Gov. Palin's Hong Kong Speech: Reagan Resurrected

Video

Video Courtesy of New England Cable News (NECN)

Photo Spread



Photo Courtesy of CLSA. Governor Palin delivers 90-minute Reagan Conservative speech in Hong Kong.




Photo Courtesy of CLSA. CLSA Chairman and CEO, Jonathan Slone introduces Governor Palin and "quoted President Eisenhower on the responsibilities of citizens in a democratic society to debate issues that matter (Wheeler, 2009, ¶3).




Photo Courtesy of CLSA. Governor Palin delivers 90-minute Reagan Conservative speech in Hong Kong.

Synopsis and Distillation

The Wall Street Journal's reportage focused on Governor Palin's Reagan Conservatism; Bloomberg focused on her statements pertaining to the Federal Reserve, and perhaps the most surprising coverage of all came from the New York Times.

New York Times

"A number of people who heard the speech in a packed hotel ballroom...said...she was articulate, well-prepared and even compelling" (McDonald, 2009, ¶2). "Doug A. Coulter, head of private equity in the Asia-Pacific region for LGT Capital Partners" said Governor Palin "beat all expectations (McDonald, 2009, ¶3). "Cameron Sinclair, another speaker at the event, said Mrs. Palin emphasized the need for a grassroots rebirth of the Republican Party driven by party leaders outside Washington" (McDonald, 2009, ¶6). " 'She’s definitely a serious future presidential candidate, and I understand why she plays so well in middle America,' said Mr. Coulter, a Canadian" (McDonald, 2009, ¶8).

The most salient quotes came from Melvin Goodé, a regional marketing consultant, who is African-American and an Obama supporter. "[Governor] Palin chose Hong Kong because, he said, it was “a place where things happen and where freedom can be expanded upon” (McDonald, 2009, ¶16). “It’s not Beijing or Shanghai,” he said (McDonald, 2009, ¶17). Mr. Goodé's closing remarks: "She was articulate and she held her own. I give her credit. They’ve tried to categorize her as not being bright. She’s bright” (McDonald, 2009, ¶21). This is from an Obama supporter!

Bloomberg

The Fed and the government sent a message to companies that “the bigger that you are, the more problems that you get yourself into, the more likely the government is to bail you out,” Palin said in the closed door speech, according to a tape of the event given to Bloomberg News. “Of course the little guys are left out then. We’re left holding the bag, all the moms and pops all over America” (Kate & Chan, 2009, ¶3).

“How can we think that setting up the Fed as monitor of systemic risk in the financial sector will result in meaningful reform,” she said. “The words ‘fox’ and ‘henhouse’ come to mind” (Kate & Chan, 2009, ¶9).

Wall Street Journal

"We got into this mess because of government interference in the first place....We're not interested in government fixes, we're interested in freedom," Governor Palin said (Cheng & Frangos, 2009, ¶2).

"She described her political philosophy as a 'common-sense conservatism,' and said the free-market policies of Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher should be guides for how to get out of the current economic situation. 'Liberalism holds that there is no human problem that government can't fix if only the right people are put in charge,' she said" (Cheng & Frangos, 2009, ¶7).

"She called for tax cuts as well as the elimination of the capital-gains and estate tax. Then, she said, the world will 'watch the U.S. economy roar back to life'" (Cheng & Frangos, 2009, ¶11).

"'We all hope to see a China that is stable and peaceful and prosperous,' she said. But she added that the U.S. must work with Asian allies in case 'China goes in a different direction'" (Cheng & Frangos, 2009, ¶14). "On U.S.-China trade relations, Ms. Palin called for more openness and warned against protectionism. 'We need China to improve its rule of law, and protect our intellectual property,' she said. 'On our part, we should be more open to Chinese investment where our national security interests are not threatened'" (Cheng & Frangos, 2009, ¶16).

Commentary

The foregoing compilation clearly documents 90 minutes of pure Reagan Conservatism. In her speech, Governor Palin called for small limited government, states rights, and peace through strength. Supporting the thesis that Governor Palin's appeal stretches from full right to center-left, she wowed even a die-hard Obama supporter with her speech.

Facebook user Catherine Yu Yeun Chen wrote on Governor Palin's Facebook Wall that a friend who was present at the speech reported "Sarah Palin was received with the biggest round of applause. It took three minutes at least before she was able to start her speech..."

