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Sen. John McCain visits York and Lancaster counties on Tuesday.
"One-word description of the event — enthusiasm," Frank Orban III, co-chair of McCain's campaign in Lancaster, said. "I've been to four of the town meetings that the senator has had in Pennsylvania, and this was … the largest and most enthusiastic event that he's had.
"There's such an excitement that's beginning to percolate. He's connecting with the voters here and the general public in a very nice way that will carry through."
Many in Tuesday's audience at the Toyota Arena came in wondering how, and if, McCain, the presumptive GOP presidential candidate, would connect with the area's strong conservative base.
Republican state committee member and strong conservative Emily Ulrich drove 45 miles from Perry County with her three children, ages 13, 10 and 8, for the event.
"I think he was very open and responded well to a few questions from conservatives," she said."Overall, I was pleased, as a conservative voter, after being very skeptical before. I think having meetings like this helps conservatives to see what he has to say firsthand."
Ulrich echoed the sentiments of many supporters at the town hall meeting, who were encouraged after seeing the candidate in person.
"He's witty," Lancaster County Republican Committee Chairman Dave Dumeyer said. "He's got a sense of humor. I think people need to see that in their chief executive — someone who's got a sense of humor and won't always take himself so seriously. I think he demonstrated that balance."
Exiting the Toyota Arena, Nancy Davila said the experience was "fantastic."
"It's really much different than what you see in the news," Davila, of York County, said. "He has a great handshake."
While the crowd was largely middle-aged, several young people seized the opportunity to question McCain on Social Security and funding for college. Ethan Demme, who volunteers with Lancaster's Republican committee, said he thinks more young people need to experience this kind of event.
"The biggest thing is to get them to come out to town-hall meetings and see him themselves," Demme said. "For me, seeing him up-close and personal was really inspiring — to see that this is a real guy and he's really going to get stuff done."
McCain's entourage included Sen. Arlen Specter, former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge and Independent Sen. Joe Lieberman, who was formerly a Democrat.
"What struck me was the profound intellectual respect that each of them accorded the other," Orban said. "These were statesmen who are rising to an occasion — people who have a common philosophy, just with different particulars.
"The level of mutual respect and admiration was really striking — you don't see that often."
Demme said he thought the representation would go a long way to show McCain is willing to look past party lines.
"I think it does show, especially to younger voters, that he's willing to work with Democrats and Republicans," Demme said. "He's not just the same old thing."
While McCain's previous town-hall meetings focused on Iraq, Iran and health care, the senator opened with a lengthy discussion concerning Russia's attack on Georgia.
"His initial reaction to the Russian movements was quite direct and forceful, while (Sen. Barack) Obama was bumbling," Orban said.
Demme said he also was glad McCain chose to start the meeting talking about Georgia, noting his "ability to adapt and change and really focus on it and give us detail."
"Instead of the same old things, this is what's happening right now, and we need to deal with it," Demme said.
While most left the Toyota Arena at the York Expo Center excited to fight for McCain's cause, Dona Whitmer of Pequea Township was still unsure.
"It was good to see him in person, and I thought that would help. But I can't say he has my vote," Whitmer, an avid Ron Paul supporter, said.
Still, the majority of the crowd was fired up for November.
"I thought there was a unified excitement that this is a man that we can stand behind," Demme said.
Orban said he felt the support was "crescendoing" and ready to take the next step.
"It's the idea that the campaign is beginning to turn the corner in the state and in the country at large," Orban said. "Vacation time is over, and maybe people are beginning to wake up."
E-mail: stephweaver@lnpnews.com
