"Hi, Rachelle. This is Sarah Palin" : A Personl Phone Call from Sarah Palin- A Post by Conservative Girl with a Voice

(I posted this post on my blog a little over a week ago, but wanted to share it here as well. Enjoy!!!)

When my good friend, Eddie Burke, was invited by the Tea Party Express to address the crowds as part of the group's across-the-country bus tour, I was so excited for him. Eddie is a great public speaker who doesn't pull any punches. I first had the honor and opportunity of getting to know Eddie when I was a frequent guest on his popular Alaska radio show. When he asked me if I could be a correspondent, covering Sarah Palin and national issues, I was so excited and jumped at the chance!!! I always tell everyone it was Eddie who gave me my first, big break. That is why is was an honor to serve under him as his press secretary when he decided to run for lieutenant governor of Alaska this past Spring. Although Eddie did not win the primary, he fought hard to the end, and I could not have been prouder of him. He truly is the voice of Alaska, and I know God has big plans for him. As the spokesperson for the newly formed Anchorage Tea Party, Eddie has made a huge impact and the popularity of this group is undeniable. Eddie's work on behalf of the tea party movement makes him a perfect fit as a speaker for the Tea Party Express. I am excited that Eddie and the Tea Party Express are coming to San Diego this Thursday. It will be fun to get to see him again and to introduce him to my family!!!

When Eddie told me he would be addressing the Tea Party Express crowd, I was so stoked for him. He also told me Sarah Palin, a fellow Alaskan and friend, would be addressing the crowd as well. I told him that he would have a blast and to keep me updated about his exciting experience. I jokingly told him that when he spoke with Sarah that I'd love to talk to her. Little did I know that this little joke would become a reality. While at work yesterday, I received a text from Eddie letting me know that Sarah may be calling me before her speech, I was speechless. This helps to illustrate just how much of a real deal and cool person Eddie Burke is!!! Those of my readers who have the pleasure of knowing him know exactly what I mean. Here is a guy who is about to address thousands of people, and he was thinking about his friend. This is just who Eddie Burke is!!!

When I saw my phone light up about 45 minutes after Eddie's text, I quietly slipped out of the room, as I was at work, and said "hello." I was so ecstatic to hear a familiar voice on the other end: "Hi, Rachelle. This is Sarah Palin." WOW, WOW, WOW!!! I mean, how cool is that??? You, regular readers of my blog, know how much I admire and look up to Sarah Palin. She is the reason why I began this blog and hold the political aspirations that I do. No words could express how much she inspires me. Although I have had the opportunity of meeting her before at her Reno book signing (I was covering the event for Eddie's show), getting this call from her made my day. It was TOTAL AWESOMENESS, as I like to say and definitely one of the BEST... DAYS... EVER!!! Sarah was so thoughtful and genuine. I will never forget her words of wisdom and the complement she gave me regarding my recent blog interview with her daughter, Bristol. I thanked her for all she has done and all she will continue to do in the name of common-sense conservatism. She is simply THE BEST and THE REAL DEAL, that's for sure!!!

I walked away from our conversation so proud of Sarah and so in awe of her character. Here is a woman, a modern-day political rock star who, just before she was to address a HUGE crowd, took the time to call this average girl- a conservative blogger, this Conservative Girl with a Voice. WOW!!! How ironic that I met her for the first time in Reno, Nevada, and she called me from Reno, Nevada.... I believe that everything happens for a reason, and God is using Sarah for His purpose. Her calling me yesterday illustrates just the kind of individual she is. Her genuine, kind and caring nature are three traits that all too often are forgotten in politics. We could use more individuals like Sarah Palin in the political arena!!! Thank you, Sarah, for making this conservative girl's day and for all you do for America!!!

SEE YA THURSDAY, EB!!!

(Click here to visit Conservative Girl with a Voice and become a follower. Follow me on Twitter @rachellefriberg.)

