Governor Palin today posted on Facebook:

Out here in proverbial politico flyover country, we little folk are watching the debt ceiling debate with great interest and concern. Today I re-read the open letter I wrote to Republican Freshman Members of Congress in November 2010, just days after they were ushered into office in an historic landslide victory due in large part to the activism of commonsense patriots who are considered part of the Tea Party movement. I respectfully ask these GOP Freshman to re-read this letter and remember us “little people” who believed in them, donated to their campaigns, spent hours tirelessly volunteering for them, and trusted them with our votes. This new wave of public servants may recall that they were sent to D.C. for such a time as this.

 

The original letter is pasted below, with added emphasis to certain passages that I feel are especially relevant to the current discussion.

 

All my best to you, GOP Freshmen, from up here in the Last Frontier.

 

Sincerely,

 

Sarah Palin

 

P.S. Everyone I talk to still believes in contested primaries.

 

******

 

November 13, 2010

 

Welcome to all Republican Freshmen and congratulations!

 

Congratulations to all of you for your contribution to this historic election, and for the contributions I am certain you will make to our country in the next two years. Your victory was hard fought, and the success belongs entirely to you and the staff and volunteers who spent countless hours working for this chance to put government back on the side of the people. Now you will come to Washington to serve your nation and leave your mark on history by reining in government spending, preserving our freedoms at home, and restoring America’s leadership abroad. Some of you have asked for my thoughts on how best to proceed in the weeks and months ahead and how best to advance an agenda that can move our country forward. I have a simple answer: stick to the principles that propelled your campaigns. When you take your oath to support and defend our Constitution and to faithfully discharge the duties of your office, remember that present and future generations of “We the People” are counting on you to stand by that oath. Never forget the people who sent you to Washington. Never forget the trust they placed in you to do the right thing.

 

The task before you is daunting because so much damage has been done in the last two years, but I believe you have the chance to achieve great things.

 

Republicans campaigned on a promise to rein in out-of-control government spending and to repeal and replace the massive, burdensome, and unwanted health care law President Obama and the Democrat Congress passed earlier this year in defiance of the will of the majority of the American people. These are promises that you must keep. Obamacare is a job-killer, a regulatory nightmare, and an enormous unfunded mandate. The American people don’t want it and we can’t afford it. We ask, with all due respect, that you remember your job will be to work to replace this legislation with real reform that relies on free market principles and patient-centered policies. The first step is, of course, to defund Obamacare.

 

You’ve also got to be deadly serious about cutting the deficit. Despite what some would like us to believe, tax cuts didn’t get us into the mess we’re in. Government spending did. Tough decisions need to be made about reducing government spending. The longer we put them off, the worse it will get. We need to start by cutting non-essential spending. That includes stopping earmarks (because abuse of the earmark process created the “gateway-drug” that allowed backroom deals and bloated budgets), canceling all further spending on the failed Stimulus program, and rolling back non-discretionary spending to 2008 levels. You can do more, but this would be a good start.

 

In order to avert a fiscal disaster, we will also need to check the growth of spending on our entitlement programs. That will be a huge challenge, but it must be confronted head on. We must do it in a humane way that honors the government’s current commitments to our fellow Americans while also keeping faith with future generations. We cannot rob from our children and grandchildren’s tomorrow to pay for our unchecked spending today. Beyond that, we need to reform the way Congress conducts business in order to make it procedurally easier to cut spending than to increase it. We need to encourage zero-based budgeting practices in D.C. like the kind fiscally conservative mayors and governors utilize to balance their budgets and reduce unnecessary spending.

 

There in the insulated and isolated Beltway you will be far removed from the economic pain felt by so many Americans who are out of work. Please remember that if we want real job growth, we must create a stable investment climate by ending the tidal wave of overly burdensome regulations coming out of Washington. Businesses need certainty – and freedom that incentivizes competition – to grow and expand our workforce.

 

The last thing our small businesses need is tax hikes. It falls to the current Democrat-controlled Congress to decide on the future of the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts. If it does not permanently renew all of them, you should move quickly to do so in the new Congress. It would remove from households and businesses the threat of a possible $3.8 trillion tax hike hitting all Americans at the worst possible moment, with our economy struggling to recover from a deep recession! You must continue to remind Democrats that the people they are dismissing as “rich” are the small business owners who create up to 70% of all jobs in this country!

 

Another issue of vital importance is border security. Americans expect our leadership in Washington to act now to secure our borders. Don’t fall for the claims of those who suggest that we can’t secure our borders until we simultaneously deal with the illegal immigrants already here. Let’s deal with securing the border first. That alone is a huge challenge that has been ignored for far too long.

 

On foreign policy and national security, I urge you to stick to our principles: strong defense, free trade, nurturing allies, and steadfast opposition to America’s enemies.  We are the most powerful country on earth and the world is better off because of it.  Our president does not seem to understand this. If we withdraw from the world, the world will become a much more dangerous place. You must push President Obama to finish the job right in Iraq and get the job done in Afghanistan, otherwise we who are war-weary will forever question why America’s finest are sent overseas to make the ultimate sacrifice with no clear commitment to victory from those who send them. You should be prepared to stand with the President against Iran’s nuclear aspirations using whatever means necessary to ensure the mullahs in Tehran do not get their hands on nuclear weapons. And you can stand with the Iranian people who oppose the tyrannical rule of the clerics and concretely support their efforts to win their freedom – even if the President does not.

