(Published on the UWire Youth Vote ’08 blog on Sept. 10, 2008. A picture taken for this article was chosen for inclusion on the Wikipedia profiles of John McCain, Sarah Palin, and the presidential campaign of 2008 and can be seen at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:McCainPalin1.jpg. Pictures taken for this article were also published in Japanese newsmagazine “English Zone” and were used in the cover design of “Don’t Tell Me Words Don’t Matter: How Rhetoric Won the 2008 Presidential Campaign” by Joel Pollak.)
FAIRFAX, Va. - It was a cool day in September for Virginia- a slight chill in the air. In the early morning light, a small park in Fairfax was still - slides empty of children, swings idling in the breeze.
Outside however, thousands upon thousands of people were waiting to enter, lined up for an event that would not occur for four more hours- sporting red and carrying signs of every kind. They were waiting, not for a rock star or a celebrity, but for the Republican presidential and vice presidential nominees- Sen. John McCain and Alaskan Gov. Sarah Palin.
Congressman Tom Davis, one of the speakers at the event, called the crowd "the largest turnout for Sen. McCain on the campaign trail yet," drawing raucous cheers. The campaign reported that 23,000 people were drawn to hear the candidates speak, proving the predictions of political analysts that Virginia, despite a growing liberal population, is still a battleground state to be won.
And it was a feisty crowd at that- once they got into the park, an audience volunteer instructed specifically, "If you see a protester, don't touch them- the police or the secret service will deal with them. If they start yelling something obscene- try to drown them out by yelling USA, USA!"
While waiting, supporters cheered, waved signs, and occasionally burst out into patriotic songs such as "God Bless America." One particularly enthusiastic woman wearing a sparkly red baseball cap led a group in an anti-Obama song, complete with several verses and chorus. Other members of the crowd wore moose hats in reference to Palin's famed hunting skills and even held up toy elephants decorated with Palin-esque wig and glasses.
Though the crowd was comprised mostly of older adults and families, a number of young McCain fans skipped school to cheer on their nominee.
"We thought it would be a really good chance to make a difference in history and kinda encourage other people from our school to come and support McCain and Palin," 17-year-old Kate Beitel said. "Being here will definitely help us know the different views he has in-depth- being here in person. We can go home and talk to our friends and families."
A few of the students wore T-shirts emphasizing their different views from many of their peers, including two brothers sporting "Young and Right."
Many of the students cited moral issues as their main reason for supporting the Republican candidates.
"I think because we go to a Catholic school, pro-life is our most important issue," said 17-year old Meghann Beamer, a fellow student of Beitel. "We did a really big project on abortion and morality our sophomore year- it really impacted us."
Gabriel Fite, a student at Fairfax Baptist Temple Academy said, "He's pro-life, he's pro-marriage and I heartily agree with that. There are so many people in this world who just think that they can do whatever they want, but no, there needs to be rules."
Speakers from a number of different viewpoints appeared at the rally- including former supporters of Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton.
Psychologist Lynette Long, introduced as a feminist, mother, and ardent Clinton supporter, spoke of why she chose to vote for McCain after Obama was picked as the Democratic presidential nominee.
"You can't have a government devoid of women that knows what's right for women," Long said. "You can't legislate for women without women."
As the sun rose higher into the sky, the now sweaty crowd grew excited when the campaign's fleet of cars drove down the hill towards the stage. As "Eye of the Tiger" was blasted out over the loudspeaker, McCain and Palin got out of a car and walked onto stage with their spouses.
"It's so great to be here in the most beautiful area in Northern Virginia," Palin said. "...I'll tell you we are so excited about to be here. We recognize that it is going to be real hard fight here in Virginia. But John and I are ready and with your help we will win."
Once McCain stepped up to the podium, he emphasized his and Palin's reputation for maverick behavior, stating at one point, "How many of you are tired of the same old business, the same old-boy cronyism that exists in Washington D.C.? You're sick of it and I'm sick of it. We're going to bring about change. Senator Obama has never taken on his party on a single issue, while we've taken on the old boys. My running mate ran against an incumbent Republican governor, and by the way, beat him like a drum."
McCain also addressed his energy plan, emphasizing the use of all options, including off-shore drilling and nuclear power.
"I can tell you now, and there are some navy veterans out here in the crowd that can tell you, we've sailed navy ships around the world and nuclear power plants are safe," McCain said. "It's inexpensive and doable."
He also added that the development of alternative energies would create thousands of new jobs.
"Change is coming and it's coming to our nation's capital and we're going to clean it up," McCain said, to raucous cheers.
