Buzz on the bus: Local GOP contingent represents in Dayton

DAYTON - On the eve of a formal nomination from his party, John McCain walked into an atmosphere Friday at the Nutter Center introducing his vice presidential candidate that was near "convention-like."

"It was awesome," said Keith Cheney, Allen County Republican party chairman. "Seventeen thousand people, standing room only."

The party secured two charter buses and took more than 120 people to Dayton for the Republican presidential candidate's first stop on his road to the convention, which begins Monday. Others from the area could secure event tickets and drive themselves. They all witnessed history, as McCain put a woman, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, on the Republican ticket for the first time.

"It was the most amazing experience of my life, " said Justin Barnhart, co-chairing the McCain effort in Putnam County and president of the Putnam County Young Republicans. "It was something I didn't expect. And Gov. Palin's pro-life message makes her unstoppable in this area."

The group arrived at the arena three hours before McCain spoke and had to stand. However, they were on the floor near the podium, a stone's throw from the candidates, said Libby Cupp, who is co-chairing the county's Women for McCain effort.

Cupp received a text message from her husband, Supreme Court Judge Robert Cupp, relaying media reports of Palin and rumor began to circulate in the arena about who would walk out.

"It was electric there," Cupp said. "We had a perfect view. We could see them coming out of the chute."

Women make up 54 percent of voters, Cupp said, and women, especially with McCain's choice Friday, will deliver the election for him.

Party volunteer Norene Parish got an autograph from McCain's daughter.

"It really was exciting," Parish said. "I met all kinds of people. It was a really diverse crowd and it was packed solid."