Palin rebuffs CPAC, Keene
Politico
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Pain is turning down an invitation to speak at one high-profile conservative gathering while accepting another.
Palin is declining an invitation to address the Conservative Political Action Conference next month because, a source said, she does not want to be affiliated with the longtime organizer of the traditional movement confab.
At issue is the role of David Keene, head of the American Conservative Union which organizes CPAC. In September, POLITICO reported that Keene asked FedEx for between $2 million and $3 million to get the group’s support in a bitter legislative battle with rival UPS.
A source close to the Palin camp says that request led to a decision to stay away from the upcoming CPAC conference, calling it a forum that will place “special interests over core beliefs” and “pocketbook over policy.”
“That’s not what CPAC should be about and people are tiring,” the source said. “Palin is taking a stance against this just as she did in Alaska.”
When asked about the move, Palin spokeswoman Meg Stapleton said: “We support those who advance our core beliefs and lead by principle.”
In the past Keene has criticized Palin in the conservative press, telling Newsmax in July that she was “whining” about her press coverage and was not yet ready for primetime.
“Conservatives like her, but you’ve got to have more than that,” Keene told the outlet. “You’ve got to be more than a rock star. If in fact she’s interested in the presidency, she has got to establish herself as someone you can envision in the Oval Office. And it’s become more difficult to envision than it was at the time of the election.”
While Palin was turning down CPAC, she accepted an invitation to the Southern Republican Leadership Conference in New Orleans this April.
“I’m looking forward to addressing conservative activists from across the south at the 2010 Southern Republican Leadership Conference,” Palin said in a statement announcing her attendance. “This is a great opportunity to listen and speak to those who are helping to set the direction of our party.”
While Palin has received hefty payments for other speeches, her appearance at the SRLC will not be paid.
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Wild Thing’s comment………
Smart move. CPAC seems to be turning into some kind of circus.
It is refreshing to have a “politician” stay true to their own values, and not be sucked in with the rest of the crowd.
Good show Sarah. She is putting distance between herself and the good-old-boy, dysfunctional GOP establishment. I think CPAC is a Newt Gingrich baby. If so, it certainly reflects his flawed character.
Everybody is angry with the RNC and for good reason. They have neglected their conservative base. But remember this, This is a two party country. If there is a splintering it will very well help the democrats and the last thing we need is to give the democrats momentum and obama a 2nd term.
Tom, DITTO all you said.
Mark, I agree, I have a feeling Sarah is just
trying to let the RNC know like we have that we
have had enough. I heard CPAC was going to have
some extra groups this year of pro – gay marriage groups and some other gay agenda things. That might be part of her decision too,I’m not sure.
I still SHRED all of my GOP / RNC mail weekly and monthly! Sorry Mr. Steel. As for CPAC, I watch the C-Span coverage when Ann Coulter speaks! Then I put back on the WB Looney Tunes channel…
Read on another blog that Sarah is going to be the featured speaker at the upcoming Tea Party covention,and Michelle Bachmann, is also scheduled to speak. Wouldn’t be surprised if Liz Cheney is not also included.
That would be one event worth going to.
Interesting that there are no prominent males, willing to step up to the plate here.
Sarah says ‘NO” to the R.I.N.O.s and the John McCain/Thurston Howell/Bob Dole elements of the GOP. America is calling for real Conservatism, not the old go-along to get-along Republicanism. We must educate people by getting the message out strait up, not pander for a few votes from people who would never vote for “Republicans” anyway -unless they see that many Americans embrace conservative values more than “groupthink” will allow them to admit. Also,I have lost all faith in Gingrich.