Staff writer
chriscam@observer-reporter.com
Even before Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin arrived at Consol Energy Park Saturday, the crowd of nearly 10,000 people was enthusiastically chanting her name.
"I think she's a wonderful choice, and I really like how it stole a lot of thunder from the Obama convention," said Christy Gordon, who drove with her mother from Glen Dale, W.Va., to attend the campaign rally.
Palin, chosen as Republican presidental candidate John McCain's running mate the day before, is a newcomer, and many were excited to hear from her.
The Arizona senator seemed aware of that, so after telling the crowd he had found the right partner and briefly introducing Palin, he stood back and let her speak.
Palin immediately endeared herself to the Southwestern Pennsylvania crowd by noting, "it is so good to be here in Steeler territory where the Wild Things are."
Many of those in the stands waved yellow towels handed out by the campaign.
While some have questioned Palin's abilities - she has been governor for less than two years - she made it clear that she is no pushover, telling her supporters she fought corruption when she discovered it as ethics commissioner and chairwoman of Alaska's oil and gas commission.
"I've stood up to the politics as usual, to the special interests, the lobbyists, big oil influence and to the good ol' boys network," she said.
She likened herself to a ship. Although a vessel may be safe docked in harbor, it was not built for that purpose. She plans to set sail championing reform and challenging the status quo.
"We are expected to govern with integrity and good will and clear convictions and a servant's heart," she said.
A self-described hockey mom who ran for the PTA, Palin was elected to city council and later mayor of Wasilla, where she committed herself to "stop wasteful spending, cut property taxes and put the people first."
But when Palin mentioned two women who helped open doors for women in politics: 1984 vice presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro and Hillary Clinton, the latter name drew boos.
Joining Palin were her husband of 20 years, Todd, and four of their five children: daughters Willow and Piper on stage while daughter Bristol stayed on the bus to watch their infant son, Trig. Their oldest son, Track, enlisted in the U.S. Army and is to be deployed to Iraq Sept. 11.
"In the next 66 days, I'm going to take our campaign into every part of our country," Palin promised.
McCain called Palin a woman with "a lot of grit, integrity and good sense."
"She stands up for what's right, and she doesn't let anybody tell her to sit down. She's fought oil companies, party bosses and do-nothing bureaucrats and anybody who will put their interest before the people she swore an oath to serve," he said to cheers.
"I was surprised at how much I liked her," said Melissa Kraft of Castle Shannon, who was attending the rally with family members, including her 7-year-old daughter, Shayla, who held up a homemade sign stating "Palin is the Right Choice."
Rod Boutwell, of Winchester, Va., had driven his son to Washington & Jefferson College Friday and then decided to stay when he heard about the rally. While his three daughters are Obama fans, Boutwell is undecided. Afterward, he admitted to being impressed with Palin and was glad he attended.
So, too, was Mary Roessler of East Washington, despite having to sit in the direct sun for several hours. North Franklin Township police Superintendent Rich Horner said there were numerous cases of heat stroke but no major problems with so many people in one place.
Motorists, on the other hand, suffered as bumper-to-bumper traffic was present on the interstates prior to the stadium opening shortly before 3 p.m.
The Secret Service tallied 9,800 people had walked through metal detectors prior to McCain's arrival by bus.