Sarah Palin: Country needs dose of 'Midwestern Common Sense'

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Sarah Palin told a crowd of 1,100 in central Illinois Saturday that what unites Americans is stronger than what divides them. The former Alaska governor and 2008 GOP vice presidential candidate cited a strong work ethic, security and a government that allows people to live how they choose as uniting factors, and she encouraged Americans to unite to get the nation's troubled economy back on track. Gov. Palin's address was the inaugural speech last night in Five Points Washington's "Lessons From Leaders" speakers series:

Palin commented on the Land of Lincoln having a "most diverse political scene" and referenced the "Will it play in Peoria?" cliche.

"Nobody here is ordinary. ... Much of the eyes of America are on this part of our nation because this is a representation of good, hard-working, grounded, unpretentious, patriotic Americans," she said.

One of those people, Palin said, is former President Ronald Reagan, a Eureka College graduate, who believed in limited government in order to expand opportunity and prosperity. Reagan was a Midwestern boy who understood the importance of work ethic, not entitlement, she said.

"We need a dose of that Midwestern common sense now more than ever," Palin said.

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Palin took several jabs at President Barack Obama's Harvard Law School education. She said the U.S. is on pace to quadruple the deficit, called the federal health care bill "Obama-care" and the "mother of all unfunded mandates," and chastised Congress for what she called "bullying" of Peoria-based Caterpillar Inc.

"Washington's idea is to tax and borrow and spend our way out of big problems," Palin said, adding both Republicans and Democrats are to blame. "We're sticking our kids with the bill. I think that is immoral."

Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis said Palin hit on points resonating throughout the country "like getting the government under control and getting taxes under control and having people get the government back."

Leadership is speaking out, sticking up for your beliefs, getting involved and contributing to the community. "We want leadership that offers common sense principles and offers common sense solutions," she said.

A sold-out crowd of 1,100 people turned out for Palin's speech, titled "You Don't Need a Title to Make a Difference." Audience members submitted questions for possible inclusion in a question-and-answer session after the speech.

Said U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock, R-Peoria: "She's definitely got a role in shaping American politics and American policy, and when she speaks, people listen.

"I thought she gave a very inspiring speech about some of the challenges she went through in her own life as mayor of Wasilla and governor of Alaska and as a candidate for the vice presidency of the United States," he added.

John Morris, who is director of development for the Ronald W. Reagan Leadership Program and Reagan Museum at Eureka College, said Gov. Palin's remarks about the 40th president's alma mater were "thrilling," because she is a potential Republican candidate for president in 2012:

"Eureka College is a national living legacy to this story that in America you can come from anywhere and with the right values you can go on to help change the world. Eureka College is the living legacy to the story of Ronald Reagan," Morris said.

This is a re-write for the Peoria Journal-Star's Sunday edition of the incomplete story karen McDonald filed late last night. The Sunday PJStar also has a companion article by Steve Stein focusing on local reaction to Gov. Palin's speech.

Illinois Review relays RNC Committeewoman for Illinois Demetra DeMonte's post-event thoughts:

"I just returned from an amazing evening in Washington Illinois. Sarah Palin’s optimism - her belief in the goodness and wisdom of the American people - mesmerized an audience with the message that the American dream is still alive – and that it is up to us to ensure that it remains alive. Although speaking in an positive tone Sarah did not avoid talking about the serious problems confronting us today. She particularly sited the deficit and national security as the most compelling issues of our time."

"She called upon on all of us to hold our elected officials accountable on election day and to do what is necessary to preserve our freedom and the American way of life we cherish , not only for us but for our children and grandchildren."

- JP