Greg Jefferson of My San Antonio News covered the event. He reported some background information:
Organized by the Alabama-based Phil Waldrep Evangelistic Association, the event runs through Sunday.
Waldrep said in a written statement that the event was meant to be nonpolitical.
“It is simply a gathering for Christian women to rejoice in their faith, renew their spirits and fellowship with their sisters in Christ,” he said.
But as he introduced Palin at 8:20 p.m., Waldrep told the revving crowd that Palin “is committed to biblical truths” and that he believed “God has raised her up for this moment.”
Concerning Governor Palin's speech itself, Jefferson wrote:
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin thrilled a crowd of evangelical women Friday night in San Antonio, spiking her talk on overcoming obstacles with barbed references to the media and her critics.I wasn't in the audience last night, but I'm definitely one Christian woman who has Governor Palin's back. Her fight for this nation comes from a deep belief that God has truly placed His hands on America, called America to greatness, and therefore, America is worth standing up for--and so she does. I stand with her.
Instead of delving into the conservative, tea party-tinged politics she is known for, Palin largely focused on the themes of religious faith and family. The GOP's 2008 vice presidential candidate offered no hint of whether she is looking to run for president in 2012.
Still, she took a veiled swipe at President Barack Obama, telling the audience, “All of you (are) just proudly clinging to your guns and religion.” She was referring to comments Obama made during a fundraiser in 2008.
Palin then turned to the idea of American exceptionalism.
“Being an American means being exceptional because God shed his grace on this country,” Palin said, drawing a burst of applause. “Being an American is nothing to apologize for.”
Her nearly hourlong talk was the main event of the Women of Joy conference's opening night at the Convention Center.
She also talked about the challenges of having a son, Trig, with Down syndrome, and how religion helped her come to terms with it.
But she won some of her most boisterous cheers when she turned her sights on the media. Directly addressing a cluster of television cameramen and reporters, she complained about her treatment at the hands of journalists and said: “May you be touched, may you be blessed with God's spirit.”
Insinuating that her words almost certainly would be wrenched out of context, she said she looked to the audience for support.
“I've got 4,000 Christian women who have my back.”
Read the full article here.
(h/t Josh Painter)
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