‘Sarah Palin Fever’ Sweeping America

“Sarah Palin fever” is fast spreading across the United States in the wake of her fiery debut in last week’s Republican National Convention.

The popularity of Palin, John McCain’s running mate and potentially the first female U.S. vice president, was easily visible on the Republican’s campaign trail Saturday.

More people chanted “Sarah” or “Palin” rather than “McCain” at the joint campaign rally of the two candidates in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where the Democrats had held their convention a week before.

“Banners, buttons and signs say McCain-Palin, but the crowds say something else,” the Associated Press said. “She is emerging as the main attraction for many voters at their campaign appearances.”

Some 50 percent of Americans have a favorable view of Palin, according to poll results released by ABC News Friday. The survey also shows she is seen favorably by 85 percent of Republicans and 53 percent of independents.

Experts say her skyrocketing popularity is thanks mostly to her acceptance speech, in which she called herself an ordinary housewife suffering from family problems like any other ordinary Americans. Her message is winning sympathy from voters.

Palin also received a favorable response on her comment over her teenage daughter’s pregnancy. “To the families of special needs children all across this country, I have a message,” Palin said. “I pledge to you that if we are elected, you will have a friend and advocate in the White House.”

U.S. media say Palin’s affection toward her rather flawed family is winning the hearts of Americans.

Palin has also shown she has “strength” that Americans treasure. “You know what they say is the difference between hockey moms and a pit bull? Lipstick!” the mother of five said last week.

Another factor behind her soaring popularity is her message that Barack Obama is not the only person who can bring change to the country, calling herself “a fresh wind from Alaska which can blow away the old orders of Washington.”

Palin even won Miss Congeniality in the 1984 Miss Alaska beauty pageant, showing her ability to work as part of a team.

McCain’s acceptance speech Thursday was watched by 38.9 million Americans, more than the 38.4 million who viewed Obama Aug. 28.

triplets@donga.com