 

You need to say no to cutting the necessities in our defense budget when we are engaged in two wars and face so many threats – from Islamic extremists to a nuclear Iran to a rising China. As Ronald Reagan said, “We will always be prepared, so we may always be free.” You will also have the opportunity to push job-creating free trade agreements with allies like Colombia and South Korea. You can stand with allies like Israel, not criticize them. You can let the President know what you believe – Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, not a settlement. And for those of you joining the United States Senate, don’t listen to desperate politically-motivated arguments about the need for hasty consideration of the “New START” treaty.  Insist on your right to patient and careful deliberation of New START to address very real concerns about verification, missile defense, and modernization of our nuclear infrastructure. No New START in the lame duck!

 

You can stand against misguided proposals to try dangerous, evil terrorists in the US; precipitously close the Guantanamo prison; and a return to the failed policies of the past in treating the war on terror as a law enforcement problem. Finally, you have a platform to express the support of the American people for all those around the world seeking their freedom that God has bestowed within all mankind’s being – from Burma and Egypt to Russia and Venezuela – because the spread of liberty increases our own security. You, freshmen lawmakers, can and will be powerful voices in support of foreign policies that protect our interests and promote our values! Thank you for being willing to fight for our values and our freedom!

 

In all this, you should extend a hand to President Obama and Democrats in Congress. After this election, they may finally be prepared to work with Republicans on some of these issues for the good of the country. And if not, we will all be looking forward to 2012.

 

Remember that some in the media will love you when you stray from the time-tested truths that built America into the most exceptional nation on earth. When the Left in the media pat you on the back, quickly reassess where you are and readjust, for the liberals’ praise is a warning bell you must heed. Trust me on that.

 

I and most Americans are so excited for you. Working together, we have every right to be optimistic about our future. We can be hopeful because real hope lies in the ingenuity, generosity, and boundless courage of the everyday Americans who make our country exceptional. These are the men and women who sent you to Washington. May your work and leadership honor their faith in you.

 

With sincere congratulations and a big Alaskan heart,

 

Sarah Palin

 

As Published at: Congressional Freshmen – For Such A Time As This

"It's the Spending, Stupid!" Governor Palin said near the conclusion of her single-segment interview with Greta Van Susteren tonight from her home studio in Wasilla, Alaska. Gov. Palin dismissed the August 2 deadline to raise the debt ceiling as "more Obama drama," and noted that even US Treasurer Timothy Geithner said the United States will not default. "It will not be Armageddon, it's not life or death," Gov. Palin said.

"Scaring the American people is exactly what President Obama was doing in that bizarre speech last night...[he] is getting real good at fear-mongering," Gov. Palin said. Obama's policies are putting the country "on the path to bankruptcy" and the American public is tired of the games."

"Congress needs to be reasonable and rational....Bankruptcy is on the way if we don't control our over-spend."

Gov. Palin said Congress should not retreat and there is no need to reinvent the wheel. "Cut, cap and balance passed the House. It was the right plan," she said adding that the plan's core elements are what common-sense conservatives want. The plan did not pass the Senate and Obama threatened to veto it.

Van Susteren noted that several Democrats including Richard Durbin and Harry Reid once supported a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. Gov. Palin said that it was typical hypocrisy, saying one thing as a candidate, then doing the opposite once elected.

"They used to say 'it's the economy, stupid!' Now, 'it's the spending, stupid!'" Gov. Palin said. She concluded that Obama's economic policies are immoral and unethical by handing the bill for today's spending to our children and grandchildren. "It does not make sense. Obama does not know what he is doing," Gov. Palin said as the interview came to its close.

Governor Palin's 7/26/2011 interview with Greta Van Susteren retrieved from SarahNET.net

ARC Entertainment Announces Massive National Rollout for Sarah Palin Film, 'The Undefeated' Beginning September 1st Video-on-Demand and Pay-Per-View to Make the Film Accessible to Approximately 75 Million Homes Through Major Cable and Satellite Companies Such as DIRECTV, DISH Network and Time Warner Cable. The Video on Demand / Pay-Per-View Launch to be Backed by Multi-Million-Dollar Marketing Campaign DVD to Launch October 4th in Stores Nationwide with an Initial Shipment Estimated at 250,000 Units Walmart to Receive a “Special Edition” Version of the Film Limited Engagement Theatrical Release to Continue Nationwide Throughout August and September.

Santa Monica, Calif. (PRWEB) July 24, 2011

Victory Film Group and ARC Entertainment, the distributor of “The Undefeated,” the film about Gov. Sarah Palin’s rise from obscurity to national prominence, jointly announced today that beginning on September 1st the film will be available to 75 million homes via Video on Demand and Pay-Per-View access through national and regional cable and satellite operators. The DVD will launch on October 4th and will be available at traditional and online retailers nationwide. ARC is estimating its initial unit shipment to be approximately 250,000 units. A “Special Edition” DVD will contain additional new content and will only be sold in Walmart stores. ARC will continue to expand the limited engagement theatrical release nationwide throughout August and September as demand across the country remains high.

"We have been inundated with requests from people wanting the film to be made available in their market.We have created partnerships with the leading national cable, Satellite, and mass retailers". Trevor Drinkwater CEO of ARC Entertainment.

