Sept. 2 (Bloomberg) -- In June, anti-abortion activists decided they would celebrate a little-known Republican governor when it came time for the party's national convention in St. Paul, Minnesota. Their choice: Alaska's Sarah Palin.

Little did the Republican National Coalition for Life know that the recipient of its ``Life of the Party Award,'' to be honored today, would become John McCain's running mate.

The presidential contender's selection of Palin is a nod to the group's founder, Phyllis Schlafly, and other social conservatives, who have viewed McCain with mistrust.

``The Sarah Palin announcement has transformed everything,'' said Schlafly, 84. ``Everybody who was doubtful and holding back is all of a sudden energized.''

That enthusiasm has helped swell McCain's crowds since he picked her to run for vice president on Aug. 29. He and Palin, 44, held a rally for 10,000 people in Pennsylvania the next day and for 22,000 in Missouri on Aug. 31. Until now, McCain has concentrated on smaller town halls with a few hundred people.

Interest is perking up in states where he's lagged. Greg Tille, the party chairman in Humboldt County, Iowa, has gotten 20 calls from people wanting yard signs -- but not any yard signs. ``They want to wait until the McCain-Palin signs show up,'' said Tille.

New Activism

Her selection may also cut into Democrat Barack Obama's organizing advantage. In Loudoun County, Virginia, Obama had an office weeks ago operating with 60 volunteers, while McCain's headquarters hasn't even opened. Palin's selection prompted a flood of e-mails to Republican officials from voters.

``That type of activity is going to translate into activism,'' said county party Chairman Glen Caroline.

McCain's announcement spurred a burst of enthusiasm from donors. On Aug. 30, his campaign took in a record $6.8 million.

McCain's and Palin's attempts to woo women disaffected with Obama may not be as successful. Palin pays tribute to Hillary Clinton, talking about how she put 18 million ``cracks'' in the glass ceiling blocking women from entering the Oval Office, referring to Clinton's vote total.

Polls suggest undecided Clinton supporters disagree with Palin in key areas, though, including abortion, which she opposes under almost any circumstances.

``Of Hillary's 18 million votes, she'll be lucky to get 18,'' said Democratic strategist James Carville.

`Bit of Everything'

Still, Palin's stances on traditional Republican issues -- she rejects gay marriage, favors the teaching of creationism in schools and is a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association -- are playing well with the party's base.

``She's the Swiss Army knife of candidates,'' said Drew McKissick, a board member of the Christian Coalition. ``She's got a little bit of everything.''

Palin's talk of governing with ``a servant's heart'' appeals to religious advocates, said Linda Greene, head of an Ohio disaster-relief group that is ``serving God through its ministries.''

``We're just hitting each other on the back and saying, `this is awesome,''' said Greene, 59. McCain visited her organization yesterday, and she congratulated him. For her, the choice of Palin ``fixed the ticket.''

At McCain's election office in Macomb County, Michigan, phones are ``ringing off the hook'' for tickets to a McCain- Palin rally Sept. 5.

Once a Slow Summer

Demand for campaign buttons, hats, T-shirts and bumper stickers took off after the announcement, said Brian Harlin, owner of GOP Shoppe, a Baltimore-area retailer. He canceled plans to come to the convention and said his crew has been working around the clock.

Until now, he said, ``it had been a very slow summer.''

The NRA said Palin would be ``one of the most pro-gun vice presidents in American history.'' And she's erased many religious voters' reservations about McCain, said Richard Land, a leader of the 16-million-member Southern Baptist Convention.

Land said in the three days since the announcement, he's gotten more than 300 e-mails from people excited about the selection. He typically gets 10 to 15 over that time.

Her selection is ``ringing all the bells with social conservatives,'' said Land. ``I was holding my breath until he made the pick.''

He said the announcement that Palin's 17-year-old daughter is pregnant doesn't dampen enthusiasm. The family released a statement saying the daughter will have the baby and marry the father of the child.

`Affirm the Baby'

``The Palin family, in making this choice to affirm life and affirm the baby, is giving a pro-life stance,'' Land said.

More than three of four evangelical voters backed President George W. Bush in 2004. As of July, McCain was getting 61 percent, according to the Pew Center for the People & the Press. Conservative leaders say that will change.

``I can tell from the calls over the last 48 hours from people around the country,'' said Gary Bauer, 62, president of the Arlington, Virginia-based American Values.

McCain, 72, has stirred unease among social conservatives because he rarely speaks about his religious beliefs. He also sponsored campaign-finance rules barring certain election advertisements, earning him enmity from anti-abortion groups.

Now, Land said, he's ``substantially addressed the biggest concerns.''

To contact the reporters on this story: Catherine Dodge in St. Paul at cdodge1@bloomberg.net; Kristin Jensen in St. Paul at kjensen@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: September 2, 2008 00:01 EDT