ELON, North Carolina (CNN) – Thursday marked the first day of early voting in North Carolina, a state unaccustomed to being in the political spotlight this late in a presidential election year.
But at an afternoon rally at Elon University near Greensboro, Republican Sarah Palin did not offer her supporters even the gentlest reminder that early voting - an opportunity both parties are working to take advantage of - is now underway at nearly 400 sites across the battleground state. Long lines at one-stop voting locations have been reported throughout North Carolina.
She did, however, mention the 85 degree heat.
“Thank you all for that very, very warm welcome to beautiful North Carolina, and it is warm,” she said. “Man, this Alaskan gal is … I’m roasting. This feels really good.”
Palin’s speech lasted only about 20 minutes, and was an abbreviated version of the remarks she delivered this morning in Maine: a brisk run-through of her ticket’s beliefs and platforms, including a one-line promise to protect Second Amendment rights.
In fact, the audience spent more time with country singer Hank Williams, Jr., who donned a Carolina Panthers jersey and warmed up the already warm crowd for about 45 minutes before Palin arrived on a local version of the Straight Talk Express along with North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr.
Near the end of her speech, Palin pressed the audience to stand firm against accusations of negative campaigning, and told them to pay “close attention” to Barack Obama’s record.
“It’s not mean-spirited and it’s not negative campaigning when you call someone out on their record,” she said. “So don’t let anyone, don’t let them make you believe that you’re being negative or mean spirited or unpatriotic or unfair when you are asking about somebody’s record, OK?”
After the rally, Palin continued on to a fundraiser at a home in Greensboro.
From CNN Politics
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I cannot believe how hysterical and hateful so many people are toward this woman. Maybe she would be up-to-par with your ridiculous expectations of her if she had started campaigning for the job the monent she took office like Obama did...
Palin, "If you cant take the heat...get out of the kitchen" go...get...skoot,
go back to Alaska...they can have you, we dont want ya!!!!!
The Repubs already knew they were going to lose... why else would they pick her? She is their Walter Mondale... but not as smart... she's a total sacrificial lamb. That's got to be it. The Old School McCain is too smart to make such a lame pick... unless he rolled the dice on her after meeting her only once or twice and thought, "How bad could she possibly be?".... Old School McCain should give New and Sold Out McCain a swift kick in the tender spot for making such a poor, poor pick for a running mate.
Governor Palin calling from her Alaskian Igloo insisting that the signs
in the sun, the moon, and the stars should be imminent.
Rove has seriously compromised the Fox News network.
Sarah Palin "survived" the VP debate. WOW. She survived it. Big accomplishment there. If you can barely survive a conversation with "gentleman" Joe Biden, then how in Gods Cruel Kingdom are you going to survive a peace talk with hostile forces all over the world. Simple answer, you aren't. Palin Sucks.
She's so dense, I wouldn't vote for her to be vice president of the local PTA. What were the Alaskans thinking? My guess that McCain picked her because the better candidates refused to run.
PALIN = McCain's PIMPED OUT PRINCESS
JOE the 'PLUMBER' = McCains NEW PIMP TRICK
Palin's not mentioning it because she doesn't want to remind the voter to VOTE FOR OBAMA
AND, we are CALLING HER OUT ON HER RECORD......ABUSE OF POWER
Sarah Palin is an idiot. I swear to god I will move to Canada if this moron gets into the White House. McCain is not so bad, but you have to be particularly stupid to choose such an incompetent running mate.
Open your eyes America to the stupidity on the Republican ticket!
Vote... Vote.... Vote....!!! Early voting in Texas is 17 days before Nov. 4th. I think early voting is the smartest way to go. At least we don't have to stand in the long lines.
Palin is fear and hate mongering. Her followers are yelling, "Terrorist! Kill him! Get him! And other obscentities.. and McCain ONE time called someone on a ri
I'm voting obama 2008
No one is saying it is mean-spirited to call someone on their record. It is mean-spirited to let people shout "kill him" and not do something to try to stop it. Get it?
Did you notice that Obama never even bothered to waste anytime with that woman. She actually wasn't worth Obama's time. And I fully understand and can see why. She's not worth mentioning in this campaign. With all the baggage this woman is carrying I admire Obama for laying off andletting the people decide what kind of a person Ms. Palin is.
I was listening to one of her speeches today, and the crowd still continues to boo and chant, albeit no death threats. I call it boo and chant because that is what it sounds like vs. cheering. There is something about her crowds that exude negativity.
Sarah can take joe Furzenbacher back to alaska haha
Sharon-
Welfare state?
You really need to stop listening to Rush and Hannity.
The Socialism red herring is a joke. I can't believe anyone listens to it. "Spread the wealth" is a metaphor. It means that everyone's boat should be floating, not just the ones at the top. You know, the ones the Republicans support.
Unless you make over $250K a year, why would you vote against your best interest?
I wonder how Palin would handle the weather in whateverstan?
Since Senator Obama mother is white that makes him white by law on the birth certificate. So why is he claiming to be African-American?
Amateur.
Good luck Palin! I actually feel sorry for you because you became the global topic not because you are smart but because you lack the knowledge on issues. It's amazing though because you are great at talking without substance and it's really irritating. I want someone who is intelligent and understand what they "READ".
Please, somebody explain to her that there's a difference between "calling someone out on their record" and just plain lying. At least I hope she's lying....I'd hate to think that she or the campaign doesn't even check the facts before she opens her mouth to spew venom.
IGNORANT RACIST SKANK
JCB,
Firstly, you are no Democrat !
Secondly, spending money improves the GDP and helps the nation get out of the economic hole we are in. That is why Bush unfortunately asked people to go spend after 9/11 to get the money flowing. That is why the feds issue the people with rebate checks to infuse spending that will help the GDP. Please stop spreading bad rumors so you can get your way.
Enough lies and distortions McCain/Palin! We're not stupid!
Palin's husband was a member of the AIP(Alaskan Independence Party) and Palin spoke, it's on YouTube. Why is this not getting any media coverage.
I have never seen anything more outrageous than this woman running for VP and McCain's lack of judgement!!! She's a total gimmick and McCain put his campaign first! He has gambled with our lives!
I guess the early voting reminder hadn't been rehearsed enough for her to competently deliver it. If they change her script from state to state she is bound to get so doggone confused!
sharon alabama October 16th, 2008 5:22 pm ET
if obama is elected that will just prove how stupid americans have ended up they want a welfare state
No more stupid than the bunch who 'voted' Bush into office for 8 excruciating years.....