Trevor Drinkwater, CEO of ARC Entertainment, said, “Since the film opened in select markets across the country on July 15th we have been inundated with requests from people wanting the film to be made available in their market. After methodically analyzing the most effective ways to bring this galvanizing film to the widest audience as soon as possible we have determined that continued limited theatrical distribution, Video-on-Demand, Pay-Per-View and DVD sales will be the best modalities by which to deliver this film as widely as possible. We have created partnerships with national cable, satellite and mass retailers to achieve our distribution goals.”

“This title is absolutely perfect for Video-on-Demand and Pay-Per-View backed by a traditional and significant marketing campaign. We are incredibly excited about having this film made available to the entire country earlier than expected,” said Glenn Bracken Evans, the film’s producer. “A traditional windowed release would not have allowed us to maximize viewership of this highly sought after film,” continued Evans.

“The Undefeated is a terrific case study for a digital cinema release. We have been nimble, efficient and brought this film to many eager viewers with almost no turn around time,” said Jill Newhouse Calcaterra, chief marketing officer at Cinedigm, the film’s digital distributor. “We look forward to bringing this film to many more audiences across the country during the next month.”

Filmmaker Stephen K. Bannon stated, “Given the strong audience reaction we have determined there is overwhelming demand for us to get this film out broadly enough to cover the entire nation in September and October. In a 90-day period from August to November we will be able to effectively cover the nation through multiple distribution modalities.”

The Video-on-Demand and Pay-Per-View deals with strategic partners will be backed by a multi-million-dollar advertising campaign to heighten awareness in all markets to the film’s availability.

Written and directed by Stephen K. Bannon and produced by Victory Film Group co-founder Glenn Bracken Evans and Dan Fleuette, “The Undefeated" was independently financed by Victory Film Group and its partners.

The film debuted theatrically to multiple sold-out runs and enthusiastic audience support with weekend per-screen averages above $11,000 in top markets. The film was rushed to select digital theatres in only three weeks, and was marketed entirely through social media and grass roots efforts with virtually no traditional media spend.

The film includes leading prominent political commentators Mark Levin, Tammy Bruce and Andrew Breitbart as well as conservative activists Kate Obenshain, Sonnie Johnson and Jamie Radtke. Additionally, the film features interviews with Alaskan civil servants, elected officials and advisors who were involved in Alaskan politics during Governor Palin’s tenure.

About ARC Entertainment

ARC Entertainment provides brand marketing, retail strategy, physical distribution and sales services for consumer products, with an emphasis on entertainment-based products. ARC Entertainment is a “solutions-based” distribution company. ARC Entertainment’s unparalleled relationships with national retailers, coupled with strong sales and marketing expertise, enables the Company to explore unique programs and business models for its content partners. The company develops creative and profitable retail marketing programs by connecting Intellectual Property and Content owners directly with retailers. This enables ARC Entertainment to truly align content development, investment and distribution with the requirements of retailers and their customers. ARC Entertainment monetizes Content in multiple revenue streams including: Theatrical Distribution, DVD, Blu-Ray, Digital, Electronic Sell-Through, Streaming, VOD, PPV, Pay and Free TV. http://www.arc-ent.com

About Victory Film Group

Victory Film Group develops, produces and distributes films that address today’s leading political, socio-economical and cultural issues from a conservative perspective. http://www.victoryfilmgroup.com

For More Information
Victory Film Group
The Undefeated

Governor Palin today posted on Facebook:

After listening to the President’s press conference today, let’s keep in mind the following:

This is the same president who proposed an absurdly irresponsible budget that would increase our debt by trillions of dollars, and whose party failed to even put forward a budget in over 800 days! This is the same president who is pushing our country to the brink because of his reckless spending on things like the nearly trillion dollar “stimulus” boondoggle. This is the same president who ignored his own debt commission’s recommendations and demonized the voices of fiscal sanity who proposed responsible plans to reform our entitlement programs and rein in our dangerous debt trajectory. This is the same president who wanted to push through an increase in the debt ceiling that didn’t include any cuts in government spending! This is the same president who wants to slam Americans with tax hikes to cover his reckless spending, but has threatened to veto a bill proposing a balanced budget amendment. This is the same president who hasn’t put forward a responsible plan himself, but has rejected reasonable proposals that would tackle our debt. This is the same president who still refuses to understand that the American electorate rejected his big government agenda last November. As I said in Madison, Wisconsin, at the Tax Day Tea Party rally, “We don’t want it. We can’t afford it. And we are unwilling to pay for it.”

Now the President is outraged because the GOP House leadership called his bluff and ended discussions with him because they deemed him an obstruction to any real solution to the debt crisis.

He has been deemed a lame duck president. And he is angry now because he is being treated as such.

His foreign policy strategy has been described as “leading from behind.” Well, that’s his domestic policy strategy as well. Why should he be surprised that he’s been left behind in the negotiations when he’s been leading from behind on this debt crisis?

Thank you, GOP House leaders. Please don’t get wobbly on us now.

2012 can’t come soon enough.

- Sarah Palin

 

Retrieved from: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SarahPalinsFacebookNotes/~3/CrLqZJw7dgs/note.php.

Bristol Palin last night discussed birth control, rape, and teen pregnancy, including the circumstances surrounding her own pregnancy in a hard-hitting interview with HLN's Dr. Drew.

Bristol acknowledged that at the time of Tripp's conception, she had skipped three or four does of the birth control pill she had been prescribed. Dr. Drew pointed out that a woman using birth control pills cannot skip a single dose, or the contraception will fail. Bristol said she is not an "abstinence preacher," but instead wants young girls to make smart decisions. This means either abstinence or properly using birth control pills, and never skipping a dose.

