MOUNT VERNON — A modest but very enthusiastic crowd gathered at the Knox County Republican Headquarters on Thursday night to watch the acceptance speech of Sen. John McCain to be the Republican candidate for U.S. president.

Although several speeches were televised, the two that garnered the most attention were those of McCain and his wife, Cindy. There was a lot of enthusiasm for the Republican ticket both for McCain and his running mate, Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska.

“She seems like she’s done so much in her life, seeing how she is so young,” said Sandy Petros speaking of Palin. “Starting from the bottom all the way up and having to manage a family. I think it’s pretty impressive and she’s so poised.”

Excitement for Palin was echoed by Thom Collier.

“I am very excited about Gov. Palin,” he said. “She’s not only a good person to share the ticket with John McCain, but I think she helps excite the base and I know the majority of people I’ve talked to have become more and more excited about the McCain-Palin ticket. And, I think she adds a real spark that will lead to their success in November.

MCain’s speech elicited applause several times during his speech including one standing ovation. Response from several of those on hand after the speech was very positive.

“After listening to McCain’s speech it makes me more and more proud to be an American,” said Dr. Brent Ogle of Gambier. “I think we should all be proud of what he had to say. He more than surpassed any expectations I had about what he was going to speak about.”

“I think he did an excellent job,” said John Holley. “He’s definitly going to go there (Washington) to make some changes. I worked on the 2004 Bush campaign and yes, he’s (McCain) the right man at the right time for the job.”