Palin praised, panned in Costa Mesa

About 1,200 Republican supporters braved crowds of protesters shouting “shame on you” to hear vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin accuse Barack Obama of “palling around with terrorists” Saturday at the Orange County Performing Arts Center at an event that raised $2 million for Sen. John McCain’s presidential bid.

Fresh off her better-than-expected performance in the vice presidential debate Thursday in St. Louis and wearing a green and black dress suit and her signature half-up, half-down hairstyle, Palin criticized Obama for his alleged ties to 1960s radicals to a crowd that included chief executives state legislators and congressmen.

“This is not a man who sees America how you and I see America,” Palin said in response to a recent New York Times report that detailed Obama’s casual relationship with a member of the ’60s radical group the Weather Underground.

“These are the same guys who think patriotism is paying higher taxes,” she said. “Our opponent is someone who sees America, it seems, as being so imperfect; imperfect enough that he is palling around with terrorists who would target their own country.”

Palin also spoke about taxes and the national financial crisis to the cheering crowd, which gave her several standing ovations.

“John McCain is the only man in the Senate who can save us from this economic crisis, and he’ll do it by cutting taxes and reining in government spending,” Palin said to an audience that included Irvine Co. Chairman Donald Bren and U.S. Rep. Dana Rohrabacher.

Individual tickets for the private event ranged from $1,000 to $2,500 just to get in the door of the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Attendees had to raise or contribute anywhere from $10,000 to $25,000 to attend a private reception and have photographs taken with Palin.

“She was very pleasant,” said San Diego businessman Doug Barnhart, who got to shake Palin’s hand and have his picture taken with her. “She’s not one of those Washingtonians; she’s one of us.”

Newport Beach City Councilman Keith Curry, who attended the event, said he has met Palin a few times and is a fan of the Alaskan governor.

“She’s a very down-to-earth person,” said Curry, who first met Palin about a year ago at a political conference.

A few hundred protesters — who ran the gamut from environmentalists, antiwar activists and women’s groups advocating abortion rights to immigration-reform advocates and Ron Paul supporters from across Orange County — picketed and shouted into the night outside the concert hall.

Protesters from Planned Parenthood carried signs critical of Palin’s anti-abortion stance.

The governor has said she opposes abortion even in cases of rape or incest.

“Ask Bristol Palin if abstinence only works,” read one sign.

“There’s a lot at stake in this election, and a women’s right to choose hangs in the balance,” said Stephanie Kight, senior vice president of Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino counties. “It’s never been more critical for people to get involved.”

Ron Paul supporter Gary Boyd of Fountain Valley marched down the sidewalk and waved a sign with about a dozen other Paul supporters who showed up outside the concert hall.

“I like the Constitution, and I don’t feel like any of theses leaders are following the Constitution,” Boyd said. “I’m sick of this two-party system.”

BRIANNA BAILEY may be reached at (714) 966-4625 or at brianna.bailey@latimes.com.