Dr. Drew said the circumstances surrounding Bristol's first sexual encounter would constitute rape in California and questioned her on Alaska's laws. Bristol said she was unsure of what Alaska's laws were but felt her encounter was consensual. Bristol added that she maintained a relationship with Levi "for years on end" following her first encounter. Bristol regarded the encounter not as rape, but as being predicated upon a "series of stupid decisions" beginning when she lied to her mother about where she was going.

Bristol spoke about the difficulties involved with being a teen mother. She said young women need to be particularly careful, because it is the woman and her family who left to deal with the consequences of the pregnancy. The man involved usually walks away with little or no consequence to him.

In show prep, Bristol and Dr. Drew discussed Alaska, and how large, far and remote it is.

Behind the scenes - Bristol getting ready with Dr. Drew

Bristol on teen pregnancy

Bristol Palin: I was on birth control

Bristol's message: Don't skip your pill

Bristol: I'm not accusing Levi of rape

Any film that plays at an AMC theater where they have value pricing is automatically included. Enjoy The Undefeated at special discount prices. Ideal for groups. Here's the details for the participating theaters:

1. Dallas – Grapevine 30 ($5.00 before 6PM, M - Th)
2. Denver – Highlands Ranch 24 ($6.00 every day before noon)
3. Atlanta – Barrett Commons 24 ($6.00 every day before noon)
4. Atlanta – Colonial 18 (ADDITION) ($6.00 every day before noon)
5. LA/Orange County – The Block 30 ($6.00 every day before noon)
6. LA/Orange County – Ontario Mills 30 (ADDITION) ($6.00 every day before noon)
7. Phoenix – Ahwatukee 24 ($5.00 before 6PM, M - Th; $7.50 for shows starting 6PM & later M - Th; $5.00 before 11:55AM on Fri, Sat, Sun & Holidays)
8. Phoenix – Arizona Center 24 (ADDITION) ($5.00 before 6PM, M - Th; $7.50 for shows starting 6PM & later M - Th; $5.00 before 11:55AM on Fri, Sat, Sun & Holidays)
9. Tucson – Foothills 15 (ADDITION) ($5.00 before 6PM, M - Th; $7.50 for shows starting 6PM & later M - Th; $5.00 before 11:55AM on Fri, Sat, Sun & Holidays)
10. Houston – Willowbrook 24 (ADDITION) ($5.00 before 6PM, M - Th)
11. West Palm – Indian River 24 (ADDITION) ($4.50 before 6PM, M - Th; $6.75 for shows starting 6PM & later M - Th; $4.50 before 11:55AM on Fri, Sat, Sun & Holidays)
12. Orlando – West Oaks 14 (ADDITION) ($5.00 before 6PM, M - Th)
13. Milwaukee – Mayfair 18 (ADDITION) ($6.00 before 6PM, M - Th)
14. Charlotte – Concord Mills 24 (ADDITION) ($5.00 before 6PM, M - Th; $7.50 for shows starting 6PM & later M - Th; $5.00 before 11:55AM on Fri, Sat, Sun & Holidays)

Visit The Undefeated website to purchase tickets online, or call 888-AMC-4FUN.

Tonight Dr. Drew sits down for a one-on-one exclusive interview with teen mother and celebrity Bristol Palin. Dr. Drew and Bristol will discuss what she calls the biggest regret of her life, “It was a night that I look back on with the adult eyes I have now and I just realize, that was so stupid.” Bristol continued to say that adding alcohol into the mix didn’t help either.

They also discussed her relationship with her mother, her “new” look and Bristol’s reaction to the latest information about her and her family released by Levi Johnston and the impact those revelations have had on her and her relationship with Levi now.

Check out a sneak peek here:

And tune in to Dr. Drew’s primetime special interview with Bristol TONIGHT at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HLN!

by Karen Allen
Reprinted in its entirety with permission.
Originally published at: Conservatives4Palin: Students4Palin Taking Responsibility

Early in March, I received a request often found in the Organize4Palin inbox.

Dear O4P, What can I do to help?

What made it unique is that it was from a grad student who saw her peers as her responsibility. She watched as they fell prey to the liberal influences and became apathetic to our country’s demise. Anxious to save them before their minds were lost forever, Mary Watson grew tired of sitting on the bench and started making a game plan, using Gov. Palin’s clear values as the rallying points.

I’d really like to create a place geared toward two types of students: 1) a place where students who already support the governor can go to get information, talk to each other, organize; and 2) a place where other students who are not yet supporters can go to be challenged.

But she wasn’t the only one. Last year in Chicago at the C4P meet-up, another grad student approached me. Deema Yousef had the same burning desire. Connecting the young women was easy, and along with teammate Ellen Gallagher, they recently launched Students4Palin.com.

One of their first posts reads:

Today, S4P’s “Join!”page is going live. As we gear up for the coming months, we invite you to help us get the word out about Governor Palin on campuses across the country. Over the last year, we’ve realized that among our peers there are many young people who would be inclined to support Governor Palin if they knew anything about her policies.  Perhaps many of them already do and, for whatever reason, they’re afraid to make their opinions known. We intend for our local S4P chapters to serve two purposes: (1) to put Governor Palin’s young supporters in touch with one another, and (2) to provide a mechanism by which these young, talented supporters can creatively spread the message to our peers. Of course, we can’t do it without YOU! Judging by how busy we are, we understand how busy all of you must be. It’s certainly a lot easier to choose apathy over action. Today, we’re asking you to make a little time for a cause that is unspeakably important. As Reagan said in his famous “Time for Choosing” speech,

“If all of this seems like a great deal of trouble, think what’s at stake. We are faced with the most evil enemy mankind has known in his long climb from the swamp to the stars. There can be no security anywhere in the free world if there is no fiscal and economic stability within the United States.” America’s future hangs in the balance. Will you accept the call? Or will you, by your inaction, sentence the next generation “to take the first step into a thousand years of darkness?”

