By Shane Vander Hart, Caffeinated Thoughts
Iowa Family Policy Center ACTION sent out the following press release last night:
IFPC ACTION GOING ROGUE?
10/27/09 Pleasant Hill, IA – In response to media inquiries, Iowa Family Policy Center ACTION President Chuck Hurley responded today to questions concerning a potential appearance by former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin at an upcoming IFPC Action event.
According to Hurley, “We have reached out to Governor Palin through both official and informal channels and extended an invitation for her to keynote our annual fundraising event.” He went on to say, “We are not yet ready to confirm the specifics, but are hopeful that all the details can be worked out for her to come.”
IFPC Action began soliciting financial support for the event this week in anticipation of the Governor’s potential visit. Responding to questions raised by preliminary fundraising for the event, Hurley said the event, scheduled for November 21st, would be “on a much larger scale than our banquet last November,” and that “we are preparing now to make sure the Governor’s visit is a huge success should she accept our invitation.”
IFPC Action welcomed Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal on his first trip to Iowa when he spoke at last year’s event. Previous IFPC Action speakers include Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, and Family Research Council President Tony Perkins.
Should Palin accept the invitation, her appearance at the IFPC Action event would mark her first trip to Iowa since she traveled the state as the 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee.
This would be an incredibly good move for her to make. While this would be sweet, and I would try to make sure I attend the event – it isn’t confirmed. So I would encourage everybody not to assume that she is coming. When Meg Stapleton, her personal spokesperson, says so… then you can bank on it.
The Iowa Republican notes the irony if she does in fact attend:
Palin’s appearance would occur just across the street from the Iowa Democratic Party’s Jefferson Jackson Dinner, which will be held at Hy-Vee Hall. The Iowa Family Policy Center was originally scheduled to hold its event at Hy-Vee Hall, but IFPC was asked to relocate once the Iowa Democratic Party confirmed Vice President Biden as its keynote speaker. As a consolation, the Iowa Events Center reportedly offered IFPC Action the 16,000 seat Wells Fargo Arena at a greatly reduced rate.
Who do you think would have more in attendance? Palin? You betcha.
Shane Vander Hart (who lives in the Des Moines area and would be super-thrilled to have Palin visit) is the editor of Caffeinated Thoughts. Feel free to follow him on Twitter and friend him on Facebook.
Editor's Note:
Word came this afternoon that Meghan Stapleton had issued a statement that it would be "incredibly difficult" for Sarah to attend this event because of her book tour and requests from over 1000 groups for her time. Although a definitive "no" was not given, it doesn't look good for this particular event.
Author Shane Vanderhart has additional updates on his site. It looks like IFPC had to issue the press release because CNN had intercepted an e-mail from another group that was fundraising to help pay the speaker's fee for this event.
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Unfortunately, and I hope I’m wrong, but I just read that AP reports Meg Stapleton says this visit would be “incredibly difficult” due to already scheduled events. However, at least she didn’t say a firm “no.”
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