Palin Pella Premiere: The Music Video

Phenomenal
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Interspersing stills and video clips, Dave Davidson has created a nice music video of images from "The Undefeated" premiere in Pella, Iowa:


h/t: Sarah Palin Blog

- JP

Jedediah Bila: Impressions from the Iowa premiere of ‘The Undefeated’

"The audience was decidedly engaged during the film..."
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Outnumbered author Jedediah Bila shares her impressions from the Pella premiere of "The Undefeated" in her Daily Caller column today. Some excerpts:

First off, there’s something extraordinary about the communication between Todd and Sarah. There’s a palpable trust and commitment, a mutual support system that grounds them and propels them forward. They are a genuine team.

[...]

The audience was decidedly engaged during the film, particularly throughout the segments that focus on Palin’s policies in Alaska. Many lines were met with excitement and applause — especially those viewed by some as alluding to a possible presidential run — and Sarah received a standing ovation at the end.

[...]

Palin spent quite some time signing books for and speaking with supporters. It appears that she enjoys those opportunities the most — the ones where she gets to interact with everyday Americans who share her love of country.

I had the chance to speak with Palin throughout the evening. Although I had interviewed her via telephone once before and met her briefly at the aforementioned Long Island event, this was the first time I really got to chat with her face to face.

She is incredibly gracious. When you talk to her, she really listens to what you’re saying. Her patriotism shines through consistently. When you ask her a question, she’s not afraid to tell you what she thinks. She doesn’t sugarcoat anything. She possesses an inspiring optimism. She has a warm, approachable demeanor, but there’s something tough as nails that always comes through. And her humility is remarkable.

[More]

- JP

Gov. Palin: 'It's not about me...'

"It's about America's values."
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Sarah Palin's impromtu remarks at the conclusion of the Pella screening of "The Undefeated":


h/t: Iowans 4 Palin

- JP

Craig Robinson: Sarah Palin Is Still the GOP’s Biggest Star

The people just flocked to her in Pella, and she handled it all with grace.
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At The Iowa Republican, Craig Robinson reflects on the city of Pella, "The Undefeated," and Sarah Palin:

Pella was the perfect setting to unveil the new Palin documentary, The Undefeated, because, in many ways, it could be said that the community of Pella is undefeated. While many parts of the state are dealing with high unemployment, Marion County, which includes Pella, has seen its unemployment rate dropped from 7.3 percent in January to 5.7 percent in May, which is below the state average.

The community, which has 2400 more registered Republicans than Democrats, embraced the movie premier and Palin visit. The day before her visit, the movie producer and other advance staff could be heard laughing throughout the downtown with public safety officials. As always, the community of Pella put its best foot forward as the spotlight shined upon its picturesque city.

[...]

Palin was amazing in Pella [Tuesday]. As she and Todd made their way though various shops in the downtown area, onlookers would stop to say hello, ask to take a photo, or get an autograph. Palin took it all in stride. Even though she is a huge media sensation, she is somehow able to remain grounded. Nothing illustrated that more than the bug splattered Chevy Malibu that they drove to Pella.

The media couldn’t help but try and compare Palin to Michele Bachmann, who officially launched her presidential campaign on Monday. They both connect to people, and both have star power, but having seem them both in Iowa in the span of 24 hours, it’s clear that Palin will always be the original female GOP star. That’s not an insult toward Bachmann, but Palin’s star shines brighter.

I thought it was pretty remarkable that Palin, who is a national political phenomenon, came to this small Iowa town, strolled through the town square, watched a two-hour movie with 300 plus locals, and then spent several hours meeting people and shaking hands at the cook out that followed the movie premier. The people just flocked to her in Pella last night, and she handled it all with grace.

