NOBAMA '08

My wife was able to get me a ticket for the McCain/ Palin rally yesterday at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. Ordinarily, I get gun shy around large crowds, traffic, long lines and the like, but the opportunity to experience this was too much to miss. According to the ticket, the rally would begin at 1000, with the doors opening at 0800. There was also the admonition to "arrive early."

I suppose that one good thing about living in the Old Dominion is that unlike my native Los Angeles, political conservatives abound unapologetically and in great numbers. Supporter turnout at the rally was estimated between 12,000 and 20,000. On the down side, that meant large crowds, traffic, long lines . . . you get the picture. I understand that people were arriving as early as 0300 to find a spot in line. Now I always considered myself a staunch Republican, but 0-dark-hundred was a bit too early for me. I opted to leave at around 0800 and hope for the best. So I broke out my newest khakis, my USC Alumni polo (red attire was requested by planners), woven belt and bucks and headed out.

Well, there was a two mile backup on the 264 right at the exit. Parking at the VBCC was full and the crowds were directed to the National Guard Base at Camp Pendleton, about 4 miles away. I opted to park at my buddy's place and walk a few blocks to the event. The line there was staggering. The doors had been open for nearly an hour, and people were still strung out in a line that measured about 1/2 mile long, snaking through the parking lot and down 19th Street.

This was probably one of the highlights. The line was filled with people of all shapes and sizes and all walks of life, united by the common ideals of a strong defense, smaller government, the defense of life, traditional American family values and most importantly, the defeat of "Obama bin Lyin'." There were khaki and blue blazer College Republicans and Good ol' Boys decked out in Realtree (mossy oak) and NRA gear. The Greatest Generation was there proudly wearing their VFW and American Legion overseas caps and carrying American Flags. The velour tracksuit mini-van, Bugaboo stroller set sported buttons reading "Wonder Woman" and "Read My Lipstick" to support the Mother of all MILFs. Most poignant, was the great number of high and tight haircuts, ship ball caps and yellow ribbons sported by dependents, to drive home the fact that Hampton Roads is first and foremost a military community ready to support one of our own. I even saw one kid in line ahead of me wearing a "We are SC" tee. I nearly cried.

The liberal nitwits were there as well and provided a comedic relief to the long wait. There were the Oppressed Proletariat representing the USW, United Iron Workers, and some kind of transit union (whatever happened to VA's status as a right to work state?), the Fatal Femmes (I saw one NOW sign and one pro-choice sign. I wonder if they're pissed that Sarah is more popular than Hillary?), the tie-dyed, long haired, patchouli reeking, phish following, tree-hugging, hemp burning, neo-hippies and their end-the-war-now signs, and last but not least, requisite crackpot dressed up as the Statue of Liberty. I zoned out the bilious crap they were spewing, but thoroughly enjoyed watching a Bible thumpin' 700 Clubber lay the proverbial smackdown on Lady Liberty.

The rally itself was okay. I listened to our Representatives, Drake and Forbes, which was followed by the low point of the morning, a thirty minute set performed by Hank Williams, Jr. Whiskey. Tango. Foxtrot. Mercifully enough, the performance ended and the the stars came out at 1113. Palin spoke for a good 15 minutes and Mc Cain wrapped it up. They were interrupted several times as the crowd began chanting "NOBAMA, NOBAMA!" Essentially, McCain characterized himself as a fighter. He stated that he had been fighting for our country since he was seventeen years old "and had the scars to prove it." He will continue to fight, and although he may be behind in the polls, he promised not to give up, and only stop after victory is achieved. The crowd was fired up and we left looking forward to supporting our leader in the turbulent days to come.

On a side note, I happened to be standing next to Pete Mantz, who was the OIC of my BUD/S class over ten years ago. Small world, huh?