I didn’t intend for this article to be about Sarah Palin. In fact, I was aiming more for a humorous run-down of the day’s events, with an editorial stance. However, I will warn you right now: I’m slightly biased and yes, this article will mostly be about John McCain’s running mate, Sarah Palin.

I have been a Palin fan for the past two years. I read an article once on what she was doing for her state of Alaska and I thought to myself "If only she could be on the national level." Little did I know that she would find her way there in a move that was pure political genius. I read last week who John McCain chose as his running mate, and I knew that it was the politician I had admired for some time now.

Throughout this election, I haven’t been too excited about anyone, and it seems I’m not the only one who feels this way. For the first time in my life, I had considered not voting at all. This was such a strange feeling for me. I am a huge advocate of the you-didn’t-vote-then-don’t-complain movement.

About that time the nominations for second place came in. Barrack Obama chose Joe Biden, leaving me with less desire to return to my former Obama-fan status (I considered myself a supporter of his during his election as a senator of Illinois). However, it would appear that McCain had the best kept secret in the business as the DNC convention built up to a strong finish in Denver. A mere day after Obama gave the speech accepting his party’s nomination, the news was out. McCain chose the dark horse - the unknown - Sarah Palin from Alaska. My hopes were suddenly restored.

An active political friend of mine had gotten tickets to the McCain/Palin Rally in O’Fallon, MO on Sunday (August 31st) and offered me a ticket. I took him up on it, before Palin had been chosen. But now that I was going to the McCain Rally, I had to face down this small demon...would Palin meet my expectations: She’s a brilliant woman with the grace of a lady who took on a tough approach to make her state a better place. She also faced the challenges of wife, mother (including mother to a child with autism), was a former CEO, and political office holder. Does she have what it takes? I needed to believe she was the political hero I read about two years prior.

The festivities started with a variety of pre-rally (also known as free) entertainment. Cheerleading squads did routines, a local band preformed, and republicans running for state offices made speeches. John Rich (half of the country duo Big & Rich) of "Save A Horse Ride A Cowboy" fame performed a few songs. If all of us in the crowd were being honest with ourselves, that is not why we were there, and the excitement was building. McCain’s ‘Straight Talk’ bus pulled into the ballpark, right up to the top of a set of concrete bleachers.

The crowd went wild the minute McCain stepped off the bus. You wouldn’t have thought it could get any more energized; that is, until Palin stepped off. The speeches were kept short and simple. Former opponent for the GOP ticket, Mike Huckabee, spoke a few words (and told a few jokes). Missouri senator Kit Bond stood alongside Mitt Romney supportively. McCain spoke a short ten minute speech. It was interesting, as he not only alluded to Romney’s presence throughout this political journey (which seemed a suggestion that Romney would have a place in his cabinet if he won the presidency?), but the speech wasn’t about McCain himself. Everyone else of course spoke of their support to his campaign, but McCain’s focus was towards his running mate, Palin. He spoke highly of her credentials. At this point you knew that this rally wasn’t about him; it was about her.

Before McCain even finished his speech, the crowd knew what was coming next. In fact, the crowd was so busy cheering Palin on that they drowned out McCain’s last paragraph.

Palin had a great speech. It centered on not what was wrong with the country, but rather, what its foundation should be. She promised only one thing which was to do her best. She did talk on her own past experience and why she supported John McCain. Her speech lasted about twenty minutes but did not seem to be boring or long (despite the scorching heat). As the speeches finished, the crowd seemed to wind down and thin out. It was then that McCain took a sudden move towards the crowd to shake hands (much to the displeasure of the secret service). Both McCain and Palin greeted the crowd warmly. McCain had finished his crowd-contact time first, and I was surprised at how much more time Palin spent with the crowd. It was clear she wanted to focus on them as much as they were focused on her. It was also interesting to note how much distance the secret service left open for McCain, yet Palin was very heavily guarded. It was very fascinating to watch such enthusiasm among the crowd - the very excitement that I expected to be dead on this side of the political fence.

I saw for myself that the media can be very, very wrong. As I arrived home tonight, I read the latest political news articles. Not only was nothing about today’s stop mentioned, but an article was stating how Palin would not woo female, former Hillary Clinton supporters. How wrong they are! In fact, there was a large group of former Clinton supporters who came to the rally via bus from Chicago, IL. There were ‘Democrats for McCain’ shirts worn at the event. Hillary signs were everywhere in the crowd as some of her former supporters now pledged their allegiance to the McCain/Palin ticket. As it was mentioned in a pre-rally speech, a lot of people were impressed that McCain had the guts to pick a woman. If I were to judge that crowd today, I’d say that that decision is paying off. If the media refuses to believe Palin will reach this crowd, they are misjudging a growing section of American voters. I will admit that you cannot decide an election outcome by a small sample of the population, but if this rally gives any indication, the feminist voice of America is divided and can be found in unexpected places.

Missouri is a very unique state with our mix of so many different people and cultures blended together with different circumstances. Considering this state has chosen the president in each election for the past 110 years (with one exception), the media would do well to keep an eye on our state for indicators of the overall outcome. McCain’s campaign, whether you agree or disagree with it, has found a piece of political gold with Palin. It was an even better decision on his part to let this rally be about her. Palin helps bring a new energy and life to the combination. I’m convinced that if McCain had chosen the GOP equivalent of Joe Biden, then his campaign would be dead. Palin, in my opinion, is going to make this race closer and surprise everyone with her impact on this election.