Sarah Palin Disinvited, Newt Gingrich In For Major GOP Dinner

WASHINGTON -- Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is out, and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is in as keynote speaker at a Republican dinner this spring.

Palin, the party's 2008 nominee for vice president, had been slated to address the annual Senate-House Dinner in Washington on June 8. The dinner, sponsored by the House and Senate Republican campaign committees, is one of the GOP's biggest fundraisers.

Palin will be replaced by Gingrich. Both are popular figures with the party's base.

A spokesman for the Senate GOP committee, Brian Walsh, said Palin's team informed the campaign committees that her responsibilities in Alaska prevented her from committing to the speech until the end of the legislative session.

"We completely understand and respect Governor Palin's focus on her official state business; however, there is obviously an enormous amount of planning that goes into this annual event. For that reason, we invited and are honored to have former Speaker Newt Gingrich join us as our speaker," Walsh said in an e-mail.

A spokeswoman for Palin denied that she had ever confirmed her role as a speaker, even though the NRSC and the NRCC issued a joint press release two weeks ago trumpeting her appearance.

"Enthusiasm during a scheduling meeting among SarahPAC members to discuss events that we thought the governor should consider attending was misinterpreted as a confirmation of attendance," Palin spokeswoman Meghan Stapleton said in an e-mail.

A GOP official trashed Palin to Fox News and insisted that her camp wasn't telling the truth. "She was a disaster," the source said. "We had confirmation."

Palin catapulted to fame last year as Republican presidential candidate John McCain's running mate and is widely believed to be eyeing a presidential bid in 2012. The leadership committee is intended to help serve as a vehicle for Palin's political activities.

Asked about possible miscommunications between the leadership committee and the governor's office, Stapleton said: "We are always working hard to make sure the bright line exists between official and unofficial business as we respond to thousands of requests for Governor Palin's time."

Comments

[enriquecaliente]

Please don't hate on her. No body told her that when she was selected as the candidate for VP, she had to be knowledgeable of world matters. It's the RNC's fault that they put her out there with no coaching at all. They should have made sure that she was up on current events and reading the new papers. But I did love the 'deer in headlights look' when Katie Couric asked her a question.

[sippewissett]

It's the RNC's fault that Palin is a nitwit? That she is clueless in matters that DO matter nationally and internationally? You mean being mayor of one-horse Wasilla is inadequate preparation for being on the national stage? Nobody twisted her arm to be on McCain's ticket, not even the RNC.

Palin's narcissism won out over 'common sense', which apparently bypassed all of Alaska, including the current clueless mayor of Wasilla. (Watch Jason Jone's brilliant interview with her on The Daily Show clip and see what I mean.) KEEP PALIN IN ALASKA, PLEASE.

[Toonadude]

Where do I sign up to be disinvited ?

[Victoria Stoklosa]

Please let's stop giving this political zero media coverage. Why does she deserve her own link to HuffPost from google? She is a major embarrassment to Republicans because she has nothing to offer as a leader. While I'm not a fan of hers at all, I think continued coverage of her is just mockery, and any publicity these days is good publicity, so even mocking her serves her purposes.

[Decipherer]

Did Lindsay Lohan make her court appearance to face her DUI charge? That news is much more important, or anything more about which young, female celebrity appeared in public sans underwear this time.

Just curious.

[sippewissett]

I disagree on the issue of "any publicity these days is good publicity." Palin hasn't been able to control the news in her favor.
* She nominates a NRA gunslinger as her AG (replacing a Wasilla H.S. buddy) to woo the lower 48, but pisses off Alaskans who want more than an ambulance-chasing, native-basher as their AG.
* She rejects 45% of the stimulus money for the state and gets the hackles up of the whole AK legislature.
* She submits energy legislature so late in the session that the legislature says they won't review it until 2010.
* She says she wants dialog on the stimulus dollars she didn't "reject" (She just didn't accept them), but blows off a meeting in Juneau because she doesn't reside there when the legislature is in session.
* Her staff can't get it straight as to whether she's going to attend the Repug conference or not. Too many handlers, not enough strategy.

Palin has become a caricature for "The Peter Principle" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Principle) so the more exposure of her incompetence, the faster her political demise in 2012.

Palin is a dangerous narcissist who engages in what some call "magical thinking." Don't underestimate her need for the spotlight, even if she hasn't earned it.

[ObamAtomic]

Palin disinvited,Newt the new speaker,what do he wants now?
More Contract With America?
Here this man with not principles,not morals trying to lecture fellow Americans!

[Decipherer]

Joe the Plumber already had a gig & couldn't make it, much to the disappointment of the GOP.

[sippewissett]

The really good news is that Newt's moral lapses will not be forgotten. They've been too flagrant and will bring him down with the very evangelical base he needs to even get noticed. Converting to Catholicism and having one's past evaporate is convenient but it fits too neatly into the overall GOP long-term-memory lapse, a convenience that won't wash with the public at large.

[georgefrancis]

I'm sick of everybody bashing Sarah Palin. The smear campaign against her was slanderous and slanted, and now even the Republcans have thrown her under a bus.

I think McCain's selection of her was shrewd. Anyone who's against the creepy federal government like she is I would say is ok in my book. Perhaps she could have been instrumental in cutting waste and a less invasive approach to economic stability. Instead we have Obama who gave enough money to the banks to fund 6 Iraq Wars.

We just had to have our "revolution." Sigh.

[Openyermind]

Oh BS, this creature was the most hate-filled ignorant candidate in decades. The left didn't have to do anything to smear her, her actions accomplished at all by themselves. If you think she she could have cleaned up anything you need help. She did everything she could to stir up hate and bigotry against Obama and all other Dems.

