Posted on 01/08/2010 2:30:00 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
Sarah Palin’s plan to deliver the keynote address – for a fee – at next month’s first-ever National Tea Party Convention is getting renewed attention in light of her rejection Thursday of an invitation to speak at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference.
The decision to blow off CPAC – traditionally seen as the year’s must-attend event for the conservative establishment – in favor of a little-known convention is prompting some soul-searching among CPAC supporters, and is being interpreted as a calculated play by the former Alaska governor to cast herself as the potential 2012 GOP presidential candidate of the high-energy, anti-establishment Tea Party movement.
But it’s also renewed questions about her political judgment and brought scrutiny on the Tea Party Convention, which kicks off two weeks before CPAC’s Feb. 18 start date and has cast itself to some degree as a more homegrown, grassroots alternative to the traditional conservative conference.
“It’s a missed opportunity for her, for sure,” said GOP operative Brad Blakeman. “CPAC is an established mainstay of conservatism that those seeking to be active in 2010, 2012 and beyond should take advantage of to be seen and heard, while the tea parties are a manifestation of frustration that is loosely organized and hasn’t proven itself at the polls.”
Palin has committed to speaking at April’s Southern Republican Leadership Conference in New Orleans, considered a must-attend for_prospective candidates for the 2012 Republican nomination.
Still, the CPAC snub combined with the Tea Party commitment were clearly intended to send a message, asserted Erick Erickson, founder of the influential conservative_blog_RedState.com, which is owned by a publishing firm that is co-sponsoring CPAC. “I get why she did it,” he said. “It is a purposeful decision on her part to try to claim a segment of the conservative movement as her own.”(continued)
(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...
Tea Party = is the NEW grassroots.
I agree JaneNC Cpac is the grassroots and also a lot of young people who can be brought to our cause. Last yr. at CPAC we had great speakers, culminating with Rush.
Going to the Southern Repubs is not going to get her any support...it is mostly politico’s including Mitch Romney.
I’m sorry she chose this to diss
Texas for Sarah Palin
We see several valid reasons for the former governor to pass on CPAC's invitation:1. Keene took the "C" out of CPAC: Keene endorsed Arlen Specter in 2003 and Mitt Romney in 2007. How "conservative" is that? Specter was a liberal Republican until he changed parties, and Romney's health care program in Massachusetts is so close to the plan the Democrats are trying to enact nationally right now that it's creepy. Accepting the CPAC invitation would tarnish Sarah Palin's conservative credentials. Let's face it, CPAC isn't what it used to be. It's gotten watered down.
2. Keene publicly dissed Sarah Palin: He called her a whiner and said that she wasn't ready to run for president, all because she could attend CPAC last year because her political enemies in Alaska would have nailed her to a cross over it. Keene also criticized her for resigning as Alaska's governor, even though in doing so, she has brought her poll numbers up and increased her political power. After the way ACU's chairman has treated her, why should the governor lend her star power to Keene's event? Only a fool tries to scrtch the ears of the dog that bit her, and Sarah Palin is no fool.
3. The FedEx fiasco: We don't think this was a major factor in Governor Palin's decision making. The ACU didn't come out of it smelling like a rose, however, and it's just one more reason, at the least, to have nothing to do with them.
4. The John Birch Society's CPAC sponsorship: WaPo political blogger Chris Cillizza says that "according to those familiar with her thinking" the JBS association with CPAC 2010 is one of the reasons the governor decided not to attend. JBS may not be the same organization which earned itself such a bad name -- not to mention the scorn of conservatives such as William F. Buckley -- in years past, but the last thing Sarah Palin needs right now is to be tainted with the JBS reputation for extremism.
Any of these four factors is, by itself, reason enough for Gov. Palin to avoid CPAC like the plague, in our opinion.
CPAC no longer represents the grass roots. It’s been taken over by the Romney-ites. It’s chairman has been trashing Sarah whenever he gets a chance. She is formalizing what we already knew, that CPAC now stands for Co-opted Political Action Committee.
CPAC’s David Keene is a Mitt Romney supporter
He also trashed Sarah Palin.
To bad Keene chose to diss Palin, the Conservative Republican
She’s going to speak at the Southern Republican Leadership Conference in April with Tim Pawlenty, Sonny Perdue, Rick Perry, Bob Riley, Mitt Romney, Schwarzenegger, Haley Barbour, Newt, Hannity, Huckabee, Jindal, & Rush...might as well speak at CPAC as well...magritte
The Tea Party is like any Traditional Special Interest Group trying to obtain a Platform Plank or two, and Maybe the Floor holding up the Platform.
Promise the Republican Party enough votes, and they will supposedly Include your issues in the Republican Platform and pursue them once elected.
Unless, your RNC organization is a bunch of Lying SOB politicians who “Promise” you things for your Votes.
Therein, lies the Tea Party Strength, either Co-operate or your RNC Candidate “will be Eliminated”..... by a Third Party Candidate write in, by a legit TEA Candidate on the Republican Primary, etc....Tea has Legs.
Tea Party, the Grass Roots Electorate Tyranny.
With Sarah Palin, you’re not dealing with a politician but rather a person with principles. Her reasons may well be stated later by her, but I would guess that she doesn’t want to support a “Conservative” organization that is not conservative. The SRLC does not purport to be conservative, just Republican and all of those folks are for better or worse Republicans.
The head of the So Repo Lead. Conf did’t rip and diss Palin
as David Keene did.
You’re all wet.Palin knows what the score is.cpac is rino inc these days.
David Keene dissed her, so she should go right to CPAC and deliver a barn-burning, in your face, this is why I’m right and you’re full of crap speech right in his face...if you’re going to fight in the Bigs, you take it to them...magritte
Have you and jane been playing in the rain together?You’re all wet just as she.
CPAC also has welcomed the anti war JBS as a sponsor.
Wrong.
In Reagan’s day, CPAC was still a conservative event. But it’s not your Reagan’s CPAC any more.
Chairman David Keene endorsed liberal Arlen Specter in 2003 and statist Mitt Romney in 2007.
CPAC isn’t for conservatives anymore.
- JP
Tho I love Palin, and don’t know whether or not she should have turned down the CPAC invitation, I wish she had not taken a fee for the Tea Party Convention. Her books sales are phenomenal Why charge a fledgling movement/ organization when the Tea Party Backs her, bought her book,etc.?
In 2011 when she speaks at CPAC they’ll say she dissed the RNC or the Tea Party or the Kiwanis Club. When she takes money they’ll make Big Noise about how greedy she is. When she doesn’t, they’ll imply she’s “playing favorites” or exchanging favors.
The “Politico.” That’s where we go for information about Sarah Palin? If so—let’s remember: they DESPISE Sarah Palin and seek to DESTROY her any way they can.
CPAC is not the CPAC of old anymore....its filled with Romneybots and is more RINO CPAC than ever, the President of CPAC ripped into Sarah last year, trust us...
BTW...the Tea Party is charging a lot of money for members to attend the convention in Nashville, but this money is for the convention and the local tea parties...no one is certain if and how much Palin is actually getting
Be careful of POLITICO and MSM as far as Sarah is concerned
Feel better?
Yes I would feel better, but I think it might have been better PR given the economy and her situation. Guess that is just me. I just read and had idea that CPAC speakers don’t get paid.
I feel that the tea party is a grass roots organization, a fledgling movement, yet in my opinion, the cost of attending is not cheap given the economy and financial position of many loyal tea party goers. Tho I do feel it is a good central location geographically, I just think perhaps further steps could have been taken to cut costs. Others may feel it is fair price, good value, etc. But I can tell you that even tho my husband is employed, we won’t be spending that kind of money in 2010 to attend what I am sure will be a groundbreaking convention.
When I looked at the website, I was somewhat surprised at the particular venue that was chosen and the terms—I.e. must stay on-site for 2 days or pay $550 and attend both banquet and convention. So pay minimum of $770/1st person $550 each additional staying in the room plus additional travel costs in getting to Nashville. No idea what her speaking fees are, but I wish Sarah would have donated her fees to allow convention fees to be less, offered scholarships to state tea party groups to send delegates, etc.
that said, again, I am sure it will be a phenomenal convention and she will be a fabulous speaker.
I wonder who’s demonstrated better political instincts, Sarah Palin or Brad Blakeman?
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