Governor Palin's Tea Party Express Speech and CNN Interview in Reno

By Adrienne Ross - www.motivationtruth.com

Today, Governor Palin spoke at the Tea Party Express Rally in Reno, Nevada:



Below is the video of Governor Palin speaking to CNN after the rally. Here she talks about the tea party's message of limited government, Constitutional principles, the planks of the GOP, and not allowing her critics to shift her focus. She states emphatically that there is room in the Republican party for common sense moderates and independents who want to stand on the side of time-tested truths.

Ian Lazaran makes a great point:

I thought the narrative was that she was scared to talk to anyone who wasn't a conservative or didn't work for Fox News. How is it then that she's talking to Shannon Travis from CNN?

(h/t The Right Scoop)

Sarah Palin Serves Up Some Boston Tea

"Freedom is a God given right and Freedom is worth fighting for!"

-Sarah Palin

Sarah Palin gives a stirring speech on Liberty and Freedom in front of a huge crowd in Boston today:







This from the Boston Herald:

A roaring Tea Party crowd cheered on Sarah Palin on the Boston Common today as she slammed President Obama promising it’s "nothing a good old fashioned election can’t fix."

Palin, wearing a lipstick-red leather jacket, urged "less government" and "cut spending" and do more than "stall the spending spree we’ve been on."

The common-sense hockey mom praised Bostonians for electing upstart GOP star U.S. Sen. Scott Brown as she stood in the shadow of the Democrat-controlled State House.

"Bostonians have never been afraid to stand up for their freedoms," Palin said. "Shoot, look at what Massachusetts did in January. You shook up the U.S. Senate."

She called for taxes to be cut so families can "keep more" of what they earn. She tossed in a call for "drill, baby drill" and to stop America from "bowing to Saudis."

It was a speech aimed directly at the Democrats and it was the fuel that pumped up the Tea Party Express crowd.

The turnout – clearly well in the thousands – went beyond expectations, Tea Party organizers said. The crowd filled the Common to hear Palin who took the stage before 11 this morning.

Palin took to the stage to pound away at "Obamacare" and the borrowing that will tax future generations, she said.

"The first test will be at the ballot box in November," she said, calling on Tea Partiers to get out the vote.

Almost everyone said they came today to catch a glimpse of the conservative shooting star, but she’s not the only draw.

Check out reader submitted photos from the Tea Party Express rally.

Gold Star Mother Debbie Lee told the story of her son, Mark, who was killed in Iraq. She broke down in tears to remember a boy she lost to war who stood in the line of fire to save his squad.

"He did that for each and every one of you today," she said of her son’s death. "We’ve got political insurgents in Washington, D.C. And will you have the same response my son did? ‘Roger that. Let’s go get ‘em."’

The rally, which kicked off before 10 a.m. and will last until about 1 p.m., has made the corner of Charles and Beacon the epicenter of the Tea Party movement today.

"This may be our only opportunity to see her live on the East coast," said Dennis McHale, a police sergeant who worked a night shift on Long Island and then hit the road to the Hub.

John Philip Souza IV was the first speaker to take to the podium, where he railed against big government. "From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for the restoration of smaller government," he ended his speech with.

It’s still Palin who is the big draw.

"She’s a political up-and-comer and I’m excited to see her," said Franklin High senior Taylor Trenchard.

"It’s a great experience. I want to see Sarah Palin speak," said Nick Melfi, 18, also from Franklin High. He came along with others in his AP government class to witness democracy in action.

Historian and Plymouth preacher Paul Jehle said the Tea Party picked the perfect location to hold an anti-tax, anti-big government rally.

"There’s a hunger here to return to liberty and constitutional law – and that’s a good thing," said Jehle, who is dressed as a Minuteman as he works the crowd.

"In 1773, Boston voted against paying a 3 cent tea tax. It was lawful resistance to an unjust tax," Jehle said, adding he hopes the Tea Party movement can cling to those ideals.

