Guns, Bibles and Fox News on the big screen in Wasilla

Posted by matsublog

Posted: November 4, 2008 - 8:39 pm

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Even as Fox News, via a giant projection screen, declared Sen. Barack Obama the next president, Wasillans at the city’s Multi-Use Sports Complex were showing off McCain-Palin hockey jerseys and placing bids on “Hero and the Hottie, McCain-Palin” t-shirts in a silent auction.

The election-night event, which supporters said was attended by about 500 people, was billed as a civic event. Steve Colligan, vice-president of the Alaska Republican Party and a Wasilla resident, jokingly called it “pseudo-partisan,” reflecting the traditionally Republican leanings of the event’s sponsors, the National Republican Party, Safari Club and Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife.

"It's nonpartisan, but we'll be there clinging to our guns and our Bibles," Colligan said, laughing.

Colligan said the news of Obama’s win was disappointing, but the night was far from over. He’s looking for in-state returns in key races, like those of Sen. Ted Stevens and Congressman Don Young to guess how the state will fare on the national stage in the coming year, he said.

The mood dimmed little when Fox News called the race. Republican party candidates and organizers stood in circles after the announcement while elementary-aged kids made snow angels on the turf court at their feet and attendees browsed furs and t-shirts at vendor tables.

“I just don’t get it,” one woman said to her husband shortly before the race was called.

Mark Chryson, a leader in the Alaskan Independence Party and a Palin supporter, was one of a large throng of people who crowded around the projection screen for McCain’s concession speech. Chryson said the announcement had a bright side, if a small one.

“The only good thing about this election is that we get to keep Sarah,” he said.

The crowd watching McCain’s speech erupted in applause and cheers when McCain thanked Palin and she was shown with teary eyes on the screen. A few minutes after the speech ended, former Wasilla Mayor Dianne Keller said Palin would be calling by cell phone in a few minutes, and she invited supporters to crowd around and cheer to boost Palin’s spirits.

A few dozen people stood to watch Obama’s acceptance speech, this time without cheers and applause. While his speech continued, Keller cut in with an announcement:

“Ladies and Gentlemen, we have the cream of the crop who will rise to the top – please give it up for our future first female president, Sarah Palin!”

More on Palin’s call in the next post.

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