[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/11/01/art.sign2.cnn.jpg caption=" Palin signs made an appearance at a Florida rally – McCain signs did not."] POLK CITY, Florida (CNN) - At a boisterous Sarah Palin rally in Polk City, Florida on Saturday afternoon, one name was surprisingly absent from the campaign décor - John McCain’s.
Watch: Palin campaigns in Polk City, FL Saturday
Looking around the Fantasy of Flight aircraft hangar where the rally took place, one could see all the usual reminders that it was a pro-McCain event. There were two large “Country First” banners hung on the walls along with four enormous American flags meant to conjure the campaign’s underlying patriotic theme. Many of the men and women in the audience wore McCain hats and t-shirts.
But on closer inspection, the GOP nominee’s name was literally nowhere to be found on any of the official campaign signage distributed to supporters at the event.
Members of the audience proudly waved “Country First” placards as Palin delivered her stump speech. Those signs were paid for by the Republican National Committee.
The other sign handed out to supporters read “Florida is Palin Country,” but those signs were neither paid for by the Republican National Committee nor the McCain campaign. In small print, the signs were stamped with the line “Paid for and authorized by Putnam for Congress" - as in, the re-election campaign of Florida congressman Adam Putnam, whose district skirts Polk City.
In fact, Putnam’s name was considerably more prominent than was McCain’s - his campaign had placed a number of large “Putnam for Congress” banners around the event site.
I'm sure the McCain's are gonna go ballistic over this Palin Maverick. Lesson: be careful what you wish for McCain.
Disrespect to John Mcain by his on party. Sad really sad!
Oops, is "Joel's Army" on the march in Sunshine State? Any hands on stuff happening?
If Palin is claiming Florida for herself now, what happened to her fight for VP in 2008. Looks like a campaign for Republican nomination in 2012.
The McCain campaign is demoralized! The blame game has begun. There is a big rift between John McCAin aides and Sarah Palin loyalists. It seems Palin is already running for the future. McCains mistake was the choice of Palin for Vice President. She brought the negative tone in his campaign so many people didn't like.
McCain's Campaign is extremely disorganized.
Actually, in the video clip you provide there are McCain signs.
Now this is amazing even McCains own running mate has realized this is a sinking ship and is trying to save her own skin. Looks like we might see Palin in 2012 for president. And thats ok with me since she has a snowballs chance of getting into office.
Obama/Biden in 2008-2012
This lying wench get her junkie butt back to Alaska fast enough. She promotes hate and division. A true political incompetent!
If the REPs still this election........I am moving to Canada!
Sarah Palin is the devil's advocate.
For a woman (I use that word loosely) who professes to be a Christian (and I refer to her relationship with God loosely), she sure can spew lies out of her mouth.
What a vicious woman Palin is.
And to think the Republicans hope she will be the leader of their party. I hope so, too, because you can say buh-bye to Lincoln's party.
What is tragic in all of this is that the folks in the crowds who come to see her are so uneducated and uninformed and have no where to go to get the truth for themselves (I doubt many of them know how to Google).
Well at least McCain succeeded in creating two celebrities, Sarah Palin and Joe The Plumber. Perhaps the latter two should run for the ticket in 2012.
I do remember that interview where Palin suggested Obama must have been kicking himself for not picking Hillary. Oh, the irony.
The GOP is putting it's future in Palin's hands? Do they never learn? Will it remain the anti-intellectual party bent on calling smart people elitists? Pathetic.
I say send Sarah Palin home to Alaska where she belongs.
Now why would McCain's name be at a Palin rally? She barely knows him. She's running for 2012--NOW.
She knows she has to gain the American peoples confidence in her....A whopping 59% of Americans think she's not qualified to be VP.
Palins motto: 2012 or BUST!!!!!
And you are surprised by this???
WOW! That alone speaks volumes about the Republican candicacy that Gov Palin would allow those to remain. It not only disrespects McCain as being the presidential nominee, it also clearly shows one more way Palin is going "rouge" and is starting to distance herself from what may be a losing battle at this point.
Aha! The other snowboot drops.
Go Obama/Biden.
One man, one vote. Everybody vote!
Until she goes on a Sunday morning talk show, or hold a press conference. CNN can really chill out on coverage of this woman.
So much for loyalty to McCain. This has sure been a weird Republican run. I don't know who Putnam is but first glance tells me there is an ultra-conservative running in this area of FLorida. I voted Obama so can't get too involved in trying to read the "Republican psyche" on this.... confusing message though.
Stupid Sarah for President! This is the end of America...maybe all good things have to end.
Wow, McCain has already been booted. Miss I lie when my mouth is moving has taken over the McCain campaign.
Did someone call Palin a Diva?
Lol!
Yow!
[her next rally has signs, alrightee! They read "Vote Palin/McCain"!...have you noticed that the standard Obama/Biden signs have the two names in DIFFERENT sized fonts but the McCain/Palin signs have the two names the same size?...dum de dum dum...]
This is just another nail in the GOP coffin.
It is very obvious that Palin has interio motives. Mccain, she is using you and right from the onset you picked her she knew you'll not win.
I am sick and tired of CNN's reporting that undercuts the McCain campaign at every turn, while inflating the Obama campaign. Your bias is shameful and a disservice to the public.
They've already written off McCain. It's very scary to see that they can envision Palin being POTUS in 2012..