This was absolutely a defining moment and a major accomplishment for Governor Palin. Today, an Obama supporter regarded her as brilliant. Today, the New York Times, that bastion of liberalism declared that Governor Palin is a credible candidate for 2012.

For this speech, Governor Palin earned a sum at least equal to an entire year of gubernatorial pay and one fifth of Obama's pay. Women all over the world should hold their heads high today. The world is trembling beneath her sonic boom, glass is exploding and the shards are falling to earth....

References

Cheng J. and Frangos, A. (2009, September 23). "Palin Addresses Asian Investors." Wall Street Journal. Retrieved September 23, 2009 from: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125368057547633229.html

In Hong Kong, Palin touts 'Main Sreet, U.S.A'. (2009, September 23). NECN. Retrieved September 23, 2009 from: http://www.necn.com/Boston/World/2009/09/23/In-Hong-Kong-Palin-touts/1253706988.html

Kate, D. T. and Chan, C. (2009, September 23). "Palin attacks Fed on Hong Kong visit, Wants ‘Responsible China.’ " Bloomberg News. Retrieved September 23, 2009 from: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601074&sid=aDptsOIuwheU

McDonald, M. (2009, September 23). "Palin Speaks to Investors in Hong Kong." The New York Times. Retrieved September 23, 2009 from: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/24/us/politics/24palin.html

Wheeler, S. (2009, September 23). Governor Sarah Palin address 16th CLSA Investors’ Forum". Credit Lyonnais Securities Asia. Retrieved September 23, 2009 from: https://www.clsa.com/about-clsa/media-centre/2009-Media-releases/governor-sarah-palin-address-16th-clsa-investors-forum.php

Gov. Palin Lambastes Obama's Spending in Hong Kong Speech

According to Agence France Presse, Governor Palin said on September 23, 2009 the US government was wasting taxpayer's money and would exacerbate poverty in a 75-minute speech delivered to investors at the CLSA Investors Forum in Hong Kong (CLSA, 2009, ¶1).

The speech "covered Alaska, international terrorism, US economic policy and trade with China"(CLSA, 2009, ¶2). An anonymous European delegate regarded her as "brilliant." (CLSA, 2009, ¶5). The delegate elaborated, "She said America was spending a lot of money and it was a temporary solution. Normal people are having to pay more and more but things don't get better. The rich will leave the country and the poor will get poorer" (CLSA, 2009, ¶6).

She said the Obama's imposition of duties on Chinese imports was harmful to our relationship with China (CLSA, 2009, ¶11). Governor Palin praised President Reagan's economic policies and lambasted the Obama administration's interventions in economic affairs (CLSA, 2009, ¶12). She addressed terrorism threats to the United States and traditional allies such as Japan, Australia, and South Korea (CLSA, 2009, ¶13).

Governor Palin "blasted Obama's proposals on healthcare, reiterating a previous statement made to the press that the plan would include a bureaucratic 'death panel' that would decide who gets assistance, he said (CLSA, 2009, ¶20).

Commentary

Though no transcript of the speech is available, the Agence France Press (AFP) report as re-broadcast by Breitbart provides a solid summary of what she spoke about and audience reaction. Those with left-leaning ideologies naturally did not like what Governor Palin had to say, and while there were a few of those (CLSA, 2009, ¶4 , 7), most investors liked her speech as indicated by the delegate who regarded it as brilliant.

One investor complained the speech over-focused on Alaska as an investment opportunity (CLSA, 2009, ¶15-16). But, Governor Palin is from Alaska, and that state is a significant trading port, and the place to invest in energy markets. If there was over-focus on Alaska, it will likely diminish over time, as Governor Palin transitions into a national role.

For her first foreign speaking engagement, Governor Palin's performance was by this account, nothing short of spectacular.

References

Palin slams Obama's spending in debut speech in Asia. (2009, September 23). Agence France Press. Retrieved September 23, 2009 from: http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=CNG.5c890613297fae5a68cbf119a882edf8.191&show_article=1

Sarah on Dancing with the Stars: A Post by Conservative Girl with a Voice

Well, kind of, sort of. I'll get to that in a minute. First off, I wanted to write this today to let everyone know that I'm beginning a new blogging segment I'm calling "Random Thought" that I will be posting every so often whenever something I think you'd like to be informed about comes up. I hope you all will enjoy this and that this "Random Thought" will become a regular addition to my blog. Last night, "Dancing with the Stars" kicked off with more stars dancing than ever before. Now, while I am not a big fan of the show, I could not help but get a kick out of watching Tom DeLay shake what his mama gave him. Now, while DeLay is far from the best dancer in the group, you never know how far he could go in the competition with a winning partner in Cheryl Burke.