By Robinson's reckoning, Gov. Palin must have posed for a thousand photos and signed hundreds of autographs Tuesday night. He found it remarkable that she she could have left at any time, but instead "patiently worked through the crowd until she hit the door of her car." Palin supporters have become accustomed to witnessing Gov. Palin's generosity with her time. When she's not on a tight schedule, she always seems to devote much of her time to everyday Americans. It's just one of the reasons why crowds, including the one in Pella Tuesday, loves her. She's one of us.

- JP

Gov. Palin: 'What would make someone be so full of hate?'

"By their fruits ye shall know them."
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Sarah Palin was not spared the "Three Minute Hate" sequence as she sat in the fifth row of the Pella Opera House Tuesday night watching the world premiere of the film which documents the good, the bad and the ugly about her political career. If the good is represented by her accomplishments as a mayor and a governor, and the bad by the way the media misrepresented her and ignored her accomplishments, the ugly would have to be the opening montage in which such Hollywood celebrities as Matt Damon, David Letterman, Bill Maher and others angrily attack her using language so vulgar it would make a pirate blush. The Hollywood Reporter's Paul Bond interviewed Gov. Palin about the Hollywood hate sequence:

After the movie, as throngs of supporters and reporters clamored for attention, THR asked her: "In the first 10 minutes where all the celebrities are trashing you, how do you respond to something like that?"

Palin said she hadn't seen or heard much of the TV and radio footage before seeing it in the movie, which bleeped some of the dirtier language, though it was easy to determine what the entertainers were saying, including lots of profane references to the female anatomy.

"This is the first that I've seen much of that. It kind of takes you back," she told THR. "It makes you want to reach out to some of these folks and say, What's your problem? And what was the problem? And what is the problem?

"What would make a celebrity, like you saw on screen, so hate someone that they'd seek their destruction, their death, the death of their children? What would make someone be so full of hate and, I guess, a sense of being threatened that they would want to see that person destroyed?"

[More]

In a perfect world, her Hollywood attackers would have to confront Sarah Palin with their vile hatred in person, rather from the relative safety of their nightclub acts and television shows. Then Sarah could wash their mouths out with lye soap while Todd teaches their partners in degeneracy the manners their parents obviously failed to impart.

- JP

Video: Palin Pella Premiere

She says she is planning on coming back to Iowa
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Video courtesy of WHO-TV

- JP

Caffeinated Thoughts: Palin Documentary Sets the Record Straight

"It was well done, and worth the watch."
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Our friend in Iowa Shane Vander Hart was one of the 300 who filled the Pella Opera House for the world premiere of "The Undefeated" while some 700 more people outside made their way to the Molengracht for the post-screening BBQ dinner so well organized by Organize 4 Palin. Here's an excerpt from his review:

I was struck by my emotional reaction to the opening scene. I was angry. I was angry at how Governor Palin and her family was treated. I was angry about how many in the Republican establishment remained silent while she was savaged. I’m not talking about pointing out policy differences or criticizing her record, but rather the personal attacks that she experienced day in and day out after she picked as Senator John McCain’s running mate.

It drove a narrative which in turn distorted her record. That is what this movie is trying to correct. Most of the movie is about her time as Mayor of Wasilla, how she helped to bolster the infrastructure and in doing so, helped to create an environment where small businesses could develop jobs. She did this while cutting taxes.

It showed her as a reformer, unafraid of standing up to Big Oil, and corruption within her own party. She resigned as a oil and gas commissioner out of principle in order to stand up to ethics violations which then Governor Frank Murkowski turned a blind eye to. When she ran for Governor, she not only beat an incumbent Governor in the primary, she then went on to beat former Alaska Governor Tony Knowles.

The movie did a great job pointing out her legislative accomplishments...

[More]

Shane also had the presence of mind to capture most of Gov. Palin's impromptu remarks inside the Opera House as the closing credits rolled by on the screen. You can view that video and read his full review at Caffeinated Thoughts.