As usual, Sarah was en fuego! She is on a mission to fire America up ahead of the upcoming November elections. I’d say she is doing a great job.

Hard to single out a favorite point in the speech because the entire message is rousing and inspiring. One point she made stands out though and that’s when Sarah reminded everyone that in the Land of Opportunity, Barack Obama’s regime is stealing our children’s opportunity. He’s stealing their children’s opportunity as well!

I also enjoyed it when she said the with Obama it’s: "All Alinsky all the time!"

The real thing that is so inspiring though is the fact that in every corner of our great nation ordinary, every day Americans are coming together and standing up for Liberty and Freedom and pushing back against the Marxist Obama regime.

For the first time, in a long time, Americans are realizing they can, and will make a difference. All they have to do is stand up and be heard.

This is a truly exciting time to be alive and an American!

How about a little Lloyd Marcus!







Video of Sarah's speech courtesy of The Right Scoop.

Conservative Girl with a Voice and 25,000 of her Closest Friends Invade Harry Reid's Hometown

What a sight to behold. Men and women of every age, race and color. Children, some of whom were not yet old enough to walk. Moms pushing strollers along a never-ending, bumpy road along side a two lane traffic-filled highway. Dads educating their sons about America and what she stands for. Grandmas waving flags patriotically while their husbands talked about the good ol' days when men and women strived to achieve the American dream. Individuals with special needs who smiled and held out a hand whenever a new friend passed by along the way. The veterans, many of whom wore veteran caps, whose love for their country was clearly evident in the way they talked about the wars in which they fought for the freedoms we now enjoy and hold most dear. The dogs, many of which were dressed up in patriotic t-shirts happily wagged their tails and licked the hands of children nearby. My fellow Americans, the Tea Party Express event that took place in Searchlight, Nevada, this passed Saturday March 27th was truly a modern-day Conservative Woodstock. An event so huge that people parked and walked what seemed like miles just to get in. I have always been a proud American, and I love my country, but what I experienced this past Saturday has made me an even prouder American and even more grateful to our founders and the Constitution to which our country is based.

For those of you who have never been to Searchlight, Nevada, you need to realize that this little town, population 798, is in the middle of the desert. Picture a deserted area somewhere in the desert and then picture a small town in the middle of this deserted land, and fellow readers, you have Searchlight U.S.A. For one day, for a brief moment in time, this little town became a monument for the Conservative Movement and the future of the tea party movement as a whole. This little desert became the location of an event so huge that its effects will be felt for days. For just a few hours, people from all walks of life, gender and faiths trekked up a deserted highway as if they were apart of a parade, or better yet- a pilgrimage through a desolate land. I will never forget the line of vehicles with the most patient of people inside, many of whom were in awe at what they were witnessing. Like them, I couldn't believe the enthusiasm around me. Like many, I have attended tea parties for months dating back to April 15th, 2009, but the Searchlight Tea Party was different for many reasons. Sure, it was being held in Harry Reid's hometown and the intensity level was at an all-time high at the thought of booting the Nevada senator's tush to the curb, but what really got me was the distances some traveled just to be there in this promise land of sorts where everyone gathered for a common purpose, a common goal. I met people from all over our great country. A woman from Anchorage, Alaska, a couple who, like me, traveled from San Diego , a family from Utah and even a woman from Georgia. I wouldn't be surprised if each and every one of our 50 states was represented there. This voyage united us all, for we were all there as Americans- Americans concerned about the direction our country is headed.

