She's the Star the GOP Hitched Its Bandwagon To

Admirers at the feet of Sarah Palin. "It's a different kind of celebrity," said one. "She's doing her thing and people are flocking to her." (Jason Reed - Reuters)

"We talk about her every day," said Molly Newcomb, who is majoring in government with a minor in media studies.

"We can't stop talking about her," said Partain, 20.

But why?

"I love that she is a mother, wife and a politician," Partain continued. "That's very admirable. She's not a career politician who's been affected by the Washington games."

Sarah Palin the celebrity?

"It's a different kind of celebrity," said Partain. "She's doing her thing and people are flocking to her."

Her thing, at least onstage, was mostly a support role -- pumping up John McCain. Talking about cutting property taxes as mayor in Wasilla and putting the state's checkbook online as governor wasn't sexy celebrity stuff.

But the crowd was crazy over her. Iris Burkart and the ladies who do Jazzercise together gave up their class for her. "And that's huge," said Beckette Helson, who calls herself "a professional mom."

The ladies also pondered the meaning of celebrity.

"It all depends on how you categorize celebrity," said Burkart, a Loudoun County real estate agent. If you're talking about the most notable, recognizable figures in the world right now, she'd have to say Obama and McCain. But if you're talking about dreamy, larger-than-life, would-love-to-sit-down-to-dinner-with figures, there's only one at the top.

"Sean Connery," said Burkart. "At my age, sweetheart, that's who we go for."

When the rally was over and rope lines had been worked and the motorcade assembled for the drive out of the park, the hordes flocked to Old Lee Highway to get a look at McCain and Palin pulling out of town. The Straight Talk Express bus rumbled slowly down the street, which was lined with picture takers and kids who had climbed trees for a better vantage point. And then the bus stopped, and McCain and Palin got out and went into the crowd. Some pushed to get closer. Others got up on the wooden fences, trying to balance themselves to get a peek.

Brooke Ramos, 18, being home-schooled by her mother, the first year she can vote, just happened to be at the spot where the Straight Talk stopped. After shaking Palin's hand, she just stood shaking, shrieking, dancing in place. She couldn't believe she had touched Sarah Palin. It was as if she had touched a real celebrity, someone like Christian pop-rock star Rebecca St. James, and out burst that time-tested declaration of mad love:

"I'm not going to wash this hand!"