Palin brings excitement to Georgia senate race

Macon.com:

Sarah Theus blew her perfect attendance record at Porter Elementary to go Monday to see Sarah Palin in Perry.

The 11-year-old from Macon wore a hot pink "Sarah" headband that caught Palin's eye as she took the stage at a rally for Sen. Saxby Chambliss on the eve of the run-off.

"Our candidate did not win the election but she won our hearts," said Sally Theus, Sarah's mother, who gave in to her daughter's begging to attend the rally.

Theus drove down to Perry with her sister-in-law Tammy Hawkins and 9-year-old niece Hailey Hawkins, who missed a day at Covenant Academy.

They were the first to arrive at the Miller-Murphy-Howard building of the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter in Perry about four and a half hours before the Alaska governor was expected to speak.

"We wanted the girls to see a fine, upstanding, Christian woman with five kids and a good career," Tammy Hawkins said. "We just wanted them to see you can succeed."

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After Palin left the room, Sarah Theus and her cousin Hailey Hawkins were giddy with excitement. They carried Palin's autographs as they left the room in their over-sized pink sweatshirts.

"She touched this," Sarah said with a fresh signature on her pink fleece "Sarah" headband.

"She touched my finger. She touched my finger," Hailey said while jumping up and down.

The 9-year-old hunter hadn't been this excited since she killed her third wild hog over the Thanksgiving holiday.

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During her speech the crowd also showed it appreciation.

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Palin hit on the same point that's been a drumbeat from Republicans since Chambliss narrowly missed the 50 percent vote margin he needed to beat Martin outright last month. Vote for Chambliss, or the Democrats may end up with 60 seats in Congress. That's a potentially filibuster-proof margin that would give Democrats added power in a Congress already tilted strongly to the left.

"It isn't just about your state," Palin told the crowd. "It is about the entire United States of America and our future. ... The eyes of our nation are on this stage. We all have Georgia on our minds."

Palin said GOP leaders understand that there has been disillusionment and frustration with the party, particularly over its less-than-ideal track record of late in the core values of frugality.

Palin said the party is being rebuilt, and re-electing Chambliss is part of the process.

"Let us reclaim our good name," Palin said.

The crowd broke into a chant of "Saxby! Saxby!

"Saxby!" Palin said after the noise died down. "You betcha!"

The crowd gave up another cheer.

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She is one of the best campaigners the Republicans have. I hope she can pull Saxby across the finish line on Tuesday.

Here is a CNN video of one of the Chambliss rallies. Watch Palin back on the stump »