The multitude of signage was phenomenal. Signs with phrases like Real Men Honor the Constitution, God is in Control, Harry Reid has Taxed Me to Death, Sarah is Right, and the classic Don't Tread on Me were just some of my favorites. As I watched everyone around me, the media repeatedly came to my mind. The media and liberal left who continually try to act as if the tea party movement is an Astroturf movement in which people are basically bribed to show up and participate. Let me tell you something: The event I witnessed this past Saturday was as far from an Astroturf event as they come. Astroturf is fake, hard and cold. The tea party movement is a grassroots movement that is authentic, real and growing hotter by the day. There is no denying the fundamental point that Astroturf DOES NOT grow, and if the Searchlight tea party event is any indication, this grassroots movement IS growing and will continue to do so. The difference between liberals and tea party attendees is simple: When liberals get mad, they resort to lying, name-calling and violence. When tea party attendees get angry, they take peaceful action. They gather their loved ones together, and they set out on a voyage where they meet like-minded individuals who love their country and want to set it back on the right course toward fiscal conservatism and smaller government. They chart a course because they want the day to come when their elected officials will actually start LISTENING to them instead of IGNORING them. This is a course that adheres to the constitution instead of ignoring it. This is a course that promotes the use of an individual's First-Amendment right as the fundamental way in which individuals have the ability and the right to stand up and speak out without being told to sit down and shut up. Fellow readers, the left wants us to do just that. They want us to forfeit and take our flags and go home. They want us to roll up our signs and throw them in the recycling bin, but we know better. We know change- real change- is coming, and we know the only way to succeed is to keep up the good and noble fight and not fall prey to the left's attempt to bury us into the earth so many among us have fought to protect with their own sweat and tears.

The men, women and children who attended the Searchlight rally came because they WANTED TOO. They felt compelled to come and witness history in the making. The people I spoke with each had his or her own reason for being there. The majority of individuals came out on this windy, cold day and gathered on this dusty desert floor to let Harry Reid know that they were no longer going to let him abuse his senate powers and the constitution to which our country is based. To put it kindly, these people are pissed off. They are sick and tired of the fat cats in Washington. Our elected officials should be working FOR us, not AGAINST us. One gentleman whom I spoke with believes that Washington changes elected officials. Whether or not we want to admit it, this gentleman is right. Many politicians run with good intentions. They run with the hope of representing their constituents to the best of their ability, but as soon as they get to Washington, the power and greed overtake them. They lose sight of why they were elected, and they let the power and greed seep deep into their veins. Now, I don't know Harry Reid. Maybe he ran for office because, like me, he wanted to make a difference. Although this may have been his intention, it is no secret that he has lost his way. His hometown of Searchlight, Nevada, is a humble place people usually drive right by without a second thought. Just like many other small mining towns in America, it gets overlooked. It is in an isolated part of Nevada, which ironically seems to symbolize Harry Reid- a man whose approval rating is at around eight percent. Perhaps Harry Reid should do what I, and thousands of others did yesterday, and pay his hometown a visit. Maybe he'd learn a thing or two. Visit the corner gas station, or maybe grab a coffee in the cafe. Perhaps he should stop by the casino for a bite to eat. Would he learn what I learned yesterday? Would he learn that those who live in his little hometown and little cities like it all around America are hard-working family types who are living paycheck to paycheck. Sure, he has his supporters. We were all welcomed to such a large outpouring of Harry Reid supporters- 30 in all (and that's being generous) as we made our way through one of the town’s only four-way stop signs. After rolling down our windows, waving and telling the protesters "God bless you" and " Isn't it great we live in a place were we can voice our First-Amendment right," we couldn't help, but giggle at the jeers we got back. I found it ironic that these same people who call us angry mobsters, were the individuals who illustrated the most anger. These same individuals who call us violent right-wing extremists and racists were the same individuals who decided to throw eggs at the Tea Party Express bus as it departed Searchlight. I guarantee the mainstream, or as Sarah Palin correctly calls them "lamestream media" were not going give this insane act the attention it correctly deserved. Instead, they would rather accuse tea party attendees like myself of being racist and anti-American. Well, maybe they should listen to what Sarah told that heckler in Arizona: "Stick around, maybe you'll learn something." I, for one, sure learned something yesterday. I learned how much I love my country. I learned about how beautiful, how authentic the entire tea party movement is. This is a movement that started small and has grown to a massive movement without a single leader. This movement doesn't need a leader because it has thousands of leaders all over this great land. Men, women, children and their pets. These same individuals who walked in from miles back just to gather peacefully and speak out about the fears they have for the direction this country is headed.

