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Palin visit stirs enthusiasm
A visit set for Tuesday by GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin is stirring enthusiasm in Greenville.
Palin, whose vice presidential nomination as John McCain’s running mate has energized the Republican Party, is scheduled to appear in Minges Coliseum on the campus of East Carolina University on Tuesday night, Brent Woodcox, a spokesman for the North Carolina Republican Party said Thursday morning.
The visit is part of the McCain-Palin Victory Tour. Tickets are free and will be available Friday at all 14 Victory campaign headquarter locations throughout North Carolina, including the Greenville branch on Commerce Street.
Kim Hendrix, county chairwoman of the Pitt County Republican Party, said tickets may not be available until Friday afternoon or Saturday in her office. She did not know if there would be a limit.
“We’re kind of like on hold until the contracts are signed and that type of thing,” Hendrix said.
But she is thrilled Greenville was selected as a North Carolina appearance for Palin, who is scheduled to be in Clearwater, Fla., on Monday.
“We found out (Wednesday), and the phones have not stopped ringing if that gives you any indication of how excited people are to hear that she is coming to eastern North Carolina,” Hendrix said.
“… North Carolina is a key state in play to win the White House.”
North Carolina has traditionally voted Republican in presidential elections, favoring the GOP nominee in nine of the last 10 elections and every one since 1976. The state shapes up to be a battleground state this year.
For the second straight week, Rasmussen Reports has Democrat Barack Obama with a slight advantage over McCain — 50 percent to 47 percent — in its latest telephone survey of voters. American Research has McCain ahead 49 percent to 46 percent.
“This is a competitive state; you can look at the polls and see that,” Woodcox said. “We always anticipated to was going to be that way. This is just a kind of cycle that turns things on its head.”
Woodcox said appearances by Palin like Tuesday’s visit to Greenville should helped energize not only the Republican base but its core of volunteers.
“The addition of Sarah Palin really added some energy to the ticket and our efforts in the state,” Woodcox said. “We saw our volunteers really get excited about her, in particular, and what she means for John McCain’s run for the presidency. It helps him define his status as a maverick, as a change agent, as somebody who wants to reform Washington.
“She has that background, she has that experience as a governor of Alaska. She stood against anybody who was standing against the people, and she gained a lot of respect. That’s why she is the most popular governor in America.”
Palin has an 80 percent approval rating as Alaska’s governor but has been the target of criticism. She has granted limited interviews to the national media.
She is scheduled to debate Sen. Joe Biden, the Democratic vice presidential nominee, tonight at Washington University in St. Louis.
Woodcox saw Thursday night as an opportunity for more Americans to get to know Palin and her stance on critical issues.
“… I think when she gets in front of an audience, she just has this ability to connect with people that really just lights up a room,” Woodcox said.
He said he expects that to happen Tuesday in Greenville.
“The people here in North Carolina really connect, I think, with Sarah Palin on a personal level,” Woodcox said. “They feel like she’s one of us. She’s a hockey mom, she has this family and this story that’s just so compelling. She’s a woman of integrity and leadership who’s displayed the ability to lead by example and to continue to be just an every woman.
“I always say that North Carolina is a progressive state with conservative values, and I think Sarah Palin is just that kind of vice presidential nominee,” Woodcox said.
“She’s led Alaska toward energy independence and ethics reform and infused new ideas but still has these conservative values that connects with North Carolina voters, whether they’re Republicans, Democrats or independents.”
Comments
By Bill
October 2, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this
Sarah Palin is smart, tough, and it doesen’t hurt that she’s hot. She also seems to be genuine and down to earth and not plastic like most politicians. The media has been rough on her and family but she has handled it all well. Nice to have someone like her in the race.
By hahahaha
October 2, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this
Palin is a great comedian. She has been a wonderful source of laughter for me for the past month. Good thing that will all end Nov. 4… my face hurts from laughing so much!
By Erica
October 2, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this
Palin may be good looking, a good wife, mother and provider. But the thought of her closed minded agenda being a heart beat away from the Commander and Chief’s chair makes me shake in my shoes. The McCain/Palin ticket is a right wing Christian ticket. What happens to the separation of church and state when the top of the pyramid contains not one but two fundamentalists! John McCain is a good senator, maybe even great.. but he is not open minded enough to be president.. Sara Palin was a strategic choice. She might be what Alaska needs.. But not what a growing, evolving United states of America needs.. for me anyway..
By citizenzen
October 2, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this
Sarah Palin scares dems to the core. A ‘real’ person, with traditional values makes them fearful. The fact she is a woman and has such strong conviction really shakes them up (as you can see by some of the comments here).
Speaking of things that are laughable, I find it pretty laughable that dems are all about her inexperience when their actual PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE has LESS experience than the vice prez candidate coming out for their competition… amazing. Pot, meet kettle.
By Erica
October 2, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this
Democrats and Republicans, do your research before you spout ingnorance on these boards. Do not make statements that can easily be proven false by 5 minutes of research. Do not compare Obama to Palin, there is not comparison.
Our duty as voters is to make a decision based on careful research not voting for Obama because he is black, or not voting for Obama because he is black. Or calling Palin an idiot because she does not interview well. Or liking McCain just because he was a POW. This is not the time to vote based on party allegience. (there is never a time to vote that way for me) Nor Ladies is it a time to vote for a female JUST because she is a female.
Keep in mind the only absolute power in the presidency is “Declaration of War”. Then he can appoint people of his choosing to posts and veto what comes across his desk. Pick based on their ability to provide us with a good choice of leaders as well as making good choices when using the power of veto. Politics is a tricky trade. So use care when voting. And remember to vote for local government, these are the policy makers that affect you first!
By kate
October 3, 2008 9:22 PM | Link to this
If you were the boss, who would you hire???
OBAMA: Harvard law professor, Juris Doctor of law degree, constitutional law expert, Senate committees: foreign affairs, homeland security, veterans affairs, family, education, health.
BIDEN: Juris Doctor of law degree, Senate committees: Foreign affairs (chair), economy, health, crime, women’s affairs, education, technology, environment
McBUSH: graduated from the naval academy in the bottom 5% of his class, senate committees: economy, environment, official conduct (arguably the 3 biggest Republican failures!!!!!!!!!)
PITBULL PALIN: went to 6 different universities before finally getting a BA degree in journalism, no domestic or foreign policy experience but can see Russia from her house.
SERIOUSLY, THIS IS A NO BRAINER!!!!
If you vote McBush/Pitbull, the fate of your country will be in jeopardy. Everyone here in Europe is laughing at Americans—- America has become the butt of all jokes—- people are asking, how can they seriously consider voting for McBush and his Pitbull for another 4 years of Bush’s failed policies? Don’t they ever learn???
Remember the frontpage headline of London’s Daily Mirror newspaper back in 2004 when Americans re-elected Bush: HOW CAN 59 MILLION PEOPLE BE SO DUMB?
By ed
October 3, 2008 10:44 PM | Link to this
Katie you’re such an idiot. If you were nearly as “informed ” as you pretend to be you’d know the Daily Mirror has an Anti-American headline everyday of week. KATIE- YOU’RE THE NO BRAINER!!! GO McCAIN/PALIN 08
By Melbabe
October 3, 2008 11:16 PM | Link to this
Ed, when you resort to name calling, it just makes you look small. Kate is right; if you compare the candidates intellectually, Obama is head and shoulders above the rest. And intellect should matter in this most important job in the country.