Area Republicans energized by Palin, start of convention

Area Republicans head into this week’s Republican National Convention riding a tide of hope and momentum fueled in part by the selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as John McCain’s vice presidential running mate.
“The selection of Gov. Palin is outstanding and brings youth and gender to the ticket,” said Waynesboro Republican Committee Chairman Chris Darden. “This helps silence some of the criticism from conservatives.”
Alex Davis, the 20-year-old vice chairman of grassroots development for the Staunton Republican Committee, said the conservative base of the party has now been shored up for the November election.
“She’s young, vibrant and everything the conservative base was asking for. She’s pro-life, pro-gun and pro-defense,” Davis said of Palin.
Now comes the four-day convention that Republicans hope will offer some further spark for McCain and Palin as they start the two-month campaign.
Augusta County Republican Lynn Mitchell, a 6th District delegate to the convention, is confident about McCain’s message when he speaks Thursday night.
“He will hit it out of the park,” Mitchell said. “He will emphasize the same things Sarah Palin said. … She believes in America and he’s an American hero.”
Davis said McCain needs to outline the change needed in the country “in black and white. We’ve heard that word so much since the election cycle began.”
Mitchell received countless e-mails on Friday after Palin’s selection, and believes the choice stole some of the momentum generated by Democratic nominee Barack Obama’s acceptance speech Thursday night.
“You might see a few blogs talking about Obama, but everything else is about the vice presidential pick,” she said.
Darden expects the convention will offer other speakers and events that will excite Republicans.
“There are some great speakers lined up in the evening and some really nice segments honoring veterans and the troops. Those will tug on your heartstrings,” he said.
But Darden said he has worries about the effects of Hurricane Gustav and the start of the National Football League season the same night as McCain’s speech.