After DeLay completed his dance, he faced the judges for their critiques. One judge, who always seems to have a comedic way about him, made the following comment in reference to DeLay: "You're crazier than Sarah Palin!" When I heard this comment, I immediately thought "How rude is that? What a liberal idiot!" But as I started to think about it, I came to the conclusion that Sarah has really made an impression on so many people who just cannot get her out of their heads.Whether they have a good or bad impression of her, they just cannot get over the woman that is Sarah Palin. Who could blame them? This is a wonder woman who speaks her mind and is comfortable in her own skin. She is a woman who is not afraid to roll with the punches, which is something a tough cookie like me truly admires and appreciates. You know that when they start talking about you on reality shows and prime time television, you are known everywhere. While I don't agree with the judge's comments, you have to admit that it's pretty awesome that Sarah once again seemed to overshadow President Obama, who appeared on "The Late Show with David Letterman," and she didn't even have to appear- MSNBC was even talking about it.



This reminds me of the day after Obama's big speech at the Democratic National Convention when Sarah was announced as the Republican Party's vice president nominee. Instead of talking about Obama's big speech, every media outlet was talking about Sarah. It must really bug President Obama that wherever he goes, he can't escape Sarah- I love it!!! I love the following analogy that I've used before, but seems so appropriate: Barack Obama is like Jan Brady from "The Brady Bunch," and Sarah is Marcia Brady. Like Jan, I can see Barack now, whining and stomping his feet, saying, "Sarah, Sarah, Sarah!" Sorry, President Obama, but whatever you do, there's no escaping her. Sarah's watching you, and she is going to make sure to speak out for ALL Americans whether you like it or not, and I couldn't be more proud to call myself a Palinista! Rock on, Sarah!!! You go to Hong Kong and continue doing what you do best: speaking out for the people!



(I'm a Conservative Girl with a Voice!!! Visit my blog and become a follower: http://www.conservativegirlwithavoice.com. I'm on Twitter too @rachellefriberg.)

Sarah Palin Dominates Politico.com Straw Poll

In an effort to illustrate how straw polls in small venues can be skewed, Politico.com ran it’s own reader’s straw poll asking who SHOULD have won the Values Voters Summit straw poll.

Now one has to say that Mike Huckabee winning the original poll is not surprising. This is really his crowd. And one also has to factor in that Sarah did not attend the Value Voters Summit, staying in Alaska to greet her son Track who was home on leave from fighting in Iraq.

Even so Huckabee had a respectable showing with 28 percent of the 597 votes cast. There is something to be said for actually being at the venue, for sure.

These results just don’t jibe with other straw polls that we have seen though. Usually you see either one of two things, either Sarah Palin has blown everyone out, or it’s a dead heat between her, Mitt Romney, and Huckabee, obviously depending on the venue. But more times than not, it looks a lot like this Politico.com poll:

Sarah Palin 53 %

Someone else 16 %

Mitt Romney 15 %

Mike Huckabee10 %

Tim Pawlenty 4 %

Mike Pence 2 %

This is based on 24,049 votes.

It’s really too early to put much stock in any of these, frankly. The 2012 election season is still a couple of years away. And that is a lifetime in politics. Absolutely anything could happen.

We do know this, Sarah is consistently the most popular Republican among Republicans. She also drives the communists insane! But past that, Sarah Palin has had the most impact on the national debate, with absolutely the least effort. A few well worded entries of Facebook really put a crimp in the Obama regime’s plans to ram Obamacare down America’s throat. Palin had the ability to cut to the chase and get the point across like no other politician in America, on either side of the debate.

It will be interesting to see if Sarah’s effectiveness as a politician, as well as her outside the Beltway status, will translate into White House win in 2012. I wouldn’t bet against it.

H/T: Governor Palin 4 President

Hope and Change Means Palin Smears and NEA Propaganda?

