Palin rallies supporters in Grand Junction

GRAND JUNCTION  — Despite protesters’ attempt to keep Alaska Governor Sarah Palin from her podium appearance, she paraded down the runway at Suplizio Field in Grand Junction Monday evening to a full house.

Protesters, holding a large sign, attempted to block Palin’s motorcade from entering Suplizio Field, but officers cleared the path.

It was Palin’s third stop in Colorado in one day as she delivered a message similar to those heard in Colorado Springs and Loveland earlier.

“You deserve more than political talk,” Palin said after greeting her crowd of thousands at 6:50 p.m. She stood beside her daughters, Willow and Piper, and her husband Todd.

An abundance of “hot chick for Palin” pins and “Country First” signs filled the stadium.

Supporters spent hours listening to local entertainment and politicians before Palin took the stage. Those who got there late were squeezed in.

As the sun went down, Hank Williams Jr. rallied the crowd.

“Are you ready for some Sarah?” rang over the field.

Williams displayed his McCain/Palin support. “Americans can survive,” he sang as cheers rang out.

“Thunder” blared as Palin made her way down the runway to the stage in the center of the field.

After taking a moment to recognize veterans and active military members, she dove into her speech that was heard throughout the state Monday.

She stated the differences between her running mate, Sen. John McCain and opponent, Sen. Barack Obama. She cited Obama’s lack of experience in government, his intentions to take money from “hard working Americans,” and criticized his plan to get out of the war.

As a mother whose son is in the military, Palin said she has confidence in McCain to follow through on his promises and “fight” for his country.

“He’s got the scars to prove it,” she said. “In this campaign, there is really only one man that has fought for you. ... He is the only one with the courage to keep on fighting for you.”

Every mention of Obama sparked “boo” in unison from the crowd.

In hard economic times, Palin asked the crowd to choose a president “tough enough to lead on day one.” She mentioned McCain’s leadership and courage, saying he was someone with a “bold and free economic plan.”

She then discussed what her and McCain’s plans are when they get to Washington.

“We’re going to put government back on the side of the people,” she said.

She said that her ticket will lower income taxes, double the child tax and lower business taxes. She claims she’ll fight to keep American jobs in America.

Palin said their plan is a “real tax cut” where government takes less of one’s earnings in the first place.

After her 30-minute speech, Palin went into the audience to shake hands and sign autographs.

“It was exactly what I expect,” said Fonda Lobach, a self-employed Fruita resident, after the rally. “She’s down to earth, a working mom with a special needs kid ... I’m excited for her to be the next vice president.”

Obama’s running mate Joe Biden is in Greeley and Commerce City today, and Pueblo and Colorado Springs Wednesday.

During her speech in Loveland, Palin said that McCain would be visiting Colorado soon.

Contact Kati O’Hare via e-mail at katio@montrosepress.com