Click the play button below to watch a 90-second video of the Palin rally.



By 6 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, the UF College Republicans and Hancock County Republican Party volunteers were ready to go and Republican supporters were lined up outside the Koehler Complex waiting to get through security checkpoints in anticipation of vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin’s visit to The University of Findlay.

Members of the University’s student media rubbed elbows with more than 50 members of the regional, national and international press corps, which included journalists from Germany, Norway and Sweden. 

The enthusiastic crowd of 5,911 was warmed up by Dr. Jo Ann Davidson, former Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives, current co-chair of the Republican National Committee and a University trustee, Congressman Jim Jordan and Sen. George Voinovich, who said “We have a true patriot and leader in John McCain … and he has a partner in Gov. Palin, who is also a fighter.”

Dr. Jo Ann Davidson

Congressman Jim Jordan

“Put Me In, Coach” blared over the loudspeakers as a sea of “Country First” and “McCain*Palin” signs waved to the music, excitement building as 10 o’clock neared and “We Will Rock You” came on along with moving red, white and blue lights.

A supporter shows her feelings with a sign.	The crowd of nearly 6,000 people stands shoulder-to-shoulder.

Sarah Palin took the stage and told her supporters, some of whom had been waiting in the frigid temperatures more than five hours, they deserved more than just a political speech, introducing country star Lee Greenwood, who sang the national anthem and led the crowd in his hit song “God Bless the U.S.A.”

Todd and Sarah Palin enter the complex with their daughters, Willow and Piper.

Lee Greenwood sings “God Bless the U.S.A.”

Palin introduced her daughters, Willow and Piper, and “Alaska’s First Dude,” her husband, Todd, before tackling her Democratic opposition in a 20-minute speech that included patriotic themes and jibes at her opponent, Sen. Joe Biden, as well as mentions of hometown hero Ben Roethlisberger, quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and “Joe the Plumber,” the Toledo journeyman who was taken to task after questioning Barack Obama.

Gov. Sarah Palin smiles as the crowd goes wild upon her arrival.

Following Palin’s energetic address, several supporters received handshakes and autographs from both Palin and her husband.