Free Republic

They don't call Sarah Palin the Thrilla from Wasilla for nothing.After months of buildup, including investigations, outrage and celebration, the former Alaska governor's trip to California's farm belt over the weekend proved beyond a doubt that she delivers - for Republicans and Democrats. State Attorney General Jerry Brown probably will be grateful that he was the focus of the 2008 vice presidential candidate's barbed criticism as he investigates her compensation from the Cal State University Stanislaus Foundation for her speech Friday night at the nonprofit's 50th anniversary event at the Turlock (Stanislaus County) campus. Brown's office is looking at whether...

TURLOCK, Calif. - Sarah Palin spent only a few hours in Turlock. But the repercussions of her visit will last a long time, from the big money she drew to the debate over her appearance to a legal investigation into the nonprofit foundation that signed her. University officials said they couldn't be happier with her appearance at the 50th anniversary gala, bringing in more money than any other single event in the campus' history. "I am really very pleased," university President Hamid Shirvani said Saturday. "It was an extraordinary event, unprecedented in the past five years I've been associated with...

CNN, San Francisco Chronicle, Denver Post and ADN cover Sarah Palin's speech + local news coverage of student protestors & every move Sarah Palin makes.

After months of anticipation, legal battles, and protests, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin visited Turlock on Friday where she delivered a speech on civic education and American exceptionalism before a sold-out crowd at California State University, Stanislaus’ 50th Anniversary Gala Fundraiser. Tuxedo-clad men and women in their finest dresses packed the Main Dining Hall at CSU Stanislaus Friday evening for what CSU Stanislaus Foundation Chairman Matt Swanson termed the “greatest meal in the history of the campus.” But while the meal was memorable – a caprese salad with heirloom tomatoes, seared scallops and savory mushroom risotto, and frozen chocolate soufflé...

Has Sarah Palin's California visit caused a stir in the Golden State? You betcha! The 2008 GOP vice presidential nominee will take the stage tonight at a fundraiser at California State University, Stanislaus. The university was dogged with questions over how much former Alaska governor is being paid to speak at the gala. Officials said that because the event is being put on by a nonprofit foundation associated with the university, the speaking contract is not subject to disclosure under the state public records laws. The push to release the payment details (and the push-back from the university) involved Dumpster...

I was unaware that this was going on when I killed my feed, so I didn’t get all of it. So if someone else has it, please let me know and I’ll post it:

"The Declaration of Independence was the Declaration of Responsibility too." - Sarah Palin

Throngs of protesting students and hundreds of well-heeled donors are preparing to greet Sarah Palin, whose speech at a struggling public university in California's farm country Friday evening will cap off a prolonged legal dispute over her visit. The former Alaska governor is set to headline at the 50th anniversary celebration at California State University, Stanislaus, which in recent days has transformed its humble cafeteria into a glitzy Gala Hall, now surrounded by chain-link fences and extra security officers. Palin's speech has generated intense intrigue and scrutiny since the nonprofit foundation holding the event first announced her visit in March....

Fox40 in California is streaming live Governor Sarah Palin's speech at Cal State Stanislaus. View here: http://www.fox40.com/news/livechannel/

Sarah Palin discussed civic education, freedom of speech and the infamous "bendable straws" demand at California State University, Stanislaus Friday night. Palin poked fun at the controversy sparked by the announcement she would appear and the outcry over her confidential contract, a portion of which students said they found in a university Dumpster. "Do I have my straws?" she said, adding that she felt sorry for the Washington Speakers Bureau, which on her behalf negotiated "with the entire state of California." And she took a shot at those who have launched an investigation into the university Foundation's finances in response...