The event is over and I just spoke with Dale Dykema, a longtime GOP activist of the major donor type who is a member of the Lincoln Club and the New Majority. He estimated that there were 400 people in the VIP reception to get their photo taken with Sarah Palin, although apparently quite a few - like the Ackermans (see earlier entries) - did not have to pay the $10,000 fee for that. Dykema said he heard that 1,200 paid to attend the main event, which had a $1,000 minimu, and that $2 million had been raised.
From experience, I want to see the FEC filings before I claim to know how much was raised, but this was clearly a landmarkevent in terms of draw. I’d be hardpressed to name a pure fundraiser in the county that attracted 1,200 people.
Dykema, who was among those who got his photo taken with the Alaska governor, said that Palin was all she was cracked up to be.
“She was very friendly, and it was more relaxed than when you’re getting your picture taken with, say, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and they just run you through,” he said.
“She’s a pretty genuine type person, and she keeps it simple,” Dykema said. Ronald “Reagan kept things pretty simplee and she seems to have the same approach. She was pretty low-key tonight, but she has the ability to connect with people.”
At the main event, Palin spoke for about 20 minutes, Dykema said.
“The talk was mainly about John McCain, about what he would do for the country,” he said. “It wasn’t about herself and she didn’t really attack Obama. It wasn’t really a red-meat speech.”
As Orange County’s leading conservative commentator, Pete Fundy would have given a season’s worth of Dale’s concert tickets to have seen Sarah Palin in person. She is extremely easy on the eyes.
She is also far more intelligent than Katie Couric makes her out to be. Or, at least, I pray that she is.
Warmly yours,
Pete Fundy
Senior Editorial Writer
OCLegend.Com
This is not accurate reporting. There is no way there were 1200 people in attendance. Not even close. We were there from start to finish. There were more protestors outside than attendees. Check out my photos from the event and judge for yourself:
http://www.ocforobama.blogspot.com
Say what you want about Palin…. At lease she does not associate with a known & unrepentant domestic terrorist (Bill Ayres) who murdered American citizens.