Sarah Palin in the HAMMER

[HAMILROCK]

More than 900 pay big bucks to hear U.S. politician speak
April 16, 2010
Daniel Nolan
The Hamilton Spectator
(Apr 16, 2010)

Hamilton's NHL ambitions have the support of Sarah Palin.

The former Alaska governor, in town last night for a fundraiser at Carmen's Banquet Centre that raised $50,000 for a children's charity, was at the Sheraton hotel in downtown Hamilton before the evening event.

"I'm overlooking Copps Coliseum and I thought, what a great place for an NHL franchise," she told a sellout crowd of more than 900 people at the east Mountain banquet centre.

"You're all set up for it," she said to applause. "If I ever meet the president of the NHL, I'll put a little bug in his ear," Palin said.

The 46-year-old Palin, who was the vice-presidential candidate to Republican Senator John McCain in 2008, arrived at the banquet centre about 4:30 p.m. and went down a line of well-dressed people, shaking their hands and welcoming them to the event. She flew into Hamilton in the morning on a private jet and was met by three limousines provided by Carmen's.

Just before 7 p.m., she entered the ballroom wearing a black suit, accompanied by her husband Todd, a commercial fisherman, in a dark tuxedo.

She shrugged off the controversy that erupted when it was first announced her Hamilton visit would be a fundraiser for two local hospitals.

"I hope I didn't cause a fuss," Palin said with a smile. "I never cause a fuss."

She was responding to a question from The Spectator about the reaction last December when her speech was first announced. Some residents were outraged because of criticism Palin had levelled at Canada's public health-care system. The recipient of the funds was quickly changed.

In her 65-minute address, Palin spoke about her faith in God, the love of her family, and some of her experiences as governor and as a vice-presidential candidate. She also praised the Tea Party movement surging in her country.

Palin joked about media pundits and others talking of her as the Republican presidential candidate in the 2012 election.

She said she told reporters who follow her that she was going north for a speaking engagement but instead of coming to Canada, the reporters booked flights to New Hampshire, the site of one of the earliest presidential primaries.

She noted her grandfathers are from Manitoba and Saskatchewan, talked about raising a Down Syndrome child and dealing with her teenage daughter's pregnancy.

She took a dozen questions from the crowd and made no apologies on her views against public health care. "We just believe government will never run anything as well as the private sector."

The Fox News contributor also lamented the state of mainstream media in the United States, calling it biased and lacking credibility.

"It breaks my heart," she said.

Before dinner, Palin had her photo taken with more than 100 people who had paid $1,000 for the privilege.

"I tell you the thing I like about the lady is that she's down to earth and totally outgoing," said philanthropist Charles Juravinski. "She refers to you as dude. The politicians we are used to here -- I don't want to say pompous, but she is down to earth and that's enlightening."

Dane Pirro, 14, also described Palin as down to earth after his photo session. The self-described conservative appeared to be on Cloud 9.

"She just asked me how old I was and just smiled," said the Grade 9 student at Bishop Tonnos high school in Ancaster.

"I told her she would be president one day and she said, 'Thank you very much.' "

Ed Chan, 64, and his wife, Jill, came from Richmond Hill to meet the political and media dynamo.

"I've always loved her," said Chan. "I think she's smart and spunky. I think she could be president of the United States or prime minister of Canada."

Former Ontario premier Mike Harris, the father of the Common Sense Revolution, said he came to the dinner to help the Charity of Hope, but he was definitely interested in hearing what Palin had to say. Asked if she might have some tips for his leadership successor Tim Hudak, Harris joked: "Maybe Tim can help her."

Tim Hortons co-founder Ron Joyce called her "marvellous." But he said it remains to be seen if she has what it takes to become president of the United States one day.

Security appeared tight and Hamilton police dotted the parking lot. But Mountain Superintendent Ken Bond said there was no trouble, "which is the way we like it."

[ZoomVT]

LMAO. you guys can keep her.

[HAMILROCK]

all i want is one night

[seano1]

what a cheap pop

she pulls a mick foley and says we should have a hockey team.

i wonder if she passed the crack dealers around the corner from the arena.

its to bad she didnt roll through on welfare day then she'd be like can anyone

in this city afford hockey tickets??

stupid ho go back to alaska

[HAMILROCK]

Originally Posted by seano1

what a cheap pop

she pulls a mick foley and says we should have a hockey team.

i wonder if she passed the crack dealers around the corner from the arena.

its to bad she didnt roll through on welfare day then she'd be like can anyone

in this city afford hockey tickets??

stupid ho go back to alaska

hahahaha i still just want one night!

[markd]

Originally Posted by HAMILROCK

hahahaha i still just want one night!

I'll take an afternoon and the night

[revnecro1273]

Originally Posted by HAMILROCK

hahahaha i still just want one night!

i'd hit