Kansas University students listen to John McCain speak Thursday during the Republican National Convention watch party at the Kansas Union.

The number of viewers was small, but the enthusiasm was immense Thursday night at a Kansas University College Republicans watch party as U.S. Sen. John McCain accepted the GOP nomination for president.

Pumped after watching Wednesday’s speech by McCain’s running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, College Republicans president and KU senior Jesse Vaughn, 22, was ready to hear what McCain had to say at the Republican National Convention in Minnesota.

“I thought it was really amazing,” Vaughn said. “He showed how passionate he was and how much he cared for this country. We had a lot of loud cheers throughout the speech, and I think everyone in the room was pretty impressed, too.”

For many of the roughly 20 students in attendance, this will be the first presidential election they can vote in, and they were energized to make their stance known, even if they were in the minority on campus and in Lawrence, Vaughn said.

“I’m very happy with this turnout,” he said. “In meetings past we’ve had maybe four people show up, and this year everyone’s excited especially with the pick of Sarah Palin as our vice president. Everyone’s energized and excited, and we’re ready to fight for what we believe, fight for John McCain and Sarah Palin. As everyone knows, we are in a very liberal area. We fight our hardest.”

The Iraq war is the most important issue to Vaughn, one of four siblings who have served in the military.

“I was glad he mentioned his service and what he went through and his enthusiasm for what he wants to do for America,” Vaughn said.

Lynn Bammel, 19, a sophomore and webmaster for the College Republicans, said McCain’s speech was “very invigorating.”

She said she knew his policies, but she wanted to hear McCain’s excitement. Next, she’s looking forward to the debates, she said.

“I’m really excited for this election, and I hope it turns out that a lot of people agree with what he had to say,” she said.