Sarah Palin, Glenn Beck Target Nation's Leaders During Tulsa Event

By Jeffrey Smith, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- Two of the country's most famous and controversial conservative superstars kicked off their new speaking tour Saturday in Tulsa -- "Taking Our Country Back Tour."

Conservative commentator Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin, former Alaska governor who was the Republican nominee for vice president last year and now a Fox News contributor, delivered their message to a crowd of 4,000 people inside the Tulsa Convention Center.

Palin says expanded government and growth in federal spending will hurt the country. 

She says Washington is disconnected from the rest of America, arguing that Congress is ignoring the demands of the people to stop expanding government programs.

Palin told the audience that Americans should remember that the government works for them and not the other way around.

It's a message that resonated with her fans.

"I just think it's all wrong in Washington DC right now," said Joan Spengler.

"I think Sarah Palin is controversial because she's a woman, but she stands for everything that I believe in, that I was raised to believe in," said David Hanson.

Palin said she and others who share her views understand what those politicians are doing, don't like it and are fighting it. 

Healthcare was a hot topic. Beck argued that the democratically controlled Congress will push through reform, despite the country's massive debt.

"$107 trillion – that's for your Medicare, and Medicaid and Social Security, you know, the things that they want to expand. It is impossible to expand it. It is impossible to afford what we already have," said Beck.

Palin criticized both President Barack Obama, whose name produced boos from the audience, and leaders of Congress.

On a lighter note, Palin said she loves the values and the music of the Heartland.

"Here's to all my sisters keeping it country, you betcha. And John Rich, I've been a big fan of Big & Rich all these years -- his song, Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)… he sings it, he sings it," said Palin.

The tour's promoter allowed the media to shoot only the first five minutes of Palin's and Beck's speeches. They denied requests for one-on-one interviews.

Watch the featured video to hear part of their speeches.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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