SOUTH BEND — Millions tuned in Thursday night to watch John McCain unfold his own version of history. Local supporters gathered to watch the speech at Republican headquarters.

Supporters promised the wave of enthusiasm will push them toward election day. And as the countdown to that all important moment began, there was no hiding the excitement as "their maverick" took the stage.

"It's monumental. Especially for me, being a woman," said Taylor Gagan, a McCain supporter.

"Half of the country now is represented finally on the Republican ticket!" said Chris Riley, the local GOP chairman.

Supporters heard McCain's message loud and clear.

"Country first. And looking at it, yeah, I think he was trying to put country first," said Kevin Mishler, a McCain supporter.

But experts say there were more than just words at play on the stage in St. Paul.

"He's got to come across now throughout the rest of the campaign as someone you'd want as a friend," said political columnist Jack Colwell.

McCain tried to present a clear image and message to both party faithful and undecided voters.

"We're not being disrespectful, or disloyal to George Bush, but judge the McCain-Palin ticket on its merits," said Sean Savage of Saint Mary's College of McCain's effort.

Supporters say, that's exactly what they're doing, and they like what they see. It's precisely the push they needed, to take that convention momentum all the way to election day.

"It's in the grassroots that the election really happens. The excitement's just going to build and build until the election!" said Gagan.

The big question? Would Senator McCain's speech stand up to Governor Palin's speech Wednesday night? Those in South Bend said both were "home runs."

Colwell and Savage agreed there were some hiccups early in the week, but the RNC ended with a bang.

The big questions now: Was there enough contrast drawn between McCain and Obama and enough distance put between McCain and President Bush?