Last night Sarah spoke to a packed house at the College of the Ozarks in Missouri. Although these things are off limits to reporters, and who can blame ‘em, the tweets were flying. I’ll have some of the better ones, with links to all, below.
But first, here’s what Sarah has to say:
Faith, Family, Freedom: Remembering What Really Matters
My parents and I just had a wonderful time at "Hard Work U" – the school motto of College of the Ozarks. It earned that proud nickname because students there work their way through college and graduate with little or no debt. (In other words, a place after my own heart, and the hearts of others who worked their way through college and, like me, maybe took five years to finish because of work schedules!)
At tonight’s patriotic event at the college we heard some amazing personal stories of heroism and sacrifice by our military veterans in attendance, including members of our Greatest Generation, who we honored tonight. It was such an inspiration to hear their stories and affirm the principles that make this country great – faith, hard work, perseverance, patriotism, and public service.
All Americans need to hear from these true, proud patriots. May we never forget their fight for freedom. Their battles make the petty shots and irrelevant "challenges" some of us face today pale in comparison. I thank them for allowing us a healthy perspective and a reminder of what really matters.
- Sarah Palin
PS: Please enjoy the photos below from Arizona, New Mexico, and Missouri!
We’ve been given permission to reprint the copyrighted photos you see, but if you want to see more, please go to Sarah’s Facebook page, here.
*Gov. Sarah Palin signs a sticker during a "Going Rogue" book signing event at Cosco on Tuesday, December 1, 2009, in Tempe, AZ. Photo by Shealah Craighead. Copyright SarahPAC.
*Gov. Sarah Palin shakes hands with a supporter as he passes through the line at a "Going Rogue" book signing event at Borders bookstore on Wednesday, December 2, 2009, in Springfield, MO. Photo by Shealah Craighead. Copyright SarahPAC.
Here’s a video of Sarah arriving at Borders in Springfield:
The website: Governor Palin 4 President has a nice reporting of things. It seems 5,000 packed the house to see Sarah:
Point Lookout, Mo — Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin said tonight she doesn’t need an official "title to affect positive change" in the country. Palin told an estimated crowd of 5,000 packed in Keeter Gymnasium at College of the Ozarks that despite her resignation, she is moving on "in the battle with new strategy."
Palin was the keynote speaker tonight during a convocation that honored World War II veterans and others connected to the private college with "Great American" awards. Palin was the inaugural recipient of the award for her contributions to promoting patriotism, said College of the Ozarks President Jerry Davis.
Silver Dollar City co-owner Sharon "Sherry" Herschend, an alumna of the school, was among seven people who received a Great American Award from the college. The military veterans participated in a program where they visited battlefields with students to teach the young people about sacrifices their elders made, Davis said.
As part of Palin’s speaking contract, College of the Ozarks sought to ban reporters from covering the speech. But the News-Leader and other local media outlets obtained free tickets and sent reporters to cover the speech from the bleachers. Palin’s speech came after spending three hours in Springfield autographing copies of her new book "Going Rogue" at Borders Bookstore on South Glenstone Avenue.
Palin talked about how she got started in politics, working her way up from the Wasilla, Alaska, City Council to mayor and then eventually to chair of the Alaska Gas and Oil Conservation Commission and governor of the state.
As a city councilwoman, Palin said she didn’t conform to the town elders’ standards for the status quo of governance. "I kind of went rogue, even back then," Palin said jokingly, making a reference to her book title and history of going off-script while running for vice president last year.
Palin spoke to a friendly crowd that routinely applauded what she had to say about the current state of affairs in Washington, D.C., and her call for the country to return to its "pioneering values" of work hard, independence and taking care of your neighbors.
"History and common sense tells us that when government tries to take care of us, it ends up robbing us of our ability to help ourselves," Palin said. "If we empower people to be free, providing a hand up but not a hand out ... then we will become a more prosperous and generous nation."
Here are a few choice tweets from the night. BTW, when you see @ SarahPalinUSA folks are of course referencing Sarah herself. Twitter has it’s own protocol, it seems.
From Chad Livengood of the News-Leader:
"Borders manager says Palin signed up to 1,200 books for 700-900 people in 3 hours. That's a signature every 9 seconds. http://tiny.cc/MZlOj"
"The Borders manager said yesterday he didn't think they could handle anymore than 500 people, so they consider this good."
"The first mention of @SarahPalinUSA gathers a standing applause at the convocation, which is underway."
"College of the Ozarks is awarding @SarahPalinUSA its inaugural "Great American Award' for her patriotism and spreading it."
"C of O's Jerry Davis: "If all you know about Sarah Palin is what the so-called mainstream media has to say, you've got a lot to learn."
"Jerry Davis just introduced @SarahPalinUSA: "She has her hand on the heart beat of America," he said."
"@SarahPalinUSA on Jerry Davis: "I just love him. He's such a hoot." She says he's like her in that he "goes off script" and goes "rogue."
"Palin is talking about work ethic & pushing one's self to better their lives. "I don't believe in coincidences," she said."
"@SarahPalinUSA says she returned home from campaign trail to new political rivals, bringing Alaska gov't to a "grinding halt."
"@SarahPalinUSA is getting to why she quit: "We spent about 80% of our time fending off frivilous lawsuits."
"@SarahPalinUSA says she resigned "with no scandals running me out of office, despite what the media desperately wanted to find."
"Possible @SarahPalinUSA Quote of the Night: "You don't need a title to affect positive change."
You can read more of Chad’s take on the night here.
Fox2now, the local Fox affiliate, has some great video. It’s interesting to see young and old. One 20 something girl who drove in from St Louis is interviewed, as well as a guy of about the same age, who drove in from Arkansas, and says that not only does he feel that Sarah will be the leader of the Conservative movement by 2012, he also has hopes she will be the next Ronald Reagan!
