WASILLA, Alaska (CNN) - Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin made it clear to hundreds gathered at a picnic in Wasilla on Friday night that she loves her hometown community.
"This being my last time to speak to the valley community as your governor, I do want to tell you sincerely that I love you," Palin said in one of her last speeches as governor.
"I appreciate you and your support, the support that you've shown my family. God bless you and God bless America."
Shouts of "We love you Sarah!" and "Sarah Palin in 2012" could be heard over the applause as she finished. Few seemed to have an unfavorable view of the 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee at the event, which honors men and women in uniform.
A nationwide poll released Friday indicates that a majority of Americans have an unfavorable view of the outgoing governor. But the ABC News/Washington Post survey also suggested that seven out of 10 Republican voters maintain a positive opinion of Palin.
Fifty-three percent of those questioned in the poll view Palin negatively, with four in 10 holding a positive view of her.
The survey suggests that there is doubt about Palin's leadership skills and her understanding of intricate issues. Fifty-seven percent said they don't think Palin understands complex issues, and 54 percent do not feel she is a strong leader.
Despite the numbers, Palin remained upbeat at the picnic.
She recounted a recent interview with a journalist after telling the crowd she won't use her time to "talk politics."
The reporter was suggesting she had had a "rough day" and had been framing the questions in a way to elicit a "pessimistic" response, she said.
"I said, 'Oh no, it is not a down day - my son called this week from Iraq," she said. "He is safe, he is sound. It is always a good day when my son calls from Iraq."
"I wish that some in the media would keep things like that in perspective, what is really important in our country."
The governor will attend a similar event in Anchorage on Saturday before she transfers gubernatorial power to Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell in Fairbanks on Sunday.
From CNN Politics
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Good riddance to you and your hateful, ignorant lunatic fringe!
Please go back to your family. Your drama is not needed in America.
"Despite the numbers, Palin remained upbeat at the picnic. "
Of course she did, she subscribes to her own version of reality.
If you took the worst things a bout George W Bush and combined them with the worse things about Brittany Spears you still couldn't come close to this one.
If she wants to go anywhere she better get herself a Karl Rove before people get to know her too well.
CNN is the BEST promoter of Sarah Palin in all of Media! Please keep her front and center folks. She's obviously a huge fear of Liberals and is destined for some serious political "PAYBACK" re: their dispicable attacks on her character, family and credibility!
Palin, the only one you love is yourself
Do us a favor and get lost.
"Mirror, mirror on the wall...." said Sarah, as she abandons the job working for those loving people of Alaska. Mmmm. Is there a pattern there? She has children that need her attention–not there. Alaska elected her Governor-not there!
The trash finally gets taken out of of yhe office. Now if we can get the floors cleaned.
Sarah, Sarah, Sarah they just cannot keep your face out of the media. Smearing seems to add to rather than subtract from your allure.
I think we have a contender!
"Few seemed to have an unfavorable view of the 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee at the event"........................LOLOLOL Who would have been at the event if they didn't care for Palin! More stupid reporting!
Stay strong Ex-Gov. Sarah! Palin/Perry 2012!
now please fade away.
THANK YOU Governor Palin for all you did for Alaska. I look forward to your future, what ever that may be!
Palin says, "I love you" ???
How cheesy, fake, insincere. What else would you expect from a politician?
another member of the party of NO bites the dust.
Sararh.......... quit the day job and stay home and take care of your kids/ They all need you!
Way to go Sarah. Best of luck in whatever you do. I don't know that your ready to be President... But I doubt Obama was 3 years ago either. Either way.. best of luck.
What a class act she is! See you in 2012 Mrs. President. Us real americans love you.
CNN's headlines just crack me up !!!!! Snare you in everytime !!!!
It's touching to see the rotting corpse of the GOP pining away for an "America" that left the train station about 50 years ago. Maybe all the Palin followers should live in the Renaissance Faire or Disneyland?
It's nice her hometown still loves her...the veil has been lifted from the rest of the country, however. Ms. Alaska will never live in the White House.
CNN and other state run media don't do anything other than following orders from white house. Common guys have some back bone do some reporting also. How long you enjoy NOBAMA rating it is already below 50%...
I love you too, Sarah Palin. Godspeed, baby.
I think it's a shame that the liberal media and the elites have trashed one of the best things that came out of the election. If only we had a lot more women like Sarah Palin – but then, they would probably also be run out . Why are the democrats and a lot of women afraid of her. It makes you wonder.
She's from Idaho, not Alaska and we can be thankful one more political embarrassment is off the stage, hopefully