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I wrote earlier about the long wait to see Sarah this past Sunday.  There were crazy protesters, zombies, and supporters that lined at least three blocks of downtown Asheville.  It was difficult to get in and delayed by at least an hour.  And it was worth every minute.

Gretchen Wilson played three songs, the final one being “Barracuda”.  Then the lights dropped, the spotlights scanned the crowd, and to the “We will Rock You” part of Queen’s “We Are the Champions” Sarah Palin walked on stage.  The crowd was ecstatic.  Many of them had waited since noon to see Sarah.  Eight hours later when she walked on stage they were still full of energy and excitement.

Palin said everyone had waited too long in line for just a political speech, so she asked Gretchen Wilson to play one more song.  To the roar of the crowd, Governor Palin sang along as Gretchen Wilson sang “Redneck Woman.”

After that song, Sarah continued her speech.  The attacks about Ayers were gone, but the attacks on Barack Obama’s socialist ideas of “spreading the wealth” were ratcheted up.  Governor Palin talked about the middle class, about creating jobs and encouraging growth.  She talked about energy independence and the need for an “all of the above” approach which included drilling here and now.  She talked about the benefits of John McCain’s health care plan as opposed to Obama’s government focused system, and the idea that raising taxes on anyone at this crucial time would be devastating to all Americans.

Another issue Governor Palin discussed in length was her desire to help families with children who have special needs.  We noticed one couple with two children, both in wheelchairs, who waited hours in line with everyone else to see Sarah.  After her speech, Sara apparently spoke with both of them.  I’ve never seen someone so touched or excited after meeting a politician.  But it made sense.  Someone who understood their challenges was finally talking about their needs and giving them a voice on the national stage.

And that is the epitome of Sarah Palin and what she means to the McCain/Palin campaign.  From Joe the Plumber to Small Business Owners and the children with special needs… Sarah Palin understands the needs of real Americans and the real struggles that face our country.  From losing health care, to juggling two incomes while raising a family, Sarah Palin has lived the lives that real Americans live, and gone on to fight for us.  She has run a business, worked on the PTA, brought real reform to a corrupt government and fought the big oil companies.  She understands the sacrifices of our military and the need for energy independence.  She exemplifies the idea of a citizen servant who is not so removed from real life that she can’t properly represent real Americans.  Sarah Palin is one of us who is capable and experienced enough to change Washington without being corrupted by it.

I was honored to hear her spe

Contrary to made up stories by the liberal left, no one yelled anything hateful about Barack Obama that we could hear.  The only nastiness came from the protestors outside or the the few lemmings inside who tried to interrupt Governor Palin’s speech.  The rest of us were their in support and were invigorated by her words.

Governor Palin is a rock star, and unlike Obama she is more than just words.  If she is the future of our party, then we still have hope.  Intelligence, Charisma and Conservativism.  We’ve needed that for a long time.

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Don’t let the press fool you.  If the excitement at the rally or the thousands that were turned away is any indication… Sarah Barracuda might very well be our next Vice President.  “The One” is not the only one who draws crowds or offers hope… and unlike “The One” Sarah Palin can actually back it up.