Posted on 02/01/2009 11:48:02 AM PST by 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.
(Excerpt) Read more at blogs.abcnews.com ...
No I don’t but they have their own motives. For our part we ought to be encouraging her and House GOP. Simply by speaking she could’ve boosted morale.
“She should have made the appearance. If she wants to run again on her own name then she should be making friends around the country.”
I agree. Even though this story looks cut and dry, I still don’t think I’m getting it all from the MSM, given how desperate they are to separate Sarah from her base.
Exactly. If they want to spend time with Palin, they should go up to Alaska and kiss her hindquarters ... out of consideration that MORE of them didn’t lose their jobs because of her.
According to various REPUTABLE web sites such as Greta’s below, she had very packed schedule w/ STATE business this weekend and left at 6am this morning to head home.
All this crap today is really putting damper on the best sports day of the year...
http://gretawire.foxnews.com/2009/02/01/i-saw-gov-palin-yesterday-and-talked-to-her/
She was at a dinner with some congressional folks Friday night and worked Saturday in the Alaska/DC office - both re the stimulus. She went to the Alfalfa dinner that night, and left for AK at 6 am.
She was invited to the Alfalfa dinner and that takes precedence over a bunch of party hacks.
Yep gotta be where the power brokers are.
snip: http://cnn.mlogic.mobi/cnn/ne/politics/detail/239383/full
The Alfalfa Club dinner is the ultimate venerable gathering of elite politicians, but it has become an especially big draw this year, because White House sources have confirmed Obama is slated to attend.
Palin’s office also said she had plans to participate in a number of other nonpartisan functions while she’s in Washington over the weekend, including a private dinner Friday night at the residence of prominent businessman and former Republican operative Fred Malek.
A number of Republican and Democratic senators are also on the guest list for that event, including Sen. Diane Feinstein, D-California, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky.
Palin also planned to take part in a luncheon Saturday at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a foreign policy think tank.
“She came into the campaign as the maverick, as the person outside the establishment,” Zelizer said. “What she really needs to do now is build her credentials with the establishment. Right now, the goal is not to build her support with the grassroots, it’s to build her support inside the beltway.”
Issues SB events...
The Republican retreat was not in Washington, DC. It was at the Greenbriar in WV, about 4.5 hours drive from DC.
If I were a potential GOP presidential candidate, I think I would avoid the RNC meeting with a battle for its leadership the main event.
This is an ABC story about making something out of nothing, and Boehner’s reply reflected that.
Can you post a picture of yourself in your SP cheerleader outfit?
I’ll betcha you’re cute!
I live in California, and the Republican leadership out here has not only conceded the state to the Democrats, but it actually helps leftist win office as Republicans. We haven’t had any real meaningful Presidential campaigns in the state selling Conservatism since Ronald Reagan.
Steele in his first address stated the party will no longer concede any district in the nation. He promised to fight for them all. That alone is a bell weather sea change in the party’s direction. It’s one I am thrilled to see.
If he tries to install moderates, I’ll be the first one to join you in complaining.
I’m no ones cheerleader. I just don’t like BS being made up about someone just for the sake of destroying their lives. Just let the woman run her state, nah, instead they pull this Saul Alinsky crap to ruin her
Well she missed a big opportunity while in town, that’s all.
Can ABC name him or her? Lame.
Apparently it was at the Homestead in VA, not Greenbriar in WV. Hard to keep those luxury mountain retreats separated in my mind. Essentially the same thing, tho. Neither is that close to DC.
I have no idea why Mrs. Palin didn't attend.
I will say she did it for reasons SHE deemed correct. A good sign, as she doesn't seem to be blown by the wind.
Time will tell whether she will rise to POTUS stature in the eyes of Americans.
It certainly will be a feat of magic, and hard work, as the long knives will be slashing her from all sides.
Not only is this hit piece from ABC, it’s from one of their blogs. Puh-leese! Can you say hearsay? Rumor? Bong laden wanna be reporters?
Yes, we can!
I left N.J. precisely because they have done that very thing for over 50 years.
As Steele is a moderate (could be a good thing in that position) I see him doing exactly what has been going on, as you described.
Media hitpiece
they fear the eff out of her in 2012
my checkbook or my will’s instructiuons are at the ready gurl
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