By Shane Vander Hart

An old smear ad surfaced over the weekend alleging that then Vice-President candidate Sarah Palin was a member of the Alaska Independence Party.  It was taken down when the Jawa Report discovered that the person responsible for it being uploaded, was Ethan Winner of Winner & Associates.  Winner & Associates has ties to the Obama Administration.  The Jawa Report had the foresight to back it up.

It is interesting that this would come out again now. I mean Sarah Palin is a private citizen.  Oh yeah a private citizen who is criticizing ObamaCare.  Hmmmm…

Let’s not forget the fact that the video is a complete lie.  It has been completely debunked.  She has never been a member of AIP.  Regarding her addressing the AIP convention she did so in role of Governor and talked about common ground on cutting government spending.

The Jawa Report summarizes its case:

Our research suggests that a subdivision of one of the largest public relations firms in the world most likely started and promulgated rumors about Sarah Palin that were known to be false. These rumors were spread in a surreptitious manner to avoid exposure.

It is also likely that the PR firm was paid by outside sources to run the smear campaign. While not conclusive, evidence suggests a link to the Barack Obama campaign. Namely:

• Evidence suggests that a YouTube video with false claims about Palin was uploaded and promoted by members of a professional PR firm.
• The family that runs the PR firm has extensive ties to the Democratic Party, the netroots, and are staunch Obama supporters.
• Evidence suggests that the firm engaged in a concerted effort to distribute the video in such a way that it would appear to have gone viral on its own. Yet this effort took place on company time.
• Evidence suggests that these distribution efforts included actions by at least one employee of the firm who is unconnected with the family running the company.
• The voice-over artist used in this supposedly amateur video is a professional.
• This same voice-over artist has worked extensively with David Axelrod's firm, which has a history of engaging in phony grassroots efforts, otherwise known as "astroturfing."
• David Axelrod is Barack Obama's chief media strategist.
• The same voice-over artist has worked directly for the Barack Obama campaign.

This suggests that false rumors and outright lies about Sarah Palin and John McCain being spread on the internet are being orchestrated by political partisans and are not an organic grassroots phenomenon led by the left wing fringe. (read the whole thing)

Now here’s a shocker… this same firm may likely be linked to the NEA Conference Call.  The Jawa Report, Ace of Spades and Conservatives 4 Palin have more.

Do we see a pattern emerging here?

Shane Vander Hart is the editor of Caffeinated Thoughts.  You can follow him on Twitter or friend him on Facebook.

MSNBC tries Gotcha question for eBay Winner.

by Upinak

Hmmm MSNBC seem to be running with nothing as usual.

There was a very awkward interview for MSNBC with Mrs. Maples who was the winner of the Auction on eBay for Ride 2 Recovery for thos who are wounded warriors.

You can see the video here.: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31510813/#32953286

But as you can see, the gotcha questions didn’t really get anyone or go anywhere.

The best was the segment at the end…. You have to watch the video to see where the interviewer stumbled. PRICELESS!

cross posted at www.thepalination.com

A letter, and a request to all who love Sarah Palin

I recently had the opportunity to get together with two of the representatives from the Valley Republican Women's Club, of which I am a member and the fundraising chair, and hear about their experiences at the recent national convention held in Florida. Gayle Ann Swanson, our president, had many wonderful stories to tell of unity and friendship, but one story took me aback.

You've heard Sarah Palin give her reasons as to why she decided to leave office. Again, for anyone not living in Alaska and experiencing some of this first hand, I truly understand why she chose to step down. I have never seen so many people "turn" on one person, and can only believe it is their own greed and self-serving attitudes that cause them to act the way they do. Gayle Ann has asked that the letter below be shared with anyone who supports Sarah.

Dear President Massie,

It was so enjoyable to be in Florida at the 35th annual NFRW convention with all the ladies from around the nation. Julie and I absolutely loved being in the crowds, talking and visiting with people from all over our country that have the same ideals and principals as our own club does. We had a lot of fun exchanging pins with all we could, and I am not sure exactly how many we got, but I know it was a lot. It seemed that whenever anyone found out we were from Alaska, their first question to us was "How is Sarah?" and the second of course was "What is she going to do?"
(Like I have a clue? LOL...) We got asked to get our picture taken with folks more than I would ever imagine, and I know this is silly but I even gave out my autograph! LOL...all because we were from Wasilla, Alaska. We definitely made some very good connections.

If you would be willing to humor me for a few minutes I would like to share an observation with you. One thing that I learned from going to this convention is that we are all like a box of crayons, if you will. As Republicans, we are like these different crayons...different colors...different experiences...different opinions...and different approaches to life.

