MARIETTA - John McCain's surprise selection six weeks ago of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate on the Republican presidential ticket elicited excitement, criticism, confidence and confusion among the electorate.
On Sunday, some local residents may get a glimpse of what the hype is all about as Palin makes a brief visit to Marietta, en route to a campaign rally in St. Clairsville.
"She's pretty new. I haven't seen her (in person) before. I think she's been hiding out in the woods," said Kevin L. Beaver of Reno with a smile. "I'd go see any of them that came to Marietta. Bring Obama on down here."
Beaver, 44, a Marine veteran, said he is interested in hearing what Palin has to say.
"I'll listen to everybody," he said.
A GOP official confirmed Friday that Palin will stop in Gallipolis and Marietta on her way from Huntington, W.Va., to a rally at the Alderman Airport in St. Clairsville.
As of 9:35 p.m. Friday, the campaign had not announced where Palin would appear in Marietta, but the party official said it would not be a ticketed event.
News of Palin's appearance caught Washington County Republican Party Chairwoman Marilyn Ashcraft by surprise. She had been distributing tickets to the St. Clairsville rally at a steady pace when word got out about the governor's plans to stop in Marietta.
"My thoughts are why are we sending our people to Belmont County when she's going to be in Washington County?" Ashcraft said. "Many people would just love to be right here and shake hands with her."
Molly Varner, chairwoman of Washington County's Democratic Party, said she thinks it's good for people to get a chance to see and observe all the candidates.
"I think it's great that people will see her up close and personal," Varner said.
As for an appearance locally by Obama or his running mate, Sen. Joe Biden - Varner says there's a chance.
"I don't think it's a guarantee, but I've certainly got my fingers crossed," she said.
This week the candidates have been crisscrossing Ohio, seen as a key battleground state in the Nov. 4 election. Obama's campaign announced Friday that Biden would be returning to the Buckeye State Tuesday, but did not say where.
Residents asked about Palin's impending visit had mixed reactions.
Roger Taylor, 65, who lives in Morgan County and was shopping in Marietta Friday, said the cost of gasoline will keep him from driving the 40 miles to Marietta Sunday to see Palin.
"God bless her for what she's doing," said Taylor, a registered Republican who doesn't necessarily always vote that way.
Marietta resident Irene Ballenger, 28, doesn't plan on seeking out the Alaska governor.
"Nope, not interested," she said. "I was for Hillary (Clinton).
"I don't think the world is ready for a woman president, and I don't think the world is ready for a black president. I'm not racist, but that's just what I think," said Ballenger, who nonetheless plans to vote for Barack Obama. "I don't know how everybody else will vote."
Janet O'Brien of Marietta didn't know Palin was coming Sunday.
"We had plans," she said. "Maybe out of curiosity, I would go. I would like to hear the words coming out of her mouth instead of what I hear in the media."
O'Brien said she is "sick of - more than sick of" all the political rhetoric and hype she has been hearing and seeing.
"I really think that most people are pretty tired of politicians for the most part," she said. "I hate all the mud-slinging and making up stories. You have no idea what to believe."
Sarah Palin is "definitely bright," O'Brien said.
"I just don't know yet," she said.
Andrianna Lang, 19, of Marietta said she definitely won't be going to hear Palin on Sunday in Marietta. She is just not interested, she said.
"I've got a big test Monday," she said. "I've got to study."
