McCain’s No. 2 is coming to SLU.
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the Republican vice presidential nominee, will appear at Chaifetz Arena tonight shortly after her debate with Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. Joe Biden at Washington University in St. Louis.
The event is sponsored by Sen. John McCain’s campaign and the Republican National Committee. SLU has no official affiliation with the proceedings.
“I think this will be an exciting opportunity for [Saint Louis University] students to meet a potential vice president and see the political process first hand,” said Damien Johnson, a volunteer who has been working on campus for the McCain-Palin campaign.
Palin’s appearance will follow a debate-watching party in Chaifetz. The arena opens at 5 p.m. with the program beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets for this event are free with a limit of six tickets per person and have been available for pick up at the main entrance of the arena. Photography will be allowed, but no signs, food, drinks, backpacks or other bags will be allowed. Many students say that they see the rally as a great opportunity to see an important national figure speak on campus.
“I think it’s awesome that she is coming ,” said freshman Leslie Criscione. “It is going to be such a great experience to see her in person because it is not every day a major politician comes to campus.”
The debate will be televised on the four corner screens of the arena starting at 8 p.m. Many observers believe that this debate will be the first real test for Palin, who was largely unknown on the national scene before McCain tapped her as his running mate in late August.
“The key challenge for Gov. Palin is whether she can convince the American people, and particularly the undecided and independent voters, that she is a plausible vice president,” said Joel Goldstein, Ph.D., J.D., a law professor and an expert on vice presidential politics.
Members of the College Republicans say that they will be volunteering at the debate and rally.
“We have been working with the McCain campaign to help make sure students have tickets,” said College Republicans President Amy Kaufman. “It is going to be pretty large-scale event in the city. We are expecting 10,000 to 15,000 people at the rally.”
The College Democrats will be meeting at the Sol Lounge at 4239 Lindell Blvd. at 7 p.m. to watch the debate.
“Instead of protesting the rally, we are going to be more productive and help register people to vote,” said College Democrats President Lauren Khouri.
