At Nevada Tea Party, Sarah Palin Has Message for Harry Reid, D.C. Establishment: 'You're Fired'

SEARCHLIGHT, Nev., March 27, 2010 — -- It may seem like an unlikely spot for a political rally -- just a dusty patch of desert 60 miles south of Las Vegas -- but there's a reason former GOP vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin came to address thousands of people at a Tea Party rally today.

Searchlight, Nev., is Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's hometown, and the people at the so-called "showdown in Searchlight" want to send him back home in November.

"We're sending a message to Washington," Palin said. "It's loud and it's clear, and in these upcoming elections we're saying that the big-government, big-debt, Obama-Pelosi-Reid spending spree is over. You're fired."

The event was advertised as a conservative Woodstock, a political be-in for the talk radio crowd.

As many as 10,000 people packed up their coolers, hoisted their "Don't Tread on Me" flags and hoofed it down the highway to gather in the desert for Palin.

"It's so good to be here for the showdown in Searchlight," Palin said. "So proud to be with all of you who are so proud to be Americans. God bless you."

Palin said the time has come to take back the government from "European-style socialism."

"The first task is to restore balance and common sense," she said. "And the first test will be at the ballot box in November."

Searchlight was the first stop on a bus tour that will travel through two dozen states before ending in the nation's capital on Tax Day, April 15.

The recent vote to reform the nation's health care system was the front-and-center issue at today's Nevada rally. The crowd wanted a repeal of that legislation, passed without any Republican votes.

"Something's not quite right when Fidel Castro comes out and says he likes Obamacare but we don't like Obamacare," Palin said.