NEW ORLEANS - The road to victory begins in New Orleans according to the 4,000 Republicans delegates attending this weekend's Southern Leadership Conference in the Crescent City.
Former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin is among the many potential GOP contenders to challenge President Obama in 2012.
"Don't retreat, reload," Palin told the crowd that filled the Grand Ballroom at the Hilton Riverside Hotel.
Palin gave it to the president and the Democrat-controlled Congress with both barrels.
In a speech chock full of political one-liners, she sounded very much the candidate.
She drew loud cheers, blasting the administration and congressional leaders for everything from healthcare reform to the economy.
"The Obama, Pelosi, Reid agenda, it defies logic," said Palin. "It defies common sense and it will leave us less secure and more in debt and more beholden to foreign countries and more under the thumb of big government. It is out of touch. It's out of date and their running out of time."
Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, once considered a possible presidential candidate, told delegates he is not looking for a new job.
"I want to make a very important announcement today, as far as my family is concerned, let me be clear to you, I am not running for President of the United States of America, I have got the job that I want," said Jindal.
Still, Jindal joined the other speakers in rallying the conservative base of the party and predicting huge gains in Congress during the mid-term elections.
"We may not be able to take away their arrogance, but in November, we can take away their power," said Jindal.
Louisiana Republican leaders say regardless of who comes out on top on 2012, New Orleans is already a big winner for hosting the conference.
"They'll spend money in New Orleans," said Secretary of State Jay Darden. "It's great for tourism and it's great for Republicans to get together in this city and it puts a focus on Louisiana and the good things that are happening in Louisiana.
"We're going to see the nation's attention focussing back on New Orleans in a positive light and of course we need as much of that as we can get," said Rep. Steve Scalise, R-Louisiana.
There are more than 130 credentialed media organizations at the GOP meeting.
Several of them, including CNN are expected to broadcast live from New Orleans this weekend.
Saturday's headliners at the Southern Republican Leadership Conference include Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour, Texas Congressman Ron Paul and RNC Chairman Michael Steele.
