Sarah Palin addresses CPAC, showcases entertainment value

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It happened again. I know I shouldn’t be surprised, but it’s a little upsetting. A new reality show recently aired – at least, I think it’s a reality show. It’s like a cross between Big Brother and The Apprentice. It stars former Alaska governor Sarah Palin and Rep. Michelle Bachman (R-Minn.), the first week Sen. Rand Paul was elected as something.

Wait – this isn’t a reality show. It’s actually the Conservative Political Action Conference, which was held over the weekend. It featured top GOP speakers discussing the future of conservatism in American politics.

The most notable speech of the conference was given by Palin. She once again proved to the public her ability to entertain a crowd.

I will confess that I enjoy seeing Palin speak. Her fervency and passion are remarkable. I watched the movie "Game Change" over spring break – a movie I definitely recommend. As pointed out in the movie, Palin is the best actress in politics.

Please put your moose hunting rifles back on the rack – I hear Palin has a nice one – and hear me out. I don’t mean that the former governor doesn’t believe in what she’s saying. Quite frankly, she doesn’t know what she’s saying – at least, not all the time, but she speaks with a gentle tongue and harsh words that would make almost anyone fall into her tightly woven speech.

Palin began her 30 minute block by claiming the CPAC as a second home – even though she’s only making her second appearance at the conference. I know this is going to be hard to believe but I’m not really conservative; I’m kind of sad I missed Palin’s live speech though.

The former governor managed to work in every possible attack about recent and even past political events.

Heading back to her 2008 roots, Palin mentioned what she believes to be Obama’s questionable past, saying, "More background checks? Dandy idea, Mr. President. Should’ve started with yours."

She then proceeded to discuss the potential gun legislation. Palin managed to rouse the audience with a story of her and Todd’s Christmas gifts saying, "He’s got the rifle, I’ve got the rack." After which she pulled out a big gulp – a response to Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s (D-New York) recent soda ban.

She even went so far as to quote former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to give a pep talk to current conservatives, "Mrs. Thatcher advised conservatives to focus their concern first and foremost on the people. She said, ‘Look at ever problem from the grassroots – not from the top looking down.’" Palin offered a "hearty – Amen, sistah!" to Thatcher’s stern adherence to beliefs.

To college Republicans, Palin has a special pep talk for you, "You’ve got to be thinking Sam Adams, not drinking Sam Adams."

She also called out Washington’s current politics by saying, "We don’t have leadership coming out of Washington. We have reality television." Those are pretty strong words coming from a reality star.

The only call to action Palin made was requesting that her party "furlough the consultants, and tune out the pollsters, send the focus groups home and toss the political scripts. Because if we truly know what we believe, we don’t need professionals to tell us." To which I give a hearty – AMEN, SISTAH!