And rally the GOP base she did. Palin devoted much of her speech to attacking Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, accusing him of favoring socialism with a plan to redistribute wealth and questioning his ties to the controversial voter-registration group ACORN.
“Sen. Obama said he wants to spread the wealth. What that means is he wants the government to take your money and let a politician decide how to spend it,” Palin told those in attendance at the rally. “… I think it sounds like socialism.”
Palin also laid out Republican presidential candidate John McCain’s plans to cut taxes, take on Wall Street and clean up
The
The sun beat down as the crowd overflowed onto the runway outside the hangar, and several people fainted in the heat as they waited hours for Palin to arrive. Despite that, the crowd was loud and energetic during Palin’s speech.
Preceding Palin
There was plenty to keep people entertained as they waited for Palin to arrive — which she did at about 3:40 p.m., only a few minutes after the time her speech was scheduled to begin but hours after doors to the event opened at 11 a.m. Before Palin arrived, the wives of U.S. Senate candidate Steve Pearce and 2nd Congressional District hopeful Ed Tinsley urged voters to support McCain and their husbands. Prior commitments prevented both Republican candidates from attending the rally.
Cynthia Pearce urged people to vote based on their values.
“The principles of the Republican Party are under attack, but we have the opportunity to turn this election around,” she told those in attendance. “… When Republicans act and vote like Republicans, we win.”
Meredith Tinsley said she and her husband are “big fans” of Palin.
“We know she shares our common-sense, conservative and Western values,” she said.
Country singer Hank Williams Jr. warmed up the crowd for Palin by playing several songs and talking about his support for the McCain/Palin ticket. At one point he referred to the Obama candidacy as “bull crap,” and said the American people will see through it.
“I’m prouder in the last two weeks than I’ve ever been to be an American, ‘cause I’m not gonna sit around on my butt while this race is going on,” said Williams, who has appeared at several rallies with Palin.
‘The right choice’
Palin was introduced by the retiring Sen. Pete Domenici, who called her “the right choice for our next vice president.”
Pulling from the list of now-familiar lines she’s been using on the campaign trail, Palin called McCain “the only one who talks about the wars
The presidential race is a choice between very different candidates, Palin said.
“It’s the choice between a politician who puts his faith in government and a leader who puts his faith in you,” she said. “… It’s a choice between a politician who will not disavow a group committing voter fraud (ACORN) and a leader who will not allow it.”
In addition to tax cuts, Palin spoke about energy independence, health care and college education. She also talked about doing more to help children with special needs. When Palin arrived at the event, she walked off the airplane and along a path toward the crowd with her infant son Trig in her arms. Trig has Down syndrome.
Palin handed Trig off to someone before she reached the stage, and he wasn’t seen again during Palin’s brief stop in
Domenici said following the event that Palin “did great” and spoke about every issue on the minds of voters. He said she “really talked about the guts and the difference between the two parties.”
Domenici said he believes the presidential race in
Palin’s rally was preceded by a Friday visit to Mesilla by Obama’s running mate, Joe Biden.
More photos
Here are more photos from the event, starting with additional photos of Palin:
Domenici introducing Palin, with Williams standing behind them:
Williams playing for the crowd:
People who attended the rally:
Domenici being interviewed by Roswell Daily Record reporter Lauren Toney following the rally:
Here’s video of the rally: