Alaska Politics Blog : Palin to headline Washington D.C. fundraiser (updated with Palin saying it's not true)

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Sean Cockerham

Sean Cockerham writes about Alaska state politics. He's worked for the ADN in Anchorage and Juneau, covered the legislature for the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, and covered Washington state politics for the Tacoma News Tribune. E-mail Sean at scockerham@adn.com

Kyle Hopkins

Kyle Hopkins covers rural affairs, general assignments and politics for the ADN. He covered the 2006 campaign for governor, has blogged extensively about Alaska politics, covered Anchorage city government and was a reporter based in the Mat-Su. He grew up in Southeast Alaska and previously wrote for the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner and Anchorage Press. E-mail Kyle at khopkins@adn.com and also find him on our rural Alaska blog, The Village.

David Hulen

David Hulen, the ADN's state and local news editor, is responsible for political coverage. He has been an editor and reporter at the ADN for more than 20 years. E-mail David at dhulen@adn.com

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Palin to headline Washington D.C. fundraiser (updated with Palin saying it's not true)

Posted by Alaska_Politics

Anchorage Daily News

Posted: March 16, 2009 - 9:55 am

Update from Sean Cockerham in Juneau --

I just got a call from Gov. Sarah Palin's spokesman, Bill McAllister, who said these national Republican groups jumped the gun in announcing Palin would be there.

"The governor has not confirmed," McAllister said.

McAllister said he has no idea why the National Republican Senatorial Committee and National Republican Congressional Committee announced Palin as the keynote speaker. "I don't know, I'm kind of stunned...She's been invited but that's as far as it's gone from our end, is my understanding," McAllister said.

From Erika Bolstad in Washington D.C. --

Looks like Gov. Sarah Palin will continue to have a future as a Republican fundraiser. Palin will deliver the keynote address at the June 8 Senate-House Dinner in Washington, D.C. The annual dinner is a fundraiser for the Republican Party's congressional re-election efforts.

Here's a statement from the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas:

"Governor Palin has quickly emerged as one of the most popular and recognizable faces in the Republican Party, and we are honored to have her deliver the keynote address at the Senate-House dinner. As a proven leader in her home state of Alaska, Gov. Palin represents a breath of fresh air from the business-as-usual crowd in Washington, and is one of our party’s up-and-coming young governors who will play a critical role in our re-building efforts in the years to come. Last fall, she electrified and energized crowds across the country, and we expect she will generate a similar amount of enthusiasm at this spring’s dinner."

More gushing from the head of the National Republican Congressional Committee, Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Texas.

"Gov. Palin’s conservative values, commendable achievements in Alaska and the sheer energy she personifies make her one of the most compelling visionaries of our Party. With respect, admiration and enthusiasm, I look forward to welcoming her to Washington and await the inspirational address our party needs, as it rebuilds and prepares for a victorious election cycle."