ST. PAUL - In a convention in which energy was a prevalent theme, John McCain threw a charge into locals there for his acceptance speech.

"He knocked it out of the park," said Tom Bode, an alternate delegate at large from Wind Point. "Personal responsibility, lower taxes, leaner government, strong national defense, war on terror. McCain-Palin, that's the ticket, baby!"

Add education and energy, too, to that list, said Bill Stone, a delegate at large from rural Burlington.

"He touched on all the important critical issues," Stone said. "He didn't give us the details, but this isn't where you do that. We're pumped."

State GOP Chairman Reince Priebus of Somers continued Bode's baseball analogy, noting the acceptance speeches of McCain Thursday and Sarah Palin on Wednesday.

"Back to back home runs," Priebus said. "John McCain made the case in humility that he's been country first his entire life. He's the man at the end of the day that this country can turn to. We're just so proud of him."

Erin Decker, an alternate delegate from Silver Lake, said McCain's speech and personal story should be inspiring for all Americans.

"He is a man who has sacrificed almost everything for our freedom," Decker said. "He has proven he will do everything he can to make America and her citizens to continue to be the greatest in the world."

State Representative Robin Vos, R-Caledonia, a guest at the convention, said "I think the speech was a fantastic example of what he understands about what the world needs today."