Sarah Palin: Land of Lincoln

As posted at SarahPAC
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We had a wonderful morning touring the Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, Illinois. About a year ago, I was honored to give a speech before the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. for the Restoring Honor Rally. Standing in the shadow of that massive monument to the Great Emancipator might make one forget that this heroic leader came from very humble beginnings in what was considered at the time a very remote part of the country. In fact, the east coast establishment long dismissed Lincoln as just a frontier political figure, and he never really won over that establishment. But it was as a "prairie lawyer" in Springfield that Lincoln honed the oratory and debate skills he used to persuade and inspire his fellow Americans in freeing the slaves and preserving our Union. These heartland roots are what made him who he was.

It was truly inspiring to learn more about this great man from those who tend to his legacy with such devotion. We learned a wealth of information about the Civil War, the Emancipation Proclamation, and Lincoln’s life. Many thanks to the professional staff, volunteers, and historians at the Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum for all they do to preserve this important aspect of American history and educate future generations.

- Sarah Palin

Photos:

Lincoln Museum - 08/14/2011

Piper's Pics!

Sarah Palin: Good Sunday Morning!

As posted at SarahPAC
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Good morning from Springfield, Illinois!

We had another great day yesterday traveling through the Midwest. We stopped to walk in the footsteps of Ronald Wilson Reagan at his alma mater Eureka College, enjoyed fried chicken at a local restaurant that “Dutch” frequented, and crossed on a few dirt roads following field after field of corn and soybeans.

Our country is an extraordinarily beautiful place. But the people here are everything. As Reagan said, “The most valuable lesson I learned at Eureka is that every individual makes a difference.” Individuals can make a difference. We have to.

The gritty, humble strength of America’s heartland is on display in the places we’ve visited the last few days, where individuals work together to pull resource and bounty from our land. We’ve met so many great people who are committed to their community and united by strong values and love of country.

Thank you Eureka, Dixon, and all the places we stopped at yesterday. This trip continues to inspire at every turn.

- Sarah Palin

P.S. Congratulations to all those who participated in Ames yesterday.

- JP

Gov. Palin: Visiting Reagan's Humble and Inspiring Beginnings

As posted at SarahPAC:
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Ronald Reagan once said, “While I take inspiration from the past, like most Americans, I live for the future.” It’s because I believe in America's future that I take such inspiration from our past. We just visited Ronald Reagan’s childhood home in Dixon, Illinois. This beautiful small town along the Rock River is where Reagan learned the values that shaped him – the same values that have historically made America strong – thrift, hard work, fortitude, optimism, and courage in the face of adversity.

As a nation, we must reconnect with those values if we’re to truly restore all that is good and strong about the USA. Meeting the fine Americans in this small town on the river where Reagan saved 77 lives brought all this home for me.

Thanks to the wonderful volunteers who keep Reagan's memory alive. The restoration and tours of our beloved President's home are significant. Thank you, Dixon!

- Sarah Palin

P.S.: Allow me to share below the piece I wrote for USA Today’s special commemorative edition on President Reagan’s Centennial:

I had the privilege of coming of age during the era of Ronald Reagan. I like to think of him as America's lifeguard. As a teenager, Ronald Reagan saved 77 lives as a lifeguard on the Rock River, which ran through his hometown of Dixon, Ill. The day he was inaugurated in 1981, a local radio announcer famously declared, "The Rock River flows for you tonight, Mr. President."

The image of the lifeguard seems to represent what Reagan was to America and to the freedom-loving people of the world. He lifted our country up at a time when we were in the depths of economic, cultural and spiritual malaise. We were told that we must accept that the era of American greatness was over; but with his optimism and common sense, President Reagan held up a mirror to the American soul to remind us of our exceptionalism.

Reagan showed us that despite a deep recession, there could still be morning in America. He could speak to the economic troubles facing ordinary Americans because he understood what it was like to live through a Great Depression where families scraped to get by. And yet, he saw us recover from our Great Depression, and under his leadership we experienced the greatest peacetime economic boom in our history. He could speak to our fears that our years as a superpower were over, because he understood what it was like to see America at war and really fear that we might lose. And yet, he saw us win two world wars, and under his leadership we won the Cold War without firing a single shot. Reagan's belief in American greatness was rooted in historic fact, not blind optimism. He was a sunny optimist because he knew that our best days are yet to come.

Today, when we hear the worry in the voices of Americans wondering where the jobs will be for our children and grandchildren and wondering if the world will be safe and prosperous in the years to come, we should remember Reagan's faith in our inherent heroism and greatness. When we see people around the globe looking to the White House for leadership, we should remember Reagan's steel spine. He understood America's purpose in this world and what we need to do to secure liberty. As Margaret Thatcher said of him, "He sought to mend America's wounded spirit, to restore the strength of the free world, and to free the slaves of communism." He sought those things and he succeeded.

