Today, I went to a McCain/Palin rally, and it was exciting. My friend, Shirley Lawrence and I had lunch before going to the venue. We took commercial coaches from the parking lot to the hangar where the rally took place. We got there fairly early, milling around, talking with whoever was standing around. Struck up a conversation with some people who had connections to the campaign headquarters in a nearby county and were able to squeeze through with them to the area cordoned off to the rest of the crowd. I was two rows from the stage — awesome.

The crowd went wild when the candidates and their spouses walked in. Governor Palin impressed me with her genuine appeal and her down-to-earth candor. I was moved by my proximity to John McCain, an American hero who valiantly fought the Vietcong from a squalid cell in Hanoi. Cindy McCain had a quiet grace. Todd Palin was genuine with an easy manner. The Secret Service was inscrutable and sober, as always (so fascinating to watch them in action).

My feet got incredibly tired (I think we stood for 5 hours altogether), but the wait was worth it. I shook hands with Senator McCain, Cindy McCain, Governor Palin, Todd Palin. I was so pumped. I met a lot of great people in the crowd. Mrs. Lawrence and I agreed the day had been fantastic.

Shirley Lawrence and me