These are the same individuals who cheered, laughed and cried when Sarah addressed the crowd. Sarah's speech was phenomenal. While I have met her in the past, this was the first time, I had the honor to see her speak live. It was so amazing! As soon as they began to address her as "Todd's wife; Track, Bristol, Willow, Piper and Trig's mom; and Tripp's grandma, the crowd erupted with the loudest cheers and applause. You had to be there, for it was a moment that I will NEVER forget. People were there to voice their First-Amendment right AND to see her; she was truly the woman of the hour. Woodstock may have had Joe Cocker, but the tea party movement can say they have Sarah Palin, and boy, did she give a great speech. She spoke for about a half hour about the importance of love for God and country, for the need to boot Harry out, for the importance of the tea party movement, and for the unfortunate way in which tea party attendees are being unfairly attacked. She thanked us for attending and continuing to stand up and speak out. It was so cool to be there. As she spoke, five jets wrote messages in puffy, white smoke above in the crystal-blue sky. One of the messages read Thank you, Sarah Palin. Another read, God bless Sarah Palin. I learned later that night from a friend that Sarah looked up to the sky at one point and blushed, and I have a feeling she was looking at what was being written. She was overwhelmed at just how amazing the whole event was. It was during her speech that I developed shivers and had tears in my eyes. It finally hit me, and I was overwhelmed at just how BIG this movement really is. There were many other great patriots who spoke that day. People like Andrew Breitbart, Hannah Giles, Victoria Jackson, Joe the Plumber, Danny Tarkanian (whom I’m trying to get on Camille Friend and my radio show), as well as many other great Americans. It was truly a great day. I even ran into California Senate Candidate Chuck Devore and his family as I was walking into the event. We had been tweeting back and forth the whole morning, and I had been passing along traffic updates to them as well, so we laughed about how many people showed up and how windy and chilly it was.

Don't let the pundits and msm tell you that only 7,000 people showed up yesterday. I was there, and I can testify that there were at least 20,000 people there if not more. This is huge when you take into account that this event was held in the boonies, in the desert, in the middle of nowhere right to the side of a two lane road. I will never forget the excitement level. I will never forget how safe I felt with those around me. I bonded with the individuals I spoke with, and while I will probably never see them again, we will forever be connected. Another thing I want to mention is just how patriotic and kind those in attendance were. One incident comes to mind. Being the high-energy girl I am, I didn't bring a chair, and the gentleman next to me asked if I wanted to sit in his. This one person is an indication of just how great the people in attendance were. We were even lucky enough to see a protester, and you know how violent and angry us tea party attendees are, right? We were so mean that we allowed the guy to parade his sign around, and no one confronted him or threatened him because like us, he was there voicing his First-Amendment right, and fellow readers, that is our beautiful God-given right; that is what makes America-America. Yeah, based upon this event, I’d say us tea party folks are pretty downright evil aren't we? Were so evil that we give up our seats for our fellow man and allow others to protest us. So much for the media even attempting to get it right. If the media wanted to report their stories in a straightforward, objective manner, they would be reporting just how neat, polite and intelligent we really are, but the media do not want the truth out there because they know that if the real story got out, they would be toast. Millions would learn how corrupt and biased the lamestream media really are.

I thank God each and everyday that I live in a country where I can stand up tall and freely speak out. Nobody should be told to shut up and sit down if they are simply speaking out on policies to which they disagree. The people who gathered yesterday gathered together in a united front. Whatever the media report, know this: There were no acts of violence yesterday; there were no threats, only promises. We CAN guarantee that come this November, the democrats WILL be shaking in their boots. The democrats WILL lose seats, and the democrats WILL finally realize they were downright WRONG when they called the tea party movement a fringe group that will have no effect on upcoming elections. I'm predicting right now that if the Republicans continue to listen to the American people and chart a course back down the path of Ronald Reagan, we WILL win. In the end, Sarah Palin is right: "No matter how tough it gets, never retreat, instead RELOAD!”