This year, as we celebrate the centennial of Reagan's birth, let's remember the lifeguard from the Rock River who rescued us with his optimism and common sense. We need more lifeguards like him.

Photos:

Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home & Lowell Park

The Ronald Reagan Museum and Eureka College

- JP

NBC: Palin stops by Reagan boyhood home (Upodated)

She was greeted in Dixon by numerous supporters.
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Sarah Palin's One Nation tour bus made its way Saturday to Dixon, Illinois, the boyhood hometown of former President Ronald Reagan.

The former governor, along with her husband, daughter Piper, and niece were shown around Reagan's home; Rock River, where he was a lifeguard; and passed a statue in his honor. Ann Lewis, chairwoman of the Dixon Reagan Sentinel Commission escorted the Palin family around.

Palin told NBC News that it was important for her to come here, because "this is one of those places everyone in America should come to get a sense of Ronald Reagan's foundation -- to understand his humbleness and graciousness."

NBC's Alex Moe says Gov. Palin was greeted in Dixon by "numerous" supporters for whom she signed autographs and posed for photos. Moe posted pictures of the governor in Dixon here and here.

Update: Another photo, this one taken in the Ronald Reagan Museum at Eureka College.

JP

Tea Party Report: 'The Undefeated' scores success in unexpected places

The film made its Chicago debut Saturday to a packed house
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As hard as the corrupt, agenda-driven media is trying to kill off Stephen Bannon's Palin documentary, you'd think it would be gone by now. But 'The Undefeated' refuses to be defeated by the DNC stenographers who pose as journalists. Laura Kelly and William J. Kelly report:

To the chagrin of Hollywood industry skeptics and Palin-haters alike, it was another big weekend for “The Undefeated.” In its opening weekend July 15-17 in limited theatrical release in 10 cities, the Stephen Bannon-directed film has defied expectations selling out showings to score an average $6500 per screen and more than $11,000 per screen in top markets.

Predictably, the mainstream media have been on the attack. Gunning for the film at every turn. Using every headline to pepper the news cycle with innuendo.

[...]

But we aren’t talking Captain America or Harry Potter here. A conservative political documentary requires a different measure of success. And this indie underdog film has been scoring unexpected successes - and fans - in decidedly liberal places.

After a five-city expansion, the film made its Chicago debut Saturday to a packed house at the GeneSiskelFilmCenter. Yes, I said, “Chicago.”

This is the Sarah Palin documentary, right? Remember, Sarah Palin? The hockey mom of five whom comedian Bill Maher referred to “inbred weirdos straight out of ‘Hills Have Eyes.’” The former Alaskan governor woman liberal progressives love to hate?

Sunday’s left-leaning Chicago Sun-Times led its story coverage with a post-film recap called, “Film Drives a Stake into ‘Caribou Barbie’ for one Dem.” The “one Dem” was Eddie Bryant, a retired 67-year old Union Pacific employee of African American-descent. “People say this lady is brainless,” said Bryant. “She’s not only smart, but she’s a clean-government person. I gained respect for her.” And Bryant’s not the only one.

Legendary film critic Roger Ebert, a passionate political liberal, called the film “A Documentary for Palin Lovers.” A powerful industry voice, Ebert could have maligned the film; he didn’t.

[More]

h/t: Henry D'Andrea

- JP

Kinzinger Web ad slams Halvorson for vile ptotesters

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Here's Adam Kinzinger's latest web ad:


Yes, the loathsome protesters painted Hitler mustaches on posters of Sarah Palin also, as we reported here.

h/t: Jim Hoft

Warner Todd Huston: Sarah Palin In Chicago

-By Warner Todd Huston
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In the deep blue sea of the People's Republic of Chicagoland, Sarah Palin shined like a light of liberty among the darkness of Mayor Richard "King" Daley's perverse domain. Palin brought hope into the home of President Obama's cynical "Chicago Way" style of politics, and I was there to witness the May 12 show.

Sarah Palin was her usual effervescent self, upbeat and positive about this great country and happy to appear before us. She reveled in her "aw shucks" persona built from regular Americana, a style that has made her dear to the hearts of so many Americans from coast to coast.

The show started with a little patter between Big John Howell and Amy Jacobson, the morning radio talkers from Chicago's WIND AM. One of John Howell's musician buddies performed a few songs for us and I have to say he was pleasant to listen to. Finally, just before the Governor addressed us, the ever avuncular and impressive Guy Benson -- who has a Sunday evening show on WIND -- entertained us with some political humor.

