Palin gives Show Me Center crowd what they want at Republican rally

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin gave the crowd the kind of red-meat Republicanism they wanted during a speech Thursday at the Show Me Center.

The GOP vice presidential nominee hit taxes — she's against them; abortion — she's against it; and experienced leadership — she's for it — as the reasons to vote against Democrat U.S. Sen. Barack Obama and for her presidential running mate, U.S. Sen. John McCain.

"He has the pro-growth, pro-private sector plan to put government back on your side," Palin said of McCain.

During a rally that lasted a little more than 80 minutes, the crowd at the Southeast Missouri State University arena cheered a series of top state Republicans but saved their most enthusiastic reception for Palin. In the speech interrupted by chants of "Sarah, Sarah" and "USA, USA", Palin promised that under four years of a McCain administration, federal spending would be restrained and taxes would be cut.

The opposition, meanwhile, is hiding its true agenda when Obama says he only wants to increase taxes on people earning more than $250,000, she said.

"Sen. Obama has an ideological commitment to higher taxes," Palin said.

Palin was introduced by U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, a six-term congresswoman seeking re-election. Emerson took aim at the skepticism about Palin's experience. Palin became governor of Alaska in January 2007.

John McCain "picked a woman who is ready to serve as vice president," Emerson said. "What makes her ready? It is the only question the national news media cannot look her straight in the eye and ask."

After the speech, Palin shook hands with people lucky enough to be in the front rows of the auditorium. Afterward, she was taken to an overflow room, where people who could not gain admission to the main auditorium were standing 10-deep to catch a glimpse.

She stopped for a moment to read the T-shirt worn by Lester Bethel of Marion, Ill., which gave a definition of "abomination" as "anything abominal, greatly disliked or abhorred" and "Obama Nation" as "see above."

"I've had it for several weeks and worn it proudly," Bethel said before Palin arrived.

For more, check back at semissourian.com or read Friday's Southeast Missourian.

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