Posted at: 06/06/2009 9:04 PM | WHEC.com
Updated at: 06/06/2009 11:45 PM

 |  Print Story

Palin in Upstate New York

A political phenomenon made a stop in Central New York Saturday.
    
Sarah Palin drew tens-of-thousands to the Cayuga County city of Auburn, and it was all part of the city's Founder's Day celebration.
    
Here's something you might not know: Auburn's hometown son William Seward negotiated the deal to buy Alaska from Russia back in 1867.
    
Now Alaska's Governor came back to where it all started.
    
"Sarah! Sarah! Sarah!" screamed the crowds at the parade through downtown Auburn. The former vice presidential candidate waved to crowds of more than 20,000 people.

Bill Oberkoetter of Pittsford made the trip to see Governor Palin. He even brought a sign saying “Hey Alaska, wanna swap governors?”

“I think she's a breath of fresh air,” said Oberkoetter. “I think it's what our politics needs these days to be honest with you.”

Outside Auburn City Hall, Governor Palin joked with the crowd about a painting of Auburn native William Seward given to her Saturday.

“They’re looking at a globe, and they're pointing to Alaska in this painting,” said Governor Palin. “And I betcha anything what Seward was pointing at was looky there, you can see Russia from Alaska.”

With all the people there to see her, you might assume New York loves Governor Palin.
But not everyone.  Some signs in the crowd read,”Hope not hate” and “America does not need Palin.”

“My message is free speech and end the war,” said protestor Jason Oliver of Auburn.  “And forget about oil. Let's progress, you know?”

At a stop at the Seward House, Governor Palin didn't shy away from oil and energy issues.

“In Alaska, we are blessed with God's rich, very rich natural resources that I believe He created for us to use for a better world,” said Governor Palin.

She criticized the Obama Administration saying government in Washington DC is prohibiting development.

But in the end Governor Palin set aside politics and praised Upstate New York.

“There’s something in the water here,” said Governor Palin. “So I asked Willow (her daughter), ‘Please drink it up before we go home!’”

Governor Palin told the crowds to cling to their roots and waved good-bye with, “God bless you, and God bless America.”

This trip to Auburn was paid for by Palin's political action committee. She's believed to be considering a run for president in 2012.

For more Rochester, N.Y. news go to our website www.whec.com.