Organizers expecting enthusiastic crowd for Sarah Palin at Show Me Center

The excitement for Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's visit to Cape Girardeau extends far beyond Southeast Missouri.

Kevin Levy, a Phoenix real estate broker, has been following the progress of U.S. Sen. John McCain's campaign for president all year. And because Arizona is McCain's home state and the West Coast states are solidly in the column for U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, the Democratic nominee, Levy has been trying to arrange a chance to see Palin in person.

After a plea to Holly Lintner, assistant treasurer of the Cape Girardeau County Republican Party, Levy will get his wish. Lintner has two tickets waiting for Levy, who had hoped to bring his 13-year-old son, Nick, to the event today at the Show Me Center.

Reached by telephone as he was preparing to board a jet in Phoenix for the flight to Missouri, Levy said his son is "feeling under the weather" and that his wife would not let him travel.

"I am real excited about Gov. Palin and wanted to come out and support her," Levy said, adding, "I just had to find a time that works best as far as not interrupting my business much. I just finished with a client, and I will be back for a showing tomorrow night at 5 o'clock. I am just excited about the campaign, and I am excited about seeing Gov. Palin."

The rally begins at 8:30 a.m. today. Doors will open at 6:30 a.m. Palin arrived in Cape Girardeau late Wednesday evening following a campaign rally in Indiana. The excitement was building among area Republicans as well, and as stagehands worked Wednesday to prepare the Show Me Center, more than 150 volunteers were briefed about their roles in the festivities.

"What we do here tomorrow will send a strong message not only to Southeast Missouri but to the nation," Tom Schulte, district director for U.S. Sen. Kit Bond, told the volunteers.

Before Palin's speech, organizers expect speeches from U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof, the GOP's candidate for governor, Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, who is seeking re-election, state Sen. Brad Lager, the Republican nominee for state treasurer, U.S. Sen. Kit Bond, who is not on the ballot this year, and Clint Tracy, the party's nominee for state representative from Cape Girardeau. Palin will be introduced by U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, who is seeking her seventh term representing Missouri's 8th Congressional District.

Organizers expect an enthusiastic, welcoming crowd in the 7,000-seat arena.

For Jim Roche, a county committeeman and former president of the Southeast Missouri Pachyderm Club, the Palin visit will boost the spirits of the local party faithful after weeks of bad news from national polls.

"It lifts the spirit of the base to see such interest," he said. "It is very uplifting. I think we are all feeling pretty good and positive now."

Leaders of the Obama campaign in Missouri sought to pre-empt Palin's message through former Missouri secretary of state Bekki Cook of Cape Girardeau, a Democrat who was in office from 1994 to 2001.

"We want to remind people that Sarah Palin and John McCain have to keep coming back to Missouri because their answer to the economic mess is not sticking with Missourians," Cook said. "They have been unable to show how their economic plan is different from what George Bush has been doing."

The rally is aimed at building enthusiasm people will take home and use over the weekend to encourage their neighbors and friends to vote the GOP ticket, said Lloyd Smith, chief of staff to Emerson.

Smith, who has helped direct Emerson's campaigns as well as statewide campaigns for former U.S. senator Jim Talent, said the goal is to build up big margins in rural counties that cannot be overcome by the expected large turnout for Obama in the state's metropolitan areas.

Republicans must push to reach those goals, Smith said. "The best way to run is run scared," he said. "We've got a lot of energy -- we've got to get people to vote."

The Obama campaign, which has had a Cape Girardeau field office open for several months, is fighting for Southeast Missouri in a way unseen in the past from Democrats, Smith said.

"They are spending resources that in the past Democratic presidential campaigns have not had," he said. "But the proof will be in the margins."

The Obama effort makes getting out a big vote Tuesday all the more important, Smith said. "If you ever slow down in this business and look over your shoulder, that is when you get beat."

rkeller@semissourian.com

388-3642

Palin rally tips

• No signs or sticks
• Doors open at 6:30 a.m. Security screening will be in place.
• Shuttle bus service will run from West Park Mall, north parking lot, beginning at 6:15 a.m.
• Rally begins at 8:30 a.m.; Palin expected on stage at 9 a.m.