'The next president of the United States' rocks Bakersfield crowd of 11,000

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Although Laura Bush, Dick and Liz Cheney, Karl Rove, Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Rudolph Giuliani, surprise guest hero airline pilot Chesley Sullenberger and others also addressed Saturday's Bakersfield Business Conference, The Bakersfield Californian reported that, "In terms of sheer passion and vigor, nobody got a bigger reception than Palin...":

She was introduced by conference organizer George Martin as "the next president of the United States." The crowd burst into applause, waving flags, giving standing ovations and snapping flash photos throughout her speech.

The Tea Party movement leader condemned President Barack Obama's plans and stimulus packages, which she said have failed to bring Americans jobs. It is time now, she said, to stick up for the "little guy."

"This is what the Tea Party is all about. Fighting for the working man," Palin said, wearing her signature red suit and rimless glasses. "The little man has been forgotten far too long. Enough is enough, and we're taking it back."

The overarching theme of the day, reflected by speakers and event-goers alike, was that the nation is in economic and cultural crisis and a radical course correction is needed right away, starting with the Nov. 2 election.

And if the country's sentiment in November is that of the more than 11,000 believed to have turned out for the conference at Cal State Bakersfield, Democrats are in real trouble.

"Are we better off than we were before President Obama?" Palin roared.

"NO!" the crowd screamed back.

More coverage by The Californian is here.

Reporting by NBC News focused on Gov. Palin's status as a potential 2012 presidential candidate:

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, in a speech that sounded a lot like a 2012 trial balloon, or at least an effort to drum up speculation on the subject and boost her brand within the Republican party, told a Bakersfield, Calif., conference Saturday to consider the next two elections together.

"We cannot undo the damage done by the Obama agenda until we replace Obama himself," Palin said. "These two elections, 2010 and 2012, go hand-in-hand. ... The theme of 2010 has got to be rebuke their errors, reject, repeal; and then the theme of 2012 — it's renew, revive and restore."

Palin, 46, appeared at the Bakersfield Business Conference before a sold-out crowd of about 10,000. Full-day tickets for the conference were $495 each.

Palin told the crowd: "Folks, in 2012," the message should be "renew our optimistic, pioneering spirit, revive our free market system and restore constitutional limits and our standing in the world, as that abiding beacon of freedom. ... Not transformation but restoration with a 'Great Awakening' that we already feel emerging across America. We will win this year, we will win this year. And I believe we will win in 2012."

Palin has used versions of the "renew, revive, restore" line previously. Palin's 2012 mention came after a speech directed to the "little guy," an interesting choice for the crowd at the Bakersfield Business Conference.

She also took a few digs at the "cocktail party" — what she called the "go-along-to-get-along" "establishment" wing of the Republican party, saying "those defeated liberal Republicans, what did they do? Now they're the ones running as a third-party candidate — and they're redefining, I guess, the term 'bitter clinger.'"

- JP

Fresno Bee: Palin, Rove, Cheney coming to Bakersfield event

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Sarah Palin is at the top of a lineup of GOP heavyweights that also includes former Vice President Dick Cheney and Republican strategist Karl Rove, among others, for Saturday's Bakersfield Business Conference, which returns after a five year hiatus, reports John Ellis in the Fresno Bee:

As in past years -- when it was held annually -- the conference will feel more political than business. In fact, three potential 2012 Republican presidential candidates are on the bill: Palin, the former Alaska governor, as well as former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

"With very little advertising beyond our local community and past attendees, we've received a phenomenal response to our speaker lineup," said event spokesman Brandon Martin. He added that the event is a "mix of sincere patriotism, platform wisdom, and feel-good entertainment."

It also has a strong Republican feel, though Martin said that isn't intentional. "We don't see it as a Republican event," he said. "It's just the way it broke down this year."

He said Donna Brazile, a Democratic consultant and political pundit who managed Al Gore's 2000 presidential campaign, is coming, as is political consultant Bob Beckel, who ran Walter Mondale's unsuccessful 1984 presidential bid against Ronald Reagan.

"We selected these people because they are great speakers," Martin said. Neither, however, is on the main stage, which is reserved for the heavyweights such as Palin, who was the event's main draw. Martin said as of late, however, the appearance of the outspoken Cheney also has drawn a lot of interest.

Organizers expect a crowd of more than 10,000.

In years past, Ellis notes, the conference has featured such speakers as Donald Trump, former presidents Reagan, Ford and Carter, comedian Bob Hope and businessman Lee Iacocca.

After her speech in the San Joaquin Valley, Gov. Palin will head for San Diego, where she and U.S. Senate candidate Joe Miller are scheduled to address a fundraising rally for the Combat Veterans for Congress PAC.

- JP

Sarah Palin wiil speak at Bakersfield Business Conference

A report from the Sunday edition of The Bakersfield Californian:

Former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin... will be among the speakers at next year's Bakersfield Business Conference.

The much anticipated one-day conference is returning Oct. 9 after a five-year absence, and organizers are announcing one or two speakers a week as headliners in business, politics and entertainment are confirmed.

Conference organizer George Martin could not be reached for comment, but in a statement called Palin "one of the most talked-about figures in public life today."

Because of the role the oil industry plays in Alaska's economy, Martin said, Palin "has unique insight into the energy sector of our economy and a candid approach to sharing that knowledge. Understanding the future of the energy industry and energy policy is important to understanding the overall business environment as well as key economic trends in the short and long-run."

Many local political figures were excited to learn that Palin will be coming to town.

"Kudos. That's quite a coup for Bakersfield," said GOP consultant Tracy Leach.

[...]

"She was an easy target for the media," Leach said. "I don't think it was warranted or fair. I think it was over the top hyperbole."

[...]

Bernard Anthony, president of the Bakersfield chapter of the NAACP, said he is not a supporter of Palin, but that she probably has a lot to teach conference participants.

"She's someone who has been politically active at a national level, and anyone who has been at that level, there are lessons you learn. Maybe she can take her experience and help someone else to be successful in that arena," Anthony said.

[...]

Previously announced speakers are former First Lady Laura Bush, impressionist Rich Little, former Vice President Dick Cheney and his wife, Lynne Cheney.

The official website for the conference is here.

- JP