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NSB NEWS.net photos by Henry Frederick.
At far left, New Smyrna Beach Mayor Adam Barringer and his girlfriend, Shannon Sumner, and Margaret and Danny Micklelbrink, owners of Clancy's Cantina, attend Sarah Palin's speech at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach on Monday. The photo was shot with a cell phone since cameras weren't allowed. There was a veritable who's-who of prominent New Smyrna Beach residents among the 2,000 in attendance at the annual convention of the Daytona Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, including Southeast Volusia Chamber of Commerce President Sue Williams and her husband, Tom; NSB Realtor Bill Roe and his wife; Jay Pendergast and his wife, Mary Claire; and Herman Mitchell, past president of the Southeast Volusia Kiwanis Club. At upper right, Palin autograsphs copies of her book, "Going Rogue" at Books-A-Million at the Volusia Mall earlier in the day. She also attended Sunday's Daytona 500 race.
DAYTONA BEACH -- Sarah Palin drew a thunderous ovation from 2,000 fans at the Ocean Center on Monday night, including New Smyrna Beach resident Danny Mickelbrink when she suggested America drill for oil in Florida's offshore as well as Alaska's frozen tundra instead of relying on foreign dictators who abhor democracy.
"I agree with her," said Mickelbrink, along with his wife, Margaret, owners of Clancy's Cantina on Flagler Avenue. "I think we're foolish not to take advantage of our resources as we send out troops to foreign countries to be killed."
The former Republican vice presidential candidate drew numerous standing ovations from the 2,000 in attendance at the Ocean Center during her 60-minute speech at the annual convention of the Daytona Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.
Chamber members paid $100 a piece, while non-members paid $150 each and those who came, but weren't seated for dinner, were charged $50 each and sat in the bleachers.
Palin, fresh off her appearances at Sunday's Daytona 500 and a book-signing event earlier in the day at the Volusia Mall, spoke in patriotic terms of the country's need not only for energy independence, but also for more accountability and common sense in the nation's capital.
"Washington has broken faith with the people they serve," the former Alaska governor said. "They have replaced private irresponsibility with public irresponsibility."
As for energy independence, Palin said: "We have the resources offshore and underground. In Florida, too, offshore. We just need that allowance to drill and dig."
She said President Obama's stimulus programs are not helping in the short run and in thelong run, both he and Congress are "sticking our kids with the bill." Palin was careful not to bite on questions from Chamber Chairman Ted Doran on a possible run for the presidency in 2012.
She used the now-famous pothole that delayed Sunday's Daytona 500 for a few hours, saying it's important for Americans to stay the course of freedom and private enterprise.
"There are some potholes in the road," Palin said, "But we can patch'em up and keep moving forward."
No cameras or other electronic devices were allowed and reporters could only take notes.
Signs at the doors also barred people from displaying political signs, though one guest held up a sign asking: "Sarah, please run."