I hope you enjoy all of these photos my photographer (aka Dad) was nice enough to take. Make sure to click here and here because there are many more photos that I did not have room enough to include here.

Oh, and one more thing. I gotta take a minute to network a little bit: Griff Jenkins of FOX News Channel, my dad met you and gave you my business card. If you read this, Camille and I would LOVE to have you on our show!!!!

My friend and fellow blogger Robert Stacy McCain was at the Searchlight event as well, so make sure to check out his blog here because his stuff is always a MUST READ!!!

(Click here to visit Conservative Girl with a Voice and become a follower. Make sure to follow me on Twitter @rachellefriberg.)

Sarah Palin, Tea Party Take Aim in Searchlight

By Shane Vander Hart at Caffeinated Thoughts 

The Tea Party Express stopped in Searchlight, NV in Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s back yard (almost literally).

Fox News reported on this event:

Fewer taxes, less government and no "Obamacare."

That's the message thousands of conservative Tea Party activists were hoping to send to Washington as they streamed into Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's hometown in Nevada Saturday morning.

"Harry Reid is symbolic of the problems in Washington in the sense that he's been the leader in the Senate of all the things we've been against -- expanding the government, increasing the deficit, and raising taxes," Sal Russo, chief strategist of the Tea Party Express, told FoxNews.com.

"He campaigned as a moderate but has moved so far to the left," Russo said of Reid. "Voters are tolerate of different views, but what they don't like is when someone campaigns one way and then governs by another."

The Tea Party Express, one of the most visible factions of the national Tea Party Movement, officially kicked off its cross-country, 42-city bus tour with Saturday's rally.

Senator Reid is majorly vulnerable as he trails both GOP hopefuls in the latest poll.  We know that elections have consequences, as we have well learned from the outcome in 2008.  Senate votes have consequences as well.

Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin was a keynote speaker for the event today, you can watch her speech below:

 

 

Video HT: The Right Scoop via Texas 4 Palin

She discussed numerous topics and she specifically addressed the media’s meme this week that she and other conservative leaders are inciting violence and expressing concern about tea party violence.  She said:

We’re not inciting violence.  Don’t get sucked into the lamestream media’s lies about conservative America’s standing up for freedom as inciting violence.  Violence isn’t the answer.  It’s a bunch of bunk what the media is trying to feed you.  Don’t let them divert attention from the debate.  Media, you guys ginning up an issue like that making it sound like it is a crowd like this of patriotic Americans who are inciting violence.  It’s not true, it’s a bunch of bunk, and we ask for some fair and balanced reporting coming from you please.

Apparently though it was Harry Reid’s supporters who were inciting violence.  Interesting.  I doubt that’ll make it in The New York Times.  Politico reported 20,000 in attendance at this event four miles north of this small town in the Nevada desert.  Conservatives 4 Palin noted that President Obama drew “hundreds” (or up to 3000) to his kickoff event in liberal Iowa City for his first stop of his temporary victory tour.

Who do you think is more energized?

Shane Vander Hart is the editor of Caffeinated Thoughts.  He loves connecting with fellow Rogues so feel free to follow him on Twitter or friend him on Facebook.

Sarah Palin On Why She is Speaking At The Tea Party Convention

There has been all sorts of craziness leading up to Sarah’s upcoming appearance at the first annual National Tea Party Convention in Nashville. All kinds of lies, rumors, accusations, and so on. As Stacy Drake pointed out just a few days ago, these lies, rumors, and so one, have been made up out of whole cloth by leftist groups attempting to infiltrate and damage the grass roots movement. Pretty typical for the left wing, since they can’t compete in the marketplace of ideas, they try to stop people from hearing other people’s ideas.

