Republicans lukewarm to McCain find in Palin love at first sight

They loved their Sarah on Tuesday afternoon at the Henderson Pavilion.

They loved Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin when she took the stage before a crowd that overflowed the open-air theater and swept up the grassy berm. They loved her when she made references to the politically sainted Ronald Reagan and to Mother Teresa, who's on her way to becoming an actual saint. They even loved her when she gave props to Republican businesswoman Irma Aguirre's La Madonna Mexican restaurant.

The motivations for their attendance varied, but not very much. Supporters fell into one or more of three areas: Palin adoration, respect for Sen. John McCain, and hatred for Sen. Barack Obama.

But mostly they loved their Sarah.

John Erickson waited in line for more than an hour to hear a speech he could have found highlighted on YouTube or the nightly news. But he came out to show the love for Sarah.

"Palin more than Mr. McCain," he said. "And conservative values. She's pro-capitalism, anti-socialism. I'm not necessarily that big on pro-life, but I understand lots of people are."

His friend David Saffren added, "She got there on her own. She did everything herself. No question about it. It's what she represents."

What she represents is the glimmer of true conservatism in a campaign that finds the Republican standard-bearer under substantial suspicion.

And although Ken Stastny said he likes McCain, "I certainly like the fact that Palin could be the first female vice president. I think that will break some new ground."

New ground, indeed.

Diehard conservatives in attendance must have been shocked to hear Palin embrace Title IX, which opened the door to equality for female athletes, and speak at length about achieving equal pay for equal work. It was the first time I'd heard a conservative politician do that. Although Palin wove the usual conservative themes, and threw a few elbows at Obama, at times she sounded more like a feminist Democrat than a right-wing hockey mom.

Of course, the event wasn't all about love. Some supporters didn't hide their hatred for the other guy. One man bellowed, "Vote for McCain, not Barack Hussein! You can say his middle name! We will not become the USSA!"

But for the most part the crowd echoed the sentiments of Michael Willey, who believes McCain will make a superior commander in chief and, well, loves what Sarah Palin has done for the party.

"There was not a big energizing factor before," Willey said as the crowd sang "The Star Spangled Banner." "People like my sister and my mom, who have never been energized by politics, are suddenly extremely motivated to have someone who makes them feel as excited as liberals feel about having Obama talk to them."

I suspect this is what some of the press misses when they rush to marginalize Palin as a "Saturday Night Live" skit come to life. Republicans are increasingly desperate to attract leaders who look like next year's model instead your father's Oldsmobile.

After listening for 30 minutes to her promote feminist themes that have nothing to do with her party's political agenda, I came away wondering how effective she might have been had she had months instead of days to prepare for this sprint to November. If McCain had 10 percent of Palin's stage presence, he might be preparing for a trip to the White House instead of the off-Broadway production of "Grumpy Old Men: Part IV."

Mired in an identity crisis and a generational struggle, the Republican Party is on its way to taking a considerable beating. But they still love their Sarah.

With sweet baby McKenna in her arms, Jaymie Herberg wore a "Moms 4 McCain" T-shirt but was inspired by Palin's personal story.

"A lot of it has to do with her being a mom and a career woman," Herberg said. "My husband's a veteran, and now he's a reserve, so we've got a lot of heart for McCain."

But a lot of love for Sarah.

As if to illustrate the fact Republicans are having identity issues, a burly, 60-something white guy moved through the crowd wearing a pink button that read, "Women for Sarah."

Give him credit for trying.

The early voting numbers indicate they'll get their hearts broken on Election Day, but on Tuesday Republicans only had eyes for their Sarah.

John L. Smith's column appears Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. E-mail him at Smith@reviewjournal.com or call (702) 383-0295.