GOP failed on money matters, Palin says

WASHINGTON, Nov. 14 (UPI) -- A failure by Republicans to protect U.S. consumers' pocketbooks contributed to the party's losses on Election Day, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin said.

"The federal government, led by Republicans, spent too much money, and that was not in the public's best interest," Palin, the party's vice presidential candidate, said in an interview Friday in the The Washington Times. "The public got tired of that and wanted change away from that unrestrained spending."

Palin also said the Republican Party needed to remain strong on matters of national defense, social issues and free markets.

"That is the agenda that is going to build this country back -- free-enterprise solutions to the challenges we face, respect for equality and respect for life," Palin said.