Palin swings by Williamsport
By Amanda Rae Kronquist
Contributing Writer
Central Pennsylvanians gathered at Williamsport’s historic Bowman Field to see Gov. Sarah Palin (R-Alaska) speak at the Pennsylvania Republican Rally Oct. 30.
A half-mile-long line wrapped around the dirt parking lot of the Crosscutter’s minor league baseball park and continually grew longer as the time to enter the field approached. Thousands stood in the cold with McCain-Palin T-shirts, buttons and even stuffed animals.
Stands were setup outside the field selling Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Palin apparel. Buttons saying “Hockey Moms for Palin,” “Read My Lipstick” and “Friends Don’t Let Friends Vote Democrat” covered the chests of people in line.
An overwhelming majority of McCain-Palin supporters talked to each other as time grew near. Because it was cold, toes were numb, hands could no longer text and every breath taken could be seen in the air.
Steve Haas, a Williamsport resident, bounced on his feet, not only to keep warm, but in excitement to see Palin before the highly anticipated Election Day.
“[McCain] is an honest man,” Haas, a carpenter, said. “Supposedly we are a democracy and I do not want to be legislated into Marxism.”
There were no fans of President-elect Barack Obama in sight until 20 feet in front of the security check-in gate.
Dave Nicolas, holding the Alaskan state flag and wearing a blue T-shirt reading “Alaskans for Obama,” stood alone.
Nicolas, an oil and gas attorney, drove 4,000 miles from Alaska to follow Palin for three weeks and protest against her and the Republican Party.
“You better lock your car doors tonight,” yelled Elizabeth Sauers, an attendee, from the front of the line. “So much for you Democrats saving the environment. You just wasted our precious gas for nothing,” she said.
Walking onto the field seemed like entering a concert in floor seating. The band was playing, cheerleaders performed stunts and supporters cheered. Attendees were primarily older, along with a few college-aged, first-time presidential voters.
When Palin finally strutted on stage to an audience of 8,000 people chanting and screaming her name, thousands held up McCain-Palin signs and whistled with each step she took.
Palin made a clear distinction between McCain’s and Obama’s tax plans.
“John and I will cut the capital gains tax and bring tax relief to every American and every business,” Palin said. “While Obama has an ideological commitment to high taxes … and bigger government.”
“He voted 94 times for higher taxes,” Palin said of Obama.
The crowd booed in response.
Stressing the importance of energy independence, Palin said she wants to take advantage of the resources in the United States, and stop giving money to countries that do not like America.
“There is more coal in our free country than there is oil in Saudi Arabia,” Palin said.
The crowd shouted, “Drill baby, drill,” and the intense energy on the field was palpable.
The Alaskan governor, in her pink scarf and knee-high stiletto black boots, said the government does not need to play a big role in our country.
“You shouldn’t be working for the government; the government should be working for you,” Palin said. “We want to get to work for you. Will you hire us America?”
After Palin’s 25-minute speech, the audience piled out of Bowman field like a herd of bison.
“I feel confident that John McCain and Sarah Palin will wake up on Wednesday with a victory in their hands,” said Jean Dewar, an elderly woman bundled up in a winter coat with a blanket around her shoulders.
