Sarah Palin discusses education and freedom at CSU Stanislaus banquet
Sarah Palin discussed civic education, freedom of speech and the infamous "bendable straws" demand at California State University, Stanislaus Friday night.
Palin poked fun at the controversy sparked by the announcement she would appear and the outcry over her confidential contract, a portion of whichstudents said they found in a university Dumpster.
"Do I have my straws?" she said, adding that she felt sorry for the Washington Speakers Bureau, which on her behalf negotiated "with the entire state of California."
And she took a shot at those who have launched an investigation into the university Foundation's finances in response to the contract. "Jerry Brown and friends, come on, this is California, do you not have anything else to do?"
Even as waiters set the tables, protesters gathered and the guest of honor was landing in Modesto, people were trying to get into the 50thAnniversary Gala fund-raiser.
"My phone has been ringing off the hook all day with people still wanting tickets," Foundation President Matt Swanson said Fridayafternoon. He said the fund-raiser netted the university $200,000, the most money brought in by a single event on campus.
"They've assured me this is going to be the greatest meal in the history of the campus," he said later as he prepared to introduce Palin to theassembled crowd.
A prolonged standing ovation greeted the former Republican vice presidential candidate and Alaska governor as she entered the dining area.
In signing Palin, Swanson had said the foundation hoped the fund-raiser would bring in more money than any other single event on campus; Friday,he said the event surpassed that goal.
"This is a very auspicious day for our university," Swanson said. The event brought in $450,000 gross. University officials estimated theyspent $190,000 and got $50,000 in in-kind donations, such as drinks and supplies.
Black, gold and crystal table settings, white flowers, lights and gauzy drapes transformed the university's cafeteria for the $500-per-ticketevent. Swanson said the Foundation sold about 370 tickets to the event, in addition to several higher-priced sponsorship opportunities.
Guests dined on a five-course dinner that included buckwheat blini with smoked salmon, caprese salad, seared scallops and filet and halibut. They were greeted with a signed copy Palin's autobiography, "Going Rogue," on each seat.
Temporary fences manned by event staff kept protesters - and the occasional bicycle-riding teen - outside the interior of the campus. At one point, campus police trying to move some tea party supporters out of the driveway met with resistance as people pushed on barricades.
Protesters and supporters at one point argued with each other, prompting police to put up more barricades around the scene.
Swanson acknowledged the controversy over both Palin's message and the clause in her contract that kept her speaking fee confidential. But hesaid the foundation wouldn't hesitate to sign any other figures that would generate debate.
University President Hamid Shirvani clarified that. "Would we invite anybody who would bring in money? The answer is no. But the university is a marketplace for ideas."
The next most successful fund-raiser - outside of donations for buildings, endowed chairs and the like - was a concert by actor GarySinise's band that grossed $200,000, Swanson said.
A third of the proceeds immediately will go toward scholarships, Shirvani said. He will consult with his development team on what to do with the rest of the money."We have so many needs," he said.
"With so much bad budget news coming out of Sacramento, it is great to see our local community supporting our university," Shirvani said. "Inthis economy, when every dollar counts, the Foundation's gala and its success will help support our academic community for years to come."
Swanson said he was gratified that 63 percent of attendees are new donors to the university, and more than 15 percent were people who havedonated in the past, but not in the last three years.
"We're capturing a lot of money for the university," he said.
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UPDATE - 8:45 p.m. Sarah Palin has begun speaking at California State University, Stanislaus. She's addressing a crowd of donors who paid $500 or more to hear her speak at a fundraiser to mark the 50th anniversary of the Turlock campus. She's standing before the university seal, which states in Latin, "Vox, Veritas, Vita," or "Voice, Truth, Life."
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UPDATE - 7:15 p.m. Sarah Palin received a prolonged ovation from guests at California State University, Stanislaus, as she arrived to speak at a $500-a-plate fundraiser.
"They've assured me this is going to be the greatest meal in the history of the campus," said Matt Swanson, president of the university foundation that invited Palin to Turlock as part of the university's 50th anniversary celebration.
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UPDATE - 7 p.m. Sarah Palin arrived at California State University, Stanislaus, shortly before 7 o'clock this evening. She was escorted by university President Hamid Shirvani and security detail of Modesto police officers led by Sgt. Doug Ridenour.
She is expected to speak for about half an hour, beginning around 8:30 p.m.
