From Steve Kraske moving with the John McCain-Sarah Palin entourage.

In Lee's Suummit, Palin took the stage of the pavilion at John Knox Village first and quickly described her running mate as "the only man in this race who's got what it takes to lead our country."

And later she said of McCain, "he doesn't run with the herd."In her short stump speech, Palin recited a litany of her own achievements in Alaska that have already becoming familiar fare to many Americans.

For instance, she once again described her decision to reject federal money to build the infamous "bridge to nowhere" because she she said if her state wanted the bridge it would build it itself. It's been widely reported, however, that she first championed the project and kept the federal appropriation for Alaska even after the bridge idea died.

Palin's speech was interrupted numerous times by chants of "Sarah, Sarah, Sarah" and "John McCain, John McCain."When McCain got his chance, he stressed the importance of Republicans winning Missouri in November."We must win this state, and we will to win the presidency of the United States," he said.

He described himself as a maverick, adding "now we have a team of mavericks. We understand that who we work for. We're going to work for you and we're going to drain the swamp in Washington, D.C., and take on the special interests. And we're going to reform the government."

He criticized Obama for decrying earmarks while seeking nearly $1 billion in those special appropriations.

"It's remarkable," McCain said.

He also knocked his Democratic rival for once saying that he had helped his country by increasing defense spending. But another time, McCain complained, Obama had claimed he had cut tens of billions of dollars in defense spending.

McCain also cited an ad campaign by the liberal group MoveOn.org that portrayed Gen. David Petraeus, then commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, as "General Betray Us." McCain claimed that Obama refused to vote on a Senate resolution to condemn that ad.

McCain told the crowd that "you may not always agree with me, but you will always know exactly where I stand." 

The pair arrived at John Knox Village about 11:10 a.m., greeted by dozens of supporters waving signs. One read: "Palin for such a time as it is," but its precise meaning was lost on your tag-along correspondent. A handful of protesters were on hand as well.

Both McCain and Palin were scheduled to speak at the retirment community's pavilion this morning.

 The walked off their bus to cheers from thousands in a light rain. Palin seemed to be the star and focus of many of the signs.

 She faced the crowd, mouthed the words "wow" and "thank you" before grabbing a microphone and introducing McCain.

"It's such an honor to be here with John McCain, the next president of the United States," she said to those waiting outside the pavilion.

"This is absolutely overwhelming. ... You you to be out here showing your support, we can't thank you enough. It's going to take a lot of work here. Missouri, we love you."

 Next, McCain said: "Was this just a great choice for the American people? What a great reformer. What a great governor. The most popular governor in the United States of America. … We’re going to go to Washington and drain the swamp."

Ticket-topper McCain left the President Hotel earlier this morning for media interviews in an office at 20th and Baltimore. That lasted about an hour.

His caravan, with your correspondent in tow, then returned to the President and about 10:40 a.m. Monday, the Republicans' vice presidential nominee joined McCain on his so-called Straight Talk Express bus bound for a joint appearance in Lee's Summit.