Posted on 10/08/2011 1:02:36 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Former Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin criticized President Barack Obama, "crony capitalism" and the mainstream media at an event in St. Charles with Glenn Beck Friday night.
A crowd of 5,100 people attended the event at the Family Arena, just two days after Palin announced she's not running for president in 2012. Tickets to the show, which was sponsored by FM 97.1 NewsTalk, ranged from $26 to more than $100 each.
The event at the St. Charles Family Arena drew a mixed crowd of Palin and Beck supporters, many of whom said they weren't surprised to hear Palin announce she won't seek the Presidency.
"The national media has done such a rotten job on her," Renee Bonine of St. Charles said. "They've slandered her."
Derek Lauer, 42, of Creve Coeur, wrote a song about Palin in 2010 and stood outside handing out cards with a link to a site where people could hear it. He said he thinks his song still is relevent even thought Palin's not planning to run for presidency.
"She's going to be in the news in the next two years," he said. "She's a prominent figure in the media."
Meredith Tharp, 23, of St. Peters, said she thinks Palin is in a better position to effect change nationally by not running for president.
"It does leave some people nameless but I feel like she's going to continue to be on the stage," she said.
On Friday, Palin said the "mainstream media" has failed to ask hard questions about Obama's plans to revive the economy. Mainstream media needs to ask tougher questions and not be afraid of the political machine, she said.
She criticized major companies that contributed to Obama's campaign who are benefiting from stimulus dollars, saying the only solution is "sudden and relentless reform."
Palin challenged Obama to show his track record in fighting corruption, saying he brought Chicago-style politics to the Whitehouse.
"I think we should expect transparency from our candidates and know who is contributing to whom," she said.
Palin's speech drew applause and a standing ovation at points. She followed up her talk with a question and answer session.
Conservative radio personality Glenn Beck spoke after Palin, saying that the secret that will restore the nation is that people must serve god by serving their fellow man.
Midway through his talk, members of the crowd spoke up to announce that the Cardinals beat the Phillies in game 5 of the National League series. Cell phones lit up throughout the Arena as fans checked the score.
Addison Todd, 22, of St. Charles, said he didn't mind missing the Cardinals game to see Glenn Beck in person.
"It was awesome," he said, of the night overall. Todd was less impressed with Palin. "I technically agree with most of the things she said, but I'm not a fan of her eloquence," he said.
For many, a chance to see Palin and Beck in person for the first time was a huge draw. Michelle Blair, 44, of Maryland Heights, brought her 16-year-old daughter Lauren to the event, in an effort to expose her to conservative ideas.
"I got a little overboard," Blair said before the event. "Our country is on the brink. Hopefully, it'll hook her."
Marie Kemp, 78, of Ballwin, said she loves Sarah Palin and was disappointed to hear she wasn't running.
"We think she's doing some wonderful things with the country, putting us back in line with the constitution," she said.
Few people said they had a favorite pick for Republican nominee for president in lieu of Sarah.
Shirley Juhala, 74, who lives near New Melle, said she's still confused about who might be the best pick.
"Herman Cain seems to be really answering the questions well. My only thing with him is his experience," she said.
Roland Juhala, 74, said although Sarah Palin would have been a good choice, the others are fine as well.
"All of the candidates who are running could do a better job than the one we've got," he said.
That's what happens when you "listen" to others opinions (everyone has one, just like the "other thing" everyone has).
I'm sure you know there is no need for a /s.
Naaa..... I figured she could and WOULD be a thorn in Barry’s side.
YOU GO GIRL!!
I wonder how many were really there? More than the news claims I will bet.
Rub elbows with Barry Soetoro. $38,500.
And conservatives are called the "greedy" ones.
I wish she didn’t drop so many hints and teased her supporters into believing that she would run. Best wishes to her but right now, I am not in a mood to buy her movie CDs or listen to her speeches. $500 I set aside for her campaign will come in handy for something else.
Please show me where she “teased” us.
So 5,100 come to see Palin speak (even after she drops out).
Meanwhile our leading nominee, Romneycare, can barely fill a VFW hall.
But he’s “electable.” LOL!
She did and you know it. Go read some of her threads that you posted yourself, i.e., her Iowa speech (If I WERE the president, this is what I would do, etc., the clip from SarahPac where Momma Grizzly rose up and issued a message along with it, etc.
So, you didn’t think she was going to run? She never gave you hints that she would? You were not lead to believe that she would?
I have no interesting in this fraud...leave your brochure in my mailbox, and get lost...by the way; 10,000+ are listening to Sarah at the moment...
Let Sarah do what Sarah does best: spark silent tsunamis. That’s what we need right now.
Heck, Barry and/or Michelle have to bus in union members to get a respectably sized audience at their talks, too.
She’s a private citizen, just like you and me. She doesn’t owe you anything, no matter what you think.
WooHoo Go get em Sarah!
Whatzerface Ponce must be a heathen. (I’m assuming it’s a “her.”) I take the usage of our Creator’s Name, God, without capitalizing it, as a sign of disrespect.
Revernce and honor toward God, brings blessing and favor to YOU.
The bottomline. Is that Palin will continue to draw huge audiences. And folks like Frum and Ziegler, who have suggested she is finished now, will continue to look like the fools they are...
She always said she was considering it, and praying about it, and would let us know when she decided. She did that last week. I understand her decision, and though I wish I could have voted for her for President, I certainly am not angry with her, nor am I disappointed with her. She has, God willing, plenty of years left in order to run for the Presidency.
I still haven’t lost faith in her ;)
Thank you for the ping onyx :)
I intensely disagree with the “Anyone-But-Obama” mentality...Even Palin has it. I will not vote for Mitt Romney ever...and I bet he will even be smart and choose Nikki Haley as his runningmate, and I still refuse.
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