Join us today!

S4P is currently helping to promote The Undefeated, and working on growing campus chapters. For more information, visit Students4Palin.com and be sure to follow them on Twitter and like their new Facebook page. If you’d like to chip in and help S4P reach their peers with Gov. Palin’s message, please use their button below. Thank you, and remember to send over your favorite student!

Today, US for Palin is pleased to feature Nancy French, the co-author of Bristol Palin's Not Afraid of Life. In "What It Was Like to Co-Write the Bristol Palin Memoir," Nancy gives her unique perspective on co-writing Bristol's book during the month she spent with the Palins. Nancy also co-authored Home and Away: A Story of Family in a Time of War with her husband David. He was in Iraq on the front lines while she was home. Track Palin went to the same province in Iraq, just a few days after David left it. This circumstance may have been a factor in Bristol selecting Nancy as her co-author.

Nancy shared with me that during her stay in Wasilla, she frequented the Mocha Moose on West Parks Highway, which brews Governor Palin's favorite coffee Good Morning Alaska. I routinely have 1-lb. bags of it shipped to my home and it is by far my favorite coffee as well along with its high-octane counterpart Whoa Nellie! The Mocha Moose proudly supports the Palins as evidenced by the "Dance Bristol Dance" sign on their building.

What It Was Like to Co-Write the Bristol Palin Memoir
by Nancy French
Reprinted in its entirety with permission

My friends and I huddled around my iPhone, as we listened to my agent’s voicemail.

“Nancy, Harper Collins wants you to submit your resume for an opportunity to write for a young Christian celebrity,” he said.  “But I can’t tell you who it is.”

I never considered myself a “ghost writer,” since I’ve published my own memoir about being a southerner living in New York and a book about Iraq I co-authored with my husband about his deployment and it’s effect on our family.  I was definitely interested, however, and the mystery only deepened my interest.

Immediately, my friends and I began guessing. Miley Cyrus? Taylor Swift?

Because I live near Nashville, Tennessee, I assumed they were interested in my geographic location as much as my writing ability.  Surely, an up-and-coming country musician needed help with her book, and I was exactly the kind of local writer who could pop in and out with minimal inconvenience.

That’s why I was surprised to get a call from Harper Collins a few weeks later – after I’d figured I’d been passed over for a more typical ghost writer (excuse me, “collaborator”). “Can you be on a call with Bristol Palin in one hour?”

Immediately, I figured I wouldn’t get the job. Though I’d “collaborated” before, my efforts haven’t yet been published.  Surely she’d want someone more experienced for a book that would be analyzed, dissected, critiqued, and attacked.  Bristol was noncommittal in that first conversation, and ended it by saying “I just need to talk to my mom.”

I tried to imagine that conversation, Momma Grizzly herself having a discussion with her daughter about me – a writer who lives in the Mule Capital of the World, Columbia, Tennessee.

It seemed too surreal to be true.  Within days, however, I was in Wasilla, Alaska.

“I can stay on your couch or wherever in your apartment,” I texted Bristol on the way. “I won’t be a nuisance.”

She sent me an address, and I was certainly surprised when I drove up Todd and Sarah Palin’s driveway.  Ice cemented the ground under the snow, and Christmas lights decorated an iron gate.  (White lights or colored?  Guess in the comments section.)

“This is my parents’ house,” Bristol said as she came out to greet me. She looked great – young and fit in her yoga pants and North Face jacket.  “You’ll be staying here.”

She led me to where I’d be living for the next month, in a detached building on the Palin’s property, where Gov. Palin films her Fox interviews.  In fact, I frequently wrote perched high in her chair, with a frozen Lake Lucille outside the tall windows.  Cars drove by slowly on the lake, no doubt taking photos of their house.  Some did “donuts” and skidded around on the ice.  A couple of guys were ice fishing.  A moose slowly ambled across the frozen water and made his way to the Palin’s house.

In fact, meeting the family was like walking into the TLC television show, “Sarah Palin’s Alaska” – a series I watched in its entirety on my flight. Bristol’s maternal grandparents Chuck and Sally Heath were there, as well as Todd’s dad.  Sarah was busy in the kitchen making moose hotdogs (much better than regular hotdogs… and these had cheese in them!) and salmon.  Track was sitting with his fiancé, who is now his wife, in the entryway of their house.  (Track had been deployed to the same province in Iraq where my husband, David, served.)  Willow – who has a very striking appearance with her dark hair and eyes — sat on the couch with her feet on a bear rug, while Piper came in and out of the house with friends. Tripp and Trig tossed a ball around the house.

That’s how I got acclimated to Alaska… moose hot dogs, family, and playing with the kids on the floor.  Then, Bristol and I tackled the difficult task of documenting her life. Thankfully, she’s young, which meant we didn’t have to search attics for fifty year-old, faded letters.  Plus, I was thrilled to learn that she kept journals of challenging times in her life.  These writings documented her exact feelings in various moments, before time softened the memories.  So, we sat and read all that she had written. One day, we sat with magazines and notes spread out on the floor, along with letters to – and from – Levi, lots of photos, and other trinkets.