Some of the crayons are older and have been around a long time...they have their paper missing, and are a little worn, because they have been used a lot, and have a lot of experiences out of the box. Others are hardly used, but they are bright and colorful, and they get out of the box once in a while to make a big splash on the paper. And then there are the brand new crayons, they still have their paper intact, and sit in the box wondering what is going on outside the box.

Yet with all of the differences...all of the crayons fit right back into the same box. Any observer can see that they are all together and unified in their task of being crayons. If the crayons refused to accept their differences and get back into the box together with the other crayons, at the end of the day, what do you think happens? There is no unity, no single purpose of being crayons (Republicans) and the box falls apart because the crayons aren't willing to stand together and create a full box of crayons therefore presenting a UNITED front.

My point is this...as Republican Women, we have had the opportunity to support the first Republican Woman to ever run for the office of the Vice President of America. Now, this "crayon" is a different color than most. But every single woman, and the men too, that I had the pleasure of talking to at this convention wanted to know what this "crayon" was up to. Not one time did someone say to me "Oh, your from Wasilla...were that Sarah woman lives...who quit..." NOT ONE.... NO everyone, and I do mean EVERYONE, wanted to hear stories of Sarah. They wanted her to know she is loved, and that people are waiting to find out what she is going to do.

And then, horror or horrors, as I was standing in line with women on Saturday afternoon, I heard a comment about two women who where from Alaska and they had nothing at all good to say about the first REPUBLICAN woman to ever run for the office of the Vice President of America. The women that were speaking to me did not want to mention names, they protected the identity of the two that said they were so happy that she was out of office and that she didn't do anything for our state. That she was a quitter, and good riddance to her. You can only imagine my surprise! After only being asked good questions, and every person I had the chance to meet wanted me to tell Sarah they love her, I stood there stunned at what I had just heard.

This was on Saturday afternoon, and Julie went to one of the classes that were being held about why women don't get elected, and some women were saying somethings that they had heard from these two women during the course of the weekend. Julie knew the facts, and she stood up and gave her honest opinion of what she knows about Sarah Palin, and I want you to know...she got a STANDING OVATION. Do you realize President Massie, the meaning in that? People love this specific "Crayon". They do... they really do!

I am so sorry that these two women, whom I am fully aware of whom they are, want to continue to cause descent-ion in the Republican Party. We do not all have to agree on Sarah Palin, and what she stands for, but once again it amazes me that someone who has a chance to make a huge splash onto the American paper of History, is so disliked, and that these women are so out to see her burn... I think that this is exactly what makes enemies in the Republican Party, and I have seen so much hatred and negativity coming out from crayons that are just not the same. Maybe they are older and their paper is ripped off..they are worn...they have done so much for the party.

And this "High Heeled Crayon" who does not play by these other crayon's rules, brings out the worst in them. I wonder why? Well, I have my own opinion of the answer to that, but I happen to be a new crayon, and have hardly ever been out of the box...so what does my opinion count for?

Furthermore, I just wanted to be sure to let you know, I was appalled at how many times I heard this mentioned after that initial event. How can we say we are Conservative Republicans, who support those who run for office, if when we have the chance to support one of our very own, all we can do is tear her down? As stated previously...we don't have to AGREE with her, but we do need to be a UNITED front, to the rest of the world. It makes all of Alaska look like we are nuts! Not a box of United Crayons that stand for truth, honor, integrity, being women who stand for their country, their families, and their Constitution. Good honest women. Hard working women. Supporting our Republican candidates, whoever they may be. Whether we like them or not, whether we agree with their decisions or not, whether we have a personal vendetta against them or not...we MUST support our own.
When we don't, it makes all of us look bad.

We have the ability to be a force to be reckoned with in this next election. We have the ability to really bring back the Republican ticket, to fill Washington with more Republicans than Democrats, but I guarantee you, if we can't support those running for any office, we will not, see any of this come to fruition.

I appreciate your time President Massie. And as President of the Valley Republican Women's Club, here in Wasilla, Alaska, I stand. I will be one who stand for truth, justice and the pursuit of happiness. Life is too short not to.

Sincerely,

GayleAnn Swanson
President
Valley Republican Women's Club

(If you like this post, please visit my web site at Finding Myself In Alaska