Local supporters gather in house parties to applaud McCain
By Bill Sizemore
The Virginian-Pilot
VIRGINIA BEACH- Sen. John McCain's effort to seize the mantle of change from his rival, Sen. Barack Obama, found a receptive audience in a Virginia Beach living room Thursday night.
About 25 supporters of the Republican presidential candidate listened intently to McCain's acceptance speech, applauding frequently.
The gathering at the Paulson home in Great Neck was one of about 150 McCain house parties held across Virginia, according to the McCain campaign. Elias Paulson, an attorney, is vice chairman of the Virginia Beach Republican Party.
Some of the most enthusiastic responses came when McCain spoke of changing the way things are done in Washington - despite the fact that the government has been in Republican hands for most of the past eight years.
"I think McCain will shake up the party," said Mark Hogan. "That's what the Republican Party needs. He ruffled a lot of feathers when he ran in 2000. I liked that."
The group also liked McCain's fighting words about winning the war in Iraq - a familiar refrain to his supporters. Michelle Obetz chimed in with the candidate when he said, "I'd rather lose an election than see my country lose a war."
Perhaps the biggest ovation of the evening at the Paulson home came after McCain said he had found "just the right partner" in his surprise running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.
"She's such a fresh face," said one of the guests, U.S. Rep. Thelma Drake. "She's human. People can relate to her."
Drake lost her scheduled speaking slot in St. Paul, Minn., earlier this week when convention activities were scaled back because of Hurricane Gustav. The two-term Republican faces a challenge this fall from Democrat Glenn Nye.
The evening wasn't all about politics. Until shortly before McCain took the stage, the Paulsons' TV was tuned to the Washington Redskins-New York Giants football game. The Giants won 16-7.
Bill Sizemore, (757) 446-2276, bill.sizemore@pilotonline.com
Source URL (retrieved on 09/05/2008 - 11:33): http://hamptonroads.com/2008/09/local-supporters-gather-house-parties-applaud-mccain