have increasingly backed Democrats.
The mid-size state could be a key battleground as polls show McCain and Democratic rival Barack Obama in a tight national race.
McCain received a major boost from the Republican convention last week - greater than Obama enjoyed from the Democrats' convention one week earlier - as the presidential campaign enters its final stretch.
Realclearpolitics.com, which compiles an aggregate of all national polls, on Monday had McCain at 46.7 per cent to Obama's 45.5 per cent - the first time McCain has held an edge since May. The site showed McCain leading Obama in Virginia by 2.6 percentage points.
'My friends, the Commonwealth of Virginia is a battleground state. We must win it, and we will win it with your support,' McCain said to cheers followed by even more cheers as he acknowledged the role of sidekick Palin in helping to shake up the electorate and shake up Washington.
'I can't wait until I introduce her to Washington, DC, and the pork barrellers and the big spenders and all of the ear-markers and all the bureaucrats, because, my friends, let there be no doubt, we're going to win this election. And let me offer an advanced warning to the old, big-spending, do-nothing, me-first, country- second Washington crowd: change is coming. Change is coming, and it's coming to our nation's capital. And we'll clean it up.'
"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
???
"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
I know you were referencing the Wizard of Oz, and maybe I need to get some sleep, but I’m not sure what the little man behind the curtain has to do with this report of a big crowd showing to see McCain and Palin speak in VA.
"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
Obama. He talks like a big shot...like he’s some MLK Jr but there’s not much there
I love how Sarah talks like a real person because she actually is one. About time.
Women with families are going to kick Barry’s ass in Nov. That’s the secret of the left is that they really hate family. They want to be looked up to like Mom and Dad. This way they can manipulate the masses. Destroy the family structure and re-educate and power is theirs.
“That’s the secret of the left is that they really hate family. “
I think it’s more person specific. They hate anything that isn’t just like them.
They look up to someone, only if that someone practices the same sins.
Sarah.....
Is Heterosexual.
Is Married.
Been married to same man since High School.
Has fired incompetent and dangerous relatives.
Has reduced gov’t waste in her state.
Has worked with members of ALL political parties, willingly.
Has practiced diversity in her hiring and appointments.
Is consistent.
Kept all her children, alive.
Goes to Church (without a flock of cameras).
Teaches her children by good examples.
Doesn’t use Botox.
Makes any outfit look good.
Makes everyone she’s around, feel like her old friend.
Doesn’t pay other women to raise her children.
Attends her children’s school activities and participates in Parent/school functions.
Pursues and removes corruption.
......... It’s no wonder they hate her.
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