"I'm excited to hear her speak, two years ago I got license plates that say Palin 12," said Shari Walker.
Walker is from Maryland. She attended "An Evening with Sarah Palin" with her two-week old granddaughter in tow. Baby Mia may be the youngest person out of about 6,000 in Magness Arena, but Walker says she represents what the former Alaskan governor is about.
"We appreciate her family values," said Walker. "And, that she's not afraid to stand up to big business and people who are spending our money frivelously."
Palin greeted the audience saying she was happy to talk in a hockey arena because it made her feel at home. She says she might have to root for the Denver Broncos after the football team drafted "a fellow outspoken Christian" in the form of Tim Tebow, quarterback from the University of Florida.
"So good to be here in this crowd," said Palin. "Patriotic, hard working, average, everyday Americans who are ready to take our country back."
Palin talked about President Barack Obama's foreign policy claiming "he coddles our enemies and alienates our allies." She also talked a lot about the controversy over the recent passage of a new immigration law in Arizona. She says Obama has no right to criticize their new statute making it illegal for immigrants not to have immigration documents on them at all times.
"So, I find it kind of ironic (the Obama administration) refuses to do the one crucial duty that is assigned them and that is secure our nation," said Palin.
Mick Morrison travelled from Monument to see Palin. He likes the impact she's having on Republicans around the country.
"She's brought a lot of excitement, a lot of emotion to the grass roots of the party," said Morrison. "And, that's just interesting to see, see her going around and speaking on behalf of candidates."
Outside of the Palin event, a small group of protesters stood chanting, "Equal rights for all!" It was made up mostly of a DU student group called "Students for Social Action." Margaret Gomez is one their organizers. She says they are "Demonstrating Democracy" by being there with protest signs.
"We're really here to show our voices," said Gomez. "We understand that Sarah Palin has access to paid media. We understand that she has access to power and that people get to hear those messages."
Gomez and her group wanted to voice displeasure over oil drilling and the Arizona immigration law.
"We totally respect every view that has been represented here in this space as well as inside," said Gomez.
Murray says Palin's impact will inspire Colorado Republicans.
"I think it's good that people are getting back interested in politics and looking at candidates," said Murray.
Palin wants her party to take the country back.
"Folks, we're living in a time when the Federal government seems to be overreaching into everything whether it's constitutional or not," said Palin.
Walker says she hopes things change, at the very least, for her grandaughter's sake.
"I think it's having a tremendous effect," said Walker. "I think we've been very apathetic for the past 8 or 10 years."
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