Then, when the giant curtains parted to reveal the governor, the applause was almost deafening so the evening started with an electric jolt. She immediately asked all U.S. military veterans to stand for recognition to a huge round of applause for her recognition and for ours of our vets.

One of the early things that Governor Palin brought up was this idiotic business of Highland Park High School whose administrators suddenly canceled its girls basketball team trip to Arizona. The team had won the right to play in a tournament for the first time in 26 years. Why was it canceled? Only because the tournament is in Arizona and school administrators are mad at the state. Disgustingly, these school chiefs are using these girls to advance their own political agenda. Palin was amazed that this school was ignorant enough to say Arizona is not a worthy place for their girls to visit yet the school is still sponsoring a trip to China! "Do you know how girls are treated in China," Palin asked. Then to great applause she suggested that those girls might have to "go rogue."

Palin went on to say that someone said that her trip to Chicago would be one into "enemy territory." She told us all that she replied, "It's Chicago, not MSNBC!" Palin had many little jabs at the left like this throughout the evening.

The governor focused on the economy, the Constitution and our American exceptionalism but also mentioned the evils of ObamaCare. But Palin’s main focus was on the November elections and her main goal was to stir voters to support conservative Republicans in the upcoming elections.

Like most conservative speakers, she invoked Ronald Reagan a lot, which is to be expected. On bipartisanship, for instance, Palin asked about politicians that were "all about bipartisanship" and she wondered "where's the backbone" of those that run claiming they want bipartisanship. "Reagan didn't govern with the singular goal of being bipartisan,” she told us. “He fought for common conservative principles and then he invited the other side to join him!" But while on the subject of principles, Palin also warned against too much inter-party attacks on RINOs and the like.

Recently Palin has been beaten up by her own side over her choice of Carly Fiorina for California's Senate seat instead of the tea party supported and long-time California conservative Chuck DeVore.

Palin began to address this RINO hunt situation by saying that "There's been a lot of talk about who's the RINO and who isn't… some of it isn't always fair" to which someone in the audience yelled "Mark Kirk" to the applause of many hundreds in the audience. Palin didn't address Kirk, but went on to address her own tete a tete with conservatives over her Fiorina endorsement.

I've been getting a lot of flak lately for endorsing a pro-life, NRA member, pro traditional marriage, pro business, anti-big government, anti tax and spend, anti cap and tax conservative who running in California -- yes there is one in California… in California I think if you're willing to call yourself unabashedly conservative in a deep blue state like California then how are you not the real deal when you are all these things that we just listed, it would be traditionally "yes," a conservative, a Republican would stand for. I don't want to see this candidate discredited just because some are more supportive of another in the candidate race. We want to elect principled candidates and principled conservatives, but the keyword is elect and in November, folks, that is what it's all about. It's about taking the gavel away from Harry and Nancy!

This is a perfect echo of the old William F. Buckley principle that, in Palin's words, "the conservative with the best shot of winning" will get her support. Buckely is famous for having supported the most conservative candidate that had a chance of winning election as opposed to simply the most conservative candidate. Apparently, Palin is taking this page from Buckley's playbook.

It was also refreshing to see such a high profile person in the political world be so un-embarrassed by her belief in God. These days so many pols either sound cynical when they discuss their Christian beliefs or they refuse even to bring it up. But Palin seemed quite sincere in her beliefs and reveled in them.

After Palin's address, Howell and Jacobson came out and joined Palin for a few questions. Only one intrigued me, though. Howell affirmed that Palin had charisma to spare and he wondered that if she could imbue another Republican candidate with some of her charisma who would it be? Palin began by saying that she wouldn't be politically correct and not answer the question, but after stumbling around for a few minutes she wisely reversed herself on that claim. "I guess I will be politically correct," she laughed as she begged off the question intelligently not wanting to say that any particular other Republican was a dud in the personality department!

In any case, Sarah Palin was fun to listen to. I can't say that Palin is a powerful speaker in the traditional oratorical way, but she is quite effective in her own way, a way that appeals to so many people. I was happy to have been there to see the Palin juggernaut rolling across the country. I mean, let's put it this way, can you name any other politician that people would pay $55 or more to see talk for an hour or so?

Several local personages that I saw were Dan Proft, Cook County Board of Review Candidate Dan Patlak, and I even hear tell that independent Gubernatorial candidate Scott Lee Cohen was also in attendance and Rosanna Pulido was also in attendance.

