Palin stiffs the House Republicans

ABC News - The Note ^ | 2009-01-31

[rabscuttle385]

When House Republicans planned their annual winter retreat, they extended an invitation to Alaska Gov. Sara Palin, hoping the party's 2008 vice presidential nominee would give a morale-building speech to the more than 130 Republican members of Congress gathered this weekend in Hot Springs, Va.

Retreat organizers tell ABC News that Palin politely declined, giving a perfectly understandable reason. According to the Congressional Institute, which hosted the conference, Palin said she simply could not make it to the retreat because pressing state business made it impossible for her to leave Alaska this weekend.

So where is Palin this weekend? She's in Washington, D.C., attending the super-elite Alfalfa Dinner.

"She lied to us," said a Republican at the retreat.

[Syncro]

Could you give your reasons for saying Steele is no conservative?

I am sure lots of us would like to see the list as he is relatively unknown to most people.

[Syncro]

Well, perhaps you should contact one of her aides and help schedule her events better.

I'm betting it was a hard decision to make, but that she made the best one for her State and political career.

The retreat could have been scheduled for a different date as the alfalfa dinner is one of the most important events in DC.

[redgirlinabluestate]

I don't know either if Pense had anything to do with the organization of the retreat.

Pence was, in fact, the main "planner in chief" of the retreat.

Pence Reshapes Retreat to Aid Rebuilding Plan

[Girlene]

I believe it is set up by the Congressional Institute, run by lobbyists. No that there is anything wrong with that. I don't know either if Pense had anything to do with the organization of the retreat.

Here's one link that talks about Pence's "reorganization" of the event. Pence Reshapes Retreat to Aid Rebuilding Plan from Roll Call.

"Chairman Mike Pence (Ind.) has made sweeping changes to the agenda that the House Republican Conference will follow at its annual retreat this week. Rather than running a typical “rally the troops” program, he’s hoping to use the gathering as a platform for the broader rebuilding effort under way within the GOP. To that end, the list of those invited to join the House Republicans at the Homestead in Hot Springs, Va., on Thursday sounds like a 2012 presidential primary ballot.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels are among the speakers scheduled to attend, while three other governors — California’s Arnold Schwarzenegger, Alaska’s Sarah Palin and Louisiana’s Bobby Jindal — sent their regrets, according to sources familiar with the guest list.

And even though over the past several years the president has been invited to and attended both the Democratic and Republican retreats, President Barack Obama was not on the invite list, according to a House aide. "..........read more

[St. Louis Conservative]

Not a huge deal, although she should have gone. It would have been a good morale booster.

[Syncro]

Thanks.

It looks like a good event.

[Syncro]

Oops, thanks to you also.

I should have read all of my pings before replying (above)

[bentover]

Just bad Republicans, just bad that’s all.

[redgirlinabluestate]

What Sarah said:

“The Alfalfa dinner, yes, in fact that’s because President Obama is scheduled to be there," Palin said. "And how often will I have an opportunity to have dinner with the president? I will take up that offer to do so."

Pence or the President? Too many choices! :-)

[Tribune7]

If it’s ABC it has to be true /s.

[Syncro]

Good quote, thanks!

[thile44]

In my opinion she has already learned who to have as friends and she is already influencing them. US!

[Tribune7]

ABC should know all about what is stiff and what is not.

I doubt it.

[RichInOC]

I would need to know when they asked her, and when she was invited to the Alfalfa dinner, and what if anything happened in the meantime, to make a judgment. Also, it would be nice to know who the source is. Reporters in general and political hacks in particular are entirely too much in love with the unnamed source. Guys, if you want to be Perez Hilton, go be Perez Hilton.

[Cacique]

Methinks that Palin is not the conservative that many think she is. I just don’t see her as pour presidential candidate in 2012.

[FFranco]

I don’t believe Gov. Palin lied. I don’t think she would do that, she’s too moral. It must be some kind of misunderstanding.

[sauropod]

Maybe she had committed to the Alfalfa dinner before she was asked to the Stupid Party retreat and she was too nice to tell them that?

[SuziQ]

Sarah will reveal herself over time. There’s no need to form a frozen opinion on her today. And when we do, I would hope we wouldn’t for that opinion based on the MSM’s propaganda.

Well said. It angers me to see folks here who are so willing to dump Republicans over the side based on information in the MSM, who we ALL know are no friends of Republicans.

[peggybac]

Only ABCNBCCBSCNNMSNBCPBS would think this is news. I echo Boehner with a big fat, “Whatever.”

[DoughtyOne]

I agree. SuziQ. I will add that once it’s obvious there is a problem and the MSM touches on it, we can’t blame them.

If Sarah does undercut her own credibility, there will come a point when she can’t blame anyone else for it. We won’t be able to either.

She must stick to her Conservative guns. I don’t mind defending a Conservative, but I’ve defended my last RINO in the long haul.