Politics & Government

LIVE: Sarah Palin at Manchester Tea Party Rally

Patch will be here all day covering the event and seeing what the former Alaska governor has to say.

Update, 2:55 P.M.: We have more details on what Sarah Palin had to say about the Tea Party's future here.

UPDATE, 12:43 P.M.: Palin just wrapped up her speech after about 25 minutes, ending by saying God bless America and the Tea Party movement.

As soon as she finished, the "Run, Sarah, Run!" chants picked up again. No indication from her speech as to which way she might be leaning.

Find out what's happening in Amherstwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Click for a full recap of Palin's speech.

UPDATE, 12:40 P.M.: "Run Sarah, Run!" chants are continuing, threatening to drown out the former Alaska governor's speech. 

Find out what's happening in Amherstwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"They talk about the spending problem and yet Obama keeps spending more...," Palin said. "Enough is enough!"

She said cynics will keep mocking the Tea Party, but they can't let that get in their way.

"History is on the side of bold and courageous reform, and this movement is reform," Palin said.

"Now is the time to grow this movement," she added. "We need to understand that there are more independent Americans who want to be heard."

UPDATE, 12:32 P.M.: Palin accuses mainstream media of mocking the Tea Party, drawing cheers from the crowd of "Run, Sarah, Run!"

UPDATE, 12:30 P.M.: Palin told the crowd of Tea Party members that they should "never apologize for the red, white and blue." She then went on to say that it was Tea Party Americans that won the 2010 elections, and the Tea Party movement "that shifted the entire fiscal debate in Washington."

Now, she said, "The Tea Party has got to be focused on the much broader goals of the movement -- replace Obama."

UPDATE, 12:16 P.M.: Sarah Palin has taken the stage. "I'm absolutely honored," she said.

"You are taking a stand for what is right," she added. "You're ready to stand and fight for what is right about America."

Palin went on to slam "ObamaCare," and the credit rating downgrade, drawing groans from the crowd. 

"We are at a tipping point," she said, bemoaning the "failed leadership" of the current administration.

An earlier story follows:

There is something brewing in Manchester, and it just might be a certain political party that has made its way into the media as a force to be reckoned with.

The Tea Party Express has stopped in Manchester, with Sarah Palin and Buddy Roemer both expected to speak today.

We will have continuing coverage throughout the day on this political event that is sure to raise even more questions about a possible presidential run for Palin.


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