Sarah Palin Stumps For John McCain

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: Republicans

Sarah Palin and John McCain appeared together on the campaign trail for the first time since the 2008 presidential campaign, with Palin traveling to Arizona to help McCain defend himself against a challenge from the right in the state's Republican Senate primary.

"Arizona, would you send the maverick back to the United States Senate?" said Palin, who was greeted with massive applause -- seemingly more than the man who she had come to support.

Palin, who was joined at the Tuscon event by her husband Todd, said she "couldn't wait to get some of the McCain/Palin team back together again."

She said she had "deep respect and admiration" for the man plucked her from relative obscurity and put her on the 2008 Republican ticket, instantly transforming the former Alaska governor into a national figure.

"John McCain is leading the party of ideas," she said.

Palin said that McCain, who has been criticized by some Republicans as insufficiently conservative, fit with the Tea Party movement because he had been "leading the fight against reckless spending for decades." In a reference to McCain's age, she quipped that "some may claim that John was there at that first Tea Party."

Palin said McCain's "maverick" status hasn't won him friends from the "Washington DC elite machine."

Largely reading from prepared comments, Palin criticized President Obama for using a Teleprompter. She said she and McCain believe American soldiers are "are a force for good in this world, and that's nothing to apologize for."

She noted that she had been in a beauty contest when she was younger and said that McCain "could win the talent and debate portion of any pageant, but nobody's going to dub him miss congeniality." She praised him for standing up for his beliefs, stating, "only dead fish go with the flow."

Palin also addressed claims that she and other Republicans had been inciting violence against Democrats, a charge McCain defended her against earlier this week.

"We know violence isn't the answer," Palin said. "When we take up our arms, we're talking about our vote." Palin implored her audience not to believe "this BS coming from the lamestream media."

McCain is attempting to fight off a primary challenge from former congressman and conservative talk-radio host JD Hayworth, who has attacked McCain for his position on immigration, climate change and campaign financing and deemed him a "Republican in Name Only."

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Seemingly in response to the challenge, the 2008 Republican presidential nominee has moved right on issues like immigration, the bailout bill, closing the Guantanamo Bay detention facility and repealing the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.

Hayworth has suggested that Palin is only campaigning for McCain to thank him for tapping her as his running mate.

"We look forward to having Gov. Palin's support following the primary," he said, according to the Associated Press. "But we welcome her and we understand why she's in the state stumping for McCain."

Palin introduced McCain when she finished her comments, and the two shared a brief hug before McCain spoke.

The Arizona senator said his former running mate "energized America and she still does today and I am proud of Sarah Palin." He called Sarah and Todd Palin "wonderful and great Americans."

(Credit: CBS)

McCain went on to deliver a speech attacking "Obamacare," which he called unconstitutional, and vowing to repeal the health care bill recently signed into law. He attacked the president for what he characterized as reckless spending and called for "peaceful revolution" to change the course of the country.

"My favorite bumper sticker lately is please don't tell President Obama what comes after a trillion," said McCain.

Cindy McCain, who introduced Palin, seemed to recognize that her husband may not have been the biggest draw at the event.

"You have come today most of all to see my husband," she said with a smile, "but I know you've also come to see Sarah as well."

Palin will also appear at a McCain fundraiser and an event for the candidate in the Phoenix suburb of Mesa.

In her book "Going Rogue," Palin criticized some members of the McCain campaign for constraining her on the campaign trail, though she did not criticize McCain directly.

