Sarah Palin needles Obama, Republicans in speech
US: Former US Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin took centre
stage to speak before conservative activists Saturday, needling
President Barack Obama and even fellow Republicans.
“We don’t have leadership coming out of Washington, we have reality
television, except it’s really bad reality TV, and the American people
tuned out a long time ago,” Palin told the Conservative Political Action
Conference, known as CPAC, held near Washington.
Palin, a former Alaska governor who was John McCain’s running mate in
2008, has since served as contributor for the Fox News channel and even
starred in her own reality show in 2010.
“Mr President, we admit it, you won, accept it. Now step away from
the teleprompter and do your job!” she said in a swipe at Obama.
“Barack Obama promised the most transparent administration ever.
Barack Obama, you lie.” Palin then caused the crowd to erupt in laughter
and applause by taking large sips from a Big Gulp cup filled with soda
in reference to New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s attempt to ban such
oversized sweet drinks.
His plan, opposed by conservatives in the name of individual
liberties, was blocked by a New York judge this week.
However, the sharpest attacks by the self-styled “Mama grizzly” were
aimed at the head of her party, accused of trying to marginalize
ultra-conservative “Tea Party” candidates in primaries for November 2016
elections.
“We’re not here to dedicate ourselves to new talking points coming
from (Washington) DC,” Palin said.
“We’re not here to put a fresh coat of rhetorical paint on our party.
We’re not here to abandon our principles in a contest of government
giveaways.
“The last thing we need is Washington, DC vetting our candidates,”
she fumed, before lashing out at political consultants who advise on
Republican Party strategy.
“Now is time to furlough the consultants,” she added. “These experts
keep losing elections and keep getting rehired and raking in millions.”
Palin has long nursed a grievance against party strategists following
her team’s presidential election loss, when she had sharp disagreements
with John McCain’s campaign staff.
AFP
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