Posted on 10/29/2008 11:22:12 AM PDT by pissant
STATE COLLEGE - The standing room-only crowd of thousands roared last night as Sarah Palin, Republican candidate for vice president of the United States, made her way to the podium to speak about what John McCain, Republican candidate for president, and she will do for the country if they are elected on Tuesday.
The doors at Rec Hall on the campus of The Pennsylvania State University at University Park opened at 6 p.m. to admit the crowds who had waited for hours to see the Alaska governor and to hear her speak. Approxi- mately half of those in attendance were younger than 35 and included hundreds of teens and college students.
Following a standing ovation of several minutes, Gov. Palin said they had had no idea what to expect (from the crowd) at 9 p.m. She first thanked those in the audience who had served their country in the armed forces and for preserving freedom. She also expressed gratitude to be on the campus that Joe Paterno calls home. To roaring Penn State applause, she then said, "Joe Paterno knows how to lead a team to victory. And, John McCain and I are going to shake things up for you in Washington."
She spoke about Sen. Barack Obama and his plan if he is elected as president, saying, "It took Joe the Plumber to finally get Sen. Obama to admit he wants to raise your taxes and spread the wealth around. Sounds like socialism to me." She added that Sen. Obama wants to rewrite the constitution and asked, "What does that say about the future Supreme Court justices?" His desire, she said, to spread the wealth around has been tried and failed in other countries and it stifles the entrepreneurial spirit.
"If you believe in protecting our constitutional rights and hard-earned money, elect John McCain as our next president," she proclaimed. People need a leader with courage and boldness. They need Sen. McCain now, she added, saying they will clean up the corruption on Wall Street that brought on the recent economic disaster. Sen. McCain wants to help everyone be able to afford better health care and help students afford college, she said, talking about his economic plan that will help the country get back on track. What it does, she noted, is lower income taxes and lower business taxes.
It is not mean spirited to call someone out on their record, she said, adding that Sen. Obama has a commitment to higher taxes. "Just look at his record - he voted 94 times for higher taxes. He had 94 chances to be on our side and 94 times he voted for higher taxes. Barack Obama is for bigger government and higher taxes," she said.
Gov. Palin continued, saying bigger government is the problem, not the solution. Instead of taking money and spreading it around, it will spread opportunities for small businesses - small businesses are the backbone of the country. "You should not be working for government, the government should be working for you, she added. She also promised that during their watch, she and Sen. McCain would balance the budget by the end of their first term.
Gov. Palin spoke of her track record of lowering taxes in Alaska, fighting corruption and vetoed one-half a billion dollars of wasted spending. She said the people of America can better spend their money than the government can. She also noted that Sen. McCain was in uniform for 22 years for the country. He has been tested, she added, as a prisoner of war for five years and in service for the country.
"He won't wave the white flag of surrender - he knows how to win a war. He will support our troops and win the war." And, she continued, the United States needs to get on track toward energy independence and tap into what it has and create new jobs in America instead of in foreign countries. She then spoke of the ways the country can become energy independent.
Continuing, Gov. Palin talked about children with special needs, saying they are made to feel there is not a place for them in this country. "Sen. McCain and I have a vision for America where every innocent life counts and every child is cherished," she said. "As vice president, I will get to do so much more for our children. I want the children to know they have a friend and advocate in the White House," she added.
"Sen. McCain and I believe in what Ronald Reagan believed, not in Washington but in the goodness, kindness and courage of everyday working Americans. In this campaign, there is only one man who has ever really fought for you - Sen. McCain. If you are ready, then we need your vote. Will you hire us?"
Kerry Benninghoff, candidate for state representative in the 171st district, welcomed everyone to the rally saying, "It is appropriate we are here tonight to cheer on our vice presidential candidate, Sarah Palin - we need to cheer Sen. McCain and Sarah Palin on their road to victory.
"Gov. Palin's message is just what this country needs."
He said he has never heard a public speaker capture his attention like Gov. Palin, adding that her message at the Republican National Convention was a grand slam. He added that the McCain-Palin ticket is best for today and tomorrow and it best represents what people stand for.
