It looks like the rally in Fairfax City for John McCain and Sarah Palin was a huge success:
Thousands of people cheered the Republican presidential nominee, Sen. John McCain, and his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, at a rally this morning in Fairfax City.
McCain campaign officials said the gathering appeared to be their largest crowd since the Republican convention last week.
The candidates largely stuck to the same messages that they used at the convention, with Palin again receiving large ovations. They criticized the Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Barack Obama, and others in Congress for using legislative earmarks to require funding for projects in their home states. “I got an old ink pen, my friends, and the first pork barrel-laden earmark, big-spending bill that comes across my desk, I will veto it,” McCain said.
(…)
oSupporters of the Arizona Republican appeared to be lined up for more than a half-mile to enter before the beginning of the rally at Van Dyck Park along Old Lee Highway. Some came as early as 5 a.m.
About 8:15 a.m., McCain aides started letting people in. At about the same time a small group of supporters of Obama (Ill.) headed toward the site, chanting, “Obama! Obama! Obama!”
Scott Hirons of Virginia Virtucon, who live-Twittered the rally while he was there, has this report:
The rally exceeded expectations. It really energized Northern Virginia. I had some concerns going in, considering the attitude and lack of enthusiasm for Republicans in Northern Virginia. However today’s rally turned all that around. The crowd was huge and enthusiastic. McCain and Palin were on!
The lines were long, but everyone was in good spirits. Thank you to the residents of Fairfax City for allowing this event to take place. Especially to those who live on the streets the lines stretched through. Also to the moms and dads who were just trying to drop off their kids at school. I’m sure the household at the corner Old Lee Highway and Old Post Road is thankful as well. They are ardent Democrats and have a huge Obama sign a couple of Warner signs and others. Not a single sign was touched even though nearly 30,000 Republicans stood in line and walked past their home.
WIzbang’s Kevin Aylward has plenty of photos.
I am sure Obama will draw similar crowds the next time he’s here. And McCain/Palin will clearly be back his way many times before November 4th.
Welcome to Battleground Virgina.