Some of the other bloggers in attendance was Ed Morrissey of Hot Air, Jonathan Garthwaite of Townhall.com, Tom Mannis of Chicago News Bench, along with myself (I didn't see him but I think Alex Keown was also going to attend).

Finally, I'll mention the very, very few protestors that came out to whine about the illegal immigrant issue. There was about 7 or 8 of them all holding their little signs. Naturally, many folks passing by scoffed at them and yelled to them, "what part of ILLEGAL don’t you understand?" These lawbreaker supporters quietly stood with their signs, though, so kudos to them for not being disruptive, La Raza-type creeps.

I have to say that I am surprised there weren't more protestors out there. The police were not in any way stopping anyone from protesting as far as I could tell, so it wasn't because of the man being oppressive! It's just that no others showed up. I guess they were too busy?

So, that is my experience at "A Night With Sarah Palin" at the Rosemont Theater in the Chicagoland area. I am glad I went and I have to thank WIND AM 560 for the tickets as they made it possible for me to attend the Palin event.

-WTH

Warner Todd Huston is editor of Publius' Forum and a contributor to Texas for Sarah Palin and other websites, including Big Government, Right Wing News and Red County.

Video: Sarah Palin's WIND/Rosemont Speech

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h/t: CStevenTucker and Palin TV.

- JP

Packed house roars with cheers for Sarah Palin in Obama country (Updated)

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From NBC Chicago's Ward Room blog:

A packed house roared with cheers as GOP superstar Sarah Palin took the stage Wednesday night at the Rosemont Theatre.

Introduced to a video with a narrator that said "she's right here in Barack Obama's hometown," Palin stood before an American flag and took on Illinois and its native son.

"This 'hopey-changey' thing isn't what we bargained for," the former Alaskan governor told the supportive crowd, adding that she was "glad to be here on the president's home turf."

"I almost feel a little bit sorry for the president," she said. "They expected us to welcome the change. Come November we're going to show them just how grateful we are."

She spoke of one of the day's biggest news stories: the cancellation of the Highland Park High School girl's basketball trip to Arizona by a superintendent who felt that state's anti-immigration law was not "aligned with our beliefs and values."

Earlier today, Gov. Palin appeared at a fundraiser for the Illinois Republican party at the Westin O'Hare.

Update: Here are some excerpts from the Sun-Times' coverage of the evening event:

With 4,000 Chicago area fans cheering her on, former Republican Vice-Presidential candidate Sarah Palin trained her sights Wednesday night on Highland Park High School, which conservative talk radio has targeted for canceling the girl's' basketball team's trip to the play-offs in Arizona.

[...]

"I said, 'Wait, I thought it was already a crime for an illegal alien [to be here]," Palin said to raucous cheers at the Rosemont Theatre.

[...]

For 70 minutes, Palin optimistically preached patriotism, praised Illinois for giving the world Ronald Reagan and the Tea Party movement; slammed President Obama, moderation and Illinois' corrupt politicians -- who she said reminded her of the people she kicked out of office back home in "Alaahhhska."

[...]

She urged her enthusiastic fans not to settle for moderates to represent them: "Some Republicans apparently thought they'd have to move to the middle to win. I said, 'No, no, no, no, no. You win by letting the middle move to you. You let the folks in the middle of the road know that your ideas are the right ones."

[...]

This Palin-loving crowd loved it when Palin bashed the "Lamestream media."

"Somebody told me, 'You know you're going into enemy territory.' I said, 'It's Chicago -- it's not MSNBC."

Palin said the mainstream media demonized members of the Tea Party movement - which includes Palin, and, judging from the cheers, many members of this audience.

"We're being called 'racist' and 'seditious' and 'redneck,'" she said. "I really don't mind the 'redneck' part. I'm fine with that one. It's no mystery who we are: We're Americans; everyday hard-working patriotic Americans. The 21st Century Tea Party movement, it starts right here in Chicago. This is where it starts. So Illinois, your place in the history of this grass movement has been instrumental."

The event was also reported on by the Chicago Tribune, the Rockford Register Star, and the Associated Press, among other legacy media outlets.

Some blogs covering the event include The Sweeney Report, Hot Air and Hillbuzz.

- JP

Second Palin event added May 12 in Chicago area

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The Illinois GOP, aware that Sarah Palin would be in the Chicago area for a 7 PM event May 12 sponsored by Christian radio station WIND, decided to take advantage of the opportunity. So the state Republicans were able to secure her appearance at a party fundraiser they scheduled for the Westin O'Hare in Rosemont for 4 PM to 6 PM earlier that same day:

For $25,000 donated or raised, a donor gets to be part of a private round table during the first half hour, including a photo. A $10,000 donation or fundraising bundle nets a photo and participation in the next half hour's VIP reception.

