IN CAROLINA--PALIN PACKS 'EM IN

McCain Vice-Presidential running mate and rising star of the GOP, Governor Sarah Palin, packed 'em in Sunday evening in a major blowout rally held at the Asheville Civic Center in the Blue Ridge Mountain town of Asheville, North Carolina.

The weather was perfect for the event. Skies were clear, the sun was bright, and the colorful changing leaves in the scenic North Carolina mountains provided the ideal combination for Palin to demonstrate her 'drawing power.'

And draw them in, she did.

Crowds began to gather at 5:30 AM for the event that was not supposed to begin until 7 PM in the evening.

By mid-afternoon the 17,000-seat civic center was overflowing with citizens wishing to see Palin in action. When the doors closed at 6 PM, there were still thousands left outside unable to get a seat.

An informal survey of those standing in line indicated broad support for McCain-Palin across the political spectrum.

One young woman in particular, a registered Democrat, stated that when McCain added Palin to the Republican ticket she changed her mind about her vote. Stating that Palin adds something to the campaign sorely missing in both Parties, the woman indicated she would be voting for the McCain-Palin ticket on November 4.

Granted, there were large numbers of conservative Republicans in the long lines--those who recognize in Palin the values reminiscent of Reagan conservatism.

But Palin's appeal is certainly not limited to the Republican base. She appeals to thinking women, even of a liberal bent, some of whom had supported Hillary Clinton.

Upon Palin's arrival, the crowd's response was consistent with what we have come to expect for the charismatic candidate. Palin brings an energy, an excitement with her into an arena that immediately draws the observer, and her words and demeanor establish an instant connection with her audience.

Launching to her speech, Palin laid out her case for the McCain plan for lower taxes, placing a freeze on new government spending, cleaning up corruption in Washington, and bringing a victorious and honorable end to the war in Iraq.

Palin also served up some red meat to the conservatives in the crowd by hammering away at Obama's Socialism, his notion of 'redistribution of wealth'--a Marxist concept, and his long history of opposition to drilling for more crude in America's own oil-rich reserves.

North Carolina is one of the battleground states this year with neither McCain nor Obama showing a clear advantage. But one thing is for sure, Palin was a big hit today in Asheville.