- JP

Fox News Video: Palin Undecided and 'Undefeated'

"This film transcends politics..."
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Here's the Fox News package that aired on Greta Van Susteren's "On the Record" Tuesday night:


- JP

Journal-Express: Rave reviews for 'The Undefeated' in Pella

"I think it's something the average American needs to see."
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Steve Woodhouse of Knoxville, Iowa's Journal-Express reports that many of those who viewed the world premiere showing of "The Undefeated" emerged from the Pella Opera House with rave reviews of the documentary:

"The Undefeated," a documentary chronicling the political career of former Alaska Governor and Vice Presidential Nominee Sarah Palin recently finished its premiere at the Pella Opera House. Those in attendance, most of whom are Republican supporters, enjoyed the film.

"I thought it was just great," Mike Olson of Pella said. He called Palin courageous and worthy of a second look for a potential presidential run by Republicans and the country.

"I thought it was a great infomercial," says Pella resident Barb Kniff. She said the film lets the audience know who Palin is. Kniff views Palin as someone who is for the people, someone who puts God first. All of the hype surrounding Palin, is warranted, she added.

Kniff reports that Palin spoke to the crowd. During that speech, one in which he audience had hoped would include a candidacy declaration, Palin appeared to be a Ronald Reagan Republican who wants America to return to its founding principles.

As for the film itself, non-Pella residents made the trip to see it. They, too, had positive things to say.

[More]

In my review of "The Undefeated," I concluded that the film has the potential to change a lot of minds and thus change the game. Game On! Changes ahead...

- JP

Gov. Palin at the BarBQ in Pella

A good listener can go a long way in politics...
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Many more Pella photos at Politicons

- JP

Scott Conroy: Palin Vows '110 Percent' Commitment To Iowa

"What is talked about on the fishing boat stays on the fishing boat."
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Reporter Scott Conroy is in Pella, Iowa, where he caught up with Sarah Palin and asked her if she would fully commit to traditional retail politicking in the key early primary state should she get into the 2012 presidential contest:

"110 percent," Palin told RealClearPolitics before entering the premiere of a documentary that extols her accomplishments in office. "Doing as much as I can to garner that support. It's necessary."

Dressed down in blue jeans, Palin strolled through the center of this picturesque town with her husband Todd and greeted supporters who gathered to cheer her on outside the screening of filmmaker Steven K. Bannon's "The Undefeated" at the 110-year-old Pella Opera House.

Asked about her daughter Bristol's pronouncement during an appearance on Fox News on Tuesday morning that her mother "definitely knows" whether she intends to launch a White House bid, Palin said that she texted Bristol after hearing about the remark.

"I said, ‘What did you say this morning, honey?'" Palin said with a smile. "I told Bristol, too, what is talked about on the fishing boat stays on the fishing boat."

[...]

As Palin finally made her way to the entrance of the opera house, she greeted Bannon with a hug.

"I'm very grateful that someone would bother to go to these efforts to make a documentary about the record of my team in Alaska that worked so hard for energy security and ethics reform and privatizing businesses that should never be in government's hands," Palin said. "This film really is a great illustration of what it is that you can accomplish as a team, a bipartisan approach, just commonsense solutions to some tough issues. We tackled it, we succeeded, and someone went to the trouble of documenting what it was that we accomplished. I appreciate that, so that brings me to Iowa."

[More]

If Bristol is correct that her mother has made a decision, Gov. Palin is clearly not yet ready to announce it.

- JP

Gov. Palin is in Iowa and on her way to Pella

Sounds like she and Todd are taking the bus
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Just tweeted by @SarahPalinUSA:

Beautiful drive from MN yesterday, breathtaking scenic run along Des Moines Rvr, coffee w/great Iowans, head to Pella for "The Undefeated"!

Game on!

- JP

Craig Robinson: More Than A Movie Debut?