A general reception will follow at $500 per person or $750 per couple, but no photo.

State Republicans just had a successful fundraiser last week featuring National Republican Chairman Michael Steele.

Friday, Gov. Palin helped the Lane County Republican Party raise $200,000 in Eugene, Oregon's most liberal city. Now she's venturing again behind Democrat lines into Obama territory in support of the Illinois GOP. The governor may also be sending a not too subtle message to the RNC by cheerfully working with state and local party organizations, but when the Republican National Committee put her name on an invitation suggesting that she might attend a series of committee fundraising events timed to coincide with April's Southern Republican Leadership Conference in New Orleans, she asked to have it removed, bringing to mind that line in the old Verizon wireless ads, "Can you hear me now?"

Ticket information for the Rosemont fundraiser is here.

- JP

Journal Star: East Peoria pampers Palin

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John Sharp of the Journal Star chronicled the Palins' off-limelight stay in the Peoria area:

For two days in East Peoria, at least, the 2008 Republican vice president candidate relaxed, with an afternoon at an East Peoria hair and nail salon far removed from blinding TV cameras and the swarm of reporters and security.

Husband Todd dined alone and undisturbed at a Subway.

And the couple was surprised at the Embassy Suites Hotel & Conference Center with six pounds of Mocha Moose coffee, a move which led Palin to write a note to the hotel's general manager Joe LoMonaco: "Joe, Thank you so much, Sarah Palin. * this was the most special thing ever in a hotel for us!"

"We did everything we could to really make her feel as comfortable as possible," said Gina White, owner of Pamper Me Please, the tucked away hair and nail salon located off Main Street that the Palins visited Saturday afternoon. "She made us feel comfortable as well."

[...]

"She and her husband were normal, nice people," LoMonaco said. "You never know with what you see in the news and everything. But she was really nice and down to earth."

Read the full article here for all the details.

- JP

Mrs. Palin Goes to Washington....Illinois

- By Whitney
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It's not everyday that you have opportunity to go with your personal heroine to hear your political heroine speak, but Saturday, April 17th was such an opportunity for me, as my mom and I attended Governor Palin's speech in Washington, IL. If I were to say one thing, I would say it was definitely a barn burner of a speech, and in central Illinois, there are a heck of a lot of barns to burn!

To give context to the speech, it took place in Washington, Illinois, a small town of about 13,000 people in central Illinois just outside of Peoria. The town of Eureka, home of Reagan's alma mater, Eureka College, is just a short 10-15 minutes from Washington. The event was a fundraiser for Five Points Washington, the town's community center. Some of the funds raised were also to be used for a scholarship program as well. During the question and answer session following the speech, the Governor mentioned that she chose to speak at this event because she knows what a blessing such community centers bring to a town, referencing the sports complex built in Wasilla when she was mayor.

The topic of the speech was " You Don't Need a Title to Make a Difference" and was the inaugural speech in a series on Lessons from Leaders. In her own signature style, the Governor effectively wove this topic into the speech also highlighting her political platform, record, and worldview, all while truly making the speech applicable and personal to central Illinoisans. She brought up at least three examples of people who made and are making a difference without a title. She began her speech speaking of Trig, who is turning 2 years old today. She spoke of how he may never hold a title, but he wakes up everyday in applause, bringing perspective and joy to those around him. She also spoke of how Reagan saved 77 lives when he worked as a lifeguard on the Rock River in Illinois when he was young, before he had a "title". She had the words "Lifeguards Needed" written on her palm. She also spoke of how we, as Americans, can make a difference without a title through our voice, our vote, and our freedom.

Regarding leadership, she spoke specifically of three former Presidents: Washington, Lincoln, and Reagan. She spoke about Washington's leadership--how true leaders respect the will and wisdom of the people and often were reluctant leaders who did not seek office, but the office sought them. She spoke of Lincoln's use of his stovepipe hat as a "traveling office" and how if it was good enough for Lincoln to store his notes in his hat, it was good enough for her to use her palm for her notes. She spoke quite a bit about Reagan, calling him a "son of Illinois". She spoke of his politics of both personality and conviction when it came to foreign policy, saying also that America needs his "Midwestern common sense" and "relentless optimism". Governor Palin, in a jab at President Obama, spoke of how a Eureka educated politician plays better in Peoria than a Harvard educated politician. At one point she stated during the speech that the next Lincoln or Reagan may be sitting in the audience. In my head, I thought, "the next Reagan is standing behind the podium!"