One of the groups Ms. Drake uncovered was a leftist bunch posing as conservatives called "Patriot Majority." Come to find out this bunch was heavily funded by Barack Obama’s labor union, SEIU, a division of ACORN, Barack Obama’s previous employer.

You can read all about it here.

Of course, the left wasn’t the only ones trying to scuttle Sarah and the Tea Party Convention, as some from the rival CPAC convention were also outspoken and spreading false rumors, basically because Sarah had decided to forgo their convention for numerous reasons, including the fact that there were allegations of impropriety.

A certain blogger, from a website that is funded by the same people who fund CPAC was particularly irresponsible is his writing, and never fully disclosed the huge conflict of interest involved, in his many opinion pieces published. Not exactly the way to do business.

Through it all, the Tea Party Convention was coming together. The event, which is geared toward movement leaders and networking, is sold out.

With that in mind, comes this press release from Tea Party Nation via the Daily Caller:

This weekend’s Tea Party Convention in Nashville, made a surprise announcement late Sunday night that the convention will be televised.

Tea Party Nation, the group sponsoring the event that starts Thursday, said it is working with internet media company PJTV, FOX News, CNN and Reuters TV to "allow the millions of Tea Party activists who could not be in attendance to view many of the proceedings live along with special interviews of delegates and speakers alike."

Viewing times will be published on the National Tea Party Convention Web site, organizers said. Airings will include the live broadcast of the convention’s opening, keynote speeches during the conference and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin address

***



Judson Phillips, president of Tea Party Nation, acknowledged the controversy surrounding the event, saying the group and "my family have taken much criticism over the weeks preceding the convention."

While working out the logistics to airing the convention, Phillips said the group has kept the "plans close to the vest."

"Obviously, we believe that the delegates and banquet attendees are going to enjoy the networking and the excitement of being here directly. However, as we are all committed to grassroots activism, we wanted to share this event with those who could not come to Nashville," he said.

Mark A. Skoda, founder of the the Memphis Tea Party and convention spokesman, also recognized the surprise element of the announcement.

"With our team effort and the many friends we had in the new media, we planned this surprise. We are hopeful that these millions of activists will participate with the local delegates through technology. As my father always said, you keep your powder dry until there’s something to shoot at," he said.

With all that said, Sarah came out with a stirring call to action today in an editorial in USA Today:

Why I'm speaking at Tea Party convention

By Sarah Palin

Later this week I'll head to Nashville, where I'll have the honor of speaking with members of the Tea Party movement. I look forward to meeting many Americans who share a commitment to limited government, common sense and personal responsibility. This movement is truly a grassroots, organic effort. It's not a top-down organization; it's a ground-up call to action that already has both political parties rethinking the way they do business.

From the town halls last summer to the protests and marches in the fall to the game-changing recent elections, it has been inspiring to see real people — not politicos or inside-the-Beltway professionals — speak out for common-sense conservative policies and values. As with all grassroots efforts, the nature of this movement means that sometimes the debates are loud and the organization is messier than that of a polished, controlled machine. Legitimate disagreements take place about tone and tactics. That's OK, because this movement is about bigger things than politics or organizers.

The soul of the Tea Party is the people who belong to it — everyday Americans who grow our food, run our small businesses, teach our children how to read, serve the less fortunate and fight our wars. They're folks in small towns and cities across this nation who saw what was happening to our country and decided to get involved. Thank God for them. Many of these good Americans had never been involved in their government before, but now they attend town hall meetings and participate in online forums. They write letters to the editor. They sign up to be precinct leaders and run for local office and support other independent patriots. They have the courage to stand up and speak out.

Their vision is what drew me to the Tea Party movement. They believe in the same principles that guided my work in public service — whether I was working on the PTA and city council or serving as a mayor, commissioner or governor. I look forward to meeting some of these great Americans this weekend.

