Palin urges GOP to broaden message

March 16, 2013 @ 11:54 am


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OXON HILL, Md. (AP) - Returning to the national stage, Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin said Saturday that the Republican Party must broaden its message to grow.

"We must leave no American behind," she said in a populist speech that electrified supporters at a conservative summit in suburban Washington. "And we must share our powerful message of freedom and liberty to all citizens _ even those who may disagree on some issues."

Palin has maintained a low profile during last year's election. She's expected to play a limited role in the future of the GOP but shared several recommendations Saturday.

Instead of focusing on rebuilding the Republican Party, she said that party leaders should focus on rebuilding the middle class.

She jabbed President Barack Obama and the Republican professional class alike, urging the crowd to reject the ideas of political consultants and pollsters, taking a not-so-subtle dig at Karl Rove, a former adviser to President George W. Bush and a co-founder of outside group Crossroads USA.

"The architects can head on back ... to the great Lone Star State, and put their name on some ballot, though, for their sake, I hope they give themselves a discount on their consulting services," she quipped.

But Palin saved her most pointed criticism for the president, likening him to Ponzi-scheme felon Bernie Madoff. Taking a shot at the president's call for universal background checks on gun owners, she said, "Dandy idea, Mr. President _ should have started with yours."

Palin drew cheers when she paused in the middle of her remarks to sip soda from a "Big Gulp" _ the type of supersized, sugary drink that New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg tried to ban. A New York judge this week struck down the Republican-turned-independent mayor's pioneering 16-ounce limit on sodas and other nondiet sweet drinks for sale.

"Oh, Bloomberg's not around," she mocked. "Our Big Gulp is safe. "


(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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Comments (4)


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  • longwayhome wrote...
    Keep her on!
    March 16, 2013 6:24 pm
    As an advisor to the republican campaign. They haven't got a chance in hell of winning in 2016 and this will add to the entertainment factor. Her presence proves that the republicans do not learn from their mistakes. Let's get trump and the rest of the losers on the T.V. talk circuit and really have a "Loser Reality Show"
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  • Rangerhawk wrote...
    She's freakin awsome !
    March 16, 2013 10:38 pm
    Can kill & dress out her own meat and balance a budget by working across party lines too. It Teddy Roosevelt were alive, he'd be spellbound by her! Imagine what could have been if she went to Moscow to show Yeltsin how tough American women are! She'd be a Rock Star ! Bigger than Nixon in China!
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  • cigarfan wrote...
    @Rangerhawk
    March 17, 2013 12:41 am
    Now if she only knew something about political science..............
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  • Hayduke wrote...
    ROFL, Rangerhawk
    March 17, 2013 12:30 am
    You obviously know nothing about Teddy Roosevelt. Her rabid disdain for wildlife and public lands goes against everything TR fought for.

    And really, bigger than Nixon's China visit? Do you understand how absurd that sounds?

    The woman is a DINGBAT. "I can see Russia," "Explain the Bush Doctrine," "What newspapers do you read?" Even with all the coaching from her handlers, she couldn't answer softball questions.

    And face it, no one would have ever heard of her if she wasn't attractive. You know I'm right. If she was butt-ugly, she wouldn't have been elected dogcatcher.

    And sorry to say, but she's getting long in the tooth. Her star is fading, fast. Even FOX news has grown weary of her.

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