On a local level, Governor Palin praised central Illinois for being people who "cling to guns and religion" and who understand what she meant when she says, "don't retreat, reload". Politically, she spoke of how Obama's policies are affecting the region. The construction machine company, Caterpillar, is based out of nearby Peoria and employs quite a few people in the area. Governor Palin spoke of how President Obama came to Peoria last year claiming that the stimulus package would prevent Caterpillar workers from being laid off, which was not the case. She spoke of how the "economically illiterate" health care bill will cost the company $100 million in the first year alone.

More broadly, she spoke of the problems of a quadrupled national deficit, a $3.8 trillion budget, and the "mother of all unfunded mandates": the health care reform bill. Governor Palin criticized the President for bowing to world leaders and alienating allies like Israel.During the question and answer session, she mentioned that the President's comments about America being a military superpower, whether we like it or not was the statement that had taken her most aback of anything during President Obama's administration. However, her political rhetoric was not limited to criticisms, but included a great deal of what she called "time tested" solutions. She spoke of how prosperity cannot be legislated from Washington D.C., but must be earned through hard work ethic and by government getting out of the way. Additionally, she mentioned that more every day people, not politicians, are needed in government.

In sharing such solutions, she was very effective in tying in her record as governor and mayor , highlighting several of the examples that she mentioned in Going Rogue. Specifically, she mentioned how she lowered taxes and improved infrastructure as mayor as part of a pro-business, pro-economic growth strategy. She mentioned the main principles by which she governed Alaska. Government must live within its means. Resource development must be expanded. Money must be saved for the future, and earmarks must be slashed. During the question and answer session, Governor Palin spoke of how important it is that politicians realize that they are spending OPM (other people's money), and she highlighted that she fired the personal chef and the sold of the jet.

The Governor has an amazing way of connecting with the people with whom she is speaking. After the speech, my mom said, "it was like you were listening to your best friend. She talks to you, not at you." I concur with this statement whole heartedly. Governor Palin spoke with such conviction, sincerity and optimism. I was also struck by how often she used the word "blessed". She seems to see every opportunity and experience as a blessing. I was amazed how focused and personal she made it for the audience she was speaking to by pulling in Reagan's ties to the area and the effects of the Obama administration on a large local employer. It truly was a blessing beyond words to hear America's point guard speak with such optimism and conviction.

So, this begs the age old question. Does Governor Palin play in Peoria? You betcha!

To see more pictures, albeit not high quality, see here.

- WTP

- Special guest blogger Whitney is editor of The LOTUS and is a contributor to The Palination and the Palin Twibe blog.

PJ Star Video: Sarah Palin awarded key to the city of Washington, Illinois

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At the Five Points Washington event over the weekend, Sarah Palin was presented with the key to the city of Washington, Illinois:



- JP

Sarah Palin: Country needs dose of 'Midwestern Common Sense'

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Sarah Palin told a crowd of 1,100 in central Illinois Saturday that what unites Americans is stronger than what divides them. The former Alaska governor and 2008 GOP vice presidential candidate cited a strong work ethic, security and a government that allows people to live how they choose as uniting factors, and she encouraged Americans to unite to get the nation's troubled economy back on track. Gov. Palin's address was the inaugural speech last night in Five Points Washington's "Lessons From Leaders" speakers series:

Palin commented on the Land of Lincoln having a "most diverse political scene" and referenced the "Will it play in Peoria?" cliche.

"Nobody here is ordinary. ... Much of the eyes of America are on this part of our nation because this is a representation of good, hard-working, grounded, unpretentious, patriotic Americans," she said.

One of those people, Palin said, is former President Ronald Reagan, a Eureka College graduate, who believed in limited government in order to expand opportunity and prosperity. Reagan was a Midwestern boy who understood the importance of work ethic, not entitlement, she said.

"We need a dose of that Midwestern common sense now more than ever," Palin said.

[...]

Palin took several jabs at President Barack Obama's Harvard Law School education. She said the U.S. is on pace to quadruple the deficit, called the federal health care bill "Obama-care" and the "mother of all unfunded mandates," and chastised Congress for what she called "bullying" of Peoria-based Caterpillar Inc.

"Washington's idea is to tax and borrow and spend our way out of big problems," Palin said, adding both Republicans and Democrats are to blame. "We're sticking our kids with the bill. I think that is immoral."

Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis said Palin hit on points resonating throughout the country "like getting the government under control and getting taxes under control and having people get the government back."

Leadership is speaking out, sticking up for your beliefs, getting involved and contributing to the community. "We want leadership that offers common sense principles and offers common sense solutions," she said.