"I think it’s time to take her seriously."
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The Iowa Republican's Craig Robinson has said that he would take Sarah Palin seriously as a presidential candidate when she took Iowa seriously. Today, when Gov. Palin arrives in the key early primary state for the premiere of a major documentary film about her, she will not only set foot on Iowa ground, but also "place her toes directly into Iowa’s presidential waters." As the world watches her at the Pella Opera House, searching for any sign that she may enter the 2012 Republican presidential race, Robinson now believes it's time to take Governor Palin seriously:

To many, Palin’s visit to Pella seems too late to signal that she may enter the presidential race. Even though Palin hasn’t been to Iowa since last November, she’s had an unofficial presence in the state for months now. Led by Peter Singleton, a California native, a group of Palin supporters have traveled all across the state meeting with county Republican officials and other GOP activists.

Singleton insists that he has no connection to Palin, but one cannot overlook what he and the others who are touting Palin across the state have done for her in Iowa. Singleton has crisscrossed the state meeting with activists and operatives alike. I chatted with him months ago and came away impressed. His understanding of Iowa and the caucus process here is impressive for an outsider.

Singleton and his team of Palin organizers have personally met with most of the county GOP chairs across the state. That is something that none of the current presidential campaigns can say that they have done. Instead of selling Iowa activists on Palin, they instead make sure that people understand that there is a possibility that Palin will run.

[...]

Even though Sarah Palin doesn’t play by the same rules that seem to govern the rest of the field of Republican candidates, she has developed an extensive ground game in Iowa, even if it’s not being officially coordinated by her or her advisors. In many ways, I think that Palin is probably more organized in Iowa in terms of grassroots communication than most of the current field.

[More]

While no one outside of Gov. Palin’s inner circle is certain that her Iowa visit today is the prelude to a presidential campaign, Robinson says he would not be surprised if that is what it turns out to be. He says one thing he's learned in a political career which includes over eight years of fundraising experience and a year as political director of the Republican Party of Iowa, is that there are no coincidences in politics. After summing it all up, including the grassroots organizers, the movie premiere, and Sarah Palin's first visit to his state in seven months, Robinson gets the feeling that today is more like the start of presidential campaign than just a random visit.

- JP

Conroy: Palin Not Reaching Out to Key Iowans Ahead of Visit

Keeping it "as low key as possible"
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Contradicting an earlier Politico report that Team Palin was setting up meeting with Iowa activists, Scott Conroy says at RealClearPolitics that Gov. Palin is instead taking a low-key approach with her Tuesday visit to the first-in-the-nation primary state:

The former Alaska governor is slated to arrive in the small Iowa town of Pella on Tuesday to attend the premiere of "The Undefeated" -- a flattering documentary that highlights her accomplishments in office and bangs the drum for a potential insurgent campaign for the Republican presidential nomination. Though she is never lacking for attention, Palin's trip figures to be scrutinized especially closely, since it will mark her first appearance this year in the nation's first voting state.

Politico reported on Monday that Palin aides were reaching out to Iowa operatives and activists to set up meetings during her visit, citing Chuck Laudner, a former Iowa GOP executive director. But Laudner told RCP that he did not have a private meeting scheduled with Palin and that no one who works for the former governor had made contact with him.

Laudner said that he received an invitation to attend the festivities surrounding the movie premiere from Peter Singleton, a California native who moved to Iowa several months ago to help organize in the state in advance of a possible Palin presidential run. Singleton is acting on his own and is not a Palin aide but has often been confused for one as he has made his presence known across the state.

"Putting me on this list doesn't really mean much to me," Laudner told RCP. "I'm on a list to go to this event, but I didn't expect there was going to be high drama... He just said be there, and I said OK."

For his part, Singleton confirmed to RCP that he has not been working with the Palin camp.

"If Governor Palin was setting up meetings, she wouldn't set them up with me," Singleton said. "Not a single activist I've talked with has said anything about that. . . . I'm not affiliated with the Palin organization. I invited Chuck because he's a really great friend and a really nice guy."

[More]

After Politico's erroneous story, Sarah Palin tweeted:

*sigh* media making things up again MT @POLITICO2012: Sarah Palin reaching out to IOWA operatives http://politi.co/j9kQko by@maghabepolitico

Several other key GOP operatives in Iowa -- including state GOP Chairman Matt Strawn, Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition President Steve Scheffler and aides to Gov. Terry Branstad -- informed RCP that they had not been contacted by Gov. Palin's team in advance of Tuesday's visit.

- JP

Gov. Palin to attend 'The Undefeated' premiere in Iowa

Todd and Sarah Palin accept invitation to come to historic Pella Opera House for finished film's debut
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Big news in a press release from Victory Film Group:

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (June 25, 2011)– Victory Film Group VictoryFilmGroup.com and ARC Entertainment announced today that Governor Sarah Palin and her husband Todd will attend the premiere of The Undefeated at the historic Pella Opera House on Tuesday June 28 at 5pm Central Time in Pella, Iowa. Immediately after the showing, Victory Film Group and ARC Entertainment will host a traditional Iowa cookout to thank the Pella Opera House and the people of Pella.

In accepting the invitation to attend the premiere, Sarah Palin stated, “We are very excited to visit historic Pella and its opera house and look forward to seeing the finished film for the first time with fellow Americans from the heartland.”

Responding to the Palin’s announcement that they will attend the Iowa premiere, Larry Peterson, Chairman of the Board of the Pella Opera House said, “We look forward to hosting Governor Palin and her husband, Todd, at our beloved opera house as we welcome them to our community.”

“We are incredibly excited about Governor Palin and her husband Todd’s attendance at a location that speaks to the basic core values of The Undefeated,” said Stephen K. Bannon, the writer and director of the film.

“We are delighted that Governor Palin and her husband Todd have accepted our invitation to join us at the Iowa premiere of what we believe is a truly moving and extraordinary film,” said Trevor Drinkwater, CEO of ARC Entertainment, the film’s worldwide distributor.

The film begins its national rollout exclusively in AMC Theatres in 10 cities the week of July 15th. The film will debut in Dallas, Denver, Oklahoma City, Orlando, Atlanta, Orange County, Phoenix, Houston, Indianapolis, and Kansas City, with plans to take it nationwide in additional markets thereafter.

The Undefeated features leading prominent political commentators Mark Levin, Tammy Bruce and Andrew Breitbart as well as conservative activists Kate Obenshein, Sonnie Johnson and Jamie Radtke. Additionally, the film features interviews with Alaskan civil servants, elected officials and advisors who were involved in Alaskan politics during Governor Palin’s tenure.

The Undefeated, which was written and directed by Stephen K. Bannon and produced by Bannon and Victory Film Group co-founder Glenn Bracken Evans and Dan Fleuette, chronicles Sarah Palin’s rise from obscurity to national prominence.

About Victory Film Group

Victory Film Group develops, produces and distributes documentaries and films that address today’s leading political, socioeconomic and cultural issues while incorporating the conservative perspective.

For More Information

www.victoryfilmgroup.com

www.theundefeatedmovie.com

http://theundefeated.cinedigm.com/

- JP

'The Undefeated' Premiere: June 28 in Pella, Iowa (Updated)

Bad dog, Atlantic. No Bone.
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Politico's Ben Smith cites "a source close to the planning" to reveal that "The Undefeated" will premiere in Iowa next week:

The movie, which has won raves from her supporters and aligns her with an anti-establishment grassroots, will keep a level of buzz alive about a potential candidacy, though she has no formal connection to it.

Smith adds that how well Stephen Bannon's Palin documentary is received in Iowa may also be a test of Gov. Palin's appeal in the key early primary state.

The Atlantic's Joshua Green says the venue for the premiere will be the historic Pella Opera House in Pella, Iowa Tuesday, June 28th. Green apparently couldn't resist the opportunity to perpetuate the lamestream media lie that Gov. Palin "quit" her bus tour, when it has been widely reported that she has a jury duty obligation, and the One Nation tour will resume afterwards. Baaaad dog leftist. No bone link.

