Palin comes to Georgia with no endorsements

By Katie Leslie

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Sarah Palin's appearance at Gwinnett Arena on Tuesday night before a half-capacity crowd was part sermon, part comedy and, as her audience surely hoped, part politics.

The former Alaska governor and GOP vice presidential nominee was brought to Georgia by Zachariah’s Way, a Gwinnett County-based ministry. The event was part of the charity's P.U.R.E. Ministry Project, which focuses on helping churches serve special-needs parishioners. In keeping with that theme, Zachariah's Way presented Palin with a tricycle for her 2-year-old son Trig, who has Down syndrome.

Palin made no endorsements during her 50-minute appearance, but, true to her spirited nature, took on the Obama Administration with both jokes and criticisms.

She told audience members, many of whom have special needs children, that "Obamacare" health care reform will diminish their quality of care through an increase in taxes on federal savings accounts.

And in her direct comedic style, she quipped that while special needs kids might not win a Nobel Peace Prize, "Nobel prizes aren't what they used to be anyway."

Palin confided to the audience about her fears when learning she was pregnant with a Down syndrome child.

“I didn’t think I could handle it. I didn’t know if I would be nurturing and patient and merciful enough to handle this challenge,” she said. “The minute he was born, it was like, ‘Yeah, God knew what He was doing and it would be good.’”

The event offered a surprise performance by Christian music star Chris Tomlin; music by artist Brent Cochran; a videotaped message from NFL quarterback Kurt Warner and his wife, Brenda, whose son Zachary is blind from head injuries, and an appearance by NASCAR driver David Ragan’s mother and his brother, Adam, who has Down syndrome.

Fans paid from $25 to $65 to see Palin.

While sales lagged in the weeks leading up to the event, Alisa Mann’s enthusiasm made up for what was missing in numbers.

Wearing a pink T-shirt that read “Palin for President 2012,” Mann also carried a sign of support for the Alaskan mother of five.

Mann first saw Palin live when the politician appeared at the Gwinnett Arena in support of Republican U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss in late 2008. Mann called Palin an inspiration for mothers like her, as her daughter, Vivian, 8, nodded in agreement.

“I think she is so genuine,” said Mann, who traveled with her family from Stockbridge for the event to celebrate her 40th birthday. “I don’t think she gives you an answer just because that is what you want to hear, which is so prevalent in politics these days.”

Not everyone was a diehard fan; some people, like Daniel Carroll, came out of curiosity.

Carroll, 39, of Atlanta went to the show because friends offered him free tickets.

“Otherwise, I wouldn’t have paid,” he said. “She’s just Sarah Palin.”

David Swygert, 46, from McDonough, said he hoped Palin would be more focused on politics during her speech.

“I thought it was going to be more political,” Swygert said. “I think the ministry is a great thing, but I wanted to hear more about her point of view. But there will be another time for that, I’m sure.”