Sarah Palin campaigns for Donald Trump at annual rodeo in Arcadia

Sarah Palin came to the 88th Arcadia Rodeo in DeSoto County on Sunday to promote the candidacy of Donald Trump.

Palin's appearance was a surprise to most of those attending the annual rodeo/fair event.

Don Smith of Sun City near Tampa had to be told several times before he believed the former Alaska governor was to make an appearance.

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Once he believed it, however, he was all-ears.

"I want to hear what she has to say," Smith, 67, said. "I honestly believe in what Donald Trump is doing."

Palin, a past candidate for vice president shook hands, walked the rodeo grounds and exchanged banter, took photos with admirers and generally enjoyed unequivocal adoration from the rodeo crowd.

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"I love rodeos," she said. "We were commercial fishermen in Alaska but I wish we could have been cowboys."

Palin promoted Trump saying he was the right man for the country right now.

"He's the only one not part of the problems we're facing today," she said. "All of the other guys are part of it."

Palin said Trump, whom she officially endorsed in January, wants nothing to do with political games.

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"He wants to get to work," she said.

Asked if she was considering a possible vice-presidential post with Trump, Palin grinned and said "I've done that before."

About violence that has marred the campaign in recent days, Palin labeled it as carried out by "thugs" who want to keep people with different opinions silenced.

There was none of that kind of political theater on the grounds of the Arcadia Rodeo, in fact the climate in Arcadia was one that favored  Palin and Trump.

Sitting in the 50-plus-year-old rodeo stadium, spectators had nothing but praise for both the candidate and his promoter Palin.

"I'm just tired of giving the country away," said Gerry Rossman of Pine Island, who brought his family to see the rodeo, billed as "The Grandaddy of them all."

"The bill will come due. Our kids will have to to pay for it," he said. His wife Lorie added: "We don't have the money to pay for it."

Paula and Leo Brizzi of Cape Coral came early to get a good seat for the rodeo and were thrilled that Palin was expected.

"I'm a big Trump supporter," Paula Brizzi said. "I like what he stands for. He tells it like it is."

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Leo said he liked Palin for her stand on hunting and guns. At a nudge in the ribs by his wife, he added that he liked Trump as well.

Despite Palin's visit the day was mostly about the rodeo. Palin toured the performer's area, mingling with both riders, clowns, rodeo royalty and children.,

"I thought Sarah was awesome," said rodeo organizer Jimmy Fussell. "She's not politically correct. She doesn't pull any punches. I think it's awesome she came here."

After Arcadia, Palin left to make an appearance at the Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City.

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