Supporter: Palin visit the 'opportunity of a lifetime'

Sarah Palin supporters are streaming in by bus, bicycle and on foot to catch the vice presidential candidate's 9 a.m. speech at Coachman park in Clearwater.

Overwhelmingly, the clothing color of choice is GOP red.

According to Clearwater firefighter Scott Pettay, supporters began arriving at midnight to be the first in when gates opened at 6 a.m. Clearwater spokeswoman Joelle Castelli said between 9,000 and 12,000 people are expected.

Clearwater homemaker Bonnie Wright, 58, got to the gates about 6:30. She called seeing Palin in Clearwater "the opportunity of a lifetime."

"She seems to me to be the most clear-spoken, easily understandable candidate," Wright said. "And I'm not for socialist government."

Will Van Sant, Times staff writer

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