Sarah Palin warns Republicans of the consequences of splitting from the tea party. Palin: GOP 'through' without tea party

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin on Monday warned Republican Party leaders that if they do not adhere to the message of the tea party, the GOP may be "through."

In a brief interview with CNN shortly after a rally for the Tea Party Express in Reno, Palin insisted that the reports of a rift between the tea party and GOP are overblown. But she went on to lay out the consequences of a tea party-GOP split.


"I think more of the machine within the GOP is going to understand that this 'we the people' message is rising, and it's resonating throughout with the independents, with hard core conservatives, with moderates, because it's just so full of common sense and time-tested truths that can put the economy on the right track," Palin said.

"Heaven forbid that the GOP machine strays from this message," she said. "If so, the GOP is through."

When asked if that meant Republicans would be wise to kick the few remaining moderates out of the party, Palin contended that it would not be necessary — though many of her endorsements have aimed to do just that.

"This is all about an independent message, moderates who just believe that government's proper role is very constrained and restrained, according to our Constitution, that our states' rights, our individual rights should be more powerful and made more manifest than a growing federal government — their — their power," she said.

"So moderates can embrace that," Palin added. "Independents certainly can."

Today's event in Reno follows a Saturday appearance by Palin at a GOP rally in Southern California. She will appear at another party rally this weekend in Orlando, Fla.