Palin reaches out to Nevada Republicans

By David McGrath Schwartz

Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008 | 7:45 p.m.

CARSON CITY — Republican Vice Presidential nominee and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin gave a brief speech to an enthusiastic crowd of about 5,000 people here today.

The speech was similar in theme to the one she gave at the Republican National Convention in Minnessota and the ones she has been giving as she has made campaign stops with John McCain since the convention.

Palin reached out to women voters, exhorting the crowd to help her "shatter one more glass ceiling" and help get Sen. John McCain elected president.

She also highlighted John McCain's position as a maverick, and her own record as mayor and governor of Alaska cutting some taxes.

And she touched on energy.

"We're going to drill now to make this country energy independent," she said.

Palin also repeated the line that she told Congress "thanks but no thanks," for the so-called "Bridge to Nowhere," a federally funded project in Alaska that came to symbolize pork projects McCain has long criticized.

Palin initially supported the bridge, and her claim that she killed the project has been largely discredited by the media and nonpartisan groups.

Still, the crowd at the Pony Express Pavilion - where roller hockey is sometimes played, Palin pointed out - seemed to revel in her appearance, greeting her with loud applause and chants of "Sarah, Sarah!"

"It was wonderful," said Lori Klobals, of Douglas County. "She's a gun-totin' wild woman."

Indeed, Republicans seemed energized by her presence. A few weeks ago, many conservatives had expressed reservations about McCain. Since Palin was announced as McCain's vice presidential pick, the campaign says they have seen an exponential increase in Nevadans seeking to volunteer for McCain.

Republican speakers before Palin entered the building asked the crowd to work for McCain and Palin.

"The thought of the other ticket getting in there is just unthinkable," said Nevada U.S. Sen. John Ensign. "It makes a real difference which party governs. Since Democrats took control of the House and Senate, the deficit has doubled in just a year and a half."

He said that he heard people were buying guns because of the Barack Obama and Joe Biden ticket. He said a "better idea" is for people to go out and work to elect McCain and Palin.

Nevada's 2nd Congressional District Rep. Dean Heller said, "don't be fooled. They want to raise your taxes. They want to take your guns. They want you off their land."