A day after her address roused the Republican National Convention, Virginia delegates said Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin will help John McCain carry the state.

Opening a Virginia delegation meeting with a prayer yesterday, Erin Anderson of Arlington County thanked God for "our lady warrior."

Until Wednesday night some Virginia delegates were still lukewarm to McCain, whom conservatives have viewed with suspicion.

But delegates said Palin had energized them behind the GOP ticket.

"She did exactly what she needed to unite this party," said Mike Thompson of Springfield in Fairfax County. "Things had been iffy to this point."

Palin "knocked it out of the park," said Anderson. "She is one of us -- a mom, a National Rifle Association member. She epitomizes middle America."

Contact Tyler Whitley at (804) 649-6780 or twhitley@timesdispatch.com.