Palin to make stop in Marietta
By Evan Bevins and Connie Cartmell, Special to The NewsArticle Photos
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."
|
Lookin4truth
|
|
|---|---|
|
10-13-08 4:06 PM
|
Sorry....that should have read "who bothered to show up"
|
|
Lookin4truth
|
|
|
10-13-08 4:05 PM
|
CNN reports there was a whole 50 people you bothered to show up at Mrs. Smartmouth's rally. LOL
|
|
thatsjustme
|
|
|
10-12-08 9:04 PM
|
non- Obama has shown and professed his cnristianity. I don't know which god you believe in, but it may be the same one Barack embraces. Whatever you think you know about this matter is clearly not in alignment with h the facts. Does your god endorse lying? And BTW, which religion do you THINK Obama is? McCain indeed does equal Bush. In fact, he may be worse and more dangerous than his mentor, Pres Bush. Obama/Biden 08
|
|
Lookin4truth
|
|
|
10-12-08 1:34 PM
|
Sorry for the double post but.... "A legislative committee investigating Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has found she unlawfully abused her authority in firing the state’s public safety commissioner." Why isn't this being discussed?
|
|
Lookin4truth
|
|
|
10-12-08 1:19 PM
|
Wrong again non035....this country was founded on freedom FROM religion. And just for the sake of telling the truth....Sen. Obama HAS made it abundantly clear that he IS a Christian.
|
|
non035
|
|
|
10-12-08 8:19 AM
|
thatsjustme - I wasn't judging Obama in the least. He has made it very clear that he is NOT a christian. Me? Holier than thou? Not hardly. I am a sinner just like you, I make mistakes just like everyone else. BUT I serve the only God that saves me by His grace, forgives and forgets if I but ask. I have to agree that Bush hasn't been a very good president. Clinton was rather an embarrasment with his "extra cirricular" activities but he ran the country very well. McCain/Palin is not Bush/Cheney. ConcernedCitizin - If you will remember correctly this country was founded on Religion and Politics!
|
|
RickWT
|
|
|
10-12-08 12:46 AM
|
According to the latest TV reports, the McCain campaign is not even telling local party leaders when or where Palin will be in Marietta on Sunday. That is very strange. What is the point of such a "visit"? Will it even be a visit? Maybe she sticks her head out the window on the way through? Good grief.
|
|
thatsjustme
|
|
|
10-11-08 9:43 PM
|
Sarah Palin's 15 minutes are up. John McCain himself cut the legs out from under her Friday night. She is nothing but an empty headed news reader that you might see on local TV. non035- Seems to me you don't serve any god except the god of "I'm holier than thou". How dare you suggest that Obama is anything but a Christian, saved by the same blood of the same lamb you are saved by. This kind of attitude is what gives you and your fellow evangelicals such a bad name. Judge not, "my friend". mud- why do you guys cry and whine about media coverage with Sarah? She has not been treated nearly as badly as Barack. Shouldn't all candidates for this office face scrutiny? Why do her handlers fear letting her do interviews? Obama/Biden 08
|
|
concernedcitizen
|
|
|
10-11-08 1:50 PM
|
Religion and politics...where this country went wrong.
|
|
WildClarySage
|
|
|
10-11-08 12:57 PM
|
I wonder if she'll be turning a blind eye to the hatred she seems to inspire in crowds while she's here, too.
|
|
mythravere
|
|
|
10-11-08 7:46 AM
|
Who cares what god he serves. Bush says he serves the christian god but it sure doesnt seem like it and look at where basing how you vote on religous matters got us! Eight years of the ruination of this country.
|
|
non035
|
|
|
10-11-08 6:59 AM
|
Oops..I said that wrong. I should have said..."a wolf in sheeps clothing". I know you Obama supporters will have a good laugh over it.
|
|
non035
|
|
|
10-11-08 6:54 AM
|
I would LOVE to see Sarah Palin and hoping I can go. Obama scares me to death. He is a slick talking racist along with his wife. He has pulled the wool over so many peoples eyes. Beware of the "lamb in sheeps clothing". Wake Up America! We need to pray, pray and pray some more for our country and our leaders. What "god" does Obama serve?? I honestly don't think its the God I serve..the only God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Just look at his past and its plainly clear that he doesn't. Heaven help us.
|
|
2Mudsock
|
|
|
10-11-08 6:14 AM
|
So good to see a woman candidate who is Pro-Woman and Pro-Child! I believe she is bright enough to be President of the United States. And, she sure is a fast learner. I hate to see the media beating up on her because she is a woman. After the election, I will not watch the networks....especially that hateful Katie Couric. Hopefully, CBS will replace her anyway.
|
|
RickWT
|
|
|
10-11-08 3:27 AM
|
Wake me up on November 5th.
|