|
Last Updated: Oct 16th, 2008 - 13:33:17 |
Republican vice presidential candidate Gov. Sarah Palin said she "can't wait to shake up Washington" Sept. 15 at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds in Golden, her first solo campaign stop outside of Alaska.
Palin, who was introduced by former Colorado Gov. Bill Owens, outlined the role she will play if elected, touching on energy issues, government reform and increasing support for families with special needs children.
Palin spoke to a cheering crowd of close to 5,000, many of whom arrived long before the sun rose for the 9 a.m. speech, in the half-full Westernaires Arena.
The speech began later than expected so that Palin could watch President Bush address the nation about the situation on Wall Street, an issue she mentioned soon after taking the stage.
"Guys and gals, our regulatory system is outdated and needs an overhaul," Palin said, telling the audience that she and Sen. John McCain would work to reform business.
"We're going to end multi-million dollar payouts and golden parachutes to CEOs who break public trust."
In the most concrete terms to date, Palin described how she and McCain would work together, saying they had each picked separate distinct areas to focus on, with hers centering on energy security, drawing a huge roar from the crowd.
Palin said she and McCain would focus on energy, using the "all-of-the-above" plan that would include increased oil and gas drilling, noting that as governor of Alaska she oversees 20 percent of the U.S.'s domestic oil and gas supply.
"See, a western state gets it better than other places," she said, one of several attempts during the speech to draw parallels between Alaska and Colorado.
Referencing the work of the National Renewable Energy Lab, located in Golden, Palin said she and McCain would increase work on similar alternative energy projects.
Palin, who worked to reform government in her home state, said McCain will be taking a page out of her playbook, instituting some procedures she enacted in Alaska.
"I've got another idea that I think Senator McCain likes. In Alaska, we took the state checkbook and put it online, so everyone can see where their money goes. We're going to bring that kind of openness to Washington. It's all about reform," Palin said.
Switching topics, Palin took a moment to introduce her husband Todd and highlight other achievements as governor, including her veto of the bridge to nowhere and auctioning the governor's jet on eBay, before promising to bring tax relief to all Americans.
Palin, who did not mention Sen. Barack Obama by name, said her opponent would raise taxes across the board.
"But John McCain and I know that's not the way you grow the economy," she added.
Lastly, Palin turned to a subject she said was close to her heart, her 4-month-old son, Trig, who was born with Down syndrome.
Palin said she and McCain would ensure government is on the side of families with special needs children, leading the way with new research into treatments and cures.
|
|
|
