According to The Fort Worth Star-Telegram's PoliTex blog, the turnout was "approximately 1,500 people."
Austin television station KVUE's story pegged the crowd at "about a thousand" and said Gov. Palin spoke for 40 minutes:
"It's always good to be back in Alaska's little sister state," Palin told the crowd. "You're not afraid to cling to your guns and your religion."Speech excerpts from the Houston Chronicle's Texas Politics blog:
Governor Perry introduced Palin. The two met at a Republican Governor's Convention. Palin repaid the favor by raising many of Perry's campaign talking points. She complimented the state's budget, cited job creation and housing statistics, as well as touting states rights and the 10th Amendment.
"There are so many things to admire about your governor," Palin said.
[...]
Following the fundraiser, supporters [said] both both governors had a good message.
"I thought they were fabulous representations of how people who are pro-life really feel about this issue and think about this issue," said Patricia Fanning, a Palin supporter.
Palin and Perry both took sharp aim at the Obama administration over abortion, with Palin calling him "the most pro-abortion president to ever occupy the White House."More from the Chron blog here.
She praised Texas and its record, saying it has "so many prolife pro-family legislators" and touting "my friend Rick Perry."
"You're not afraid to cling to your guns and your religion," she told the crowd.
Update: Austin's KTBC (Fox 7) aired this video package:
We will update with more reports as they come in...
- JP
I was at the Austin event. The protesters outside where pretty lame. I went over to get my pic taken with them and they just sat there on the ground and looked at me. I got exasperated and said, "Stand up and protest! You made the signs now use them!" One of the boys complained that they weren't a circus show. Yes, they were. And they were going to stand for my amusement.
ReplyDeleteI think a few Palin supporters took pictures with them too. They were seen more as amusement rather than annoying.
She gave a nice speech, talked up Texas and told some fun stories that rabid supporters of hers have heard before but the crowd ate it up. The QnA was fun and she gave direct, succinct answers. I so can't wait for her run. She's going to do well in debates.