ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is defending Miss California Carrie Prejean.
Palin says in a statement, "The liberal onslaught of malicious attacks against Carrie Prejean for expressing her opinion is despicable."
Prejean created a stir at last month's Miss USA pageant, saying marriage should only be between a man and a woman.
Questions about her work with gay marriage opponents and nearly nude photos taken of her when she was a teenager put her title in jeopardy before pageant owner Donald Trump decided to let the state title holder keep her crown.
In her statement, Palin says she can relate to Prejean "as a liberal target myself."
She said she respect Prejean for staying true to her beliefs.
Palin was a runner-up in the 1984 Miss Alaska contest.
