From CNN: She came, she spoke and she rocked the house

Palin set Indiana on fire with her speech last night at the Vanderburgh County Right to Life banquet, and added more energy to conservative movement after Wednesday's tea parties.

Palin applauded at anti-abortion event in Indiana
From Candy Crowley
CNN
(CNN) -- She came, she spoke and she rocked the house.

Officials at the Vanderburgh County Right to Life banquet in Indiana didn't think there was much chance Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin would accept their invitation to the group's biggest fundraiser, but she did.

Tickets to the Evansville, Indiana, event sold out immediately -- even before it was open to the public.

It was little more than a cameo appearance, but the anti-abortion movement is a core constituency in the Republican Party, and the speech was Palin's first this year in the lower 48.

The appearance did have people talking about her 2012 intentions, although there were no hints Thursday night.

The former Republican vice presidential nominee instead praised her state, criticized President Obama's economic recovery plan and talked at length about her anti-abortion views.

Drawing a crowd of 3,000 -- plus nationwide media -- organizers were forced to open up an overflow area for attendees.

"It's great to be here in Indiana, the crossroads of America," she said to thunderous applause.

Palin dedicated most of her speech to the anti-abortion cause and her support of adoption. She became emotional when discussing her son Trig, who has Down syndrome, and the fear and concern she felt during her pregnancy.

"I had to call upon my faith and ask that my heart be filled up, and I will tell you, the moment he was born, I knew for sure that my prayer was answered and my heart overflowed with joy," she said, choking back tears.

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