Update: Here's the full press release:

ARC ENTERTAINMENT & VICTORY FILMS TO PRESENT
THE WORLD PREMIER OF THE UNDEFEATED
AT PELLA OPERA HOUSE IN PELLA, IOWA

Documentary about Gov. Sarah Palin will be shown at 111-year-old historic Midwestern landmark

SANTA MONICA – Victory Film Group (www.victoryfilmgroup.com) and ARC Entertainment announced today the premier of The Undefeated at the Pella Opera House in Pella, Iowa on Tuesday June 28, at 5 p.m. Central.

The Undefeated, which was written and directed by Stephen K. Bannon and produced by Bannon and Victory Film Group co-founder Glenn Bracken Evans and Dan Fleuette, chronicles Sarah Palin’s rise from obscurity to national prominence. ARC Entertainment is the film’s worldwide distributor.

“The community of Pella encapsulates what Iowa and the Heartland are all about. Steve Bannon certainly found a location that has the ‘Iowa-ness’ he was searching for,” stated Craig Robinson, editor-in-chief of TheIowaRepublican.com.

Built in 1900, the Pella Opera House is presently a non-profit founded by area leaders committed to bringing the finest performances to the venue. During the preceding 111 years, the Pella Opera House building has served many functions including headquarters for the Women’s Federated Club, as well as showing the country’s first silent movies at the beginning of the motion picture industry.

Larry Peterson, Chairman of the Pella Opera House stated, “The building is the heart and center of the hard-working family-oriented people in our community. For over 100 years it has served as a symbol that has exemplified American values and continuation of our city’s Dutch heritage.”

Mr. Peterson continued, “The Pella Opera House is excited to be selected as the venue for the premier showing of the film about Governor Sarah Palin. As the premier performance center for the region, the Pella Opera House has traditionally followed its mission of presenting quality entertainment. From children’s theater performances, holiday and Branson-style variety shows to cutting edge concerts and musical events, the patrons of the Pella Opera House consistently praise the Opera House for its creative presentation and support of the values that are important to so many people of this region.”

The Undefeated features leading prominent political commentators Mark Levin, Tammy Bruce and Andrew Breitbart as well as conservative activists Kate Obenshein, Sonnie Johnson and Jamie Radtke. Additionally, the film features interviews with Alaskan civil servants, elected officials and advisors who were involved in Alaskan politics during Governor Palin’s tenure.

The film begins its national rollout exclusively in AMC Theatres in 10 cities the week of July 15th. The film will debut in Dallas, Denver, Oklahoma City, Orlando, Atlanta, Orange County, Phoenix, Houston, Indianapolis, and Kansas City, with plans to take it nationwide in additional markets thereafter.

Scott Conroy of RealClearPolitics called the film a “sweeping epic;” Jan Crawford of CBS News said, “Sarah Palin is either running for President or she should be: That’s the takeaway from ‘The Undefeated,’ a new movie about Palin’s life and leadership set to hit theaters next month;” Michael Falcone of ABC News noted, “The film’s re-telling of her accomplishments as mayor of Wasilla and Governor of Alaska portrays her as a courageous and unconventional figure willing to take on the political establishment — even in those early years. … She eschews the ‘smoke filled rooms’ of deal-making and comes across as a fighter for the people;” and Matt Lewis of the Daily Caller wrote, “If enough people see the film it could be a real game-changer for Palin’s presidential chances.”

Trevor Drinkwater, CEO of ARC Entertainment, added, “We are pleased to present this highly anticipated controversial film and couldn’t imagine a more appropriate setting that captures the spirit and messaging of the film.”

Co-founder of Victory Film Group Glenn Bracken Evans stated, “We are very grateful to the city of Pella and the Opera House for providing the perfect venue for our film.”

Pella is about 40 miles southeast of Des Moines.

h/t: The Iowa Republican

- JP