By ELIZABETH ANDERSON
Observer staff
Feb. 13, 2008

The room grew hotter as participants straggled in, but by the time this candidate made his appearance, one could say supporters gathering in Alexandria, Va. were “fired up and ready to go.” But this wasn’t an Obama rally. It was a celebration for Republican Sen. John McCain, who clinched victory in yesterday’s Potomac Primaries.

Supporters brought out the noise to welcome McCain after his brief introduction when they heard “Ladies and gentlemen, the next president of the United States… John McCain.”

Each candidate has the same introduction these days, but it will only become reality for one and nobody knows who that will be at this point.

Supporters were from a variety of age groups.

There were three high school students from Texas. They’re not 18 yet, but will be of voting age for the general election.

There were supporters in their 30s. Marc Alvarez of Rockville, Maryland said he’s known McCain for years. He is the son of Everett Alvarez, who was a Vietnam War POW with McCain. The elder Alvarez is also known as the first U.S. aviator shot down in Vietnam. The younger Alvarez says, even though he respects Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, he thinks McCain is the best candidate out there.

Ken Walsh is from Arlington, Va. He’s also a friend of Alvarez. He supports McCain for two reasons.

Kate Sadlosky is from Alexandria, Va. She says McCain is the only candidate who can bridge the gap between disparate voters.

Juan Henao is an immigrant who came to the United States from Columbia. He also served in the military. He worries that his generation isn’t capitalizing on the paths previous generations have paved.

A gentleman named Ralph Benko brought two boys with him. One was his son and the other the son of a friend. Though they won’t be able to vote for nine years, they said they made phone calls to Floridians before the primaries there, encouraging residents to vote for McCain.

David Benko describes what he did during those phone calls.

David was then asked if he were 18 why he would vote for McCain.

Finally a gentleman from Great Falls, VA, attended with his wife and two sons. Steve Trautwein says he’s worked with McCain in the past.

Trautwein also says he loves McCain’s candor.

Everett Alvarez has a special connection to McCain.

And here’s why he supports the Arizona senator.

No one knows who this nation’s next leader will be, but this presidential race is shaping up to be an exciting one.

McCain says he is up for the challenge of fighting for what he thinks is best for this nation.