(CNN) - Republican VP candidate Sarah Palin has been uninvited from attending a rally against Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad next week in New York, one day after Hillary Clinton nixed her appearance at the event because the Alaska governor was slated to be there.
“In order to keep the focus on Iranian threats and to ensure that this critical message not be obscured, the organizers of the rally have decided not to have any American political personalities appear,” the organizers, which include several Jewish groups, said in a statement.
In a statement, John McCain expressed disappointment over the decision.
"Governor Palin was pleased to accept an invitation to address this rally and show her resolve on this grave national security issue, regrettably that invitation has since been withdrawn under pressure from Democratic partisans," he said. "We stand shoulder to shoulder with Republicans, Democrats and independents alike to oppose Ahmadinejad's goal of a nuclear armed Iran. Senator Obama's campaign had the opportunity to join us. Senator Obama chose politics rather than the national interest."
A spokesman for the event, Glen Rosencrantz, would not confirm a Politico report that several high-profile Jewish Democrats had pressured the organization to nix Palin from the event.
But in a conference call with reporters Thursday, Ira Forman, the Executive Director of the National Jewish Democratic Council, said his group strongly disapproved of Palin's invitation to the event.
“We have a presidential election where the McCain-Palin ticket want to use what’s supposed to be a very, very bipartisan-type of operation to, again, use it as a campaign event," he said.
The organizers announced earlier this week that both Clinton and Palin would be "keynote speakers" at the event, along with Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel. But aides to Clinton announced Wednesday the New York senator had been unaware Palin would also be attending, and as a result would not appear at the event after all.
The McCain campaign quickly criticized the move and suggested it came at the behest of the Obama campaign, though did not provide evidence that was the case: “Senator Clinton has since withdrawn from the engagement, presumably at the behest of the Obama campaign, and according to news reports, Senator Obama's campaign may be leaning on organizers to disinvite Governor Palin as well lest the rally appear partisan," McCain spokesman Michael Goldfarb said.
UPDATE: Obama campaign spokesman Tommy Vietor has issued a statement reacting to McCain.
"This is another dishonorable lie from John McCain. The Obama campaign had planned to send a surrogate to the rally," he said. "The truth is, John McCain had a real opportunity to stand up for Israel's security yesterday, but he refused to stand up to his allies in Congress who blocked Barack Obama's bipartisan divestment bill that would have increased pressure on Iran. So while Senator McCain uses the 'Stop Iran' rally to issue dishonest political attacks, he has refused to join with Barack Obama in supporting the kind of sanctions that could actually stop Iran from getting a nuclear weapon."
– CNN's Martina Stewart contributed to this report
From CNN Politics
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Sounds like Shrillary took her toys and went home just because she was going to be upstaged by Palin.
I'm really snickering at all this. The Repubs keep saying how much people just LOVE Palin. Lies, lies, lies, as usual. They don't even just love her in Alaska. Start reading the Anchorage Daily News and see for yourself.
adn.com
I really do not know what Palin would do there. She does not know anything about all that. MCcains move to choose her as a running mate will be remembered as one of the biggest mistake ever in this country's political history. This is just ridiculous!
if palin goes to that rally, the republican may say that she has foreign experience.
Senator McCain, you can not have Honor without Truth. Where is the Honoralbe McCain of 2000? You and the Rep party needs to take accountability for your part in this mess. Bring back the honor of your party.
Can she see Iran from her house?
This is Another GOP trick..... anybody can see what they are trying to do! turn the current economy issue around and make it into WAR issue with Iran and show how TUFF she really IS.... the way I see it, is she is running from the real TUFF AMERICAN ISSUE OUR MONEY OUR ECONOMY!
My Dear God.... Republican VP candidate Sarah Palin V.S Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad... I'm just sick of this War WAR WAR!
To "Palin 2012" on top: keep on dreaming
It is probably for the best that Palin was uninvited. She has no foreign experience, and with a loaded topic like Iran, we need someone with more savvy. Mr. McCain, why oh why did you go for the gotcha when you had both Mr Lieberman and Mr Romney available for your choice as VP?
Let's see...Lie to us and send us into a war that kills 4000 brave Americans. Spend a TRILLION Dollars bombing then fixing up a country that hates us. What do we get in return? $5 a gallon gas!!!!! Thanks repubs!
Enough is Enough
palin=liar
palin=stupid
palin=power hungery
palin=G.Bush
thanks, but no thanks to palin!
Libs are clueless people.
McCain/Palin 2008
Of course, McCain campaign, of course...because we all know that Clinton bows to Obama's will, and that he is prone to strong arm tactics. [Rolling eyes}.
I hate hearing comments from McCain and his campaign these days. John McCain has gone from someone you can respect, even if you disagree with him, to a complete idiot and psychopath desperate to appease the Republican Party. Palin isn’t even worth a comment (apart from this).
Russian news agency Pravda described Palin as "Mrs. Nobody, Know-it-All, Shreiking Cow from Alaska". (Look it up – it's on the net).
Apparently they've seen her from their house too.
I prefer a leader that the world respects. Go Obama/Biden
Palin said she can see Iran from her house!
This should be no shock to Sara Palin...I'm sure she's been univited to many parties.
I think it's wonderful that some men are not swayed by smiles that don't reach the eyes.
To PALIN 2012, How in the hell is Palin a "True American hero"?
That has to be one of most unjustifiable statements I have heard in this campaign.
People who lack open mindedness and freedom of expression should not be afforded the gifts of Democracy........like Liberals.
NO WAY, NO HOW, NO MCAIN , NO PALIN!
Comon John, we know why they pulled her... they realized she has nothing to say!
I guess Sen. Clinton was successful in making the rally a politcally partisan event.
Is McCain paranoid? He seems to see Obama behind everything! I don't think Obama would have time to do everything McCain has accused him of orchestrating! Doesn't McCain think anyone can take action on any topic without clearing it with Obama first?
McCain is 90% Bush
Palin is 100% Bush she stands for everything he stands for
She is a polarizing figure period.