Former Alaska Governor and 2008 Republican Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin signs autographs at the 2010 Southern Republican Leadership Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana April 9, 2010. Republicans boldly predicted gains in November congressional elections on Thursday and rallied loyalists with sharp criticism of U.S. President Barack Obama over issues from healthcare to foreign policy. Palin is the Conference's headline speaker on Friday. REUTERS/Sean Gardner (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS)