Palin: Keep VA Red?

The majority of the senior class went to the Palin rally. We actually got in! A far cry from what people were regaling with the Obama rally which came to our "historical" town in September. The "historical" was said not by Palin but the local republican "community organizer" who visited my class also in early September. We were in the back, the taller people amoung the grade faired almost as well as I did (me standing at about 5 foot and the taller ones over 6 foot) Although my sightline was awful I could still hear Palin, Whitman and Gilmore and whoever else talked in the front. (And I caught sight of each speaker for a total of 5 seconds apiece on my tip-toes!) But, what was more interesting to me than the speeches being made up front were the comments made in the back by other attendees. Some people were talking about their ideas ans what they wanted changed and why they wanted the Republicans in office. I honestly enjoyed those conversations more than the speeches (and I paid more attention to them as well). Some shouted "Yeah!" "You go Girl!" "Right!" in reference to whatever the republicans were saying. And at one point to my (and other students) shock "Communist!!!" in reference to Obama. Other Obama haters had signs connecting him with Marxist ideas and terrorism. By the end of the rally I was tired of the slurs I heard against Obama and felt I had heard little to make me want to vote for the Republicans if I could.
Also, Sorry Palin, but I think Whitman got the most applause. Maybe that was because my grade started screaming our lungs out (every one of us) when Whitman went up to speak. Yes he visited our school as well. And he actually gave a speech that when I paid attention to it, made me want to elect him. Other people in the back seemed to like him as well.
Gilmore's speech irratated me more than anything. He kept repeating, "The answer is McCain, Palin, and Gilmore!" ....sounds like a college plug only its political.
At least 3 of the speakers including Palin said the usual narrative speech which I have grown tired of about I am so and so an average person. "I have suffered all this and endured through all that and I am now going to put the lessons learned from that to serve you!" Although I did like the fact that someone mentioned that Palin has run a state and raised 5 kids and that they'd like to see a man do that. However someone could point out that Biden basically raised his kids on his own. (but i forget how many he has.)
After the first few speeches to get us pumped up there was dead time. We were waiting for Palin to show up...they had music playing and at one point for all of maybe 50 seconds someone along with Whitman were throwing t-shirts and towels into the crowd. I think the GOP could hav ehad something going on during then to keep the energy up.
So the rally was interesting to see how a rally works, what goes on and of course to see the celebrity politicans themselves. (and husband in tow in Palin's case) But all I can really remeber about it was smears and talk that I have heard before. I don't think it won any votes.