Glenn Thompson, candidate for U.S. Congress, 5th District, said he believes Pennsylvania will deliver in more ways than one. He noted, "As a small-town guy, I'm a gun-toting, Bible-thumping Pennsylvanian. I'm proud to be a staunch supporter of the Second Amendment and my faith."
He said he and Gov. Palin had a lot in common - lower taxes and developing a national energy strategy. Both have sons in the Army. He added, having a soldier in the Army has opened his eyes to what is happening in Iraq. His son writes - children are back in school, people are out in the streets and Iraq is on its way to a free society. He said Sen. McCain will bring real change to Washington.
Entertainment was provided by Hank Williams Jr., who wowed the crowd with several renditions including "Born to Boogie," and the theme from the Dukes of Hazard.
He said, "Remember, June Carter Cash was my godmother and then he sang, "I Walk the Line." He then noted that Pennsylvania is the birthplace of the United States of America. "You know where I'm coming from and I know where you're coming from. And the USA is not yet totally controlled by Los Angeles, New York and Chicago."
Doris Lord of Glen Richey said she thinks Gov. Palin is a wonderful and honest person. "I'm so glad she's a Christian, and I believe she will work for us - she's one of us."
Jim Zuck of State College said, "As soon as that little girl wet her fingers and brushed the baby's hair down, that did it - I said, I'm voting for her.' The whole family has to (be) A number one. That shows human love and can come only from a mother's teaching."
Sarah Harding of State College said she is a single mom with a special needs child. "Never have I been open with politicians, but there is something about this lady that is different - she seems to be human - she seems to speak from her heart."
Pat of State College noted Gov. Palin is an intelligent person who has done much for Alaska. "I believe she can handle anything that comes her way."
Effie Zuck of State College said Gov. Palin has strength in Alaska. "For her to take charge in Alaska, a man's world, she's gotta have something! She is what she is - so real. If anything should happen to McCain, she can take care of it. If she can run the state of Alaska, she can run anything!"
No, he’s donated to Obama’s campaign.
Let’s see. if he’s a leader and teaches hard work and discipline is what it takes to succeed, so I would say yes, he’s a conservative.
“Gov. Palin continued, saying bigger government is the problem, not the solution.”
Just once, I’d like to hear John McCain say that.
Great.
Isn’t he senile anyway?
Or appeasing his black players?
Does the obvious popularity of Sarah Palin belie the veracity of the polls?
If Obambi is so far ahead, who are these thousands of people showing up to see and hear Sarah? She seemss to draw very large and enthuisatic crowds wherever she goes.
Is this true? Am I wrong? Are the polls wrong, way wrong? Are the respondants telling the truth to the pollsters or are they hiding their true feelings?
we’ll as noted above he gave money to osamaobama, and back in the late ‘80s he gave money to a D opponent of Jesse Helms, so if he’s an R he’s a RINO.
Do they have any SEC teams on their schedule? They're gonna get a train run on their ass.
Sorry to hijack the thread.
But that would require Comrade Juan to commit to a conservative principle, which is exceedingly rare.
Juan will occassionally run into conservatism, but only when it coincides with random synapse firing.
He runs PSU like the Daleys run Chicago
It's the same crowd...the GOP just busses them around the country to make it look like Sarah is popular :-)
Please be sure it was Joe and not his son who donated to the Obama campaign.
Joe is a Republican.
He supported Bush, IIRC.
Beating OSU in Columbus doesn't happen easily for any team.
They beat Oregon State handily which beat Southern Cal easily.
They beat Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio State on consecutive Saturdays.
Whole lot of JoPa bashin goin on hear?
We are Penn State. Go JoPa
Are you sure? He did rallies with W in 2004.
Get back to me when you've taken down Florida (60 pts on Kentucky last Sat) or Georgia (50 pts on LSU in Baton Rouge) or the Crimson Tide.
The Gators and Dawgs should be one hell of a game.
His son Jay is a huge 0bama supporter -- he violated professional ethics and University rules to campaign for 0bama during working hours at PSU.
You sure? There was an earlier thread about Joe’s donation history this morning.
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