Former vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin came to Orange County over the weekend and did what she does best: whip up the GOP base.
Palin told Republicans that they were on the verge of making history.
At the Anaheim Marriott, standing in front of a banner that read, “Victory 2010, Sprint to the Finish,” Palin reminded the crowd that this November is all about turnout. Whoever gets their folks to the polls wins.
“There’s no second chances in elections,” Palin warned.
National political observers noted that statewide candidates like gubernatorial hopefuls Meg Whitman and Senate challenger Carly Fiorina avoided Palin, who is anathema to the more moderate voters they are trying to woo away from the Democrats.
But congressional races are a different story — and Republican state Assemblyman Van Tran was glad to have Palin’s help with his battle against Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez for her 47th District seat.
“It’s energized the base,” Tran said about Palin’s speech. “You can sense the energy.”
Republicans doubled the Democratic crowd that came out to the county courthouse steps on Friday for the visit of former President Bill Clinton, who was in town to campaign for Sanchez.
On the stage, Palin quoted straight from the Republican playbook.
The stimulus? “The biggest boondoggle in history,” said Palin.
Healthcare? A big-government takeover.
“Stop the liberal big tax agenda,” Palin ordered.