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UPDATE - 6:55 p.m. Elegantly dressed donors to California State University, Stanislaus, are filling up the cafeteria on the Turlock campus in anticipation of this evening's address by Sarah Palin.
Many of the men are in tuxedos and many of the women are wearing gowns as they gather for the $500-a-plate dinner that has raised more than $200,000 for the university.
She is expected to speak for about half an hour, beginning around 8:30 p.m.
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UPDATE - 5:35 p.m. Throngs of Palin protesters have run into a couple dozen of her supporters on Monte Vista Avenue in front of California State University, Stanislaus. Members of the two groups have argued with each other, and police are putting up more barricades around the scene.
Meanwhile, well-dressed gala attendees are rolling by the exchanges as they head into the fund-raiser.
Dorothy Walker, 63, of Turlock is on hand to support Palin. She’s carrying a sign that reads, “CSUS Grad, Tea Party Patriot, Welcome Sarah.”
“I was really disturbed by the protest against here,” Walker said. Palin “represents my conservative values and I wanted to support her.
“I couldn’t afford the dinner, otherwise I would’ve been first in line for a ticket.”
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Story continues below video.
UPDATE - 5:35 p.m. About 100 demonstrators are at California State University, Stanislaus, protesting tonight's fund-raising speech by Sarah Palin. "What's for dinner? Polar bear!" the protesters are shouting near the Vasche Library.
About a dozen campus police officers are watching the scene.
Fred Herman, former chairman of the Stanislaus County chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, helped organize the protest.
“I defend her right to speak,” Herman said. “We’re not here to badmouth one more gun-loving, women-hating, anti-tax politician. We protest the political stunt, using a foe of university values to raise funds for educations that disprove most of her notions.”
Meanwhile, the tables are set for dinner. They are draped in tablecloths of red -- the main color in the university's color scheme, the color Republican's favor and color that Palin often wears.
CBS 13 television from Sacramento shot hand-held video footage of Palin getting her hair done at a Modesto salon late this afternoon. Palin, the former GOP nominee for vice president, was checked into the DoubleTree hotel downtown.
CBS 13 said Palin would eat dinner before heading to Turlock. Her speech is scheduled for 8 p.m.
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UPDATE - 5:10 p.m. -About 100 demonstrators have left Rotary Park in Turlock and are on their way the California State University, Stanislaus, campus to protest Sarah Palin's appearance. Palin has checked into the Doubletree hotel in Modesto and has been getting her hair done.
The marchers are carrying signs and chanting, "Didn't we make it clear? Palin, we don't want you here."
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UPDATE - 4 p.m. -About 70 people have gathered at Turlock’s Rotary Park to protest Sarah Palin’s visit to California State University, Stanislaus. They’re geared up for five hours of music and speeches.
Some of the signs the protesters are displaying say "We'd rather have Tina Fey," "Bush with lipstick" and “Palin: Bad for women and other living things.” The protesters also have a Palin pinata.
One man, however, is there to speak up for the former GOP nominee for vice president.
Doug Farrow, 69, of Modesto is circulating among the crowd advocating for less taxes, smaller government and Arizona’s anti-illegal immigration law.
“I hear a lot of Palin bashing,” he said. “I think the tea party is right on.”
Farrow’s calls have led to a few spirited exchanges with those who are there to criticize university leaders for hiring the former vice presidential candidate.
“He believes in the issues I hate the most. When you have someone driving a wedge between all of us,” Lucio Reyes, 59, of Stockton.
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UPDATE - 3:05 p.m. Sarah Palin’s appearance at California State University, Stanislaus, raised $200,000, the most ever raised by the campus from a single event, university officials said today. Six-three percent of people attending the event are new donors.
President Hamid Shirvani and university foundation President Matt Swanson announced the figures at a press conference this afternoon just hours ahead of Palin's arrival.
In signing the former Republican vice presidential candidate, Swanson had said the foundation hoped the fund-raiser would bring in more money than any other single event on campus; today, he said he achieved that goal.
Swanson said the event raised a gross total of $450,000 in cash and in-kind gifts; $200,000 is the net amount raised.
Palin is set to appear at a sold-out fund-raiser celebrating the university’s 50th anniversary this evening. A protest is planned at a nearby park, and the group intends to walk to campus.
A few supporters, including two people urging Palin to run for president, had also turned out.
The crowd of Palin supporters and opponents is expected to swell as the day wears on.