Personally, when I hear younger folks mention the Great Renaldus Magnus with such reverence, it really makes me feel good about the direction our younger generation will take us. You can see the video here.
Citizen Palin 4 President, another website devoted to a Sarah Palin presidency, has more really great video, including a truly glowing report from Fox2now. The word rock star is used quite often! Check out the website and see the videos here.
Here are some tweets from Ron Davis:
"SP: 'As ur spine is stiffened, the spines of others will be stiffened.'"
"Calls self mix of federalist, Jeffersonian."
"SP: much media coverage 'waste of ink.'" (Editor’s note: I agree!)
"Says ethics chgs were 'game being played.'"
"On resigning: God has 'so blessed that decision.'"
"Says US at crossrds in 'economic, military n values oriented battles.'"
"Crisis abt nation's identity, she says."
Dave Catanese offers his take:
"In giving award to @SarahPalinUSA, C of O prez citing her dedication to military veterans as Governor."
"@SarahPalinUSA now helping honor 7 World War II/Vietnam vets who participate in school's Patriotic Travel Program."
"Maybe College of the Ozarks president Jerry Davis should run for office. The guy's a heck of a storyteller. Got more 1-liners than "
"Jerry Davis' intro: "If all you know about Sarah Palin is what the mainstream media says about her, you've got a lot to learn.""
"Davis cites Palin's motto: "No more politics as usual." "I'd like to see that in Washington myself," Davis says to cheers."
"Palin speaking now... "Davis is such a hoot." Mentions FOX News appearance. Cheers. "I knew he was gonna go rogue," Palin adds."
"Palin says College of the Ozarks debt-free education should be model for the nation."
"Palin says never thought taking 5 yrs to get a 4-yr degree would be an issue until the "lame-stream" media took issue with it."
"Palin says she's "an ordinary American given extraordinary opportunities" because she's put her life in God's hands."
"Palin:"Despite what the media wants to..spin about my record...I will keep calling it as I see it."
"@SarahPalinUSA cites journalism degree: "So much has changed in the world of journalism since then...Holy Moly!"
"@SarahPalinUSA touting work as city councilwoman in Wasilla, "bucking consensus." "Only dead fish go with the flow," she says"
"Palin says the reason she wants to keep gov't power on the local level, because she's lived it. Encourages involvement in local politics."
"@SarahPalinUSA calls veep nod "honor of a lifetime" she doesn't regret but outlining sacrifices she had to make"
"Palin now on 4th mention of media, says "media isn't fond of common sense conservative values." But adds she's not whining"
"Palin also says during the campaign, "the media did spin" her lifestory into "something unrecognizable." Can't imagine why media is barred."
"Palin mounting a complete defense against attacks, lawsuits, gossip and media coverage of her during '08 campaign."
"Palin says she prayed about how to stop "the hurt and paralysis" in her state. "Calling the audible has worked for my state," she says."
"@SarahPalinUSA now turning to issues, says "misplaced government interference" caused economic crisis, "not our free-market principles."
"@SarahPalinUSA: "Things crashed...darnit... in the midst of our campaign." "John McCain and I placed 2nd out of 2."
"@SarahPalinUSA says it's beyond ridiculous to complain about last administration's spending when Obama has spent 4 times more."
"@SarahPalinUSA hits POTUS for "apologizing" to foreign countries. No mention of Obama's Afghanistan strategy."
"Palin's concludes her 50-minute speech to a standing O. I'm off to our satellite truck. See you live on Ky3 News @ 10!"
You can see all of Dave’s tweets here. He gives a great accounting of the event, but is clearly miffed that the media wasn’t allowed in, though, there he was! Again this is standard for private speeches. Poor fellow was stuck in the nosebleed section of gym, as well. But a nice summation on his part anyhow.
Catanese’s blog has some neat video of Sarah’s dad, Chuck rippin’ on the "liberal media back east" and of Sally, Sarah’s mom, that you can see here.
"The liberal media back east, they raise hell with her. She's tough. It hurts us when they hit the kids, but when you're a politician, that comes with the territory"
___Chuck Heath
As always, wherever Sarah goes, she is a hit. Sarah brings something that no one else out there can. Sarah has a quality about her that can’t be bought. It can’t be learned and it can’t be taught. It just is.
Many people compare Sarah to the Great Ronald Reagan, and of course, that’s a valid comparison, and one that makes a lot of sense. After all, Sarah has studied Reagan since she was a kid, and quotes him in almost every speech or interview.
Both Reagan and Sarah come from small towns, went to small schools, including the "wrong colleges" and have a working class background. Like Sarah, Reagan was even a sportscaster!
But it goes further than the superficial stuff. Sarah, like Reagan, has an unbelievably strong work ethic. She has the ethic of those who spend a lifetime working with their hands. Sarah understands why our founders designed our form of government, and believes in that direction.
Sarah understands that America is it’s people, not it’s government. That left alone, the American people have made this the greatest nation on earth.
Ronald Reagan railed against the government his entire career. Sarah is cut from that same cloth. Both know that government isn’t the answer, government is the problem.
One more important thing, like Reagan, Sarah sees America as "that shining city on a hill," this wonderful place were men are free and everyone has a chance to succeed. A nation that is the envy of the world and has inspired other nations and other peoples to be free.
Sarah brings a good old fashioned common sense with her that is rare among politicians these days. She also brings a western independence and an Alaskan pioneering spirit, a can do kind of attitude, no doubt shaped by life in the rugged wilderness of Alaska.
It’s no wonder that the College of the Ozarks saw fit to honor Sarah with it’s inaugural "Great American Award" for promoting patriotism.
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