“This is it,” she said.  “My life.”

She wanted to be candid, she explained, so that other girls could learn from her mistakes.  That meant a lot of very hard conversations about tough times.  I felt at times that I should’ve shown up in Wasilla with a sign: Hello, I’m Nancy, and I’m here to scrape the scab off your deepest emotional wounds.

But Bristol, tough and honest, went through her life with me, year by year, event by event, as we drank coffee and watched the moose walking by outside the windows.

And that’s how I became a part of the Palins’ lives – lives that are shaped far less by politics than by the ordinary concerns of hearth and home.   We went bowling with Trig and Tripp, had our photo taken as we ordered coffee, and shopped at Costco. Later, I’d stay with Bristol in her beautiful Arizona home, where people would honk at her on the interstate when they’d see her customized Alaska license plate.

Why tell a story like Bristol’s?  She’s only twenty, people have repeatedly complained. However, these detractors are missing the point. While most of us haven’t made mistakes in front of a gawking nation, all of us have done things we regret… mistakes that seem innocent enough, but end up changing the trajectory of life.  Her story is ultimately a story of redemption – a story of a girl who admits her mistakes and acknowledges God’s mercy in her life.

After all, she began the entire book with this sentence: “I lied to my mother.”

In spite of all her efforts to take responsibility, however, the Palin-haters came out in full force within seconds of the book’s publication.  In those seconds, they somehow found the time to read the entire book (poorly-written, they say) and pronounce it full of excuses.

Full of excuses?  They obviously hadn’t even creased the spine.

Eventually, the Palin-haters and the Palin-lovers evened out the Amazon ranking to a 3 Star.  Out of 105 reviews, forty-four are 5 star and fifty-three are 1 star.  One lonely reviewer gave it a 3 star review.

Has there been a more polarizing political family?

This fact alone makes Bristol’s story interesting.  What was it like to have the biggest mistake of your life analyzed in front of half of America who idolized you and the other half who despised you?  And what if that biggest mistake turned into the biggest blessing of your life?

Life is complicated, God is good.

That’s the message of Bristol’s book, and I’m honored to have been a part of it.

The Daily Caller reported yesterday that "Palin fans are flocking to see The Undefeated]." The movie is currently playing in 10 theaters. It will go nationwide, because it has been quite successful thus far, with sales per screen surpassing every movie except Harry Potter.

On-the-ground reports have been filed by Jedediah Bila, and US for Palin authors Thomas Schmitz and Jelayne Sessler.

Video retrieved from The Daily Caller

H/T David Powell, Ohio State Coordinator, Organize4Palin for story lead.

Seniors can see The Undefeated for $5 Monday through Thursday mornings and all matinees. This a fantastic bargain. The discount is not applicable for evening showings. To purchase tickets, call 1-888-AMC-4FUN or visit The Undefeated website. The movie is currently playing in 10 theaters. It will go nationwide, because it has been quite successful thus far, with sales per screen surpassing every movie except Harry Potter.

Approximately $5,000 per screen through Saturday night

“What would have taken months and cost millions, ARC did in weeks with virtually no traditional media advertising”

 Wider national rollout to commence in the coming weeks

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Santa Monica, Calif. (July 17, 2011) - ARC Entertainment, the distributor of “The Undefeated,” the film about Gov. Sarah Palin’s rise from obscurity to national prominence, announced today that through Saturday night the film had a stronger opening than expected with the large markets trending towards weekend per screen averages above $10,000 driven by multiple sold-out runs.  The film had accumulated approximately $5,000 per screen through Saturday night. Unique in the theatrical feature world, The Undefeated was rushed to select digital theatres in only 3 weeks, and was marketed almost entirely through social media and grass roots efforts, with virtually no traditional media spend.  With the strong initial showing, the film is going to a wider release footprint later this month, with details being announced soon.

 

The film opened in 10 markets on Friday including Atlanta, GA, Dallas, TX, Houston, TX, Denver, CO, Phoenix, AZ, Orlando, FL, Indianapolis, IN, Kansas City, MO, Oklahoma City, OK and Orange, CA.

 

“We are extremely pleased with the audience reaction, which has been over-the-top enthusiastic and very passionate, including standing ovations at most screenings,” said Trevor Drinkwater, CEO of ARC Entertainment, the film’s distributor. “We expect word-of-mouth to keep ticket sales strong and we will definitely expand the film to a wider national audience.  With merely three weeks of preparation and a virtually non-existent traditional advertising spend, the film did exceptionally well. ” .

 

“We have been told the theaters in Phoenix, Atlanta, Denver and Indianapolis moved  the film to bigger screens to accommodate oversized crowds. Because of high-ticket sales, the Phoenix theater put ‘The Undefeated’ on two screens during one showing to accommodate demand,” stated Andy Badolato, VP Marketing and Business Development of Victory Film Group and Associate Producer of “The Undefeated.”

 

Over the weekend reports also documented the strong ticket sales and enthusiastic audience reaction.  Reuters reported, “It may not be ‘Harry Potter,’ but another film featuring a bespectacled protagonist is racking up strong pre-sales before its national roll-out this weekend.”  AOL’s Patch reported, “Reactions from filmgoers attending the screening were overwhelmingly positive.”  The Brisbane Times of Australia reported, “‘The Undefeated,’ a documentary tracing Sarah Palin’s rise to political power, has opened in US theatres to overwhelmingly positive opinion.”

