Details on Gov. Palin's afternoon event in West Texas

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Details on Sarah Palin's Thursday afternoon event in West Texas from the Midland Reporter-Telegram's Bob Campbell. It will be a 1:45 p.m. speech at the Commemorative Air Force Hangar west of Midland International Airport:

Scheduled in advance of her private Thursday night fundraiser at the Petroleum Club, 900 tickets for the former Alaska governor's afternoon event will be offered for $20 each from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at JumBurrito Mexican Food Restaurant at 4509 N. Midkiff Road and Sid & Sam Original Steakhouse at Ratliff Ranch Golf Links in Odessa.

Victor Cocchia, executive director of the sponsoring Liberty & Freedom Foundation of New York City, said 450 tickets will be sold at each location, limited to two per purchaser, on a first come, first served basis. He said the remaining 100 tickets will be given to schoolchildren who will ask questions.

Cocchia said Palin wanted the CAF event in place of a meeting with 500 students and other invitees because "if it means more people can participate and be involved, she is all for it."

As we reported here, Gov. Palin, will speak later that evening at a 6:15-8 p.m. fundraiser at the Petroleum Club downtown, where tickets are much dearer than the afternoon event's $20 price tag. The evening event will set high rollers back $4,000 per table or $1,250 per couple. 

- JP

Sarah Palin coming to West Texas Thursday, March 25

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According to the Midland Reporter-Telegram, Sarah Palin will be in the West Texas city for two events next week:

The former Alaskan governor will be speaking about conservative issues and raising funds for a New York City-based political organization, a spokesman confirmed Thursday.

The high-profile conservative will address about 500 people, including schoolchildren carrying questions they have written for her, at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 25, at a location that had not yet been determined. She will then meet 400 people and speak from 6:15 to 8 p.m. at a fundraiser at the Petroleum Club, 501 W. Wall St.

Palin, who ran with GOP presidential nominee John McCain in 2008, will discuss issues she has emphasized at "Tea Party" rallies around the nation since last year along with energy concerns like the cap and trade proposals pending in Congress, said Executive Director Victor Cocchia for the Liberty & Freedom Foundation.

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"Gov. Palin represents something different on the whole political scene, a breath of fresh air," said Cocchia. "People are attracted to her because she brings a spark. She loves talking to people and always ends up answering all the questions. She's a kindhearted person.

"Having dealt with energy issues as governor of Alaska, I expect her to touch on cap and trade, which would create ghost towns all across the Southwest."

This is a fundraiser, so the tickets aren't cheap. For ticket information, oil barons and wildcatters can call the Liberty & Freedom Foundation at 770-8440 or e-mail callie.speight@thelffoundation.org. Reservations are $1,250 per couple or $4,000 per table.

- JP