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
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by strokelady March 28, 2010 3:50 PM EDT: If Sara P. is suppose to be such a great person and cares about our country then why did she quit on her own state.If she hadn't wanted to be governer,the lady should had never ran for the office several yrs back.It seems to me that once she saw how much money could be made by being in the spotlight as much as she can,then why be a governor when she can get out and make more money by talking about things she has no earthly idea about and why did she charge $100,000 per person to come & see her at one of those tea parties?It seems someone must be desperate to call on this lady for help in anything. Just my opinion & thoughts.Maybe Katie Couric needs to interview her again.; Reply to this comment


by jwr337 March 28, 2010 2:32 PM EDT: I think that McCain is an okay man. However, I do feel he is getting to old for the job. And its not because he needs the money. He should move aside and let a younger man or woman fill the seat. If he wants to feel useful then there are volunteer opportunities where his expertise would be highly appreciated.; Reply to this comment


by Canuck42 March 28, 2010 12:34 PM EDT: McCain sure knows how to pick somebody to rally his support..Sarah Palin the quiter. Really smart move.; Reply to this comment


by jammer_2 March 28, 2010 12:04 PM EDT: If Sarah used the symbology & rhetoric of gun sights like she has over health care supporters on a global map when discussing international relations & strife with such countries as Iran & North Korea, what would their reaction be?

It may be cute and endearing in a US political election debate, but her mannerisms are far from those necessary to handle the demands of international and national negotiations.

I could be wrong, but I doubt it.; Reply to this comment


by Sheveled March 28, 2010 11:52 AM EDT: Calling in Palin ? Evidence of McCain's desperation.; Reply to this comment


by fiberglass3 March 28, 2010 11:49 AM EDT: Will Sarah be able to get Oil back up over $ 140 / barrel and gasoline over 4.25 per gallon?

A new signature of spiking volatility in oil price formed during the 2000s. The first spike in the series topped out in 2002. The 3rd spike coincides with Hurricane Katrina. The largest corresponds to the oil shock of 2008, when oil reached about $140 a barrel.; Reply to this comment


by SueZeeeQue March 28, 2010 11:46 AM EDT: The reason Palin is having to do this for McCain is because he's not radical enough for the base of the party.

He's being attacked by his Republican opponent for the times when he reached across the isle to get things done.

Bipartisanship doesn't fly with the party of NO who's only objective is to obstruct their way back into power.; Reply to this comment

by strokelady March 28, 2010 11:42 AM EDT

I am so sick of hearing the elected officals trying and doing their best to bring about a "war" between the people of the United States.The GOP reminds me of a of a bunch of spoiled children who didn't get their way! Its no wonder there are so many disfucntional kids in the world today-kids shooting classmates in school. The way the GOP is acting is no different except these people are ADULTS bringing about haterd among the people w/words that can't be took back,all because things didn't go their way! These people don't care about the people, they just care about bringing about haterd and they should be ashamed of theirselves.Instead of inciting haterd among the people because of this health care reform and attacting everything our President says and does, why not try to help the american people and work together instead of these so called"tea party" meetings. America is never going to be the way we want it until all this "childish crap stops.I can't help but wonder if the GOP were never taught to respect the President of the US,or anyone for that matter. I can just imagine how the rest of the world sees the american people,acting the way the GOP is acting since the president worked for health care reform and got it passed.Why NOT try & work together for the sake of the people and stop being so childish . and the worst of the worst is this man "Rush Lumbarg", calling people basterds,I firmly believe that man has got some "sick" mental issues but yet the GOP keeps paying him to incite more haterd. "Can't we all get along"?

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by jammer_2 March 28, 2010 12:06 PM EDT: It is unfortunate that this type of political warring is what inspires people to get involved. Only by rewarding behavior we want to see in our candidates through support and involvement can this be turned around.


by longbeachbronx March 28, 2010 12:59 PM EDT: Gee, did you feel that way when liberals were calling George Bush a "baby killer" beause they opposed the Iraq war? Or how about when war protesters burned US flags on the steps of the Capital. I suggest you get over it. Someone can be opposed to the healthcare takeover without being unpatriotic. Or an you just dish it out, and not take it?


by rockcutr March 27, 2010 9:34 PM EDT: Jonny is scraping the bottom of the "D" list on this one. The old punk hasn't a chance if he has gotta call on the biggest quitter in america.; Reply to this comment


by rbburnerjr2 March 27, 2010 4:07 PM EDT: Is it true that John McCain actually has Sarah Palin helping him campaign for his Arizona Senate seat but she got lost and would up giving a speech in Alabama.; Reply to this comment