Sights, sounds from the McCain visit

Lynn Egan wasn't about to miss seeing her Republican idols.

The 17-year-old from Aurora arrived at the Jet Center in Colorado Springs about 7:30 a.m. Saturday to stake a place ahead of the thousands who would form in a line behind her.

When the doors opened about 9 a.m., she got a front-row spot on the tarmac outside the open-door hangar where Gov. Sarah Palin and Sen. John McCain would speak.

And that spot is where the Aurora teen stood for the next four hours, locked shoulder-to-shoulder with more than 10,000 others sharing her political enthusiasm.

Kids, families, seniors and hockey moms showed up in droves to see the candidates who bill themselves as a "team of mavericks."

Officials kept early traffic flowing like a synchronized swimming meet, directing motorists to the makeshift grid of parking spaces and past protesters at the entrance.

No arrests were reported.

The Jet Center compound was filled to capacity with an estimated 13,000 people, and about 500 were turned away at the door by order of the fire marshal, said Tom Kise, a McCain campaign regional spokesman, citing Secret Service sources.

Everyone had to undergo airport-type security at the entrance, handing over electronics for inspection and surrendering water bottles.

Then, it was a case of "hurry up and wait."

Many, like Egan, didn't mind.

She said Palin speaks to her. "What she talks about and what she stands for," said Egan, wearing a pink "You go, Girl" Palin button going for three for $5.

It was among the many deals in candidate novelties. The guy peddling "No-BAMA" bumperstickers had plenty of takers.

Egan faced the hangar where a select several thousand people got chairs and a roof overhead. A jazz band and brass ensemble did their best to keep the crowd entertained, and the canned country music helped pass the time along with a stream of politicians taking the stage to rally support. Boy Scouts and cheerleaders rounded out the show.

But the crowd, inside and out, was there for a reason: to see the lipstick-wearing Alaska Governor and the grandfatherly Arizona senator, who brought his wife, Cindy. Palin's clan had already gone home to Alaska.

Behind Egan, the tarmac was thick with people exposed to the Colorado sun. Many waved political signs and flags, using them as fans to stir up some air under the wide blue sky that grew hotter with the morning.

The heat was too much for some to take. Four people on the tarmac were taken to hospitals. "Because of their pre-existing medical conditions, we just felt better if they were evaluated in a hospital," said Colorado Springs Fire Dept. Lt. Julie Stone.

The emcee urged the crowd to drink water - bottles were sold and handed out - but that added to a problem already in the making: Not enough portable bathrooms.

"There are only 13," said El Paso County Republican volunteer Bill Chin. The estimated wait time in line was 40 minutes.

All that aside, what was Cindy McCain wearing?

A neon green dress with bright orange sweater.
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Contact the writer: 636-0253 or andrea.brown@gazette.com
Lance Benzel of The Gazette contributed to this report.