Aug 31, 2008 By Josh Krysak 3 min read

WASHINGTON, Pa. – Just one day after U.S. Sen. John McCain announced Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate in the 2008 presidential election, the Straight Talk Express rolled through western Pennsylvania, invigorating a crowd of more than 8,000 at CONSOL Energy Park in Washington.

McCain briefly addressed the raucous crowd, but it was Palin who delivered the main speech, introducing herself to area Republicans and pledging to fight government corruption while upholding conservative ideals. “It is always safer when you get into government to avoid risks, but that is not why I got into government,” Palin said. “I will challenge the status quo and serve the common good.”

McCain, who entered the ballfield on his tour bus to AC/DC’s, “For Those Who Like to Rock, We Salute You,” first announced that his thoughts and prayers are with citizens in New Orleans as they brace for Hurricane Gustav and then gave a laundry list of credentials for Palin.

“She will shake up Washington and stop corruption,” McCain said. “She will bring integrity and good sense to the White House.”

The crowd, who waited in 90-degree heat for four hours to hear McCain and Palin speak, crackled with electricity as Palin was introduced to chants of “Sarah, Sarah.”

Before the presumptive Republican presidential ticket arrived at the park, rallygoers were treated to music from John Rich of country band Big n’ Rich, including Rich’s new single, “Raising McCain,” and displayed signs that read “Women for McCain” and “Democrats for McCain.”

McCain, who is expected to secure the Republican party nomination for president next week, was also preceded by speeches from former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge and Lynn Swann, pro football Hall of Fame wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Ridge spoke at length about McCain’s strength on foreign policy and the stark contrasts between McCain and Democratic presidential nominee, Illinois Sen. Barrack Obama.

“This is an election between Hollywood and authenticity,” Ridge said. “It is not about talking about change, it is about real change…Some people can talk about patriotism, others have lived it all their lives. That’s John McCain.”

Swann, also took a shot at Obama, taking him to task about comments Obama made in California earlier this year about small town Pennsylvanians clinging to their guns and religion.

“Some people think small towns cling to their religion and faith,” Swann said. “I will always cling to my religion. I will always cling to my faith. And I will always cling to the Second Amendment.”

While Ridge and Obama briefly fired up the crowd, it was Palin who took center stage and told the crowd that she is grateful for the women who came before her, including Geraldine Ferraro and New York Sen. Hillary Clinton.

“In this election, principles and political independence are more important than party lines,” Palin said.

It was lines like those that left many who attended Saturday’s rally hopeful for the upcoming election.

“We love John McCain and we love Sarah Palin,” Kathy Lindsey of St. Clairsville, Ohio, said. “She was the only choice and she will do wonderful.”

Kim Cramer of Washington agreed: “She has all the facets of a woman. She is a mother and wife. She is leader. The speech she gave today was much like the speeches she and McCain have given over the last day, but it was just her presence that made it special.