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.
3 of the 4 comments on that link are just as bad as some from here :/
Some people are just very sick :p
Go Sarah :D
She never teased me.. and, in case you didn’t know, she gets NO profit from the DVD.. she had nothing to do with that.
Thanks for the ping, onyx!
You skirted around my question to you; instead you accuse me of something else. I didn’t say that she owed anybody anything. That was NOT the point of my post.
I know that she gets no profit from DVDs. I didn’t “fall off a rice boat” last night.
I was at that event last night and 5100 sounds about right. The county arena is not large with a capacity of about 10,000 for a basketball or hockey game. When they put a stage on the floor it wipes out a large amount of seating on that end.
It was a great crowd but was very short on under 30 year olds.
Sarah Palin sounded great and was looking gorgeous as usual.
LoL, interesting way to put it :)
I live in St. Charles, MO and attended the Sarah Palin Glenn Beck event. 5100 is an accurate number. I was hoping for more but this was a good crowd for this arena.
Thanks, the only reason I asked is because the MSM is notorious for understating her numbers.
There is a story behind that saying but I won’t go into details. But you seem to have a sense of humor and I appreciate that. Life is too short without it.
I am not angry or mad at Sarah. Just bitterly disappointed but I do respect her decision whether I like it or not. I need to get over my disappointment, but until then, I will be sulking! :-)
I know the feeling... I was really hoping that she would run... but I had stated long ago that I would back whatever her decision was, so I must stand with what I had said before, and I still trust her and I am sure she had good reason to make the decision she made.
I try to to things lightly (and avoid typing if something ticks me of... times like that, that I stick my foot in my mouth for not thinking before I type.. much experience there ;^) )
Not to mention that stressing out for something that shouldn’t be thought of as an afterthought is NOT healthy :p
Would be interested to hear the story someday :)
Take care my FRiend (o.o)y
Did I miss the speech itself posted?
Just in case, can view here:
http://www.breitbart.tv/sarah-palin-wows-attendees-at-defending-the-republic-event/
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