 

“ARC Entertainment and its digital distribution partner Cinedigm did an incredible job opening weekend,” said Stephen K. Bannon, the film’s writer and director. “This was a high risk bet- a national release in ten disparate markets with only three weeks preparation supported solely by social media. What would have taken months and cost millions in P & A, ARC Entertainment and Cinedigm accomplished within a month with negligible costs. This film will find its audience because of its appeal and our savvy distribution partners.”

 

“The Undefeated is the perfect example of how digital cinema can benefit both producers and audiences,” said Jill Newhouse Calcaterra, chief marketing officer at Cinedigm. “Starting with theatre location selection, we worked quickly – with precision accuracy- to generate a terrific box office result with virtually no marketing dollars.  This is a new model that is going to benefit the entire entertainment industry and audiences who want to see unique products.”

 

“The combination of passionate audience response, sustained standing ovations and in-theater Twittering convinces us that this is a special film that will have incredible word-of-mouth,” said Glenn Bracken Evans, Victory Film Group co-founder.  “The film’s website www.theundefeatedmovie.com has received hundreds of thousands of hits.  I am truly amazed that in certain markets we will hit or exceed the $10,000 per screen mark given that we had absolutely no electronic media spend and only booked the theaters weeks ago. I’m particularly amazed we accomplished this in Phoenix and Orange County, two of the country’s most competitive markets during one of the toughest summer weekends and up against Harry Potter.”

 

Written and directed by Bannon and produced by Victory Film Group co-founder Glenn Bracken Evans and Dan Fleuette, “The Undefeated” was independently financed by Victory Film Group and its partners.

 

The film includes leading prominent political commentators Mark Levin, Tammy Bruce and Andrew Breitbart as well as conservative activists Kate Obenshein, Sonnie Johnson and Jamie Radtke. Additionally, the film features interviews with Alaskan civil servants, elected officials and advisors who were involved in Alaskan politics during Governor Palin’s tenure.

 

About ARC Entertainment

ARC Entertainment provides brand marketing, retail strategy, physical distribution and sales services for consumer products, with an emphasis on entertainment-based products. ARC Entertainment is a “solutions-based” distribution company. ARC Entertainment’s unparalleled relationships with national retailers, coupled with strong sales and marketing expertise, enables the Company to explore unique programs and business models for its content partners. The company develops creative and profitable retail marketing programs by connecting Intellectual Property and Content owners directly with retailers. This enables ARC Entertainment to truly align content development, investment and distribution with the requirements of retailers and their customers. ARC Entertainment monetizes Content in multiple revenue streams including: Theatrical Distribution, DVD, Blu-Ray, Digital, Electronic Sell-Through, Streaming, VOD, PPV, Pay and Free TV.  ARC Entertainment.

 

About Cinedigm

Cinedigm is a leader in providing the services, experience, technology and content critical to transforming movie theaters into digital and networked entertainment centers. The company partners with Hollywood movie studios, independent movie distributors, and exhibitors to bring movies in digital cinema format to audiences across the country. Cinedigm’s digital cinema deployment organization, software, satellite and hard drive digital movie delivery network; pre-show in-theater advertising services; and marketing and distribution platform for alternative content such as CineLive ® 3-D and 2-D sports and concerts, thematic programming and independent movies is a cornerstone of the digital cinema transformation. Cinedigm ™ and Cinedigm Digital Cinema Corp. ™ are trademarks of Cinedigm Digital Cinema Corp.  Cinedigm.com  (CIDM-G)

 

About Victory Film Group

Victory Film Group develops, produces and distributes films that address today’s leading political, socio-economical and cultural issues from a conservative perspective.www.victoryfilmgroup.com

For More Information

www.TheUndefeatedMovie.com

www.victoryfilmgroup.com

www.cinedigm.com/theUndefeatedMovie

Contact

Media Relations, Victory Film Group media@victoryfilmgroup.com

CRC Public Relations

hmcconnell@crcpublicrelations.com

ccarroll@crcpublicrelations.com

Obama has no plan to address our $14.3-trillion debt; he cannot be trusted to manipulate the economy and our energy supply; and his plans make no sense, Governor Palin said tonight in a two-segment interview with Sean Hannity from her home studio in Wasilla, Alaska. Our triple-A rating with Moody's is under review, because Obama has no plan to address the debt which continues to climb, she said.

"We cannot default. Now is not the time to retreat. It's time to reload! And reloading, means not handing over more power to...Obama."

Gov. Palin said proposals to hand-over more power violate Article I, Section8 of the Constitution. Congress should make the economic decisions, she said. "The numbers speak for themselves. We cannot trust him to manipulate the economy and energy supply. She mentioned QE2 with the possibility of QE3 and even QE4.

"I am not one to buy into the notion that we must raise the debt ceiling," Gov. Palin said. We must prioritize our debts...He cannot prioritize. that's why he suggested that Social Security checks would not be written...Our President's job is to prioritize, but he is not capable...he has no plan." She recalled how he made a similar threat that our military would not be paid. "Now, he's trying to use seniors as a pawn," Gov. Palin said, a circumstance she finds "absolutely shameful."

