Written by Steven Chandler
Former vice presidential candidate and former governor of AlaskaSarah Palinwas the keynote speaker at theRepublican Party of Arkansas’Feb. 16 fundraising event at theVerizon Arenain North Little Rock.
“I don’t know about you, but I think our country is ready for another revolution,” Palin said.
Palin’s common theme for the evening was finding common-sense conservative solutions. She discussed a wide variety of points in her speech, including:
- The government is spending money that the next generation is going to have to pay back, what she calls “Generational Theft.” It’s not fair to do this to future generations, she argues. Palin said America has to get its financial matters in order, and she disapproves of the stimulus bill.
- Too often, Palin said, when big business and big government get together, it only benefits the insiders. Meaningful market-based solutions need to be passed to solve the healthcare issue, she said.
- It is absurd that terrorists receive the same rights as Americans because they hate America and its constitution and wish to do it harm, Palin argued. Washington needs to be held to its duty of taking care of national security, she said.
- America needs to create jobs in energy development, according to Palin. This, she said, would help with the unemployment rate and work towards making America energy independent. She said places like Alaska and Arkansas can help facilitate this.
- Republicans need to work with those willing to work with them, such as independents and liberals, Palin said.
“I thought she made some really great points; a lot of people think she is incompetent, but she is someone who can truly relate to the American people,” sophomore Claire Walker said after hearing Palin’s speech. “She’s a common-sense conservative leader, and that’s what America needs.”
At the end of her speech there was a brief question-and-answer session between her andDoyle Webb, chairman of the Republican Party of Arkansas. When asked what position she wanted to run for next, Palin tactfully danced around the question and said she is glad that her previous positions have led her to where she is now — where she’s able to support other candidates and bring about change through them. Palin expressed her desire for everyone to be a part of change and to support it by voting.
“We don’t need a title to make a difference,” Palin said.
While Palin’s speech prompted plenty of applause and standing ovations from the Republican audience, perhaps the loudest audience participation came at the close. In true Arkansas fashion, the event came to an end when Webb asked the entire audience to “call the Hogs” for Palin.
The Verizon Arena was filled with tables on the floor for dinner guests. Among the guests were many leading Arkansas GOP members and candidates for the upcoming elections. General admission ticket holders were seated in the lower bowl of the arena.
With an attendance of around 5,000, it was estimated that about $400,000 was raised from ticket sales, which varied in price from $35 to $500.
“The Republican Party is not dead,” Webb said.
