MIAMI, Florida (CNN) - Former Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin sharply questioned the changing federal economic bailout plan Thursday during her first extended remarks since the end of the presidential campaign.
Addressing fellow GOP governors and party leaders at the annual Republican Governors Association convention in Miami, Palin criticized the growing list of industries and other entities seeking federal assistance.
"We're hearing now more talk of additional taxpayer bailouts ... for companies, for corporations, perhaps even states now who may be standing in line with their hands out despite, perhaps, some poor management decisions on their part that helped tank our economy," she said.
"Republicans can help shore (these sectors of the economy) up without getting any more addicted to opium, other people's money," she argued. "We need to have a rational discussion. What and when is enough enough?"
Palin stressed the need for greater economic "accountability and personal responsibility" while urging "conservative solutions to these economic challenges."
The Alaska governor also urged her own party to take the lead on the issue of ethics, arguing that the GOP "had better lead with ethics reform and (help bring) an end to the self-dealing and corrupt special interests on Wall Street and in Washington that contributed to the housing crisis and elements of the economic collapse."
Striking a defiant conservative tone in the wake of last week's Democratic victory, Palin stated that "bigger federal government and more unfunded mandates hurt the economy and our states."
She urged her fellow Republican governors to "embrace the federalist principle that lets local government, government closest to the people, have more say."
Reflecting on the recent campaign, the former vice-presidential nominee admitted that "for us, it was not our time. It was not our moment."
She complimented President-elect Obama, saying she wishes "Barack Obama well as the 44th president of the United States. If he governs with the skill, and the grace, and the greatness of which he is capable, we're going to be just fine."
Palin noted the historical magnitude of Obama's victory, saying that "as he prepares to fill the office of Washington and Lincoln ... this is a shining moment in American history. Sen. Obama has achieved a great thing for himself and for our country."
In a news conference held earlier in the day, Palin criticized the national media for wanting to "dissect the past" and "playing the pundit's role" for the 2012 presidential campaign.
"As far as we're concerned, the past is the past," she said. "We're focused on the future. (The future) is next year, and our next budgets, and the next reforms in our states."
Asked why she chose to hold her first formal news conference now, she simply replied, "The campaign is over."
–CNN Correspondent Dana Bash contributed to this report
From CNN Politics
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Please, please, go away. Just go home. You're actually making me physically sick.
You guys are soooooo obsessed with Palin, and you wonder why people like her? You can't get enough of her!!!
are we really going to have to watch this Skank LIAR for the next 4 years? God I am so sick of her.
GO AWAY ALREADY!
I'm so proud Obama was elected POTUS
This Palin woman is so dumb.
Now, can we get on to some real news???
Before Palin starts talking about rational discussions, how about her having rational knowledge of the issues? Clueless...
Why does Sarah not go back to Alaska and let those who were elected to national posts of leadership take care of the economy and national issues. Enough already of this women throwing herself in the limelight and blaming the media for her missteps and blunders.
Oh please this lady has no credibility nor do we care what she says. Just let her go back to Alaska and be governor. When she has something intelligent to finally say and gains some experience then maybe people will take her seriously. I am sorry Palin the current Republicans are going to be the last ones to lead on anything ethical.
I have faith in the new administration and they still have over 2 months to do things the right way and think out a plan to fix our country when Obama takes office in Jan.
ENOUGH OF PALIN ALREADY!!!! PLEASE....THIS IS OVERKILL!!!!
For you people who love this Sarah Palin keep on loving her. I love her for being the idiot for the GOP. I want her to be the face of the GOP it will make America better, because the Republicans will not make it back to the White House with her running. HIP HIP Hooray for Sarah Palin and her dumb dumb followers. DEB I hope you are reading this.
Why is this woman's opinion even news anymore??
ENOUGH of her....vome on CNN...let her fade out.
I am so tired of her.
She is not news....end of discussion.
After the campaign, I was ready to forgive John McCain for any transgressions, especially given the gracious and unifying concession speech. Now I don't think I'll ever be able to forgive him for bringing this uneducated, inarticulate woman into the national spotlight. Looks like we're going to be subject to her innane, ill- informed opinions for some time to come...
Please stop the ongoing media coverage of this irrelevant person. You are a news channel, right? I'd like some real news, please.
Please stop doing stories on her every comment, I beg of you. This media obsession can't be healthy.
Go away already. Steven's is now trailing so there goes your senate seat. I guess you could say God shut that door in your face.
NEWSFLASH
Nov. 4 2012 – After 4 years of a failed Obama/Biden/Clinton administration, Palin defeats Obama for the 2012 presidency, Hail to the Victor!!!
Desperate, party of 1
Wow ! Another article on Sarah Palin,just another reason that cnn is becoming redundant. From Wolf Blitzer in the "situation room" to legend in his own mind Lou Dobbs. Don't get me started on Geriatric Larry King who hasn't asked a hard question in his life. Give me msnbc any day .
SHUT UP ABOUT THIS AIRHEAD.... NO ONE CARES WHAT SHE "THINKS."
Yes the campaign is over and the GOP clearly lost. Stop all the yesterday's news about the Avon Lady and all her talking and talking.
I say just switch the channel anytime she is on...I have a future to be part of rather than listen to her blah blah blah
Palin has to learn that she lost the campaigne and she is not relevant anymore...... hey Palin IT IS OVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The "bailout" seems to be in danger of becoming a "handout" to banks and other interests. What happened to helping the people in trouble? Sounds like Palin's on target.
Yuk – are all our governors so dumb that she has to speak for them? If so, we've got to get them out of office ASAP !!
...I see dumb people...
OH GOD!!! LOOKS LIKE THE GOP IS TRYING TO CREATE A HILLIARY.... WELL NEWS FOR YA... PALIN IS TOO STUPID TO BE IN HILLIARY'S LEAGUE. EVEN IF OBAMA DOES NOT COME INTO A SECOND TERM, HILLIARY WILL WIN THE PRESIDENCY. GOP, YOU ARE STILL DOOMED NO MATTER HOW MANY IDIOTS YOU SHOVE ONTO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.
I AM SMART AND I APPROVE THIS MESSAGE!