SEARCHLIGHT, Nevada - Sarah Palin told thousands of conservative tea party activists assembled in the Nevada desert Saturday that they should fire Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and other Democrats from Congress in the upcoming national election. Authentic BenJarvus Green-Ellis Jersey . The wind whipped US flags behind the former Alaska governor as she stood on a makeshift stage and spoke to the cheering crowd in Reids hometown. She told them Reid, fighting for re-election, is gambling away our future. Someone needs to tell him, this is not a crapshoot, Palin said. About 7,000 people streamed into tiny Searchlight, a former mining town 60 miles (100 km) south of Las Vegas, bringing American flags, Dont Tread on Me signs and outspoken anger toward Reid, President Barack Obama and the health care overhaul. Palin told them the big-government, big-debt spending spree of the Senate majority leader, Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is over. Youre fired! Palin said. A string of polls has shown Reid is vulnerable in politically moderate Nevada after pushing Obamas agenda in Congress. His standing has also been hurt by Nevadas double-digit unemployment and record foreclosure and bankruptcy rates. The Searchlight native responded with sarcasm to the large crowd gathered in the hardscrabble town of about 1,000 he grew up in. Im happy so many people came to see my hometown of Searchlight and spend their out-of-state money, especially in these tough economic times, Reid said Saturday in a statement released through his Senate campaign. This election will be decided by Nevadans, not people from other states who parachuted in for one day to have a tea party. Traffic on a highway leading into the town was backed up more than 2 miles (3 km) Saturday afternoon as people gathered for the rally, which kicks off a 42-city bus tour that ends in Washington on April 15, the deadline for filing federal tax returns. Cars and recreational vehicles filled the dusty area where the rally was held, as people set up lawn chairs and braced against the stiff wind whipping up dust clouds and blowing dozens of flags straight out. Related readings: Sarah Palin to star in television series on Alaska Cable networks eye Sarah Palin reality show Palin to pen book on American values Sarah Palins new gig: late-night comedian Luis Salvador, 55, an unemployed fire sprinkler fitter, drove down from Las Vegas to support Reid, who he said has done a lot for the state and doesnt deserve the protest brought to his hometown. You dont come to a mans house and start creating a ruckus, said Salvador, a registered independent. The rally took place just days after Obama signed into law the historic health care reform bill approved by Congress that ushered in near-universal medical coverage but left the nation deeply divided. The vote was followed by reports of threats and vandalism aimed at some Washington lawmakers, mostly Democrats who supported the new law. Palin, the 2008 Republican vice-presidential nominee, appeared after spending Friday and Saturday morning campaigning for Sen. John McCain, the Arizona Republican who led the 2008 ticket. McCain is seeking re-election but faces a Republican primary challenge from the right by former congressman and radio talk show host JD Hayworth. Now a Fox News analyst and potential 2012 presidential candidate, Palin faced criticism after posting a map on her Facebook page that had circles and cross hairs over 20 Democratic districts. She also sent a tweet saying, Dont Retreat, Instead - RELOAD! She said Saturday she wasnt inciting violence, just trying to inspire people to get involved. Associated Press Authentic Haloti Ngata Jersey . 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In the end, the Pittsburgh Steelers used some late game dramatics to capture their record sixth Super Bowl championship by defeating the Arizona Cardinals 27-23.Captain Daniel Alfredsson is once again out of the Ottawa Senators lineup with the same hip flexor injury that forced him to miss a pair of games two weeks ago. While the National Hockey Leagues leading scorer says he isnt concerned about the recent setback, Alfredsson isnt sure when he will return for game action. "Im going to take a few days here to let it heal up and make sure I dont come back and aggravate it again," he told reporters on Thursday. The 35-year-old winger hasnt skated in two days and wont likely play Saturday in Toronto against the Maple Leafs. "Well see how it goes and take it day by day," Alfredsson said. "I think the biggest thing is you want to make sure you dont have this recurring all the time. When you come back, you want to be able to play 100 percent." Thats not an issue at the moment for head coach John Paddock, who said the situation would have been different if they were playing games in late April. "Its like it was before," explained Paddock on Thursday. "Hed probably play if it was aa playoff game, but he just wants to get rid of (the injury) rather than just have it hang there. Aaron Hernandez Super Bowl Jersey. He said hes about 80 percent - 80 percent of him will still be our best player but he has to get it better." There is good news on the injury front for Dany Heatley. The teams sniper will miss his ninth game with a separated shoulder, but he is now day-to-day and has been cleared for some light contact and drills. He was originally diagnosed for four-to-six weeks of recovery, but has already has been skating with the team for a few days. "I pushed it again pretty hard yesterday," Heatley told reporters. "I felt good this morning and ran into a few guys today and Im feeling good right now, so as long as it keeps getting better every day, who knows." There are no doubts that the Senators cant wait for the return of Alfredsson and Heatley and their combined 57 goals this season. Without Heatley in their last eight games, the team has a 3-5 record. Files from TSN Ottawa reporter Brent Wallace were used for this report. ' ' '