A sold-out crowd of 1,100 people turned out for Palin's speech, titled "You Don't Need a Title to Make a Difference." Audience members submitted questions for possible inclusion in a question-and-answer session after the speech.

Said U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock, R-Peoria: "She's definitely got a role in shaping American politics and American policy, and when she speaks, people listen.

"I thought she gave a very inspiring speech about some of the challenges she went through in her own life as mayor of Wasilla and governor of Alaska and as a candidate for the vice presidency of the United States," he added.

John Morris, who is director of development for the Ronald W. Reagan Leadership Program and Reagan Museum at Eureka College, said Gov. Palin's remarks about the 40th president's alma mater were "thrilling," because she is a potential Republican candidate for president in 2012:

"Eureka College is a national living legacy to this story that in America you can come from anywhere and with the right values you can go on to help change the world. Eureka College is the living legacy to the story of Ronald Reagan," Morris said.

This is a re-write for the Peoria Journal-Star's Sunday edition of the incomplete story karen McDonald filed late last night. The Sunday PJStar also has a companion article by Steve Stein focusing on local reaction to Gov. Palin's speech.

Illinois Review relays RNC Committeewoman for Illinois Demetra DeMonte's post-event thoughts:

"I just returned from an amazing evening in Washington Illinois. Sarah Palin’s optimism - her belief in the goodness and wisdom of the American people - mesmerized an audience with the message that the American dream is still alive – and that it is up to us to ensure that it remains alive. Although speaking in an positive tone Sarah did not avoid talking about the serious problems confronting us today. She particularly sited the deficit and national security as the most compelling issues of our time."

"She called upon on all of us to hold our elected officials accountable on election day and to do what is necessary to preserve our freedom and the American way of life we cherish , not only for us but for our children and grandchildren."

- JP

Will it play in Peoria? You betcha!

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Up until now, members of the media have only been allowed into Sarah Palin speaking events if they purchased a ticket. But at Five Points Washington's "Lessons from Leaders" banquet April 17 in the Peoria, Illinois area, that policy has changed, according to the Journal Star's "Word on the Street" column:

"Due to several requests that we have received, we have arranged for the local media to attend the April 17, 2010, Lessons From Leaders with Governor Sarah Palin," read an invitation we received last week.

That said, space is limited. West said not all local media outlets are being allowed.

"Media asked if there was any way we could help them out. I said I would have to think about it and figure out how and if we could do something," West said. "This is not a political thing. This is a private function. We're trying our best to accommodate a few media, but we are space limited."

All tickets quickly sold out. The 400 banquet/speech tickets - at $200 each - sold out less than 24 hours after Palin's appearance was announced. Speech-only tickets sold for $100 on the main floor and $75 for the balcony in the 1,000-seat Caterpillar Performing Arts Center.

Whether the policy change is a singular exception only for the Peoria event remains to be seen, but we suspect so. The policy of requiring the media to purchase tickets just like everyone else is, we believe, part of the Washington Speakers Bureau contract language for appearances by Gov. Palin.

- JP

Playing in Peoria: How Five Points Signed Sarah

*
It's tough for organizations which are not well known nationally to get the attention of star attractions, much less convince them to lend their faces, names and fame to an event the group is sponsoring. Had Washington, Illinois Mayor Gary Manier and representatives from Five Points not taken a tour of the Ronald Reagan Museum at Eureka College, the stars may not have aligned, and perhaps they never would have found themselves in a position to attract Sarah Palin to speak as part of their "Lessons from Leaders" series on April 17:

Sherril West, president of the Five Points board of directors, said before meeting with former Peoria City Councilman John Morris - now the director of development for the Ronald W. Reagan Leadership Program and the Ronald Reagan Museum - letter writing to the stars asking them to speak in Washington was unsuccessful.

Morris, though, was able to forward the Five Points group to the right connections with speaker bureaus. These are similar to groups used to lure former Soviet Union leader Mikhail Gorbachev to Eureka College for an appearance last year.

West said a phone call was made to one of the bureaus that, ironically on the same day, agreed to represent Palin.

"We were one of the first in line," West said.

Following Five Points' submission of a lengthy application, Palin's group announced she was coming.

More of the story behind Gov. Palin's speech in Illinois here.

- JP

Gov. Palin to speak in central Illinois in April

*
The Peoria Journal Star is reporting that Sarah Palin will make an appearance in central Illinois in April:

Palin will be the first speaker at Five Points Washington's new Lessons from Leaders speaker series. She will give the keynote address at the April 17 event.

Sherril West, president of the board of directors that operates Five Points, announced Palin’s appearance and the launch of the series Monday at a news conference.

