MIAMI (CNN) – Two hours before Thursday morning’s press conference at the Republican Governors Association — her first since the Republican presidential ticket lost last week — Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin was still scheduled to appear alone. Instead, she spoke with a row of fellow governors standing silently behind her.
Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour told CNN producer Evan Glass that they all met at 9 a.m. - an hour-and-a-half before the press conference’s scheduled start time - and by then it had been "decided" that they'd all go out together.
An RGA official told CNN the reason for the change is a "long story."
He said that when the governors were all at their private morning meeting, someone brought up the desire to get beyond what happened in the McCain campaign and look towards 2009 and 2010.
Then, this source said, Palin piped up and said she agreed that she didn't want to talk about the past.
This source insists that it was then decided that the other governors in the meeting would go with her to her press conference as a "show of unity."
The source admitted that it may not have been easy for some "big egos" to go in and stand behind her, but they knew they'd be doing so.
Not present: the conference host, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist. A Florida GOP source tells CNN "he didn't know about it,” because he wasn't at the morning meeting.
In another shift, Palin — who had been slated to take questions for 20 minutes or so - took just four press queries.
Why did Texas Gov. Rick Perry cut it off so fast?
"We were running behind schedule," insisted the GOP official.
Palin may not have wanted to talk about the past, but her speech was almost entirely about the McCain campaign; she included little in the way of detailed ideas about the way forward for Republicans, the theme of the panel.
From CNN Politics
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Please keep Palin as the center of attention – please, oh please!
While I agree that the "press conference" seemed awkward and at times boring, I fail to see how anyone can call Palin an idiot or claim that she is out of touch. Granted she is out of touch with Washington and their corrupt ways but she clearly is NOT out of touch with the people of her state. She HAS made positive changes for the taxpayers in Alaska on many different levels. Why isn't there a blog on Senators Frank and Palosi? Lets see investigations into their role in this economic crisis. Palin is clearly not cut from the same cloth as the crooks in Washington, she is real people trying to make REAL changes. Are you all that threatened by the strengths of this woman that everytime she speaks, you find fault. Look at her record thus far in Alaska and quit complaining that she didn't save the Republican Party! Claims that Palin is "just not that smart" are vocalized by people who are just plain uninformed, I haven't heard Alaska coming to the Federal Government for financial aid. I would prefer a person with substance who has a record of reform over someone who is an eloquent speaker who has never accomplished a single piece of legislation! Listen very carefully, Sarah Palin did not cause the failure of the Republican Party, that train was already off the tracks long before she became their scapegoat!!!!!
ENOUGH OF PALIN!! With people loosing jobs and the economy in shambles who cares about this woman!! Unless she's going to pay my bills!! Now CNN. since this is on the Ticker..you wanted a response. So ENOUGH ALREADY ABOUT PALIN!!
Who "DIED" and left PA'IN the boss???? She is all for herself and it's very obvious.
OH WAIT PALIN – I see a "CRACK" in the door at the "mental" institution. HURRY UP – you can BASH through it and become their FIRST "insane" PRESIDENT!!!
JEEZ!!! Give me a BREAK!!! Have you heard her in the interviews???? She has NO way of thinking on her own. She REPEATS the same thoughts (or script) for every question asked!!!! She had the NERVE to tell Wolf Blitzer to "ask her questions from people who voted for HER"???!!! Doesn't she GET IT – NO ONE VOTED FOR HER!!!! LOL
GO BACK TO "ALASKA AND WORK FOR YOUR PEOPLE"!!! Take care of your kids!!!
Is Sarah Palin auditioning for another SNL skit?
Message to Palin don't talk to the press, leave town and stay far away in Alaskan woods with the moose people.
Maybe this is the death knell of the Palin Redemption Tour. If she truly has designs on the 2012 nomination, the Alaska Governor has to get back to business and show she can accomplish more than mangling the English language. She is showing herself to be the I in team and this will do her no favors with the GOP hierarchy. In the end, her fifteen minutes of fame may be over.
I think the GOP will quickly find out that Palin, who appeals to only a small group in the conservative right, is big baggage and a laughing stock. She will need a major re-make, which she will do too. But on the other hand, the entire GOP is a laughing stock right now, running counter to the need to open up to the rest of the world. In spite of its still unmatched military (true) and economic (less true) powers, the US cannot always act unilaterally.