[ObamAtomic]

weee! Well if you are sick get medical attention soon,sorry no Doctors are available here!
Do not talk about Obama,talk about your Mama ,ok
better remember the past eight years,what's your problem?

[IhaveaDREAMwhitegirl]

http://www.themudflats.com/

[Decipherer]

Ask your doctor if doubling your prescription for Xanax is right for you.

[sippewissett]

Aah, poor Sarah. Bashing by the "mainstream media" is SO cruel. Did you ever stop to think that she brings it on herself? Do you read anything of substance about her or do you just listen to her whining?

Try this article on her energy governance and then tell us all what we should admire: http://www.portfolio.com/executives/features/2009/03/17/Governor-Palins-Big-Energy-Battles

Palin is in over her head and incompetently 'running' Alaska. We can't let her out of there to ruin the rest of the nation. She knows nothing of economics, global finance, statesmans­hip...even the English language. McCain should be forever reviled for caving to conservatives on her as a V.P.candidate. It was he who let her think she's a viable candidate nationally. Shame on him.

[oregonideas]

Perhaps the GOP has realized Sarah has gone beyond her "sell by" date. To be replaced by Newt isn't exactly a compliment. Who really knows what actually happened, but it's hard to imagine Sarah choosing to miss an opportunity to make an ass of herself.

[Skyhawk]

Janine Turner and Angie Harmon are attending, so they have enough strippers.

[Raybee]

ENOUGH WITH SARAH PALIN!!!!! Let the mouth fade into a snow bank.

WHO CARES!!!

Keep talking the Repugs are going to run the wench in 2012.

[666IronMonkey666]

They were probably scared of that voice--talk about Weapon of Mass Distortion.

[WarrenPease]

It's an audio engineer's nightmare.

[WarrenPease]

Perhaps they thought she might show up wearing an outfit that should have been returned.

[StillTrying]

Good. Who needs this governor? She's not my idea of leader. Of course, neither is about 80% of the Democrats or Republicans in office right now, nationally! Pack of self-serving and pandering politicians.

[tiotom77]

I agree with you. It's a shame the only the Dems and Repubs get government back campaign funds. That's why other parties never stand a chance. Even Teddy Roosevelt couldn't overcome those odds.

[DaveVDave]

Very true. I think a new party would be great. Or just eliminating both and everyone being on the same team. I think it is ridiculous how on votes the votes will almost be directly down party lines with only a few exceptions. Like 200 for and 100 against when there are 200 dems and 100 repubs. Regardless of the actual law itself. I think it is incredibly wasteful and childish. Just vote on the law! Not who sponsored it! What are there 10 year olds in office?

http://www.TheCommentDepot.com

[terkid]

From the look of the photo accompanying this article...
looks like Sarah's had enough big, ole boy, GOPpy dinners.
Packing on some hefty post-fame poundage, eh Sarah?
Well, that's one way of returning to being the BIG star of the GOP.

[digdeeper]

She wants to be like all the other GOP wannabees who all look as thought they never did without a good dinner in their lives.

[StillTrying]

You're both mental infants, aren't you?

[trisha08]

As I read the story this morning of Obama in Europe with Sarkozy, I could help think of how embarassing it would be to have Palin at the G20 as the highest representative of the United States of America. Can you imagine her meeting the Queen, European leaders and Sarkozy....they man she thought she was talking to as she was really being punked on the radio!!!!! OMG...Palin was so embarassing on that call as she fawned, "Tell your beautiful wife hello and we love you", etc.

[StillTrying]

Well, if you get your dose of news from comdey shows, radio and TV, then you obviously have a well-informed view of those who do not get targeted by comic shows on radio or TV. And that's about all you have. Did you have a reason to be here? Learning how to comment as an adult?

[Militant Leftist]

StillBitter - Bravo! I'm sure those prominent GOP officials, journalists, and commentators who also questioned Palin's qualifications were brainwashed by those same comedy, radio, and tv shows!

[Shikamaru]

Really?! Trishao8's point is very valid. It doesn't matter if a joke was played on Palin by an authentic news outlet or a tv/radio station. The point being made, since it's obvious you missed it's mark, is that Sarah Palin had little exposure to national politics, as well as it being evident she doesn't have a full understanding of our Executive, Legislative, and Judicial processes. I digress, why let facts cloud your conservative brain.

[WarrenPease]

StillDrying, you're not implying that you get your news from HuffnPuff, are you?

Most of the jokes about the Goofenor wrote themselves. If you recall, she was quoted almost verbatim in a sketch on SNL.

Try again.

[kd1313]

Her presidential chances are going down the toilet right now....http://hateonme.com

[in4success]

the neo-con leadership has figured out you need more than 23% of the vote to win . . . . you need 49% and the supreme court.

[YellowPanties]

oh please please please run in 2012, Sarah. And then run again in 2016, and then 2020. In fact, I fervently hope the GOP selects you as their candidate every four years until there are only a handful of Republicans left. Please.

[MarsAmbassador]

Between this and the one she canceled on at the last minute a couple of months ago, these are the results of one of two things.

1. Sarah secretly knows she offers nothing substantive or tangible to the Public Discussion and has worked to keep herself out of the public eye until she has something other than her campaign stump speech to say.

or

2. The GOP realizes that their Cinderella is really the ugly step-sister and would result in their untimely demise at the polls if they latched themselves to her wagon

[trisha08]

Or, Palin is so arrogant that she believes that she is such a hot ticket that she doesn't need to bend over backwards to get support from the GOP. I think she may have been playing "hard to get---committing, but not committing. I'm sure she thought that they wanted her so badly that she would make them wait.... and squirm. Got-ya, Palin. They didn't think you were worth waiting for and moved on.