UPDATE - 11:15 a.m. The California State University, Stanislaus, campus in Turlock is ready for the arrival of Sarah Palin this evening. She's speaking at a fund-raiser sponsored by the university foundation. Foundation President Matt Swanson and university President Hamid Shirvani have scheduled a news conference for 1:30 p.m. A short while later, protesters plan to gather at a city park.
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TURLOCK — Sarah Palin stepped into the national spotlight in August 2008, when Republican presidential candidate John McCain chose her as his running mate.
Until then, few people outside of Alaska had heard of that state's first-term governor. She became a figure both popular and reviled, taking the stage in a thunderous appearance at the Republican National Convention but then seeming unable to name any newspapers she read.
Since the election, Palin resigned from office, wrote a biography, began a national speaking tour, signed on as a commentator for Fox News, became popular with the tea party movement and is about to embark on a reality show highlighting Alaska.
She remains the most polarizing figure in American politics: While she is hailed for her blunt talk about government reform, she is lambasted for her inexperience and missteps.
And she's coming to Turlock.
Palin's appearance at tonight's 50th anniversary gala at California State University, Stanislaus, will bring supporters, protesters and the curious to town.
Critics are lining up.
"We don't like her message," said Modesto attorney Troy Spears, whose Valley Progressives group is helping organize a protest. "She wants eight more years of turning over to the corporations in Jesus' name."
Her defenders will be on hand, too.
Sam Palmer of Merced, a leader in a regional tea party branch called the North Valley Patriots, said Palin is the kind of person sorely needed in elected office.
"She espouses and believes in very basic common sense that is sorely lacking in most institutions," Palmer said. "She espouses personal responsibility, and 'Let's do this right the first time,' rather than just throwing money at (the problem)."
Foundation officials say they are thrilled with their choice and that they've accomplished their mission, which is to raise money for students.
"This event is on track to be the largest fund-raising event in the university's history," said Foundation President Matt Swanson, who plans a news conference this afternoon to announce the total raised. "What a great way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of CSU Stanislaus."
Instant feedback
The foundation's March announcement that Palin would headline a black-tie fund-raiser on campus sparked immediate reaction on several sides.
Some lauded the university for snagging someone with such a high public profile. Sales of $500 tickets went fast, with the foundation adding more seats to make room for customers on a growing wait list. Higher-priced sponsorships, offering time with Palin at a reception, also sold briskly.
Those against the selection fell into two subgroups, though they weren't entirely separate: people who thought she was a poor choice for the university and those who faulted the foundation's agreement to keep her contract — and payment — confidential.
A Facebook site, "Sarah Palin, Terrible Choice for 50th Anniversary of CSU Stanislaus," had 3,281 members as of Thursday.
State Sen. Leland Yee, D-San Francisco, called on the university to release its records and then claimed officials lied when they said they didn't have any. Students said they found parts of the Palin contract in a university Dumpster; they and Yee turned them over to Attorney General Jerry Brown, who is investigating the foundation's financial records.
Both arguments resonate with Spears.
"(The foundation is) hiding. They're not revealing what they're doing with the money," he said. "And Sarah Palin is just a wrong choice for this event. She's polarizing, and she doesn't really have any academic credentials."
Yee and others have criticized the foundation for spending an estimated $75,000 for Palin when the university is struggling financially. Swanson said that no state or scholarship money went toward the event; the foundation got new donations intended specifically to bring Palin to town.
Patty Hughes of the Stanislaus County Democratic Central Committee wants Palin to donate her speaking fee.
"We encourage her and the CSUS Foundation to donate her speaking fee and all proceeds of the event to directly aid the students of CSUS by the way of scholarships or the like rather than to reward a polarizing figure in American politics and to hoard profits for a foundation administration with questionable political motives," Hughes said.
But Reed Johnson, a tea party member from Modesto, said he'll be outside the university with a sign hailing Palin and her right to speak. He called Palin "a breath of fresh air compared to the criminals we have in the Senate and the House."
Spears said protesters aren't looking for a fight or to prevent Palin from speaking.
"We just want to let (CSU President Hamid) Shirvani and Palin know that we don't agree with them," he said. "I think we're going to be having a better party than the one they're having in the cafeteria."
Bee staff writer Patty Guerra can be reached at pguerra@modbee.com or 578-2343. Follow her at www.twitter.com/turlocknow.
This story was originally published June 26, 2010 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Sarah Palin discusses education and freedom at CSU Stanislaus banquet."