HONG KONG — Months after abruptly resigning as Alaska’s governor, Sarah Palin resurfaced in Hong Kong on Wednesday more moderate in tone and better versed in international affairs, possibly laying the first brick for a 2012 White House bid.
In her first overseas speech, the former vice presidential candidate touched on a wide range of issues — including financial markets, Afghanistan, China-U.S. relations and health care — before a room packed with more than a thousand investors and bankers at an annual investment conference.
“I’m going to call it like I see it, and I will share with you candidly a view right from Main Street, Main Street USA,” Palin said, according to a video of part of the speech obtained by The Associated Press.
While she displayed some of her trademark folksy charm, missing was the sharp partisan edge of the politician who toured the nation as Sen. John McCain’s Republican running mate. She appeared more moderate and did not attack President Barack Obama directly, attendees said.
“She has learned and grown from the election,” said Melvin Goode, a New York-based consultant who said he had carried out some political polling for Obama in the past. “She was more level-headed. . . . She didn’t criticize. I was waiting to see if she said anything derogatory about Obama, and she didn’t.”
Her speech was closed to the news media.
