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Beltway GOP Dumps Palin—Again—as Headliner

Opts for Gingrich to give speech at fundraiser

By Ambreen Ali, Newser User

Posted Jun 8, 2009 6:19 AM CDT

(Newser) – After twice inviting Sarah Palin to speak at its fundraiser tonight, the GOP's congressional wing has again withdrawn its offer, Politico reports. The confusion began months ago when the National Republican Congressional and Senatorial Committees announced the Alaska governor as the event's headliner. Palin didn't commit, so organizers picked Newt Gingrich instead. Last week Palin was re-invited, only to be dropped over fears that Gingrich may feel slighted.

The teetering has irked both the national party apparatus—many resent Palin's initial hesitation—and the governor. Palin may skip the event altogether. "Why, at a time when you're trying to build the party, would you pull a move like that?" asks a Palin aide. Some conservatives, unimpressed by the moderate Gingrich, are still trying to persuade Palin to attend.

[Images (2)]

[Quotes (2)]

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is considering skipping the fundraiser altogether, her aides say. (AP Photo/Chris Miller, File)

Newt Gingrich was selected to speak at the event after Palin failed to commit. (AP Photo/CBS Face the Nation, Karin Cooper)

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You dance with the one who brung ya. - anonymous GOP official, regarding the decision to nix Palin's speech out of deference to Gingrich

Why, at a time when we’re trying to build the party, would you pull a move like that on somebody who earlier in the day just attracted 20,000 people? - Pail aide Meg Stapleton

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Beltway GOP Dumps Palin—Again—as Headliner