On Sunday, February 7th, former Governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin, declared her official endorsement of Texas Governor Rick Perry's re-election campaign. The two hosted a rally at the Berry Center in Cypress, Texas. Supporters started lining up three hours prior to the event, and the line eventually wrapped the perimeter of the entire building, manifesting the massive support these two Pro-Life political leaders.
Over 8,000 packed the auditorium. Rock star and guitar legend Ted Nugent opened the rally with a reverberating rendition of the National Anthem. State Senator Dan Patrick (R-Houston, District 7), sponsor of Texas Right to Life's Sonogram Bill, served as the master of ceremonies for the rally.
Although Governor Perry's speech was brief, he emphasized his forthright opposition to abortion. “I do not hesitate to say that I completely support the overturning of [I]Roe v. Wade[/I]!” Perry declared, as the audience waved signs reading, “Perry defends Life!” and “Pro-Life for Perry.”
When introducing Governor Palin, Perry roused the already enthusiastic crowd by musing, “I doubt there is another public figure in our country who gives liberals a bigger case of the hives than our special guest today. At the very mention of her name, the liberals, the progressives, the media elites all literally foam at the mouth.”
Governor Palin, resplendent in a black velvet coat and suede, knee-length, purple boots, began her speech with comparisons of the two states. “I told my daughter I'm glad to be here in Alaska's little sister state. Alaskans and Texans want the same thing: we cling to our guns and our religion!” She spent the next twelve minutes talking about the economic failures of Washington compared to the successes of Texas.
“In 2008, Texas created more jobs than all other states combined,” Palin said. “In Washington, they are spending America more into debt, but in Texas, Governor Perry is balancing the budget.” She referenced Governor. Perry's recent secession remarks and quipped that Texas “isn't seceding, it's succeeding.”
Governor Palin has a record of outspoken support for Pro-Life causes and candidates. In a 2008 ABC interview with Charlie Gibson, when asked if Roe v. Wade should be overturned, she replied, “I think it should and I think that states should be able to decide that issue”–a conviction she reiterated at the rally by explaining the people should be given the power to decide such a controversial decision, rather than the courts in Washington, D.C.
“This election will send an important message of how Washington can solve problems–the Texas way or the Washington way.” Governor Palin continued, “Washington is broken, but your state, under Rick Perry, is setting an example that a lot of others want to follow. If you want less Washington and more Texas, send Governor Perry back to Austin!”
As Governor Palin said in her speech, we are the ones who will elect the candidate who is best for the state of Texas by protecting innocent human life.