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NRL News
Massive
Virginian Rally for McCain/Palin When I heard that the McCain campaign was coming to nearby Fairfax, Virginia, yesterday, my first question was, “Will both John McCain and Sarah Palin be there?” The newly formed “dream team” are fast becoming the greatest one-two punch in politics, a combination of experience, potential, service, and tenaciousness. The rally proved to be the last scheduled joint appearance by McCain and Palin before Gov. Palin returned to Alaska to say goodbye to her son, Track, who was about to leave for Iraq. The huge, enthusiastic crowd—estimated at police to be 23,000 strong--that greeted the pair in Van Dyck Park were thrilled to hear both of them give rousing and inspiring speeches, joined by former Sen. Fred Thompson and Virginia politicians including congressmen Frank Wolf and Tom Davis. The excitement and energy could be felt as supporters lined up to board shuttle buses at a nearby mall. Cars filled the parking lot and spilled over to an adjacent shopping center. The queue for the buses was a sea of red, as rally organizers asked attendees to wear shirts that would demonstrate that Virginia would remain “red” come November. The rally was initially scheduled to take place in the gym of a nearby high school, but local school board members objected because classes were in session. (Never mind that Barack Obama appeared the same day at a school in Norfolk, Virginia, and both Obama and Hillary Clinton have had appearances in Northern Virginia schools in the past few months.) The controversy turned out to be a blessing in disguise, however. Relocating overnight to a park, thousands more people were able to attend. Once the buses dropped us off at the park, the magnitude of the crowd was obvious. People poured through two entrances, filling the large area in front of the stage and extending onto small hills and under trees. Women, especially, seemed empowered and energized by the inclusion of Sarah Palin on the ticket. Homemade signs proclaimed, “Vote for the Hero and the Mom,” “Trig Is My ‘Brother,’” and “Only Difference: Lipstick!” While the media tried to downplay the huge turnout by attributing it to curiosity about newcomer Palin, the support for McCain himself was obvious. Shouts of “Sarah! Sarah!” could definitely be heard, but choruses of “John McCain! John McCain!” also echoed through the park. Palin’s experience of living her right to life principles combined with McCain’s pro-life voting record have given us a clear choice this fall. The intensity and enthusiasm felt yesterday in Northern Virginia showed that McCain/Palin make a dynamic team. |