JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Supporters who lined up before dawn to hear Republican vice presidential candidate Gov. Sarah Palin speak at the Jacksonville Landing were still full of enthusiasm when Gov. Charlie Crist and Sen. Mel Martinez finally welcomed her to the stage.

After thanking the crowd estimated by party officials a 7,000 for "a warm Southern welcome" and saying she was so glad to be among friends, the Alaska governor first turned to some children in the audience.

"Are you guys skipping school today?" she asked one group. "You get yourself extra credit for being here."

Palin then launched into her campaign message, praising Sen. John McCain as a reformer and questioning the experience and character of Democratic Sen. Barack Obama.

"There are some candidates who promote change to promote their careers and then there are some leaders, like John McCain, who uses his career to promote change," Palin told the cheering crowd.

After promising that a McCain-Palin administration would bring tax relief to every American, balance the budget, not retreat from war and achieve energy independence, the crowd chanted, "Drill, baby, drill."

Palin repeated her attacks on Obama's connection to Bill Ayers, a 1960s radical with the Weather Underground, blamed for several bombings in the Vietnam era.

Palin said that since Obama claims that he didn't know Ayers' background as a domestic terrorist, she wonders what else he will claim he didn't know.

"Since he got called out on his plans to meet unconditionally with terror-state leaders like (Iranian President Mahmoud) Ahmadinejad, will he now claim that he was unaware of his radical background?" Palin asked.

Palin wrapped up her 23-minute speech urging people to watch Tuesday night's nationally televised town hall meeting between a politician and a leader.

"This election is about the truthfulness and the judgment needed in our next president. John McCain has it and Barack Obama doesn't," Palin said.

Landing Overflows With Palin Supporters

Jaime Gilmour and her mom drove from Georgia and were first in line. They sat in the front row and have an autograph to prove it.

"I felt like I was being anointed or something," Gilmour said.

A large number of women were in the crowd were women.

"There were young teenage girls, there were middle-school girls, there were young moms," one voter told Channel 4's Nikki Preede. "I was just really encouraged by the amount of support."

So many people turned out to see Palin, the Landing reached its capacity by 8:30 a.m. and police closed the entrances. Police and fire officials would not estimate a number of people inside.

Police told Channel 4's Karin Hirschey that about 1,000 people were still in line when access was shut down.

"The line was wrapped up and down the block at least five times," on Palin fan said.

Many of those kept out were especially disappointed because they had gone to the GOP office to get tickets and thought that guaranteed them a seat.

"Being in line for an hour and a half, having tickets and still being told no," Kenneth Custer said.

"I think they should have had it in a bigger place," one voter said. "Considering how big Jacksonville is ... I can't believe they did it at the Landing."

While disappointed they didn't get to see Palin, those who could not get it said the experience would not change their vote.

Hundreds More Attend Fundraiser At Stadium

After the Landing event, Palin attended a midday fundraiser at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium's West Club. Party officials said about 800 people paid at least $500 to attend.

"What the money does is support a winning campaign, and that's what we want," one supporter told Channel 4's Karin Hirschey.

Republican Party officials said both Jacksonville events exceeded their expectations and they hope to ride this energy all the way to the White House.

State party officials said they hope Palin's two-day campaign swing through Florida would raise at least $1 million for the campaign.

This was Palin's second visit to Florida in two weeks and McCain has made several campaign stops in the state since becoming the GOP nominee. With 27 electoral votes and polling showing McCain and Obama separated by only a handful of points, the Sunshine State will be a critical battleground over the next four weeks.