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Just got back from the Media rally. We drove up from middle Delaware. Discovered many other Delaware folks at the rally and met some PA people that had come all the way from Allentown. We made our reservations on line but phoned in an order for five tickets to the Republican Center in West Chester which was wise. It turned out the on-line reservations did not actually reserve tickets.

When we went to pick up our tickets they told us they were out, but when we mentioned our phone reservations, they found them. A party official said they had gone through 15,000 tickets. Going through security many people without tickets were admitted just on the strength of the computer printout of the invitation. I would guess the crowd was closer to 20,000. The Obama fasciti had small counter-demonstrations on side streets that were drowned out by the McCain-Palin people with chants of USA-USA,Sarah-Sarah and John McCAIN!

Some people near me said the crowd was bigger and more energized than the Reagan rally in "84. We were about 30 feet back from the stage. Sarah and John gave great speeches. Joe Lieberman was warmly greeted. The choppers (Teutels?)were great. A lot of veterans including me.

We took the bus over from the mall after parking there. Everyone was talking like they were old friends. The enthusiasm was contagious. I also was impressed at all the courtesy and good will despite the close quarters and standing for several hours. The local Republicans gave away free water in paper cups since water bottles were not allowed.