Sarah Palin: 'The Chamber of Commerce isn't a threat'

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Sarah Palin today sharply criticized the White House for its attacks on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce over its funding of political ads which target Democrats. President Obama and Vice President Biden have both claimed this week that the U.S. Chamber has taken foreign campaign donations, but neither the president not the vice president have offered any evidence to support their allegations:

Headlining a speakers forum sponsored by the Sacramento Metro Chamber, the former vice-presidential nominee, current Fox News commentator and firebrand for conservative candidates charged the White House with portraying private business interests as a threat to America.

"If you believe in commerce and you're called a chamber," she told the Sacramento gathering, "maybe that's enough to get you on the White House enemy watch list."

She added: "Did you ever think our White House would go to war with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce? The Chamber of Commerce isn't a threat...Who are they going to go after next? The Boy Scouts? The Girl Scouts?...The way the White House talks, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is an international terrorist."

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Palin attacked the Obama administration and Democrats in Congress as anti-private enterprise.

"Our administration in Washington is at war with respect to private business," she said. "Those who believe in the free market...are targeted by some in the administration who believe the government can create prosperity."

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Governor Palin also said that voters need to elect "business-minded candidates who will not sell out their principles for the sake of bipartisanship":

She said the midterm elections are about "the little guy, the common man," who has been forgotten or ignored by the current administration in Washington. She predicted a wave of change at the state and federal levels after angry voters fight back on Nov. 2.

The former vice presidential candidate also praised the tea party movement for "forcing both sides of the aisle to rethink the way they're doing business."

The Associated Press reported that the crowd at the chamber forum numbered about 2,000.

- JP

Sarah Palin Is in Salina for Chamber Speech

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According to Salina Journal reporter Tim Unruh, Sarah Palin arrived in Salina, Kansas Thursday night at 8 P.M. The former Alaska governor is scheduled to speak tonight to the annual meeting and dinner of the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce:

Palin will speak to a packed house at the chamber event at the Salina Bicentennial Center. She is the first in a long line of well-known chamber speakers to sell out the Bicentennial Center. More than 6,000 tickets were sold for the event.

Chamber President Dennis Lauver says he and other chamber of commerce members met the 2008 GOP vice presidential candidate at the airport. Gov. Palin and one of her daughters then checked in to a local hotel, Lauver said.

- JP

Salina prepares for an evening with Sarah Palin

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Salina Area Chamber of Commerce staff and local police agencies are preparing for the chamber's annual dinner Friday, where Sarah Palin will be the keynote speaker:

More than 5,000 tickets have been sold for the event at the Bicentennial Center featuring the former Alaska governor and 2008 running mate of Republican John McCain. Palin is the first in a long line of impressive Salina chamber speakers to sell out the Bicentennial Center. In fact, organizers recently reconfigured the seating to make another 600 seats available.

Palin's appearance means more officers will be deployed that night to monitor security and help patrons as they enter and leave the event. Police spokesmen are being tight-lipped about how many extra officers will be on duty, as well as how much the extra security is estimated to cost, save to say that the chamber is picking up the tab.

No opportunities for the general public to get autographs, photographs, give gifts to or greet Gov. Palin in person have been scheduled.

Although the media are being allowed to attend the event, they are barred from recording her speech, and will be restricted to a section inside the arena cordoned off to accommodate reporters and photographers. Media passes will be required for legitimate member of the press to enter the arena. Television affiliates from Wichita, Manhattan, Topeka and Kansas City have all made arrangements to cover Palin's Salina appearance.

Gov. Palin will meet personally with about 400 people in "meet and greet" receptions which will be held for the sponsors of the dinner both before and after the event.

Meanwhile in Florida, another chamber of commerce is also preparing for a visit by the 2008 GOP vice presidential candidate:

In Daytona Beach, Fla., where Palin is booked to speak at the annual Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce dinner on Feb. 15, ticket sales have been "very robust" despite prices of $100 for chamber members and $150 for nonmembers, said Jim Cameron, a lobbyist and spokesman for the group.

There are 1,400 seats available for Palin's appearance, and "we're approaching that number pretty quick," Cameron said.

Gov. Palin plans to arrive in Daytona a day early to attend NASCAR's Daytona 500 stock-car race at Daytona International Speedway.

- JP