Recently, some have tried to portray this movement as a commercial endeavor rather than the grassroots uprising that it is. Those who do so don't understand the frustration everyday Americans feel when they see their government mortgaging their children's future with reckless spending. The spark of patriotic indignation that inspired those who fought for our independence and those who marched peacefully for civil rights has ignited once again. You can't buy such a sentiment. You can't AstroTurf it. It springs from love of country and the knowledge that we can make a difference if we just stand up and stand together.

I thought long and hard about my participation in this weekend's event. At the end of the day, my decision came down to this: It's important to keep faith with people who put a little bit of their faith in you. Everyone attending this event is a soldier in the cause. Some of them will be driving hundreds of miles to Nashville. I made a commitment to them to be there, and I am going to honor it.

But participation won't be limited to those in Nashville who have a ticket. It's much bigger than that. Because the Tea Party movement is spread out across the country — with no central offices or annual events — this is an opportunity to connect with like-minded folks. Yes, there will be speeches given in a room in Nashville. But we'll also be speaking with thousands of Americans watching online at twitter.com/SarahPalinUSA, or through various news outlets. And the conversation will continue on my Facebook page.

I will not benefit financially from speaking at this event. My only goal is to support the grassroots activists who are fighting for responsible, limited government — and our Constitution. In that spirit, any compensation for my appearance will go right back to the cause.

The nature of the Tea Party movement means there may never be a "perfectly orchestrated" event: Democracy in action doesn't come with a manual. But we must not get caught up in the politics or the controversies that some hope will distract from the heart of the movement. The focus must remain on our ideas and beliefs, and on supporting those ideas and beliefs however we can.

This weekend, it's Nashville, but in March, I'll head to Searchlight, Nev., for the kickoff rally at the Tea Party Express III. In April, I'll be in Boston for a Tea Party gathering there. Across the country, tea-partiers will be sharing our vision for America's future, a vision that promotes common sense solutions to out-of-control spending and an out-of-touch political establishment.

The process may not always be pretty or perfect, but the message is loud and clear: We want a government worthy of the fine Americans that it serves. And we're going to keep spreading that message one convention, one town hall, one speech and one election at a time.

This, my friends, is the voice of a true leader. What Sarah is saying here is that yes, this sort of stuff is a tad messy at times, but the movement is important. More important than any one person, group, or faction.

Sarah is also sending a very strong message here. We are going to take our country back!

Now, it's time to get behind her, and the movement, and get this done.

Personally, I’ve quite had it with those whose big egos are not allowing them to move past petty feelings. I’m also quite fed up with those that think Sarah Palin, or any one else "owes" them something simply because they support her. Folks, there are tens of millions who support Sarah Palin. She simply can’t bend to the whims of every single supporter.

Something I learned a long, long time ago...If you try and please every body, you end up pleasing no one. In fact, you end up pissing off everyone!

I’ve followed Sarah Palin since she first became Governor of Alaska. I was drawn to her because she is a tough, no nonsense politician, and she has common sense values and ideas. Ideas that work.

After following her for all of these years, I have learned that Sarah Palin is someone who knows what she is doing. She has a keen eye for politics, and knows how to get things done. For people that see her doing this and that, and scratch their heads, my best advice is to just stand back and watch. So far, everything she has done has been the right thing to do. She has yet to make a misstep.

Sarah Palin is a woman on a mission. Sarah understands that our very way of life is under assault by a bunch of Marxists who are hellbent on destroying our way of life, in order to put in place their insane vision of the world. A vision that has failed every single time it has been tried.

Sarah is one of us. She is on our side. It’s time to set petty pride and big egos aside, and join in with her, and the other patriots who are trying to save our nation, and save our cherished way of life.

Seldom in one’s lifetime does a great leader come along. That leader is here. That leader is Sarah Palin. Let’s all get behind Sarah and help her accomplish her goal, and use our energy to fight the communists, the Marxists, and the Chicago street thugs who have this nation in a stranglehold.