Palin draws tri-state audience in Dubuque

Hank Williams Jr. joined Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley on the stage in Dubuque for the National Anthem and his new version of "Family Tradition."

DUBUQUE — Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin received an enthusiastic reception in Dubuque Monday afternoon, less than a day before voters head to the polls.

Palin told those gathered from the tri-state area of Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin that for too long special needs children in America have been “set apart and maybe have felt excluded.”

“There has been a great disservice done to these children, these blessings,” she said. “Me and John McCain, we have a vision of America where every innocent life counts… that’s the spirit I want to bring to Washington.”

“You’re going to have a friend and advocate in the White House,” she promised.

To say the crowd erupted during this section of her speech would be an understatement. Signs waved. Voices raised. Thunder sticks banged together. Feet stomped. Aside from the applause Palin received as she took the stage, this section of her speech drew by far the biggest reaction from the crowd of roughly 5,000.

Palin also criticized Democrats Barack Obama and Joe Biden. “Our opponents still haven’t grasped or understand the links within national security, economic prosperity and energy independence,” she said.

She said that coal presents an opportunity for the United States to produce more energy domestically, reducing the country’s dependence on foreign oil.

Blasting even former presidents for simply visiting Saudi Arabia and “asking them to ramp up production,” Palin said that she and McCain would “end this failed energy policy.”

“Those American dollars could be used here to create more jobs for Americans,” she said. “We will drill here, drill now. We will mine, baby, mine.”

Prior to the start of the rally, Abigail Reiff, a 10-year-old from Hazel Green, Wis., sat on the carpet and bubbled with excitement.

“I’ve never seen anyone like this,” Reiff said. “I just want to see her. I’m just now beginning to be interested in elections.”

Although Reiff wasn’t hoping to hear anything specific from Palin, she said it was especially special that Palin is a woman.

“It’s very important,” she said while bouncing up and down. “It’s making history.”

A few steps down the line of spectators, Mike Neigebauber, a Realtor from Buckley, Ill. said he drove more than two hours to come and show his support.

“I want to hear her discuss taxes,” he said, noting that both fiscal and social issues were important to him. “I want to hear that the McCain-Palin ticket is not going to raise taxes for seniors and working people. I also want to hear about tax protections for small businesses.”

Branda Kennedy of Davenport had only an hour drive to attend the election rally.

“I’m just here to show my support,” she said. “Iowa is strong and I want to hear Palin say that. I want to hear again that they are ready and that they are going to fight and win. We can do it.”

As Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-IA, warmed up the crowd, he made a point of throwing his full support not only behind John McCain, his party’s presidential nominee, but directly to the Alaska governor.

“You know from watching television and the debates that no one is more qualified to vice president of the United States,” he said. “All you got to think about is the governors that have gone to Washington to be the chief executive. There should be no doubt in anyone’s mind about her qualifications.”