About time for someone to start stealing her thunder
Loving every minute of it !!! LoL
P.S. Press we are sick of seeing her on the TV
Setting aside the past, there really is not much for her to say, since she obviously has no future.
Go away, already and write a book - perfect title for you... The Auducity of A Diva!
I am sick of truning on the TV to see & hear her, they LOST!!! now go away, she will NEVER be President of this country, go to Russia and run ofr office since you can see it from your house. Please media no more interviews, they just keep getting worse everyone likes a good laugh now and then but she is no longer funny.
Palin, won't go "away" and it scares the crap out of the Dem's.
She has the affection of at least 57 million voting American's and you hate her for it.
I HOPE SHE TRIES A RUN IN 12. SHE WILL BE THE SAME VINDICTIVE HATEFUL PERSON DURING THE PRIMARIES. THAT SHE WAS DURING THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE. SHE WILL TEAR UP THE OTHER GOP CANDIDATES AND MAKE OBAMA'S JOB MUCH EASIER IN THE GENERAL. I HOPE SHE DOES RUN. IT WILL BE A GIFT TO THE OBAMA.
The Republican Party has become irreverent. Just look at it failures. If Palin was the best it could offer then it deserves what it gets...
Kraig-
Bright and Articulate?!?! Are we talking about the same Sarah Palin? I'm not saying she's dumb, but I get soooo frustrated trying to figure out her meandering sentences and nonsensical answers. Sometimes I think she's trying to use big words and phrases to cover her lack of knowledge on the issues.
Hey Willy Brown...Sarah Palin doesn't scare me in the least. It's you right wingers that think she's the savior of the GOP and can't wait to vote for her again. THAT'S WHAT SCARES ME. This woman is no leader, she's a pretty face with a cute accent, and the powers that be in the Republican Party have nothing more to lose, so they're gonna bank on your ignorance to the issues and ride her coat tails to...somewhere. They've realized that their policies haven't worked and that we are ready for a change of power, so they tried to turn the election into a beauty contest. What, exactly does she bring to the table??? I'm not holding my breath waiting for you to answer...
That's why she was still talking about Ayers yesterday.
Sarah palin has charm and personality ... but no substance what-so-ever. The Republicans will sign their own death warrant for the next decade if they continue to allow this mediocre politician to serve as spokeswoman and (unbelieveably) leader of the GOP.
Luckily I am behind Obama, and am happy to watch the GOP implode before our eyes.
Sounds like Rick Perry wanted the attention...He was supposed to be the next great Republican...Keeping Palin in the forefront is good for Democrats...
After reading all these Palin stories and teh comments people make I have come to the conclusion tha Unity and change is impossible its not going to happen. Too many people can't let go and move in, I didnt vote for Barrack but I wish him the best and hope he can turn things around. Seriously some of you need to stop living in the past if you sick of her quit reading these articles and posting CNN is not going to stop posting stuff like this. I can see unity and change is on its way :/ LOL
Enough is enough.
What a goofball and media hog !! Every time she opens her mouth, she reinforces what a diva she is. How can anyone with a brain be taken in by this bimbo????
Gov. Palin did fine. She has great strength, courage to keep on fighting. You don't fool me or millions of Americans. You want to destroy Gov Palin because she is a threat to you POWER. Well, trust me we see through you. FYI...North Korea is closing it's boarder with S. Korea in Dec. Yup, someone's mettle is going to be tested. Well Biden warned you who voted for Obama. I can't wait to see your faces when he starts the draft to fight the multiple wars as the result of his perceived weakness will get America in.
All you guys are just jealous because Sarahs so smart and with good ideas such as the Iraq and good looking and oh just like me. I hope we hear from her more because she has such great ideas for the future of our country and such and makes her party look ready to lead! God Bless!
Once the election was over, I thought at last we could breathe easy knowing she (Palin) would go back to obscurity, along with Joe the Plumber, Joe-6-pack, Ubetcha and dog-gone-it (words that are banned from our household) – but she just has to stay in that media spotlight. If the conservative republican party doesn't understand that all she/they stood for DID aid in the failing of McCain's campaign, and not just the economy, then they are doomed (rightfully) to fail as well. LISTEN to the PEOPLE. And please, Palin, go away, along with your 'no regrets over the 'palling around with terrorist' comments that we had to endure for too long.