Politics

Palin returns to spotlight by launching zingers at Obama, Bloomberg and media

Alex Pappas Political Reporter
Font Size:

After shunning the spotlight in recent months, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin returned to the national stage with a barrage of crowd-pleasing zingers at her foes during a speech to the Conservative Political Action Conference on Saturday afternoon.

Her targets? President Barack Obama, the media, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and political consultants.

Near the beginning of her address, Palin mocked the “liberal reporters” in attendance, asking them to raise their hands for attendees to see.

“I can spot those liberal media folks here to write their annual ‘conservatives in crisis’ story,” she said to great laughter from the audience. “How many of you guys are here? Raise your hands. Come on! Raise your hands. Be proud!”

The 2008 GOP vice presidential nominee went on to the slam President Barack Obama for his administration’s promises of transparency.

“Barack Obama promised the most transparent administration ever,” Palin said. “Barack Obama, you lie.”

She hammered Obama for engaging in “a permanent campaign,” saying, “Leaders seek to bring Americans together to confront our challenges and campaigners, they seek to divide and to conquer and to orchestrate crisis after crisis after crisis to exploit.”

“Mr. President we admit it,” Palin said, “You won. Accept it. Now step away from tele-prompter and do your job!”

In a reference to Bloomberg’s attempt to ban businesses from selling large sugary drinks — which a state judge stopped last week — Palin got big cheers by taking a sip from a large 7-Eleven Big Gulp cup.

“Shoot, it’s just hot!” she explained as the crowd roared.

Palin also directed her criticisms inside the conservative movement, saying they must change the “top down political process.”

“The next election is 20 month away,” she said. “Now is the time to furlough the consultants, and tune out the pollsters, send the focus groups home and toss the political scrips. Because if we truly know what we believe we don’t need professionals to tell us.”

While Palin was one of the most popular figures in conservative politics following her run for vice president on the GOP ticket in 2008, her star power has diminished after she opted against a presidential run in 2012 and left Fox News as a well-paid commentator.

Follow Alex on Twitter