Voices from the Tea Party Express rally

Voices from today's Tea Party rally on Boston Common, compiled by David Abel and Sarah Schweitzer of the Globe staff.:

In addition to the Tea Party faithful, dozens of counterprotesters were on hand this morning. When Sarah Palin took the stage, she was greeted by a smattering of boos.

Eunice Ko, 21, a Boston University junior, was handing out pamphlets to Tea Party members, in hopes of changing their political views.

"I think a lot of people here don't know what they are talking about. They are just angry at the government and want to take it out on someone,'' she said. "I realize that not everyone in the Tea Party is a racist. But it provides a platform for people who are bigots.''

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Carla Morey, 54, of Milton, said she felt one emotion as she listened to Palin's talk.

"I felt happy,'' said the retiree, who wore a sticker on her jacket touting gubernatorial candidate Charles Baker and his running mate, Richard Tisei. "I live in a very blue state. I want to turn it red, or at least, purple.''

After Palin's speech, Morey called her "a true American. She has the ability to instill pride, passion, and conservative principles.''

An unenrolled voter, Morey said she has donated to the Tea Party organization. "I felt that finally there was somewhere that I could have a voice,'' she said.

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Les Anderson, 63, a real estate agent form Amebsury, attended his first Tea Party event and called Palin's speech inspiring.

"I liked the values that she talks about,'' he said.

He registered one disappointment with Palin's message, however, saying he wished she had addressed the issue of abortion.

"I am a citizen of America and an ambassador to Christ,'' he said. "I believe abortion is appalling.''