Residents of Gov. Palin's own hometown were among those across the nation to watch her vice-presidential acceptance speech Wednesday night.
Wasilla locals packed the room for a "rally in the valley."

It was thunderous applause and standing ovations at Tailgater's Sports Bar in Wasilla.
Renee Strapman says, "what attracted me is her fieriness, strength, go getter-ness -- and how she's for american people and country."
Fans of Sarah Palin say it was her down-to-earth nature that make her the right choice for the country.
"When she talks about a heart of service," says Robbie Lane, "she's one of the only people who represents we the people of the United States."

"Here's a little news flash for all those reporters and commentators," Palin said Wednesday night, "I'm not going to Washington to seek their good opinion -- I'm going to Washington to serve the people of this country."
On experience, Palin addressed her past as a 2-term mayor, as a first-term governor, and offered no apologies -- as a "Washington outsider."
Rick Bryant thinks, "our politicians in government have been away from small-town America for too long, and they've lost touch with what's really important."
On energy, she talked about not only oil development, but nuclear power and clean-coal technology.
First-time voter Chelsea Baun found that inspiring. "I think she was encouraging -- her plans for oil and energy, war in iraq... there's nothing that she can't do."

A self-proclaimed hockey mom, many Palin supporters here tonight agreed that with Sarah -- what you see is what you get.
"She's a hometown girl," says Lynn Gattis, "she has the same morals and values that I have -- as a mother as a conservative. I'm very excited."