Both Hannity and Gov. Palin indicated that our daily revenue is sufficient to pay the interest on our debt, Social Security, the military and some other essentials. The non-essentials are what need to be cut. Gov. Palin said though she is against raising the debt ceiling, she knows it will be raised. "I would not vote to incur more debt - not under this President. I don't trust him," she said. Gov. Palin added that she would support Jim DeMint's plan to "cut, cap, and balance." She is against "dollar-for-dollar" debt increase and spending cut proposals because there is no way to guarantee that the needed cuts would be made.

"He does not know how to make cuts. He never had to use executive authority," Gov. Palin said.

The interview shifted to the Newsweek article, which Gov. Palin said was fair. "Boyer...wanted to talk about a successful executive who was pro-jobs, pro-private sector, and pro-energy independence," she said.

The interview concluded with 2012 talk as nearly all recent interviews have. Gov. Palin reiterated her oft-said quote that she would support a common-sense, fiscal conservative, with executive experience, who would work with a servant's heart. When asked about her own decision to run, Gov. Palin said "legally, there are time frames. By August or September, you have to be laying out a plan if you are serious about throwing your hat in the ring. That's the time frame."

Sarah Palin Sounds Off on Debt Crisis retrieved from Fox News

 

Can She Win the White House? retrieved from Fox News.

Ed. Note: The following article was originally published at Conservatives4Palin. Express permission for reprinting in its entirety was granted by Organize4Palin.

by CharterOakie

Many of you have heard or read about the grassroots organizing effort in the crucial Hawkeye State by the volunteers of Iowa Organize4Palin. What they have accomplished thus far in a bootstrapped, self-financed operation is truly inspiring and an example to us all. But things have reached a stage where they could really use some help, and that’s where we come in.

Here are quotes from Iowa conservative pundits about Iowa O4P:

Craig Robinson, TheIowaRepublican.com:

[Gov. Palin has] had an unofficial presence in the state for months now [as] a group of Palin supporters have traveled all across the state meeting with county Republican officials and other GOP activists. . . . Even though Sarah Palin doesn’t play by the same rules that seem to govern the rest of the field of Republican candidates, she has developed an extensive ground game in Iowa, even if it’s not being officially coordinated by her or her advisors. In many ways, I think that Palin is probably more organized in Iowa in terms of grassroots communication than most of the current field.

Shane Vander Hart, CaffeinatedThoughts.com:

there is rarely an event I go to where . . . Organize4Palin is not. I can’t say the same about the other campaigns. So if [Gov. Palin] gets in she’ll be able to hit the ground running.

Here are links to additional media coverage by the UK Telegraph, Real Clear Politics, and the Iowa Independent.

Peter Singleton was with us at both C4P Meet-ups last year. In fact I first met Peter at the Southern Republican Leadership Conference in New Orleans in April of last year. Well, a couple days ago I sent Peter a note to say how thrilled I was about the grassroots organizing efforts of him and the Iowa O4P team. Peter responded immediately and shared with me more of what the team is doing and planning. And folks, trust me: it’s exciting!

But the volunteers need some help to execute their plans. Those plans are autonomous, pro-active, and they could prove pivotal in Iowa and beyond if Governor Palin were to declare her candidacy for the presidency of the United States.

So here’s the deal. I’m calling it “Charter’s Challenge.” So impressed am I with what Iowa O4P is doing that I have made an initial donation to them of $100 and a commitment to match each donation of $100 or more, up to a total of $500 out of my pocket. If you can’t afford a donation of $100 or more, please consider donating any amount that you can afford – it all adds up! And those of you with the financial means and the heart to help, feel free to step up and top my pledge.

Here is the text of the modest appeal from Iowa O4P:

“Dear friends of Organize4Palin nationwide,

We are a group of grassroots activists in Iowa who have been organizing in this state for a number of months. We need your help! Can you give $10, $20, $50, or even $100 towards some of our key efforts in this state, and do so today? Every dollar you give is enormously productive. None of your donations go towards staff salaries or paid consultants at this point, as we are all volunteers–just like yourselves. We have spent donated dollars in the past on such things as collateral to pass out at meetings and county fairs, t-shirts, and Facebook ads, etc, and will use your donated funds in the coming weeks for the most critical needs as we see them at the time.

Thank you so much! Your help and your contribution mean the world to us. To donate to Iowa Organize4Palin online, please go here:

https://secure.piryx.com/donate/kLDn6iCB/Organize4Palin/Iowa

If you have any questions about what we are doing in Iowa, please contact us at iowa@organize4palin.com.

The Iowa Organize4Palin team”

Folks, you know why we all support Governor Sarah Palin: her servant’s heart in public office; her honesty and integrity; her outstanding record of accomplishments as city councilwoman, mayor, commissioner and governor; her courage and commitment in the face of unparalleled and cruel attacks on her and her family during the 2008 campaign and since then. She is the kind of leader who inspires loyalty and dedication. Who else could inspire someone like Peter Singleton to put his life on hold, move to Iowa on his own initiative and begin to organize a network of volunteers ahead of time…just in case the Governor declares her candidacy?

We know that Sarah Palin is “not for sale at any price.” If she becomes President of the United States of America, it will be to serve the American people, not the well-financed special interests. They know it, and we know it. So let’s adopt this attitude: “if it’s to be, it’s up to me.”

Please consider these matters and follow your heart. Please donate what you can to Iowa O4P, our Hawkeye State heroes. Please do so today.

Thank you!

Update: Contributions are coming in nicely so far. Thank you all, and please keep ‘em comin’!

As published at: Let's Help Our Hawkeye Heroes: Iowa O4P!