Palin speaks to 20,000 Hoosiers

NOBLESVILLE, Ind. – In a venue typically reserved for rock stars, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin nearly filled the Verizon Wireless Music Center, addressing about 20,000 Hoosier supporters on Friday.

Campaigning for presidential Republican nominee John McCain, the vice-presidential candidate spent just as much time speaking as she did shaking hands and greeting attendees afterward.

The governor eagerly addressed speculation about Democratic nominee Barack Obama’s connections with the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now. ACORN is under investigation for voter fraud in 13 states and has received more than $800,000 from the Obama campaign, Palin said.

“It is not mean-spirited, and it is not negative campaigning when we talk about someone’s record,” Palin said to the roaring audience. “ACORN endorsed him this year, and they’re working pretty hard on their behalf. All of this would be a lot of baggage to drag into the Oval Office. Americans are entitled to answers before Election Day.”

Palin emphasized how McCain would limit government spending to help small businesses grow, including those of “Joe the plumber,” she said, citing an Ohio man who became the center of the presidential debate Wednesday after he questioned Obama’s tax plan earlier in the week.

“Senator Obama said he wants to spread the wealth,” Palin said. “He wants the government to take more of your money and decide for government’s self how best to redistribute that. Joe said to him it sounded kind of like socialism.”

Palin frequently discussed her skepticism of Obama and how voters should be reluctant to trust him with his limited experience.

“For a campaign that says it’s all about the future, we noticed our opponents sure want to talk a lot about the past,” she said. “It’s going to be the choice between a politician who puts his faith in government and a leader who puts his faith in all of you.”

Palin discussed some of McCain’s plans to move America toward energy independence with an “all of the above approach,” in regard to off-shore drilling and clean coal technology. She briefly mentioned McCain’s pledge to stay the course in Iraq.

“John is the only man in this race who talks about the wars that America is fighting, and he isn’t afraid to use the word ‘victory,’” she said. “Our opponent gives speech after speech about the wars that America is fighting, and it sure would be nice if for once he would say that he wants America to win.”

Palin said she and McCain would balance the federal budget by the end of the first term and “bring tax relief to every American.” She discussed her track record as a mayor and governor in Alaska and also her pledge to work with special needs children if elected vice president.

“I thank God that we have a man who is ready and worthy,” Palin said. “Someone who inspires us with worthy and trustworthy deeds and not just words.”

The crowd roared with enthusiasm, and included everything from eight young men with painted chests spelling out “MAVERICK” to signs spelling out “God-Guns-Sarah.”

Grace Wirthwein, from Carmel, Ind., said she was pleased Palin stood up and addressed the issues with Obama and ACORN to get them out in the open. 

“It’s his record,” she said. “People should know about it.”

Chelsea Kane, chairwoman of the IU College Republicans attended the rally with about 100 other members of the group. She said being around other Republicans is rare after campaigning on IU’s left-leaning campus.

“It’s definitely very different,” she said. “We very rarely are praised for our thoughts and our actions, and it was really cool to be somewhere where people shared similar beliefs.”

Kane said it was necessary for Palin to address the connections between Obama and ACORN because they have been largely ignored and it is “detrimental to our voting.”

Palin finally emphasized how Hoosiers would need to show up on Nov. 4 to finish what would be a tight race.

“Indiana, this election is going to come down to the wire,” Palin said. “I hear in the home of the Indianapolis 500, you all know something about close races. You know how to sprint right to the finish line and the victory lap, and that’s why I’m asking for your vote.”