TERRE HAUTE — Before Gov. Sarah Palin’s speech Wednesday night at the Republican National Convention, Matt Huckleby was not convinced she was the best choice for vice president.
“My expectations were really low,” said the 20-year-old Indiana State University student, who sat in the audience at the Xcel Center in St. Paul, Minn. “I didn’t think she would give that great a speech.”
But after hearing her, Huckleby had no more doubt that she was the right choice. “She came out and just blew us away,” he said.
The atmosphere at the convention center “was absolutely electric.”
When he left the Xcel Center, he was hoarse and barely able to talk after cheering so much, he said. “We were totally into it,” he said. “I’m absolutely excited to be a Republican.”
Huckleby, who is from Georgetown, sat with two other ISU students, Michael Cook of Charleston, Ill., and Carly Robbins of Terre Haute.
The three of them, as well as two other ISU students, have been in St. Paul for two weeks, participating in a national political convention seminar conducted by the Washington Center, a not-for-profit educational organization.
An additional five ISU students participated in seminars during the Democratic National Convention.
Huckleby said Palin “came out and took over the show. She could connect to blue-collar workers and hockey moms. I think she did an incredible job showing she was a compassionate person who is ready to lead.”
John McCain would have a tough act to follow in delivering his speech Thursday night, Huckleby said.
Huckleby said he and Cook plan to get actively involved with the McCain-Palin campaign when they return to Terre Haute, and they plan to start a Students for McCain group.
“McCain is the real agent for change in this election and he is the only candidate that has a true record for change,” he said. “I think the people of Vigo County will be receptive of that.”
He hopes to convince many Democrats and independent voters to get on board. “We’re really excited about getting involved in this campaign and trying to make a difference,” he said.
Last week, Huckleby and the four other students attended seminars, and this week they have been busy with field experiences.
He and Robbins have interned with CNN, while Cook interned with Fox.
The Washington Center program doesn’t guarantee direct access to the convention, but thanks to his CNN internship, Huckleby obtained credentials that gave him access to it.
In his field experience, Huckleby worked out of the “CNN Grille,” where CNN rented out a restaurant and conducted interviews.
That’s where Huckleby saw Ralph Nader, who participated in an interview with CNN. “That was pretty cool,” he said.
At one point, while Huckleby was in a tunnel under the convention center Monday, Laura Bush walked by him on her way to deliver a speech. She was accompanied by Secret Service agents, who stopped bystanders so the first lady could get through.
Attending the convention and hearing Palin speak have made it “the greatest political experience of my life,” Huckleby said.
Other ISU students who participated in the seminar and field experiences were Dustin Bryant and Brent Ellis.
Sue Loughlin can be reached at (812) 231-4235 or sue.loughlin@tribstar.com.
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