Palin’s speech topic is “You Don’t Need a Title To Make a Difference.”

The former governor's speech is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. talk in the Caterpillar Performing Arts Center in Washington, IL. She will also be the guest of honor at a 7 p.m. banquet and private reception prior to the banquet at Five Points.

Ticket prices start at $75 and range up to $200. For more information, call 444-8423 or visit the Five Points Washington website.

- JP

Another Palin Endorsement Request in Illinois… For Todd Palin

- By Warner Todd Huston

The Chicago Sun-Times' Michael Sneed is reporting that another Chicago area candidate is seeking a Palin endorsement. But this time it isn't Sarah's endorsement being sought but her hubby Todd's.

… William J. Kelly is seeking the endorsement of -- Todd Palin, husband of Alaskan you-know-who.

Quoth Kelly, who produces... "Sportsaholic" [a talk radio sports program]: "Anyone who has won the Iron Dog Snowmobile Race four times is someone I definitely want on my side in 2010."

Well if a Palin endorsement request is good enough to get center left candidate Mark Kirk in the news, why not for State Comptroller candidate William Kelley?

For info on Kelly's campaign visit his campaign webpage.

- WTH

Kirk Denies He's Going Right With Palin Request

- By Warner Todd Huston

Mark Kirk is denying that he's trying to angle rightward in the run up to the GOP primary next year with his recent reaching out to Governor Sarah Palin to secure her endorsement for his candidacy.

"I think I am who I am. I am a social moderate, fiscal conservative. But this is a big race and we are building a broad coalition and it will be, for a Republican candidacy, a center-right coalition, but for me, I haven't changed my views."

This is, of course, rather interesting. Kirk is reaching out to conservatives by courting one of their idols in Sarah Palin, yet is also claiming he hasn't changed his views. It makes one wonder just why a conservative would want to vote for him if he isn't even interested in paying lipservice to their causes?

In essence, Kirk is saying vote for me... and I'll ignore all you stand for. After all Kirk's record is more often center left than center right.

Kirk is rated poorly by the National Right to Life Committee and nearly 100% by abortion supporters. The NRA has awarded him a grade of "D." The American Conservative Union rates him at 40% for 2007 and 48% for 2008. On jobs the CATO Institute gives him an even 50%, saying his record is mixed. And in one of his stronger areas -- on taxes -- Kirk is rated only at 58% by the National Taxpayers Union. As you can see, these hot button, conservative issues put him mostly in the center left category, not center right.

So, it is amusing that Kirk is claiming to be seeking the vote of that "center right coalition" yet also says he won't change his positions in order to attract their support!

Who exactly is Kirk trying to kid? He'd elicit more respect for himself if he just said that he'll support the center right position a little less than half the time but that any Democrat won't even be that weighted to the right. Let's be honest here. Mark Kirk is a center left candidate, not a center right one.

But, for sure his Democrat opponent is a left/far left candidate. Kirk will be on the side of conservatives more so than the Democrat, but he is positively no center right guy. It's just that simple.

In the end, there really is no reason at all for Sarah Palin to endorse Mark Kirk before the primary. Maybe, to be a good party member, she'll endorse him after the primaries (assuming he can defeat conservative Patrick Hughes) when there is no conservative choice. But before the primary there is no reason at all for a conservative minded person to support Mark Kirk.

-WTH

In Illinois, Mark Kirk Asks For Palin's Endorsement

Chris Cillizza, on the Washington Post blog The Fix:

Illinois Rep. Mark Kirk penned a memo to Republican poobah Fred Malek hoping to secure an endorsement from former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin for his Senate candidacy, according to a copy of the memo obtained by the Fix.

After noting that Palin will be in Chicago later this month to appear on "Oprah", Kirk writes that "the Chicago media will focus on one key issue: Does Gov[ernor] Palin oppose Congressman Mark Kirk's bid to take the Obama Senate seat for the Republicans?"

Kirk goes on to write that he is hoping for something "quick and decisive" from Palin about the race, perhaps to the effect of: "Voters in Illinois have a key opportunity to take Barack Obama's Senate seat. Congressman Kirk is the lead candidate to do that."

Malek confirmed the authenticity of the memo in an e-mail exchange with the Fix

Update: Commentary from Ed Morrissey at Hot Air. As for our own opinion, we think Sarah would indeed have to have a lot of forgiveness in her heart to endorse a Vichy Republican like Kirk who didn't think that she was the right choice to be John McCain's running mate. 

Beg, Kirk, beg. Now lie down. Roll over, boy. Now sit. Sit, Kirk, sit. Good dog! Someone give him a bone... 

- JP